[OT] Gaming Consoles: Which one?

[Evilboy]

All the consoles can be a good choice, and the best idea would be to try each of them out (if you are able to, at least) to see which rubs you the right way.

The PS2 is definately a good, safe bet. Most games, most games coming out. With all the big-name games on the system, you'll probably find a good selection of games that rub you the right way. My main beef with the system is the lack of good multiplayer games. I haven't seen any PS2 games that deliver solid, entertaining 4 player gaming, and only a select few that are worth mentioning for two players. If you can't decide, you should probably go with the PS2.

The Gamecube is my personal favorite. Its $100 less than the others, and most people (me included) like the controller and system design. The Gamecube has a few really great games out for it, but unluckily there just isn't a large enough selection. If you can live with 2-3 excellent games every six months, you'll be fine with a Gamecube. If you want more like 2-3 excellent games every six weeks, then keep clear.

The X-box, is, IMHO, last place out of the three. Halo is definately entertaining, but isn't anything revolutionary if you're already played Half-Life. The controllers are uncomfortable and the system is quite expensive. The system and games might rub you the right way, but I'd definately recommend that you try it out before throwing $400 on it.

The X-box and Gamecube are still new enough so that its hard to say if either is a hit or miss system. If you can wait, it might be a good idea to see how things play out between the two before throwing down ~$300-$500 on system and games. If you can't wait, get a PS2.

As a final option, try a Dreamcast. Its currently selling dirt cheap at around $50 and has graphics that are comparable to the PS2's. Considering that you could get a Dreamcast and an entire game library for the price of a PS2, GC or Xbox alone, its at least something you should look into.

Personally, I'm spending a bit more to build a good PC. Warcraft III, here I come!

- Evilboy

 

[I'm A Banana]

The Eternal Question

Ah, the Gamer's Dillema.

I'd go for the PS2...mostly because of one overriding factor: Squaresoft. These guys make superb games in the RPG/Adventure genrea. Final Fantasy X is reason enough...and don't judge it too much by it's predacesors, either. It plays like a 50-hour movie, and when was the last time you spend $1/hour on a movie? And where Square goes the rest will follow. PS2 is the RPG system.

Gamecube is next, but not for a while. Smash Bros. Melee is an absolute blast, especially with multiplayer. Pikmin and Super Monkey Ball are quirky, and intriguing. By next year, this will have a new Zelda, a new Mario, and a new Metriod. So, I'll be waiting, but this is something I'm picking up at some point (probably about when Zelda comes out). Also, Resident Evil is going over to Gamecube, which should help obliterate it's Kiddie image, and open it up to more 3rd party stuff.

Xbox is...distant. To me, Halo is intriguing, but it doesn't balance out the just plain *wrong* feeling I get from supporting Microsoft. I just feel icky about doing it any more than I have to for convenience, and there's no Xbox game that I feel the absolute need to have....nothing matching the party-fun of Smash Bros or the story-in-a-disc of Final Fantasy X. The features that the box has now (like hard drive and broadband) will be solved in expansions for the PS2 (or they better be, by the time FFXI comes out!). Until Xbox has at least a game or two that I *need* to play, I'm afraid I'm going to have to pass on it. Which isn't really a big problem at $400 smackers for a Microsoft vehicle.

Basically, weigh the games:

PS2: Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy X, Grand Theft Auto III

Gamecube: Smash Bros., New Zelda, New Mario, New Metroid

Xbox: ...Halo...

Just so you know my biases, I own a PS2, and plan on picking up a Camecube when one either Zelda, Mario, or Metroid come out. Xbox I don't see myself shelling out for.

 

[Wolfwood]

I would go with the PS2 if I were you. A lot of good games for eveyrone in the family. The fact that it is backwards compatible is wonderful when you feel like playing the old games as well.

It is the only system I have ever seen that has a game for up to 8 people to play. If you like Hockey. Great sports games and some of the better exclusive games from Square.

Just a few thoughts anyway.

 

[Welrain]

Get a Dreamcast. You can pick them up for next to nothing and there is a whole load of great games available at dirt cheap prices.

Its well worth it.

 

[Welverin]

Beware! Long Post

Xbox
Cons-
Most expensive

It's $300 just like the PS2 and since it comes with a hard drive and broadband built in it will cost you less money in the long run.

Originally posted by Evilboy
All the consoles can be a good choice, and the best idea would be to try each of them out (if you are able to, at least) to see which rubs you the right way.

I second this, but since it can be hard to do check out a big game site like Gamespot.com and read about which games are available for each system and go with the system that has the most games you want.

Best bet though is to wait until this fall when we'll have a real indication of what to expect from the GC and Xbox long term and thus if they'll be viable long term alternatives to the PS2. If you can wait go for the Dreamcast suggestions below to tide you over.

The PS2 is definitely a good, safe bet. Most games, most games coming out. With all the big-name games on the system, you'll probably find a good selection of games that rub you the right way.

Definitely the safe bet and the one you can't go wrong with.

