What Game Console Would You Buy?

[Breadfan]

Assuming you do not already own a current gaming console, what would you buy?

Keep the following things in mind as you decide:

Console Price
Graphics Quality/Speed
Available Games/Game Quality
Game Prices
Overall Fun Factor
Other Features

Considering all those items, which console would you buy or recommend to someone who does not have a current system?

[BaldHeadedDork]

None.

Consoles are neat because they are more stable and easier to use than PC's. So are Macs.

Games look better on a PC, play better unless the developer screws up the code, and you can get games for the PC that would bring an X-Box or PS2 to its knees. You can't buy a game rig for the cost of a console. But you can go a long way towards turning a ho-hum PC into a competent gaming system.



BHD

[DarkArctic]

I'd have to side with the GameCube for my personal preference.

Price It's the cheapest console out there from my small investigation. It seems that the PS2 and Xbox are of equal pricing right now.

Graphics I don't really feel that graphics can be compared right now between the top contenders right now. Althought theoretically the PS2 should come in last due to it's age for graphics it seems that it's still holding it's own.

Games Nintendo has a long line of developers that are willing to develop for it's console, especially some titles that are Nintendo exclusive like Mario games, Metroid and others. The quality that goes into the games by Nintendo are excellent, it's been in the industry for a while and knows what it's doing.

Game Price It seems that titles tend to be cheaper on the GameCube side of things. I compared titles that were available from all systems like Madden 2003 and Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The GameCube came out on top with the cheapest pricing, perhaps due to the small size of their CD's. XBox came right after and then PS2 came in with the most expensive titles. For example, Madden's price for the three systems was as follows: GC $30, XB $60, PS2 $75.

Fun I can't really compare fun between systems. They share a lot of the game that are coming out and each has it's own system exclusive titles. I'd have to declare a draw.

Other Features This could get lengthy. :)

Online Play: The XBox has an integrated ethernet card so online play will come cheaper than the other systems where you have to buy an adaptor. Although you have to pay Microsoft a monthly (I think it's monthly)subscription fee for online play. That would be one price for every game that you have. From what I hear the GC is going to use a per game subscription fee. I'm not sure how this will work exactly or what prices because I only have small details. The PS2 works with the existing internet connection so if you already have the internet (which I'm sure most of you do) then this won't tack on any extra costs besides that of the adaptor.

Controllers: XBox's, even the newest smaller models, feel very bulky. As you all remember that original controllers were behemoths compared to anything else we've ever seen. Good if you have large hands, but I think the majority of us don't. One thing that is an excellent feature is the long cable and the piece that disconnects when you tug on it. Every system should have this. The PS2's controller design was kept from their original PlayStation system. A good move in my opinion for the people who don't want to adjust to something they don't know. It's an average controller and should feel confortable to most users. I personally love the GC's controller, it's a perfect fit for my hand, doesn't have too many buttons that it's confusing but still useful. This is my personall favourite.

Portability/Size: I'll keep this short as I've probably spent too much time on this post already. :) XBox: Behemoth of a system, difficult to move around due to it's size and heavy weight. PS2: Good size for portability. Average weight. GC: Designed for portability, has a handle too. :)

Well I hope you enjoyed my large speach on theses systems. I didn't look at the Dreamcast due to my lack of knowledge of the system, it's difficult to get games for because so much are out of production, and no recent titles are available for comparison.

-DarkArctic

[Breadfan]

Originally posted by BaldHeadedDork
None.

Consoles are neat because they are more stable and easier to use than PC's. So are Macs.

Games look better on a PC, play better unless the developer screws up the code, and you can get games for the PC that would bring an X-Box or PS2 to its knees. You can't buy a game rig for the cost of a console. But you can go a long way towards turning a ho-hum PC into a competent gaming system.



BHD

I understand many of your sentiments here -- my computer is a very competent gamer, and I wouldn't trade it for any console when it comes to playing UT and many other great games I have.

But there is also somethign to be said for consoles, such as plopping down on the couch, popping the console on, and playing a few games on the TV.

The other thing consoles have going for them are they are relatively cheap, (149 gets you a gamecube and atleast 1 game), plus, take a walk down the game section at the electronics store. The number of games for consoles compared to the number of PC games. There are ALOT of games that make consoles that never make it to the PC. (This is a shame, I know, but it's also the way it is.)

[modenaf1]

Originally posted by BaldHeadedDork
play better unless the developer screws up the code




*cough* need for speed 6

[illwillchill]

LET THE FANBOY DEBAUCHERY BEGIN!

