Has it EVER paid off to be an early adopter?

[boatofcar]

I mean, really? Has it? I can't think of any situation where it has in the world of computers, video games, any kind of technology.

Somebody prove me wrong!

[NE146]

Well yeah, in consoles. I like playing games when they're new. I don't think I'd have enjoyed playing 5200 Joust for hours and hours like I did back in the day when it was amazing as opposed to if I bought a 5200 console just now and tried it :P

Back then
5200 console = $200+
Joust = $40
Total = ~$250+

Worth it even though you can buy a 5200 Joust cart now for 50 cents or something and a 5200 console for a couple bucks? YOU BETTER FRIGGIN BELIEVE IT! :D

[Querjek]

You'd get to experience something before other people...?

[FlufflePuff]

If you look at it pessimistically, then you might be right. The only situations in which I could think of being an early adopter would be like the original GTA: SA. People who waited to long wouldn't get hot coffee, but then again they could just buy a used copy. So really, all you get by waiting is a smaller price tag, and the feeling that you waited too long to get on the bandwagon.

[Drunk Billionaire]

You get that fresh new gameplay that won't seem stale and old in a couple of years.

I get my PC games from free sources. If they are multiplayer then play them now because in a couple of years you won't have the multiplayer experience like you do now.

Console games are forever changing and I would like to witness it as it evolves. Plus $400 and games that are $60 (xbox 360) isn't really that expensive to keep me from buying them.

I don't think it's pricey. I enjoy online play. I enjoy new games and the new ideas I see. And in my opinion, thats why it's worth it, for me, to be an early adopter.

[Beefy Hits]

Not in my mind (though I've taken the early adopter plunge far too many times to count). The only place where it really pays off is with MMORPGs or games like PSO, where you get in on the ground floor when everything is new, where you get to know people to play with, or you get some good play time in before the hackers or economy inflation gets out of hand.

[Anthony1]

I can tell you a little bit about early adopting. I'm a habitual early adopter. Here is a list of systems that I've purchased on the very first day of availability:


Super Nintendo
Sega CD
Atari Jaguar
Sega 32X
Sega Saturn
Sony Playstation
Nintendo 64
Sega Dreamcast
Playstation 2
Xbox
GameCube
Xbox 360


Every single one of those systems, I paid full price on the very first day, not to mention a few games and accessories (usually).

The TurboGrafx-16 I got like 2 months after it launched, and I got the Genesis like 4 months after it launched. So I barely missed getting those two right at their actual launches, but I was close. Also, I got a 3DO about 5 months after it launched.

I've basically been an early adopter since 1989. As for whether or not it's really worth it, well it depends on the system. With most of the systems, I'm very happy to have bought them on the first day. Not so much with the Sega 32X. I would rather have my $169.99 back to be honest with you. Also, I'm not too happy about paying $399.99 for a Sega Saturn. But for the most part, I think early adopters do get a great benefit to go along with the cost. The benefit is that they get to see History in the making. There is nothing like playing brand new technology, right at launch. More so with systems back in the day, when the technological differences between systems and eras were much greater.

I mean, take a crappy system like the Atari Jaguar. Even though I have a special place in my heart for the Jag, I must admit that overall, it was a very crappy value, and a very crappy system overall. But still, you have to take things in perspective. All I know is, that in 1993 when I got my Jag and Cybermorph and Raiden and Trevor McFurr, I was witnessing something that seemed really Next-Gen and next level. Say what you will about Cybermorph, but back in late 1993, Cybermorph seemed pretty damn amazing to me. Raiden seemed pretty damn amazing. Trevor McFurr even seemed pretty good, with it's incredible use of color and photoreal backgrounds. It's all relative. You can say that the Jaguar sucks, and that I wasted huge $$$ on a launch Jag, and launch games, when even those games suck. Well, I'll say that I experienced the Jag when it was brand new, and exciting and fresh, and you just can't put a price on that experience. I was there step for step with the Jag for about 2 years, and then I jumped off that flaming bandwagon. But the time that I spent with the Jag, with it's very brief moment as a cutting edge tech, that was some great times as far as I'm concerned, and that's an example of a crappy system, so just imagine systems like the SNES and Playstation and Dreamcast. Having those systems at launch was pretty damn amazing and well worth it.

