Playstation 2, X-Box, or Gamecube?

[Aswald]

So much for "no Playstations"...

At this point, based on console durability, actual ability, use of that ability, current games, variety, future games (that will probably appear, not "vaporware"), marketing/accessability, etc., which of these 3 current consoles can be considered "the best?" I'd imagine that since the Playstation 2 is compatible with the older games, that would be an advantage?

[Captain Wrong]

Hard to say. I'd say in terms of games, PS2 (unless you're a Nintendo fan) but as for long term durability, I'd give the edge to the Game Cube. I've not spent much time with the GC yet, but Nintendo seems to build their hardware to last (the NES toaster cart connector nonwithstanding :)), the Playstation was notoriously flaky and I've heard similar reports from PS2 owners (plus I think Sony's quality in the last 15 or so years has been pretty much crap), and the Xbox is kinda an unknown quantity as Microsoft is new to hardware but I seen the hard drive as being a potential weak spot.

That being said, the only of those 3 I own, or even care to own, is the PS2, so I guess that tells you where my money is.

[bargora]

If you don't have any form of Playstation at all right now (and I think that's what I'm hearing), then go with the PS2. Just don't put it on shag carpet next to the cat food and ashtray (I hear they don't like teh dust).

If you already had a PS then I'd say go with the system with the most killer apps. The problem is that killer app status must be determined by the prospective purchaser.

Assuming that you don't have a PS, it is my (non-gamecube-ass-having) opinion that there are enough killer apps between the PS and the PS2 to far surpass either the GCN or the Xbox. Throw in the fact that many of the excellent PS games can be had dirt cheap, and there you are.

I think that the durability of the PS2 units has improved in the more recent models, but you might want to investigate an extended warranty nonetheless, particularly if you anticipate heavy usage. None of these disc systems are going to be as reliable as a cart system.

And by the time you're getting tired of PS/PS2 games, you should be able to kit out a GCN or Xbox and collection pretty cheaply, too.

[atomicthumbs]

Get a second job for a few weeks, then get all three.


YOU CAN DO IT!!!

[Kroogah]

Count my vote for the PS2 as well. Many of the best PS2 games are now part of the Greatest Hits line. Grand Theft Auto 3, Hot Shots Golf 3, ATV Offroad Fury, Jak & Daxter, and many others can be gotten easily for $20 or less, and that is a VERY big part of why I prefer the PS2. Even though I'm a huge Nintendo fan.

[Aswald]

Actually, I don't own anything more recent than an NES, but with all of the hype, I just wanted to know. In a way, Opcode made me think of the question; you hear an awful lot about the "tech sheets" and "killer apps" of the various consoles, but one look at his games for the ColecoVision indicates that they easily equaled those of the Atari 7800 (a "superior" system) in many ways- hence, which console of the current generation is making the best USE of what it has? That seems to be the most important thing.

[atomicthumbs]

All of these systems share some pretty fantastic games (mostly PS2 and Xbox though)! If it's down to deciding between the PS2, Xbox or GameCube you have to ask youself one quesion. What games or what kind of games do I want to play? If you want Mario, Sonic, Metroid, Zelda etc. get that GameCube! If you want Knights, Panzer, Batallion, DOA-XBV etc. get that Xbox! If you want GTA-VC (right now), FFX, K-Hearts, Tenchu etc. get that Playstation 2! Me, I have the uncontrollable need to upset my girlfriend so I have all three. BUT I did not get them all at once! I got my PS2 the first day it came out, the Gamecube late last year and the Xbox this last May.

[AB Positive]

[goes into Gamestop Monkey mode]

All right, it really all comes down to what you like gaming wise. Each system seems to have carved it's niche and isn't moving anywhere soon.

RPG Gamer? PS2 It's not even a question. PS2 beats every other system out there with the number of rpgs it has. Also, if you enjoy the 'quirky japanese game' you will also be better off with a ps2. Be prepared to treat it like it was gold, hell platinum. The hardware does tend to burn out but only if you're rough with it.

Like FPS games? You sir, want an XBOX. FPS heaven, massive online gaming integration, sports games look the best on this system and almost all of them are online as well. Halo, Halo 2 (soon), Unreal Tournament, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, CounterStrike.... this is the best system for FPS. There -are- RPGs for the system, but only 2 now and 2 more in the future. Even though Star Wars: KotOR looks godly, it still can't make up for the fact that after it you aren't going to be playing many other RPGs after.

