PS2/GameCube/X-box which to get?

[ReddogaNate]

Ok I could all use your help.

After playing the PS2 yesterday I have decided I need a new stand alone gaming machine. I originally had a Nintendo followed by a Genesis, and lastly a Nintendo 64. I still have the Genesis but have sold the other two. I probably buy a new gaming machine once every three years or so. Anyhow I like sports games and multi-player games, I sold the Nintendo 64 because it just didn't appeal to me. I don't play cute games. I think I have narrowed it down to between the X-Box and the PS2 but want to be sure.

A little bit about what I would be hooking this up to: A Sony 27" Wega TV, with a Dolby Digital/DTS receiver and the whole speaker package, I already have a stand alone DVD player so DVD playback quality is not an issue. I don't think I really have much need to play games over the internet as this system mainly will be used for me to play personal sports seasons and host pick-up games when friends come over. (I really like Grand Theft Auto 3 by the way) I also play most role-playing/strategy games on the computer. I am 22 years old and would probably play about 10 hours a week. I also like simply controllers and have heard that the X-box controller is kind of big and confusing.

So let me know what you feel would be the best system for me? What system is going to be still going strong two years from now? Should I be going after the most technological advanced system? If so which one is the best technically? Which is the best for game-play so far?

[Memo]

I had the same Dilemma. I narrowed it down to PS2 and XBOX as well because the gamecube just isn't very appealing. I went with the PS2 mainly because of games. Grand Theft Auto 3 was the breaking point. Basically I bought the game for this. Also, Squaresoft makes games for PS2 (Final Fantasy Series) which was another reason for me to go with the PS2. If you want to play sports games though, the PS2 only has plugins for 2 controllers and the Xbox for 4. So it depends on how many peope you're going to play with. You'd have to get the multi-tap for the ps2. I think as far as hardware, the Xbox is the most powerful system out. For game variety, PS2.

[ArkiStan]

Yeah guys, Grand Theft Auto 3 is pretty great. I watched a friend play once and those are some of the mostl realistic crashes I've seen in a game so far.

I don't know jack **** about these consoles other than they're all mad fun, so I can't tell you much, but I would go with the PS2 because of the variety of good game developers, but I hear the X-Box has real-time Dolby Digital Surround which produces surround sound as you actually play the game (Example : You hear Hockey Players skating up from behind you). Not many of the games use it yet (only EA sports games so far), but I tootally see it becoming hugh in the near future in all sorts of games. PS2 can do something similar, but it doesn't utilize it as much in actual games : only in animation sequences in the game. So that would be appealing to you since you're getting a AV receiver. Think about all that. Peace.

p.s. on a side note. This shouldn't be a deciding factor at all, but when you look the design of the actual console, X-Box and GameCube look like they're straight out of a children's mail order catalog, while the PS2 looks really bad-ass... When it comes to design, the Japanese kick some major arse.

[SpeedEng]

Originally posted by UT Memo
the PS2 only has plugins for 2 controllers and the Xbox for 4.

there is a adapter for 4 controllers for the ps2

[Memo]

Originally posted by SpeedEng


there is a adapter for 4 controllers for the ps2

Ya I put it in there, it's called the multi-tap

[SpeedEng]

opps my bad didnt see it

[UnReAL]

...... buy them all. $199 + $299 + $299 = $797. There ya go. Buy them all, they all are good. You must buy game consoles... or just play superior pc games.

[coleslaw]

I am personally biased towards the GameCube because I own one, so I would probably not be much help. I highly recommend it, though. :thumb:

[M_A_C]

I have both a PS2 and a GC. They are both great, and different enough from each other that I can justify the purchases. The X-Box is a system for more mature gamers, much like the PS2, and the games aren't very good yet I don't think. Halo is fun, but it's still a FPS on a console, which doesn't work well. X-box isn't worth owning right now, IMO, but we'll see in about a year from now if they can get enough great games on the system to make me buy it. Anyways, if i had to choose, I would keep my PS2 right now.

[ReddogaNate]

Thanks guys,

I am leaning towards the X-box as all the technology seems to be built in without having to buy extra stuff such as Broadband, 4 controller option, etc....plus all the games I want are available for both systems even GTA3. (will have to wait a few months for it)

[apmiller]

Tech isn't as important as the games. With the type of games you say your into I'd say you would be better off with the PS2 in the long run and that's hard for me to say since I love my GC. If the GC wasn't on the market at all I'd go for the PS2. X-Box may have all the teck a guy could ever want but that control is too freakin big and most of the games coming out are already on the PS2. Plus with the PS2 you can play the old Playstation games. X-Box just doesn't do it for me.

[ArkiStan]

very true.