[staxx]

The PC Engine with the CD Rom I think was the first console that used the CD technology. For it's time it was amazing, with games that had anime style cutscenes and arranged CD audio tracks (for example the audio for Fighting Street aka Street Fighter was totally redone and wasn't just sampled from the arcade). Early great games I enjoyed are the following:

(Original System Cards)
Street Fighter
Spriggan
Hellfire
Super Darius plus
Sidearms
Rainbow Islands

Then another innovation associated with the PC Engine + CD rom, the upgrade cards. You can upgrade the amount of memory that the CD rom used via these system cards. It was great so that you didn't have to buy a completely new system (Super Card and the Arcade Card).

(Super Card)
Gates of Thunder
Wings of Thunder aka Lords of Thunder
Darius II
Gradius 2
Spriggan 2
Dragonballz
Rayxamber 3
Rtype Complete
to name a few

(Arcade Card)
Fatal Fury 2
Fatal Fury Special
World Heroes 2
Sapphire
Art of Fighting
Star Parodia

[SirDrexl]

I have heard that there were people who in 1997 and 1998 were getting very good deals on DVDs online. Some were paying an average of $3 per disc. One thing I remember hearing about was that Reel.com was issuing coupons that people could use over and over again (they were supposed to be used once but somehow they had it set up to work again and again).

By the time I got in (early 1999) most of the great deals were gone, as the dot-coms were going under and/or scaling back the discounts.

[meancode]

When has it paid off to be an early adopter? Is it just me, or the Xbox 360 the obvious answer here.

We knew (mostly) the games that would be out at the beginning of the console's life. But we didn't know the extent of Marketplace and Arcade.

Will be get screwed over in the end for buying a 360 early? So far it doesn't sound like it.

[GrayFox]

I enjoyed being an early adopter for the Dreamcast and the Saturn.

Yep.

[Jehuty]

Well I'm glad I bought the psp early, it saved a lot of jumping through hoops to get homebrew and emulators running.

[n8littlefield]

I would say with the NES you might have been happy as an early adoptor. Most people that didn't buy early didn't get ROB the robot, and although he's not that great in execution, it was definately something that other gamers would be jealous of.

[slip81]

I think if your talking in terms of financially and reliability it never pays off to be an early adopter of technology.

No matter what it is, there will be a better, revised and cheaper version out a year or so later.

That being said, in terms of satisfaction it almost always pays off to be an early adopter. If there is something your really want and you can get it on the first day or so it doesn't matter what it costs because you're gonna enjoy the hell out of it.

I remember back in the summer of '98 I went with my fatcher to check out the new technology that was DVD, after hitting a few stores he eventually ordered a Sony unit off Soundcity.com because it was on sale ($800 online vs. $1100 in store). The day we got it in the mail we hooked it up to our 32" trinitron XBR tv and went out and bought about half a dozen DVD's and went nuts.

We loved it, and while that DVD player is still alive and kicking and plays movies great, it hasn't really stood the test of time, no dolby decoding, and only composite and s-video. Hell I just bought a $100 Samsung that blows the Sony out of the water.

But for him it was worth it because we enjoyed watching the movies on a super clear, better sounding format before anyone else in the area (rental stores like Blockbuster didn't even start carrying DVD's in our area till 2000 or so).

[mailman187666]

i was an early adopter for the nintendo DS, PSP, and Xbox 360. I can't say that i have much complaints for any of them. The only thing with the 360 at launch was the grueling wait for new games to come out. I was extremely happy for dead or alive 4 to come out when it did.

[JWZZR]

If you look at it pessimistically, then you might be right. The only situations in which I could think of being an early adopter would be like the original GTA: SA. People who waited to long wouldn't get hot coffee, but then again they could just buy a used copy. So really, all you get by waiting is a smaller price tag, and the feeling that you waited too long to get on the bandwagon.

why would any body want to watch that stupid thing

[§ Gideon §]

Newsflash: If you're looking for pay-off, the real benefits are in being a never adopter. Otherwise, come early, buy wisely, and never look back.