If you like Zelda, Mario, Metroid.... or you enjoy Resident Evil A LOT, welcome to Gamecube country. Actually, the Gamecube is has a "Low Quantity, High Quality" lineup of games coming up and might just sneak up on people of late. It's lower price system wise and the fact that it has THE BEST wireless controller are heavy pluses for it. This is the system I got last of the three and yet now I'm wondering why I waited so long.


There you have it. If one of these descriptions pegs you perfectly, you can't go wrong with that system.

-AG

[bargora]

Actually, I don't own anything more recent than an NES, but with all of the hype, I just wanted to know. In a way, Opcode made me think of the question; you hear an awful lot about the "tech sheets" and "killer apps" of the various consoles, but one look at his games for the ColecoVision indicates that they easily equaled those of the Atari 7800 (a "superior" system) in many ways- hence, which console of the current generation is making the best USE of what it has? That seems to be the most important thing.
So you want to base your choice of console on an abstract efficiency evaluation? Avg. % console power utilized?

[Aswald]

Well, based on the "classics" collections, and Spyro the Dragon games, if I did buy a modern system (not likely at all), I'd have to go with the Playstation 2. Very little in the way of modern gaming appeals to me, that's all.

[Aswald]

Actually, I don't own anything more recent than an NES, but with all of the hype, I just wanted to know. In a way, Opcode made me think of the question; you hear an awful lot about the "tech sheets" and "killer apps" of the various consoles, but one look at his games for the ColecoVision indicates that they easily equaled those of the Atari 7800 (a "superior" system) in many ways- hence, which console of the current generation is making the best USE of what it has? That seems to be the most important thing.
So you want to base your choice of console on an abstract efficiency evaluation? Avg. % console power utilized?

It goes beyond that. Aside from the fact that a weaker system using its abilities better will "look" better than its rivals (as the ColecoVision games usually looked and sounded better than the supposedly superior Atari 5200's games), this also includes things such as variety. If all of the ColecoVision games, including homebrews, had virtually every kind of game there was and is, but the most modern system (hypothetical) had one-on-one fighter games and ONLY one-on-one fighter games, which would be more fun to play?

[XpOsUrE]

I myself own all 3 and enjoy the most my xbox, then my ps2. The reason I guess is that I really enjoy the more mature games of the xbox and ps2 more then the gamecubes.

[Droodroo]

I also own all three, but only got my xbox a few weeks back, perhap[s its because its the new boy in town, but im pretty sure i like it the ebst, the games rival the ps2, the online abilities outdo anything the PS2 has to offer (at least yet) and the game cube its a little bit too kiddie, except for few titles, such as ikaruga (which i bet will be released for the PS2 soon), metroid and a few others.

The ps2 is too cosmetic and in my opinion tailors to the new 'hip' gamer, movie tie ins, sport'u'like etc.

My money is with the XBOX, retaining independance by not selling out games wise, having the licenced games ala ps2 and a lot of potential homebrew wise in the future.


D

[kevincure]

From a killer app perspective, here's what you're looking at:
PS2: All sports games (onilne EA plus better control), Rez, Frequency/Amplitude, GTA and Vice City, Gran Turismo, Silent Hill 3, FFX, Onimusha, the ridiculous number of awesome PS1 games, MGS Substance
XB: Halo! (this is reason alone to get a box), Knights of the Old Republic, Panzer, Splinter Cell, PSO
GC: Resident Evil, Animal Crossing, Monkeyball, Metroid Prime and Miyamoto games.

Quite a few games are just as good on any system, like NBA Street, Need for Speed and SSX. A few multiplatform games I placed in the system where I found them to be the best. I mean, it's pretty clear that the Playstation2 "won" this round, and I would bet that there are still PS2 games coming out long after the XB and Gamecube have seen their last title. All 3 systems (and the DC, for that matter) are solid, though - you can't really go wrong. The new Ps2 with the better DVD playback and network adapter built it makes me say you should get that, but an XB or GC would be fun as well.

[hezeuschrist]

From a killer app perspective, here's what you're looking at:
XB: Halo! (this is reason alone to get a box), Knights of the Old Republic, Panzer, Splinter Cell, PSO

NO NO NO FUCKING NO NO ARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

NO.

