Santa needs advice: PS2 or something else, and 4 player games

[Ranger REG]

I think you should avoid console, being anti-console myself.

Buy the cheapest PC systems for your kids. You can connect them altogether for network play, though I suggest you do not hook them up to the internet yet.

 

[Scotley]

Game cube is great for the little ones, but if you plan to play yourself and with your wife the ps2 may offer you more. It does require extras for 4 player games. Our experiences with both suggest that the ps2 is less reliable than the game cube, but of course our son had the ps2 and likely played more and harder than my daughter did on the game cube. If the only reason for the ps2 over the game cube is to keep playing your existing games then consider just picking up a used one at a local pawn shop. You should be able to get a used ps1 and a gamecube for the price of a ps2.

 

[Arnwyn]

And from what I've seen, there's been some longevity issues with the PS2. A friend of mine has his, and has to regularly clean it and re-adjust the laser, etc.

This is much less of a concern with the newer "slim" models.

As others have noted, based on your parameters, your best bet is either the PS2 or GameCube - and if 3-4 player games are important, then the GameCube wins out.

Buy the cheapest PC systems for your kids. You can connect them altogether for network play, though I suggest you do not hook them up to the internet yet.

This is definitely the worst advice given here, considering the original post. Multiplayer is right out, "cheap" computers won't run many games, most PC games aren't all that kid-friendly and there are fewer of them, and the monitors themselves cost as much/more than a single console.

being anti-console myself.

But this explains it all.

 

[mojo1701]

I think you should avoid console, being anti-console myself.

GET OUT.











I'm only kidding. You can stay.

 

[trancejeremy]

The Xbox is probably the most durable of the bunch, but is also dangerous to small children (Really, it says so in the manual. It's referring to it falling on one, though, which seems unlikely to happen, but...)

The original PS2s did have problems (I know mine died after about 3 years), but the new slim ones seem to have fixed this. The down side is, the slim ones are really small. Maybe too small for children to use easily.

The Playstation 3 is supposed to be backwards compatible with both, but just how that turns out remains to be seen. The Xbox 360 was supposed to be backwards compatible, but is only slightly (the big name games).

The PS2 does have a Crash Racing game.

But I would probably go with the Gamecube if it's mostly for kids. Other than backwards compatibility, it's probably the best overall bet.

 

[ThirdWizard]

Longevity concerns are certainly a concern to me. We let the 3 year old play games, as much as he can, and I don't want to worry about a fragile little box.

The Cube looks pretty sturdy though.

X-Play dropped all three (PS2, X-Box, and GC) out of a, I believe, three story window, and the Game Cube was the only one to work after the drop, though it wouldn't close properly. It is very durable.

I'll also throw in with the Cube. I own all three, and as far as multiplayer goes, GB beats PS2 as far as I'm concerned. Smash Bros., Mario Kart, don't forget all those Mario Party games (I used to play those with my ex- heh), plus various other titles.

 

[Vasteel]

The PS2 is going to be the best 'catch all' for gaming needs, as it has the highest installed user base and thus far and away the most titles. However, it is also far and away the most poorly manufactured console, as is par for the course for Sony. And for it's massive library, there are only a handful of must-play titles, and fewer multiplayer titles still.
The Gamecube on the other hand, lacks the library of the PS2 in terms of quantity, but the quality of its exclusives makes up for it. It also features more titles with content appropriate for all ages, and is the best made and cheapest console out there. For what you seem to be after, I would recommend a Gamecube to you first if you came to my shop, and titles like F-Zero GX (racing), Super Monkey Ball (insanity), Mario Kart, Zelda and possibly Metroid: Prime. None of these games would cost you over $20 bucks, either.
The Xbox I would only recommend here because of the multiplayer and racing games. However, the content here tends to be of the more mature variety, or simulationist racing, and really about Xbox Live.

 

[dpmcalister]

I've got Super Monkey Ball for the PS2... regardless of platform, it's an excellent game

 

[JoeBlank]

Well, my eyes have been opened. The wife and I are now giving the Gamecube a serious look, and it has moved up to the frontrunner position in our decision making.

Vasteel, you mentioned several games, all for under $20, is that because they are used? Should I start hitting the used game stores to get a decent little library of games? We may have to go with a few "new" games, as in not used, because Santa will want the whole display to look nice under the tree on Christmas morning.

After work yesterday, my oldest was playing across the street and I went to get him for dinner. With fall baseball and good weather, he has not played inside his friend's house in months, but that is where I found him. On the way home, I asked what they had been doing and he reports they were playing Pokemon. I say "the card game?" and he answers "no, on Gamecube." Weird coincidence, or hidden message from Santa?

My kids must have been good this year. They will be surprised the week before Christmas with a letter from Santa telling them to get in the minivan, they are leaving for Disneyworld. Then we come back a couple days before Christmas and they'll still get some pretty cool gifts. We decided to go quality over quantity on the gifts this year, and the Disney trip is a big part of the package.

Thanks again for everyone's advice. Keep it coming, especially mentioning specific games you think we will like.

 

[mojo1701]

I'm selling a few games for Cube. They're all slightly used, but you could take a look.

http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?p=2722535#post2722535.