[Zadoc]

I mean, really? Has it? I can't think of any situation where it has in the world of computers, video games, any kind of technology.

Somebody prove me wrong!

Dreamcast

Xbox

You're wrong!

[Zadoc]

I can tell you a little bit about early adopting. I'm a habitual early adopter. Here is a list of systems that I've purchased on the very first day of availability:


Super Nintendo
Sega CD
Atari Jaguar
Sega 32X
Sega Saturn
Sony Playstation
Nintendo 64
Sega Dreamcast
Playstation 2
Xbox
GameCube
Xbox 360


Every single one of those systems, I paid full price on the very first day, not to mention a few games and accessories (usually).

The TurboGrafx-16 I got like 2 months after it launched, and I got the Genesis like 4 months after it launched. So I barely missed getting those two right at their actual launches, but I was close. Also, I got a 3DO about 5 months after it launched.

I've basically been an early adopter since 1989. As for whether or not it's really worth it, well it depends on the system. With most of the systems, I'm very happy to have bought them on the first day. Not so much with the Sega 32X. I would rather have my $169.99 back to be honest with you. Also, I'm not too happy about paying $399.99 for a Sega Saturn. But for the most part, I think early adopters do get a great benefit to go along with the cost. The benefit is that they get to see History in the making. There is nothing like playing brand new technology, right at launch. More so with systems back in the day, when the technological differences between systems and eras were much greater.

I mean, take a crappy system like the Atari Jaguar. Even though I have a special place in my heart for the Jag, I must admit that overall, it was a very crappy value, and a very crappy system overall. But still, you have to take things in perspective. All I know is, that in 1993 when I got my Jag and Cybermorph and Raiden and Trevor McFurr, I was witnessing something that seemed really Next-Gen and next level. Say what you will about Cybermorph, but back in late 1993, Cybermorph seemed pretty damn amazing to me. Raiden seemed pretty damn amazing. Trevor McFurr even seemed pretty good, with it's incredible use of color and photoreal backgrounds. It's all relative. You can say that the Jaguar sucks, and that I wasted huge $$$ on a launch Jag, and launch games, when even those games suck. Well, I'll say that I experienced the Jag when it was brand new, and exciting and fresh, and you just can't put a price on that experience. I was there step for step with the Jag for about 2 years, and then I jumped off that flaming bandwagon. But the time that I spent with the Jag, with it's very brief moment as a cutting edge tech, that was some great times as far as I'm concerned, and that's an example of a crappy system, so just imagine systems like the SNES and Playstation and Dreamcast. Having those systems at launch was pretty damn amazing and well worth it.

You have all of that setiment for the Jaguar, but no love for the 32X? The 32X has Star Wars Arcade, Knuckles' Chaotix, Blackthorne, MetalHead and T-Mek!

Jaguar>32X

[boatofcar]

You have all of that setiment for the Jaguar, but no love for the 32X? The 32X has Star Wars Arcade, Knuckles' Chaotix, Blackthorne, MetalHead and T-Mek!

Jaguar>32X


.....

[Spartacus]

When has it paid off to be an early adopter? Is it just me, or the Xbox 360 the obvious answer here.


I'm not so sure being an early 360 adopter is so obviously paying off.
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060423-6655.html

[boatofcar]

Ok, so here are two real examples of when it has paid off to be an early adopter, not just "I got to be on the cutting edge with my new toy."

1. The first of the Model 1 Genesis systems, without the bios screen.

2. The early PSPs, for reasons explained in an earlier post.


EDIT: Instead of real, I should have used the word "tangible." I don't mean to sound condescending to those who like to be right on the edge of new technology-heck, if I had a good job, you betcha I would be too!

[n8littlefield]

Ok, so here are two real examples of when it has paid off to be an early adopter, not just "I got to be on the cutting edge with my new toy."