The Gamecube is my personal favorite. Its $100 less than the others, and most people (me included) like the controller and system design. The Gamecube has a few really great games out for it, but unluckily there just isn't a large enough selection. If you can live with 2-3 excellent games every six months, you'll be fine with a Gamecube. If you want more like 2-3 excellent games every six weeks, then keep clear.

The biggest reason to go with a Cube is if you're a Nintendo or Resident Evil fan. Capcom will release all future RE's on the Cube and is making a remake of RE1 and will port all the other games to it before releasing the next two new games (0 and 4).

The X-box, is, IMHO, last place out of the three. Halo is definitely entertaining, but isn't anything revolutionary if you're already played Half-Life. The controllers are uncomfortable and the system is quite expensive. The system and games might rub you the right way, but I'd definitely recommend that you try it out before throwing $400 on it.

I have to emphasize the Xbox is only $300, same as PS2.
As for why to buy a Box? Jet Set Radio Future and most of Sega's new games will come for the Xbox first. Plus it looks like it may end up as the favored choice for current and former PC developers.

As a final option, try a Dreamcast. Its currently selling dirt cheap at around $50 and has graphics that are comparable to the PS2's. Considering that you could get a Dreamcast and an entire game library for the price of a PS2, GC or Xbox alone, its at least something you should look into.

I'll be the third person to suggest this.
My suggestions on what to get: three extra controllers, multiple VMU's (memory cards, say about four), Jet Grind Radio, Sonic Adventure, Shenmue 1&2 (you'd have to import the European version of 2), Resident Evil Code: Veronica, Crazy Taxi 1, and ChuChu Rocket for non fighting games. For fighting games Capcom vs. SNK Pro, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, Soul Calibur, Street Fighter 3 Third Strike, theses depend on what style you like however.
Most of them won't cost more than $20-30, some as little as $10.
I left off games that also came out for the PS and stuck to stuff I have.

 

[tennyson]

I'm biased towards Xbox and have nothing but good things to say about mine. The graphics are hands down the most intricate of all of the consoles, you can't argue with the numbers. The one thing that does annoy me, however, is the games that are made for the lowest common denominator (which I believe is Ps2 at this point) and then ported over to Xbox. The games that are made specifically for the XBox are amazing, and the graphical advantage really shines through.

They don't have as many games as Sony, who right now is undoubtedly the industry leader, but they're coming out in floods. If there was one company that I'd feel confident in competing with Sony right now, it's Microsoft.

Another good point to look at is this: Microsoft hardware is excellent. I'll say it again: Microsoft *hardware* is excellent. I can already here the anti-Gates movement growling, but it's true - hardware from this compnay has a history of being reliable. For the millions of consoles they have sold, only an extremely small fraction (sorry, I don't have the exact numbers, so you'll have to trust me on this one) have been returned. Quite a good stat, actually. Not too far off from that of PS2 or GC.

Again, I've had my Xbox for about 4 months now and I love it - great product. And if it's RPGs you're looking for, check out Project Ego and Elder Scrolls 3 (which is rumored to be be just as advanced as the PC version). But again, it has something for every genre of gamer. Hope this helps!

 

[Michael Sorensen]

I would choose between the PS2 and the Gamecube. PS2 has a larger library, but most 3rd party games will be coming to all the consoles, and the Gamecube gives you Nintendo 1st and 2nd party.

Whatever you decide, make sure it is because of the games you want to play -- not who makes the console, or which one seems to be the most popular right now.

 

[Eye Tyrant]

The vast consensus on this thread says to go with the PS2, which also what my friends have told me (unfortunately they all live out of state)...

I still have the "ex-PC gamer" tendency to go with the Xbox, however I can't ignore the resounding votes of confidence in the PS2.

I suppose I will spend some time at Best Buy/Babbages/Electronic Boutique this weekend and get a good feel for each of them before making a decision.

I appreciate all the input, and welcome any more that might be provided from the boards...

 

[Orco42]

Gamecube.....

Nothing beats Smash Bros. Melee.

It is the only reason many people I know got one. I don't think I will buy another game or system unless they come out with another Smash Bros.

 

[CrusaderX]

I myself was considering which of the three systems to buy (PS2, Xbox, or Gamecube) and I ended up buying a $50 Dreamcast.

Without a doubt, the Dreamcast is far and away the best videogame deal you're going to find. I've picked up excellent, amazingly fun games such as Crazy Taxi, Grandia II, Jet Grind Radio, Rayman 2, Record of Lodoss War, Shenmue, Sonic Adventure, Street Fighter Alpha III, Test Drive Lemans, Unreal Tournament, and Virtua Tennis...and nearly every title was $10 or less brand-new. You can build up a huge, top-quality library of games for a fraction of what you'd pay on another system. And alot of the games are very, very, good, and as fun and enjoyable as any game you'd find on a more expensive system. And the fun factor is ultimately the bottom line when it comes to gaming.

I may buy a newer system someday. But my Dreamcast is keeping me happily occupied, and will continue to do so, at least until the prices of the other consoles drop, which they eventually will.