Jesus H. Me people! THIS is they I fucking despise the Xbox, more specifically Halo. Exactly. Right on the dot. "You can have this game first on Xbox that'll be out on PC in a month!" What the hell, why bother? The only EXCLUSIVE app you mentioned was Panzer. EXCLUSIVE. I don't give a damn what looks the best and neither does anyone else around a classing gaming board, especially when talking about nuances like dingleberries on the DOA:XVB girls thongs. Seriously, that level of detail is absurd and no one needs it.

What does the Xbox offer me? Steel Battalion and Panzer. Anything else it'll offer me that I can't get with my REAL computer? I don't get why some halfassed shitbox with a quarter the processing power of most of your computers ever gets praise, ESPECIALLY for a god damn launch title that's available in 3 months with MASSIVE upgrades.

If I see or hear one more person say "Halo is reason alone to own a shoddy watered down PC" I'm going to fucking explode. Fucking Argh. I said it before and I'll say it again, most Xbox fanboys would fuck their Xbox with Halo in the disc tray if given the option.

Note: Don't take this personally, I just would love to destroy any conception of the Xbox if given the chance to go back in time and leave the industry in much less chaos than it is, let Sony and Nintendo battle it out with the consoles and leave those admittedly great Xbox titles on PC.

[Drexel923]

I also have all three consoles and I like the Gamecube the most. PS2 comes in a close second to the Cube. The Xbox, hmmm what can I say...I bought it for Halo and all of the other good games I was gonna buy. So far I've bought two more games and I didn't even like one of them. I'm thinking of selling it but I might hold out a little longer. So I would reccommend either Cube or PS2...you should check out the list of "best" games in the classic discussion board too.

[atomicthumbs]

From a killer app perspective, here's what you're looking at:
XB: Halo! (this is reason alone to get a box), Knights of the Old Republic, Panzer, Splinter Cell, PSO

NO NO NO FUCKING NO NO ARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

NO.

Jesus H. Me people! THIS is they I fucking despise the Xbox, more specifically Halo. Exactly. Right on the dot. "You can have this game first on Xbox that'll be out on PC in a month!" What the hell, why bother? The only EXCLUSIVE app you mentioned was Panzer. EXCLUSIVE. I don't give a damn what looks the best and neither does anyone else around a classing gaming board, especially when talking about nuances like dingleberries on the DOA:XVB girls thongs. Seriously, that level of detail is absurd and no one needs it.

What does the Xbox offer me? Steel Battalion and Panzer. Anything else it'll offer me that I can't get with my REAL computer? I don't get why some halfassed shitbox with a quarter the processing power of most of your computers ever gets praise, ESPECIALLY for a god damn launch title that's available in 3 months with MASSIVE upgrades.

If I see or hear one more person say "Halo is reason alone to own a shoddy watered down PC" I'm going to fucking explode. Fucking Argh. I said it before and I'll say it again, most Xbox fanboys would fuck their Xbox with Halo in the disc tray if given the option.

Note: Don't take this personally, I just would love to destroy any conception of the Xbox if given the chance to go back in time and leave the industry in much less chaos than it is, let Sony and Nintendo battle it out with the consoles and leave those admittedly great Xbox titles on PC.

Wow... Well, I love my Xbox. I bought it for those games alone and have no regrets. As far as PC gaming goes, I just never got into it. I think it's great and all, but it just wasn't for me. So I'm glad that some great PC games started showing up on the Xbox (and I hope even more show up in the future).

I also never got into that PC gamer vs. console gamer silly garbage. Hell... I just do what I want and enjoy!

[badinsults]

My brothers have a PS2 and Gamecube, but I still find myself playing PS and Snes games more than new games. I will go with Gamecube as the new F-zero game is coming out on it, and that is the new game I want the most.

[kevincure]

I dunno - now that we're online, FPS are heading away from PC's and towards consoles as the optimal platform. Who wants to play on a relatively tiny computer monitor when you can play on a nice big-screen TV? Not me. As far as graphics are concerned, you can buy yourself an XBOX for the cost of a cheap graphics card alone, so that's the most important reason for playing games like Halo on a console.

As far as graphics are concerned, it doesn't matter for most games. But a few games are radically different on the different systems, and Splinter Cell is one of them. The gameplay just doesn't work as well on the PS2 with the downgraded graphics.

