Game review sites that compare different ports of same game?

[c0ldb33r]

I find reading reviews that compare different ports of the same game interest. For instance, comparing Soul Calibur II for xbox, ps2 or cube, or the PSP versus DS versions of Puzzle Quest... you get the idea.

So, are there any game sites that specialize in comparing different ports of the same game?

[SkiDragon]

I don't know of any myself, but I wish I did. There are a few games that I didn't buy because I didn't know the "best" version to get, for example "Beyond Good & Evil".

[Poofta!]

gamespot usually throws in a few words about multiplatform releases. definately not "specializing" in it though.

[agbulls]

IGN does the head-to-head thing for big releases, but its not free anymore...you gotta subscribe. boo!

[bangtango]

gamespot usually throws in a few words about multiplatform releases. definately not "specializing" in it though.

Right.

In their reviews, they basically use the exact same text for all three versions of a game that came out on PS2, Gamecube and XBox. Sometimes there is one paragraph in these reviews that specifically breaks down the difference between the port being reviewed at that moment, compared to the other 2. For example, a PS2 review of a game will mimic the Gamecube and XBox review to comment on the game as a whole but near the end, Gamespot usually will add in a few sentences geared solely towards the PS2 version and comment perhaps on the frame rate or slightly worse graphics.

[roushimsx]

There are a few games that I didn't buy because I didn't know the "best" version to get, for example "Beyond Good & Evil".

Gamecube version is the "best", with the Xbox being a close second (slightly duller colors, iirc?) and the PS2 being a fairly close third. PC port ranks last for some more critical bugs around the time of release and likelihood that most people don't have very good gamepads for their PC. Swap the Xbox and Gamecube versions if you haven't got component cables for your GC/Wii. Despite being third, the PS2 version is still an incredible game and totally one-ups so many other multiplatform PS2 releases that you'd think it was designed with the PS2 in mind.

tl;dr - Just go buy it for whatever platform you see it on first so that you can play it already.

I like it when GameInformer does the little "The Edge" or whatever blurb in multiplatform reviews, highlighting the pros and cons of the different versions. They don't seem to do it very often, but it's neat when it's there.

There's been more than one occasion where I've bought a game for multiple platforms because I wanted to compare versions. I'd also love if someone knew of a site that specialized in highlighting the differences to save me a hell of a lot of time :)

Apparently the recent Prince of Persia trilogy is best on Gamecube?

[Lothars]

Apparently the recent Prince of Persia trilogy is best on Gamecube?

I doubt that, especially with how good they were on the Xbox.

[G-Boobie]

I think this is a concept that review sites and mags should pick up on, especially now that games are coming out that perform radically different on one console or the other; for example, Oblivion crashes and freezes a lot on Xbox 360, whereas on PS3, it runs pretty smoothly. On the other hand, Madden at 60 fps on 360 and 30 fps on PS3 is a pretty big deal.

Am I wrong in thinking that this is the first real console iteration where the differences are so striking, though? I know that for the most part last generation, the biggest differences were in graphics and bonus modes. Is there a historical precedence?

[j_factor]

Apparently the recent Prince of Persia trilogy is best on Gamecube?

The second one is definitely best on Gamecube, but I think The Sands of Time is meant to be slightly better on Xbox. The third one has that Wii port, which is probably supreme.

[Family Computer]

I think rather than reviews there should be a site that just has which is the best port of multi console games when there is a clear winner, or describe the differences when it is not clear which is better.

Some sort of database like this needs to be created because I spend far too much time researching which version of a game is the best, and I know I am not alone.