Console Price:
Price is well not that much of factor now as it was a year ago (when the PS2 and the xbox were $299)

all three major consoles are under $200 today


Graphics Quality/Speed:
graphics quality not much of a factor, yeah you can be picky and spout out a bunch of stats and numbers that no one (especially myself) cares about

Available Games/Game Quality
This is what a console should be judged by, what games you can play with it. each console has their flagship titles that hold it up

xbox-Halo, what else I dont know
ps2-Final fantasy series, Madden 2002-?
Gamecube-Zelda, Mario, Metroid

a lot of people argue that the gamecube has too many "kiddy" games, I grow tired of these comments and pity people who have to resort to making such shortsighted comments to justify their positions.

for sheer numbers it would go to the PS2, this can be just because it has been out longer than the other two consoles. and maybe because it has great third party support.

xbox-i dont know much about the games in this console, halo? meh.

game prices-
not much of a factor as almost games when they are released are 49.99

Fun factor-
the fun factor depends on the user, I might have more fun on the game ikaruga (http://www.ikaruga-atari.net/en/index.html) than the other joe shmo video gamer next door.

Other features.

controller:
I would have to say the PS2 controller is superior to the other 2 as it is effective for all types of gaming: fighting, rpg, etc. the gamecube controller is only weak for fighting games. as for the xbox, from experience i found this the most difficult to use small, oddly placed buttons.

of course the controller problem can be easily solved by a 3rd party controller or an adapter.

online
clearly the xbox is leading in this category for having the most titles available and the built in ethernet port. but quickly the rift between the xbox and both ps2 and gc is closing, as all the next EA sports games (madden, Tiger woods golf etc) are being released with online support and will probably be the most popular online games (especially madden).


oh yeah I'm a proud owner of a Gamecube.

[jd300]

gamecube value system great graphics

[Disco_Stu]

I just realized the other day that I could get a gamecube and 4 games for what I would pay for a 9700 pro. hmm...

but i have to sotp spending money so, no! bad thoughts! :D

[Avatar28]

For me, Xbox, definitely.

In-game Dolby Digital
HDTV output

'nuff said.

[FrozenFears]

PS2 just cause of the massive game selection, plus you can always play a PS1 game which has to at least double your selection of featured titles. All systems have good games, but PS2 in my opinion has more games worth playing than any other system. Plus it has the The Final Fantasy Series, and now with the remade originals you can play any final fantasy game ever made on the PS2. I own both a PS2 and a game-cube. Would never invest in a Halo-box when I have a mouse keyboard, better first persons and better graphics sitting in front of me now ;). Game-cube only has a few good games, but since it only cost me $150 w/metroid, add on some used games resident evil/zelda, and you got a pretty decent product for your money. Still though PS2 while some games are lacking in eye candy, it has more games with enjoyable gameplay and its controller is the easiest to hold/use. Not oversized like X-box with tiny close together buttons, and not small with akward sized buttons like the gamecube controller (although I do really like my wavebird) :)

[nealric]

Umm- I would buy a nice video card- i checked other :D

If I HAD to get one, I would get an xbox and then run linux on it :)

[cf79]

Where's all my Dreamcast peeps at? Holla' and REP-RA-ZENT... :)

[sangapski]

PS2 for the game selection...

[CrashOveride]

you cant pic none? maybe a Ti83? at least that is usful for somthing else...

[michaelkahl]

I own an X-Box and a Gamecube...I used to have a PS2 but a kid offered me $350 because the BX was sold out and I was leaving the base...he was desperate for FFX. I told him if he bought my games as well he had a deal....made for a lighter load when I moved. My roommate has a PS2 and the truth be told...you will find me on my computer and laptop, but hardly ever on the console systems...I'm just not a huge gamer. :cool:

[mikapc]

Game consoles suck. I don't know why anybody would revert to such sub-par performance compared to what the pc can do.

[n17ikh]

The NES dude!!! Duck Hunt is the best seizure-causing game EVER!!! And I can't plop on the couch because my console collection is connected to the video input of my computer...

[q149]

Super Nintendo.

[sappo]

Originally posted by mikapc
Game consoles suck. I don't know why anybody would revert to such sub-par performance compared to what the pc can do.

Value (You're not able to build a computer for under 200 with the graphics of an Xbox, PS2 or even Gamecube)

Portability

Cause it doubles as a DVD player

Cause the xbox will eventually (already does?) play divx movies. Playing Divx movies off a CD onto your TV is killer.

Better stability

No installation headache

No driver headaches

Better resale value. People STILL pay a relatively high amount for SNES systems. Good luck trying to sell a 13 year old computer.

[TechnoNRGKid]

I go with computers all the way with hooking up a xbox to it later if i feel like it.

even with computers you can hook it up to your tv, and get game controllers, sit on the couch and have the same gaming fun as consoles. Same for movies too.

You can get a good graphics card for the same price as a xbox or ps2 also.

Dreamcast, i had that one and loved it. Was so underrated, it had great games, graphics, but never really caught on, i still dont know why. I still love thinking of my dreamcast. Going online with it and the net was such new and enthusiatic thing too for me.
Chu chu!

