Which Console should I buy?

[Alcareru]

This was the main reason I bought an XBox... I didn't want to buy a system that was already outdated (PS2). However, when then next round of new consoles come out, it will probably be around the same time for all three.

Just gotta say, the PS2 may be outdated, heck it was the weakest console spec wise last Christmas. But it has all the developers on its side, and Sony will keep it on the shelf with games for probably another year or so. I like both the Xbox and the GC, but the PS2 is kicking butt and taking names.

In consoles software drives hardware, like a jockey on Seabiscut.

 

[John Crichton]

PS2 just seems "outdated" because it is the oldest console out there. The graphics aren't as good as the Xbox or the Gamecube nor should they be. It is currently the most popular system with the best selection of games hands-down. The PS3 (or the other next-gen systems) won't hit until 2005 in the US so buying one now isn't that bad of a deal, especially considering all the price drops and great games out there that anyone who hasn't owned the system already has yet to play.

I may seem like a PS2 fanboy because of my support in this thread. Not true - I just call them like I see them. The other systems have some tremendous games and I would tell and gamer to try and get them all to experience each but some people simply don't have that luxury.

PS2 = the best bang for your gaming dollar.

 

[WizarDru]

Well, that's mostly speculation right now, and if you go with the speculation, PS3's "cell" processors should be even more difficult to make backward compatible than XBox2 with variant PC hardware.

So PS2 is definitely not the winner here, but more than likely they'll all try to be backward compatible.

That the X-box will be different hardware is certainly not speculation. Microsoft has already announced that they will be using a different processor set from IBM and different video hardware from ATI, instead of NVIDIA. I agree that it shouldn't be rocket science to make the platform backwards compatbile...in fact, I assume it will be a high priority for them. Sony reaped the benefits of such a strategy, so it's no suprise. I'm not so confident that the Nitentdo 129 witll be backwards-compatible, though. While Nintendo's box can't play DVDs or CDs...it's also the only console that hasn't been hacked to play bootlegs, turned into a Linux machine or modded to be a media center, AFAIK.

PS2 just seems "outdated" because it is the oldest console out there. The graphics aren't as good as the Xbox or the Gamecube nor should they be.

Well, this is the rare occasion that you and I will disagree, John. I distinctly remember the large amount of disappointment at the PS/2s graphics at launch time. In particular, the lack of anti-aliasing was often lamented. The X-box and Gamecube are only a year younger than the PS/2, and there are some games on the PS/2 which looked better on the Dreamcast (but honestly, that says more about the developer than the hardware).

All of which is irrelevant in that, depending on your situation, the PS/2 is, as you say, the best bang for your buck. All the more reason I should get one, I suppose. I got X-box as a Christmas gift, and I got the 'cube when I traded in my DC and games. With Mario Sunshine and a memory card, I paid $27 for it....and that was before the price-drop.

 

[shadowlight]

Just gotta say, the PS2 may be outdated, heck it was the weakest console spec wise last Christmas. But it has all the developers on its side, and Sony will keep it on the shelf with games for probably another year or so. I like both the Xbox and the GC, but the PS2 is kicking butt and taking names.

In consoles software drives hardware, like a jockey on Seabiscut.

I know it's a matter of opinion, but IMO, there are a higher percentage of great games for the XBox. There are truckloads of ok or good games for PS2, but not very many 10's. Again, IMO, there are more great games (10's) for XBox than for any other console. That said, since I don't have a whole lot of time to play, I tend to buy consoles for one or two great games rather than a lot of OK or good games. I bought XBox for Halo (no question a 10) and then got to enjoy the greatness of KotOR and MechAssault (a couple of others as well, but those are cross-platform). I also bought GameCube just for Metroid Prime and SM Sunshine.

And if by "kicking butt and taking names" you mean "rapily losing market share to XBox" then I agree *duck*

 

[Tsyr]

Ach, I can't believe you traded in a Dreamcast...

Rest in Peace Dreamcast... You were a system that died before your time, killed by poor marketing and a deluge of crappy games. The gems that you had will be remembered forever, so many of which still stand up to the test of time today. Soul Callibur, for example, STILL looks good. Indeed, comparable to Soul Calibur 2.

Dreamcast forever!

Also, if anyone else is looking to dump their dreamcast (For shame!) tell me first... There are a few games I have yet to add to my collection that I want.

 

[shadowlight]

PS2 just seems "outdated" because it is the oldest console out there.

I perceive it as outdated because of the graphics too, but mostly because of the lack of built-in hard drive and network card. I know you can get these as add-ons, but... they're add-ons... almost a design afterthought and they're going to add to your gaming bill. Also, for all PS2 those games that don't support the external hard drive, you're going to have to buy a memory card to store your games... again, more money.

For me, that's not the best gaming value.
XBox vs. PS2 + Hard Drive + Network Adapter + Storage Cards

 

[Tsyr]

Well, the default memory card reliance on the PS2 has one nice benefit... If you want to go to a friends house and take your copy of Soul Callibur 2 for the playstation, you can grab your disc and your memory card. If you wanna do it for the x-box, you have to grab your entire x-box and the disc. Unless you bought a memory card, which negates the savings.

 

[shadowlight]

That the X-box will be different hardware is certainly not speculation. Microsoft has already announced that they will be using a different processor set from IBM and different video hardware from ATI, instead of NVIDIA.

You're right that they've announced that they'll be doing their own chip design, but I doubt that they'll depart much from the x86 instruction set (except for trimming off bits that are irrelevant to gaming and making it harder to run Linux on). That's sort of what I'm referring to by "mostly speculation." Also, since both ATi and nVidia provide DirectX compatible hardware, there shouldn't be many compatibility issues.

I guess my point is that we can't really say right now that PS3 will be more backward compatible than XBox2 (in fact, I'd say that what we know slightly favors XBox in that regard). So don't use that as a factor when deciding which console to buy.

 

[shadowlight]

Well, the default memory card reliance on the PS2 has one nice benefit... If you want to go to a friends house and take your copy of Soul Callibur 2 for the playstation, you can grab your disc and your memory card. If you wanna do it for the x-box, you have to grab your entire x-box and the disc. Unless you bought a memory card, which negates the savings.

You're right, but I've never needed to do this (and I do a lot of playing at friends houses). Other people might need this more...

 

[dagger]

I own a X BOX and a PS2, and I can honestly say I don't even play the PS2 any more.

I can't stand the PS2 controllers anymore after getting use to the XBOX controllers.

PS2 does have more games, but that does not mean they are better games.


Its kind of like Dr. Pepper and Coca Cola, they are both pretty much the same and you can't really go wrong with either. I'm sure you will be happy with which ever one you choose.

I personaly have played the GC a lot at my buddies house, and the only game I can play on it for any length of time is Rocky. Get a PS2 or an X Box if you can...