The other reason Halo gets praise is because us console guys have been playing it for 2 years while you PC chumps waited for a graphics upgrade. If you've waited this long, you should just wait for Halo 2.

(That said, you'll never catch me playing a Civ/Sim City style strategy game on a console - the high rez of PC's does matter in these cases)

[hydr0x]

i really can't say which console is the best i only can say which is the weakest

THE X-BOX

hezeus is totally right , i also HATE people who really think Halo is the reason to buy a xbox. ****** just think for one minute, PLEASE, how can ONE game that has a superior pc version be the reason to spend $400 on a console? this is what all those people paid, cause they baught it right after release
of course, there are SOME other great games, but those few exclusive great games don't make up for paying so much money, if u really want those pc-style games for christs sake get a pc, it has far superior controls

another thing that should bother you a lot: what about the xbox hd? do u really think it will still work in 10 years? i really don't think so, of course, you might be able to exchange it, but if u lose all your downloads and microsoft doesn't support that thing any more, you'll have lost all extras, FOREVER

[hydr0x]

I dunno - now that we're online, FPS are heading away from PC's and towards consoles as the optimal platform. Who wants to play on a relatively tiny computer monitor when you can play on a nice big-screen TV? Not me. As far as graphics are concerned, you can buy yourself an XBOX for the cost of a cheap graphics card alone, so that's the most important reason for playing games like Halo on a console.

no way pal, have u ever really played online-fps?? any idea how important it is to have 100fps? how well the pc-screen works? how important it is to be able to configure all your controls completly how u like it (incl. mouse acceleration and such things)? online-fps will NEVER leave pc, just wait until the console-version of counter-strike arrives and everyone will feel how inferior consoles are for this game and other online-fps. You won't have a fucking chance against a pc cs-player if u play on your console, console players will be smashed

[atomicthumbs]

I dunno - now that we're online, FPS are heading away from PC's and towards consoles as the optimal platform. Who wants to play on a relatively tiny computer monitor when you can play on a nice big-screen TV? Not me. As far as graphics are concerned, you can buy yourself an XBOX for the cost of a cheap graphics card alone, so that's the most important reason for playing games like Halo on a console.

no way pal, have u ever really played online-fps?? any idea how important it is to have 100fps? how well the pc-screen works? how important it is to be able to configure all your controls completly how u like it (incl. mouse acceleration and such things)? online-fps will NEVER leave pc, just wait until the console-version of counter-strike arrives and everyone will feel how inferior consoles are for this game and other online-fps. You won't have a fucking chance against a pc cs-player if u play on your console, console players will be smashed

Hey now, cookie! I think you should calm down on the PC-Supremesist bit and just try to play nice with the other kids.

[bargora]

The reason to buy an Xbox is to play Steel Battalion. (Mission log currently at 75 hours)

Everything else is just icing.

[Nature Boy]

At this point, based on console durability, actual ability, use of that ability, current games, variety, future games (that will probably appear, not "vaporware"), marketing/accessability, etc., which of these 3 current consoles can be considered "the best?" I'd imagine that since the Playstation 2 is compatible with the older games, that would be an advantage?

I own all 3, so I'll give you my 2 cents.

The Xbox seems to be the weakest to me. Mind you I don't play online gaming at all, which means I ignore what is probably it's biggest strength. All the garbage about it beign a PC though is just that - I don't know why people care so much (most of the time I figure they're just MS haters). There isn't a lot I like playing on it except sports games, Splinter Cell, and HALO. Of course I can play the sports stuff on any system (the Xbox is nice though 'cause those massive franchise saves don't eat up memory cards).

The PS2 has reliability issues - from what I've heard. Having sold 50 million units it's not suprising so many of them could have problems. I've been a launch day owner and mine works just fine.

Of the library I have (31:20:10 PS2:GC:Xbox) I consider the Cube's to be the best. Partly 'cause I'm a Nintendo fan I suppose. But I do like Zelda and Metroid and Eternal Darkness, among others, more than the good exclusive PS2 stuff (although GTA3 and Ico are fantastic games too).

What I like best about the PS2 is the pricing. You can get games *dirt* freaking cheap for it, much more often than for the other two. Nintendo's own games never seem to drop in price. Sony's best stuff always seems to be dropping in price. New games for $20 Canadian? I'm in. And used games go for less too in my experience.