[cack01]

Originally posted by mikapc
Game consoles suck. I don't know why anybody would revert to such sub-par performance compared to what the pc can do.

Actually the PC is just now catching up (DX9) to what the XBox can do. Now you can yell out "but I can run my game at so and so resolution!!" Well do you think it matters?? You computer monitor is 10 inches from your face, the T.V. is 6+ feet away from you. So ofcourse the computer needs to run at a higher resolution to stay on par with consoles because the ability to notice flaws is easier when your face is plastered to the screen. Plus regular T.V.s only display 640x480 so hooking your comp up to it isn't going to do much.

Personally what I like about consoles the most is that people enjoy playing/watching them in groups. I have never actually had 5 friends gather around my computer screen while I play CS. Now if I bring out Splinter Cell on the XBOX they croud around and start yelling. So there is a social aspect too.

@ Sappo
It can play Divx movies, but you need a modchip to boot up the DIVX player.

[Avatar28]

FWIW, Enter The Matrix uses Divx for the FMV.

[cack01]

Originally posted by Avatar28
FWIW, Enter The Matrix uses Divx for the FMV.

Ya I know, but I think he means playing them straight from a burned CD.

[sappo]

Originally posted by cack01


Actually the PC is just now catching up (DX9) to what the XBox can do.
Ok the DX9/Xbox thing sounds familiar, but doesnt the Xbox sport a geforce3-like gpu? In which case it shouldt be DX9 compatible since only the FX family supports DX9, right?

[cack01]

Originally posted by sappo

Ok the DX9/Xbox thing sounds familiar, but doesnt the Xbox sport a geforce3-like gpu? In which case it shouldt be DX9 compatible since only the FX family supports DX9, right?

The XBOX's GPU is a mix between a GF3 and a GF4. THe direct X that the XBOX uses can not be directly compared to the DX8 or 9 since it has its own separate version of Direct X. Personally I feel it alittle above DX8 but below DX9 b/c it doesn't have pixel shader 2.0 ability.

Here is a quote from Richard Pitchford one of the developers for porting HALO to the PC.


The rendering pipeline is still Halo - which is good and solid. But, we’ve ported it to DirectX 9 - which is great because Shawn (Green) has been able to write Pixel Shader 2.0 effects for new, high-end video cards and implement a fixed function solution for older or lower end cards.

This was necessary because we wanted to support a wide variety of hardware and because the Xbox video processor is so different from counterparts on the PC. The techniques to make the great effects you’ve seen in Halo on the Xbox simply weren’t available until very recently on the PC and even now the techniques are accomplished in different ways (which requires lots of work).

[SinsFeelNatural]

I picked game cube because smash brothers is B@d @ss!

[diggingforgold]

I'de say XBox for general game quality, performance, and graphics.

But PS2 wins as far as game variety and choice.

I'm a PC guy myself. The latest console I have is a PSX. And it will probably stay that way. Computers are integrated and much better, which is why I stick with them for my ET.

[pip]

I think it is overwhelmingly for the PS2 at the moment

[Breadfan]

Cool info. The thing that sparked this was me pulling out my Dreamcast last week, and realizing I had 3 games for it. I also have seen games advertised on TV that I was like "Woah, that looks fun...oh darn...no PC version."

I do agree that PC is a better platform. I couldn't imagine UT2k3 on a console!

I'll admit though, I'm sorta surprised the PS2 is winning...I was under the impression it was becoming a bit old skool compared to Xbox and GC...but, I do know the game selection is better. And I didn't know it played PS1 games as well. (I might have heard about that, but didn't care to file it away in my brain.)

[Kektex]

Well as of now it would be my brand new computer that i am putting together, but since we are talking game consoles i would pick the PS2 hands down.

The Xbox has one awesome game and thats Halo and well that just doesnt justify me buying one since the pc version will kill it.

[(HR)Titan]

i ll buy ps2
cose most of my friends have ps2 , and i like it :)

[KiKaL]

Go to your local video game store and look at the games for each system. See which one has the most games that appeal to you. That is the system for you. I would tell you gamecube but that is my own personal opinion which means nothing to you.

[Cjwinnit]

Originally posted by KiKaL
Go to your local video game store and look at the games for each system. See which one has the most games that appeal to you.

N64 then. How sad is that :D

[Chris]

Well I own an Xbox, but if i had the money I would of bought a GameCube as the games for it seem far more original and entertaining. I know the PS2 has loads of games backing it but i would specifically not buy one because just about everybody has one and I like to be different:D

[PaRaNoiA]

yeah i either want to get an X-Box or a gamecube, but the games seem a bit cack!!

Anyone know what console the next final fantasy game is coming out on? I must have it!! :D

[KiKaL]

Theres Final Fantasy:Chronicals on its way to gamecube then of course the new Final Fantasy to Ps2. Chronicals is quite a bit differnt though from all the other FF's.

