Getting a Console?

[EzTuSleepy]

with all the games coming out. i was wondering if i should get a console or not. i don't know which one to get yet cause prices are droppping. do you guys think i should get a console?

[gear02]

Yes.

Don't listen to that crap about gaming is only good on PCs (cough Blitz cough :D ).

It's all about the games, and frankly there are more games out on console than on the PC. It's sad but true. If you like games, get a console.

Which one? That's a different matter. Here's my point of view:

Gamecube: Get this only for its proprietary games like Zelda, Mario, and Metroid as they are excellent and Zelda is a classic. However, since it has a smaller storage medium (its discs don't hold as much as a DVD) as well as it's controller not being condusive to many other games, it's not the ideal platform for multiplatform games. It also does not have a very good networking capability.

PS2: Get this console for ITS proprietary games, though they're quickly decreasing. The PS2 has many RPGs (FFX, Xenosaga) and some other great games (Virtua Fighter 4, Tekken 3, Winning Eleven 6). It has a better networking service than the GCN, but not as good as Xbox Live. It's graphics and sounds are a bit behind the GCN and Xbox and it uses memory cards.

Xbox: This thing's proprietary games suck, other than Halo and a couple others. However, the Xbox shines with its graphics, sound, and the fact that you have a HUGE memory card for saves. Ideally, the Xbox is the best platform for multiplatform games. It's networking capability is the best overall, although EA doesn't support it.

If you had to pick one, I would pick the Xbox just because of its hardware pluses and the fact that eventually the PS2 will not have its proprietary games anymore and Nintendo's big hitters (Mario, Zelda, Metroid) only come around once every couple of months.

However, the decision is up to you. Look at what games you like and which platform has it. Then look into the future releases and figure out which games you like and what platforms will have them. That'll give you the best idea of which platform is for you.

Let me know if you have any questions. I'm a hardcore gamer with all 3 consoles and a gaming PC. :D

[EzTuSleepy]

well i usually like to play shooting, sports, and racing games. so does that mean PS2 is the game system for me? i think PS2 has more sports, shooting and racing games.

[gear02]

Originally posted by EzTuSleepy
well i usually like to play shooting, sports, and racing games. so does that mean PS2 is the game system for me? i think PS2 has more sports, shooting and racing games.

Actually, no. I think the Xbox is for you. Most sport games are multiplatform, except for March Madness 2004 which is PS2 only. The Xbox's hard drive will come in handy considering Madden game saves usually take up half or 3/4 of one memory card. So you might as well for those.

Racing games are becoming multiplatform. Midnight Club 2 is coming out on xbox, so there's no problem there. The Xbox has some racing games that the PS2 doesn't have, like Sega GT, Apex, Burnout 2, and some others. The big, and I mean BIG, drawback to recommending the Xbox for racing is that Gran Turismo 4 looks like its gonna be PS2 only...

Shooters? That's probably the Xbox as well. I don't know of any PS2-exclusive shooters. They all seem to be multiplatform. However, the Xbox has Halo, Halo 2, and Doom 3. Coupled with better graphics, the Xbox is a good choice. The only thing the PS2 has is the fact that it can use keyboard and mouse since it has USB ports.

Btw, I'm NOT a xbox fan boy. I'm a gamer, and I have an impartial view on all the consoles. You may wonder why I haven't mentioned the cube. That's because I feel like with its small storage medium and the use of memory cards, coupled with the fact that the controller does not work well with many games (think madden), it's not the best console for such games.

[apmiller]

I have to agree with gear on this, you want an Xbox based on what you play. You will be much more happy playing shooters, sports, and racing games on that than any other system - this is tough for me to say for I'm a big fan of the Game Cube and PS2 but the bottom line is Xbox has the games your looking for and they will look and play better. Plus with the Xbox Live option you can really get into those FPS, Sports and racing games.

With all the talks of price drops I would wait until June before you act to see if anything comes from the rumors of cheaper systems and more games dropping to the 19 - 29 dollar range.

[Bires]

If I had a bunch of guys to play sports games...I would buy a console. As it is, I play RTSs (PC) FPSs (PC) and RPGs (GBA and PC), so I have no need for a console.