The future? Well Nintendo will *always* have games coming out that I'll want to play. But Sony, with it's massive 3rd party support, probably will too. MS needs to start developing some development houses or something, 'cause their exclusive future seems pretty light to me.

I'd probably declare PS2 "the best". If I had none of them right now I'd still choose the 'Cube - but, again, I'm a Nintendo fan and that weighs into the equation as much or more than any of your criteria.

[tynstar]

NO NO NO FUCKING NO NO ARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

NO.

Jesus H. Me people! THIS is they I fucking despise the Xbox, more specifically Halo. Exactly. Right on the dot. "You can have this game first on Xbox that'll be out on PC in a month!" What the hell, why bother? The only EXCLUSIVE app you mentioned was Panzer. EXCLUSIVE. I don't give a damn what looks the best and neither does anyone else around a classing gaming board, especially when talking about nuances like dingleberries on the DOA:XVB girls thongs. Seriously, that level of detail is absurd and no one needs it.

What does the Xbox offer me? Steel Battalion and Panzer. Anything else it'll offer me that I can't get with my REAL computer? I don't get why some halfassed shitbox with a quarter the processing power of most of your computers ever gets praise, ESPECIALLY for a god damn launch title that's available in 3 months with MASSIVE upgrades.

If I see or hear one more person say "Halo is reason alone to own a shoddy watered down PC" I'm going to fucking explode. Fucking Argh. I said it before and I'll say it again, most Xbox fanboys would fuck their Xbox with Halo in the disc tray if given the option.

Note: Don't take this personally, I just would love to destroy any conception of the Xbox if given the chance to go back in time and leave the industry in much less chaos than it is, let Sony and Nintendo battle it out with the consoles and leave those admittedly great Xbox titles on PC.



I am glad I can play "PC" games on the X-Box. I work on computers all day the last thing I want to do when i get home is sti in front of a PC. Plus you get a bigger screen.

X-Box= HDTV ready
PS2= S-Video = SHIT!!!

PS2 sucks. The fact that you have to play it in a dust free place or it will break. It does have some good games but give the X-Box another year and there will be a great game selection.

I would get them in this order

1 or 2) X-Box / GameCube

3) PS2

[calthaer]

I would say GameCube.

I bought a PS2. I play the PS2. The only games I enjoy for it are PS1 games. I'm not into GTA nor do I care for sports games and frankly this system just has not really done it for me. Don't get me wrong - the PS1 games are fantastic. But I never owned a PS1 and I could have saved myself some $$$ just by getting one of those. Sure PS2 games are cheaper but a lot of its cheap games just plain suck. Greatest Hits are nice but the rest of them leave me cold.

The Xbox has nothing on a PC, pure and simple. Halo will be on PC, so will KOTOR. DX2: Invisible War and Thief III will also be on PC. And yes - FPS games played with a mouse (a Logitech iFeel, especially) will r0><0r console any day. No reason to get one at all - invest in a real gaming machine; get a r0><0r b0><0r.

The GCN has made me remember what got me into games in the first place. I've actually FINISHED my GCN games - that is, played them all the way through to the end. That's more than I can say for the PS2 or even most of the PC games that I own. In an era of crappy 3D games turned out for a quick buck, Nintendo's games shine. They need to work on the kiddie image but the gameplay is all still there and it's as good (or better) than I remember it (i.e. - on the NES, SNES before they started to suck hard on the N64).

[Rogmeister]

It's too bad you guys really don't have any solid opinions LOL

I bought a GameCube when it came out and I enjoy it but I realize there are a lot of games that haven't come out for it and 3rd party companies seem to be shying away from it even more (for example, Sega not making sports games for it anymore). Because of that, I've been planning on buying one of the other consoles (PS2 or Xbox) and have been going over my magazines the last few days marking down the games I consider must-haves. Whichever system I choose, there will be games I still won't be able to play but maybe sometime next year there'll be another price-cut and I can then get the one I don't have right now. For now, I plan to get the PS2...even if it means no DOA Beach Volleyball for me...the PS2 just seems to have more games than the Xbox does that really appeal to me.

[ApolloBoy]

I'd take the PS2 and the Gamecube over the X-Box anyday (sorry X-Box fans).