[cack01]

Originally posted by PaRaNoiA
yeah i either want to get an X-Box or a gamecube, but the games seem a bit cack!!


Someone say my name?? I didn't even know cack was a word or expression.

[PaRaNoiA]

lol!! yeah sorry cack, but cack = cr@p :p

Might be getting a gamecube then, dont think i can be bothered with X-Box and online games. *strokes monitor*

[Anton]

I would buy a nintendo game cube.

[Demont]

FYI, any Dreamcast made before Dec 2000 can already play divx movies (can fit about 8 episodes of anime or whatever on a CD at decent quality). Not to mention you can play backup copies of your games as well as emulated NES, SNES and Genesis games!

Pretty damn decent for 50 bucks at a pawn shop.

Also has a great contoller and VMU system (basically a memory card with a little screen and stuff)

And a host of Great games.

I voted for Gamecube just to stick it to the Xbox, but Dreamcast (if you can find one made before Dec 2000) and PS2 are both very good choices.

Sorry if I said anything against forum rules, I tried to keep it clean. ;)

Here's a bonus, this is a must-see flash animation about the console war. :D http://www.somethingawful.com/firemancomics/consolewar.htm

[RoadWarrior]

I don't have home DVD player yet, so voted PS2, since if you're thinking of buying a DVD player that's like a $100 price subsidy on it :D If anything is any good on the Xbox it will come out for PC. The nintendo seems too "kiddie" for me, I'd buy one if I had like a 5-10 yo wanting a game system.

Interesting point about the Dreamcast, never knew it could play divx.

Road Warrior

[Zim2411]

Yeah, the dreamcast can play divx, and people have ported games such as Quake, Quake 2, Hexen1/2. Heck! Even HALF-LIFE is for dreamcast. (You cant buy it, but supposedly you can download an ISO of it.... (abandonware))

But Sega is shutting down the online services for all games except PS0 1/2.

Dreamcast was the first console to really take online gaming to a new level!!

[Demont]

Originally posted by Zim2411
Yeah, the dreamcast can play divx, and people have ported games such as Quake, Quake 2, Hexen1/2. Heck! Even HALF-LIFE is for dreamcast. (You cant buy it, but supposedly you can download an ISO of it.... (abandonware))

But Sega is shutting down the online services for all games except PS0 1/2.

Dreamcast was the first console to really take online gaming to a new level!!

yeah, and there are also things like Bleemcast! Gran Tourismo 2. You can play GT2 on the dreamcast with way enhanced graphics. Just pop in the bleemcast gt2 boot cd and then the ps1 gt2 disc and away you go.

really cool stuff.

supposedly sega of japan included this debug mode stuff that sega of US didn't know about initially. so you can boot whatever you want as long as you can emulate it with the dreamcasts rather meager 200mhz processor or whatever it is.

[edit] did anyone watch that NerdShoe flash animation I linked above? ****ing hilarious!

[madcow235]

Dont even mention that "Kiddy" crap for the love of god dont. If kiddy is not having to blow peoples heads off to be fun then i will take the occasional Kiddy game. I like Gamecube because its small, I move it from tv to tv every time i use it, has a really nice controller with only one fault and thats the z button which i hit for some freakish reason instead of Y, and it has really really good games. Sure it doesnt have such a huge library of games but like my teacher used to say "Its quality not quantity." and almost every Gamecube game is amazing quality. And Zelda, Mario, Metroid, and Super Smash Brothers beat the crap out of most games but Halo and Vice City.

Xbox has what oh yeah halo its to bad that was the only good game on it.

PS2 is starting to show its age but is still kicking and gran turismo 4 is coming out soon which is like the coolest thing ever.

Now i have to go because a thunderstorm is coming to kill me BYE.

[NotHisTechiness]

i'd say snes if they were still in demand. i'm a proud owner of a ps2 and would still buy one if i didn't already have one. can't really beat what you get from it: plays old ps1 games and you can play dvds on it.

qoute:
Theres Final Fantasy:Chronicals on its way to gamecube then of course the new Final Fantasy to Ps2. Chronicals is quite a bit differnt though from all the other FF's.
endqoute

final fantasies: x-2, 11, and 12 are all ps2

[Avatar28]

Wonderfully, though, 11 and 12 are being codeveloped for the PC as one of it's main intended platforms rather than as an afterthought like it was for 7 and 8.

[TheGr8s1]

XBOX period. Graphics or night and day compared to a PS2. Heard ATI might integrate their video brand into the next XBOX. First Nvidia now ATI. DROOL...........XBOX.............DROOL!

[XeRoFuN]

I like Xbox myself...but I think the PS2 is not too close behind...maybe they're neck and neck at times though.