[gear02]

Don't wait till June actually. Wait till the end of this week and the beginning of next week. E3 is this week. They've already announced pricedrops of $20 to $179, but there might be some retailers that will do some special deals during or after E3.

[apmiller]

Originally posted by gear02
Don't wait till June actually. Wait till the end of this week and the beginning of next week. E3 is this week. They've already announced pricedrops of $20 to $179, but there might be some retailers that will do some special deals during or after E3.

Good point but I still think waiting for June is better. Every year most retailers like Toys R Us will have specials on consoles and games to go with school letting out and to kick off the summer. Plus there are a lot of new games hitting shelves in June and your sure to see a lot of 10 - 20% off sales along with pushing of bundled game packs.

[EzTuSleepy]

well i might wait awhile. i know that ps2 already did make a drop (199.99 - 179.99). i'm waiting for xbox to make a drop. but other than that i have to see what games are coming out for both consoles. right now i'm aiming for xbox.

[EzTuSleepy]

but right now which system is best rated?

and also...how people here in G|A own a PS2 or XBOX

[gear02]

It really doesn't matter which system is the best rated. What matters is the games you can play on each system. I could tell that the PS2 rated machine, but what does it matter? Are you going to buy a console on the pure basis of which is the most popular?

In the console world, the games rule the land. Now these games might influence what hardware you want to play with (i.e. XBox's harddrive), but it's still the games.

I own all three systems.

[EzTuSleepy]

like i said on the previous post. i'm aiming for the xbox.

[Booyamos]

really depends on what games you want. I have had a PS2 since launch and it just rules. Lots of great games! But I also have a Gamecube, which is good, but just not nearly as many good games.

I would rather have an Xbox and PS2, xbox has some pretty good games and some really great ones coming out later, Halo 2, Fable.. etc.

Just sorta see what games you want and which system has more of those types. PS2 seems to have more rpg's and basically a lot more games than the rest. GTA:VC etc.

also if you get an xbox, get the S controller. it is a lot better IMHO than the normal one. The first one was just wayyyyy to big.

[gear02]

Nono...getting the normal controller is NOT an option...that thing was WAY too big. In fact I don't think they sell the old one anymore.

If I had to summarize what I said earlier, I would say the PS2 is excellent for RPGS, the XBox is best suited for sports games, and the Cube is best for gaming's finest games that only come along every 6 months (Zelda, Metroid, Mario)

Looking at the early E3 news, I'm most excited about some PS2 games and Gamecube games. The only thing that peaks my interest in the Xbox is Halo 2 and Madden and NCAA 2004, which are both multiplatform anyway.

PS2 is getting some rather interesting ones like FF11, Time Crisis 3, Metal Gear Solid 3 and FFX-2, while the Gamecube is getting FZero, FF Crystal Chronicles and a rather strange Starfox multiplayer game.

[apmiller]

If you must know - Xbox was the highest rated console by all the gaming mag's and web sites for the hardware that was put into it. it had a bad start due to the lack of good games when it came out. PS2 so far is the winner of the war for it sells more units and games, but Xbox is by far the better consol.

My personal choice has always been a tie between GC and PS2. For one I've always been a Nintendo fan for their games and I have two kids so I rather they play the games I know will be safe. But I like the PS2 for all the RPG's like Final Fantasy/Dark Cloud and all the more adult games like Grand Theft Auto/Metal Gear. If Xbox had Final Fantasy, Zelda, Metroid, GTA and so forth then I'd be all over it.

[gear02]

Xbox's proprietary games are very mediocre. Other than Halo and a few others, they're not impressive what so ever. That's why it's the best console for multplatform games. If you just had to go with each console's proprietary games, PS2 would be first, GC would be second, and Xbox a distant last.

[EzTuSleepy]

Originally posted by Kacarp
really depends on what games you want.

well i really have to look into those first.

my thoughts right now are looking into the games that are going to come out for each console. for the past 2 days i have been looking at game releases for x box and ps2. most games i want to play are on ps2 such as GT4(Grand Turismo4) and FFX-2. if i was to play those games i will need a ps2 and not a xbox.

so i think the right choice will be a PS2.

[gear02]

Originally posted by EzTuSleepy


well i really have to look into those first.

my thoughts right now are looking into the games that are going to come out for each console. for the past 2 days i have been looking at game releases for x box and ps2. most games i want to play are on ps2 such as GT4(Grand Turismo4) and FFX-2. if i was to play those games i will need a ps2 and not a xbox.

so i think the right choice will be a PS2.

Definately.

btw if you get a PS2, wait for the new version.

http://msn-cnet.com.com/2100-1043-996748.html

[EzTuSleepy]

well no information on the release date so i'll wait.

[EzTuSleepy]

will it take long before the release date is known?

[gear02]

http://www.avault.com/news/displaynews.asp?story=5142003-72457

Sony has lowered the price of its PlayStation 2 to $179 dollars in the United States ahead of the introduction of an updated version next month. Sony Computer Entertainment of America spokeswoman Molly Smith told Reuters that retailers were informed of the change in pricing in order to clear out inventories of the existing unit. The new PS2 hitting shelves next month at $199 includes an adapter for online gameplay and modifications to the hardware that allows it to play homemade DVDs.

[EzTuSleepy]

so should i get the newer one? or the older one? if i do get the older one why not just add 20 dollars and get the new one right.

[gear02]

The $199 version includes the $30 network adapter. It's worth it, plus you get to use burned DVDs and stuff, but if all that doesn't matter to you, just find some place with a bundle.

[EzTuSleepy]

can't the old one play burned games also? but you'll have to get the chip to play right?

[gear02]

umm...you need chips if you want to play "burned" games....but we're not going in to that here...

this new version apparently has dvd-r or dvd+r compatibility (not sure which) to play burned DVDs for home movies or something...I'm not quite sure what the point is, but it's better to have a newer version of hardware just in case.

[chrissy]

gear, just for your info, I bought a PS2 a year ago this month, it will play DVD+R disks

:D

No mod.

[gear02]

interesting...what do you do with the DVD+R disks?

[EzTuSleepy]

so the old one plays dvd-r?

[chrissy]

Originally posted by gear02
interesting...what do you do with the DVD+R disks?

We tried it just to see if it would read, it was a movie.

[EzTuSleepy]

Originally posted by chrissy


We tried it just to see if it would read, it was a movie.

what about the games?

[EzTuSleepy]

oh btw do we have to pay to play on the network?

[gear02]

Regardless of what media a PS2 or Xbox can read, you can't play copied and burned games without a modchip...and as I've said, we're not going there since this isn't the scope of this board.

I guess Sony just put that new technology (if it is new) into the newer PS2 mainly for marketing purposes. Not many people will use that feature legitimantly.

[EzTuSleepy]

what about the network? do i have to pay because some people say you do.

[gear02]

Originally posted by EzTuSleepy
oh btw do we have to pay to play on the network?

Ah now that's an interesting question. Sony and Microsoft have different models for online play.

The Xbox has Xbox Live. It's a pay for play service. Right now you can get the Xbox Live starter kit for around $50 and it inclues a 12-month subscription to the service. I'm not sure what the monthly is going to be. This subscription includes all the games that support Xbox live. Xbox Live is pretty good, although I don't have it. It's big feature is the headset which allows people to cuss at each other (that's all I guess it's really used for).

The PS2 doesn't have such a network. Instead it provides the network adapter and leaves it up to the game companies to develop their own network. As a result it might vary from game to game. However, most games include the network play for free. Some, like Everquest Adventures, is a pay for play service. Check out the game for whether it's free or not.

Nintendo has a network adapter, but they're far behind either of the two in terms of network gaming.

Btw, EA has committed to the PS2 for network play for its games, meaning the Xbox Live service does not have any EA games available for network play.

[EzTuSleepy]

cool. thanks gear for all your help.

[gear02]

no problem...

hehehe...this is like a instant messenger conversation...where is everyone?

[gear02]

Btw about that new version of the PS2, I forget that it does have some additional features:

Improved laser to accomodate different dvd media, DVD±R/RW.
Built-in IR, no need for additional IR module.
75% reduction in fan noise.
Support for progressive scan playback.
(However the IEEE 1394 "FireWire" port is eliminated.

That's the reason why you should get it. Better laser and progressive scan.

[EzTuSleepy]

k thanks.