1. The first of the Model 1 Genesis systems, without the bios screen.

2. The early PSPs, for reasons explained in an earlier post.


EDIT: Instead of real, I should have used the word "tangible." I don't mean to sound condescending to those who like to be right on the edge of new technology-heck, if I had a good job, you betcha I would be too!

I was an early adoptor of the Genesis - but I didn't realize there were changes other than Genesis 1,2,3. What did the Genesis w/out a bios screen have as an advantage?

[Mayhem]

I've only ever bought one games consoles on launch: the DS. And that's mainly cos I was in the US at the time it came out!

[ice1605]

I was an early adopter for the GameCube (got mine on my birthday, a month after it came out), and I enjoyed it (Super Smash Bros. Melee).
Early adaptors of Nintendo systems (except for the Virtual Boy) were lucky, Nintendo systems (except for the original Famicom) don't have hardware problems, and the games are always great.

[meancode]

When has it paid off to be an early adopter? Is it just me, or the Xbox 360 the obvious answer here.


I'm not so sure being an early 360 adopter is so obviously paying off.
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060423-6655.html

Yes, the 360 will get a new fab, with a smaller die. That will surely get rid of *ALL* those reports of overheating issues. I mean that rampant problem has just crumbled any hopes of people actually enjoying their 360!

My 360 had DRE the first couple days, and now only does that when a disc is dirty (it has happened ONCE since the system was one week old) and I haven't had the over heating issues. Of course I ventilate my consoles properly.

The smaller die will not make the system faster (this would lead to many problems with developing software for the system). So while there may be a new fab in the works, it will not be any superior (hard numbers wise) to the old one.

[JPeeples]

Being an early adopter allowed me to get Virtua Fighter Remix, so I'd say being an early adopter for the Saturn. Being one for the DC allowed me to experience the most exciting launch I've ever been a part of. I don't even regret being one for the N64, since I got a lot out of each of the few games I had available to me.

[Garry Silljo]

Ok, so here are two real examples of when it has paid off to be an early adopter, not just "I got to be on the cutting edge with my new toy."

1. The first of the Model 1 Genesis systems, without the bios screen.

2. The early PSPs, for reasons explained in an earlier post.


EDIT: Instead of real, I should have used the word "tangible." I don't mean to sound condescending to those who like to be right on the edge of new technology-heck, if I had a good job, you betcha I would be too!

I was an early adoptor of the Genesis - but I didn't realize there were changes other than Genesis 1,2,3. What did the Genesis w/out a bios screen have as an advantage?

The very first round of Genesis' that came with Altered Beast are the only ones that play Early EA games and other unlicensed carts with out a game genie. So if you want to play Zany Golf, you'll want one of those models.

[jdc]

When it comes to a generational change, I like to be an early adopter regardless of the price "penalty'.

It would kill me to have the Xbox 360's next gen technology and graphics out there on a store shelf and NOT own one, having to play last gen stuff instead. I don't see how anyone can possibly NOT join in on the next gen of gaming ASAP, outside of financial constraint. The Xbox 360 IS better than anything else out there, and if you can afford to support it with a decent sized software library, is fantastic to own and experience.

[heybtbm]

The biggest "penalty" to being an early adopter is the unfortunate side-effect of seeing last generation games through next generation eyes.

Try playing the 360 for a few months and then go back to PS2. Yuck. Even RE4 on the Gamecube starts to look all jagged and blocky (blasphemy, I know).

[cmstar]

Along with Genesis, PSP, and Dreamcast, I'd argue that being an early adopter of the Internet had its major advantages.

Less spam, actually finding what you wanted, meeting cool interesint and INTELLIGENT people as opposed to 12 year old script kiddies and the relentless attack of pop-unders and overs and in-betweens.

*cough* 'free' file downloading *cough*

Granted, it's a lot faster and more convient to get on the net from my livingroom on my laptop. But I'd say I enjoyed it a lot more about 15 years ago when I was on a Unix terminal in some computer lab.

[unwinddesign]

The biggest "penalty" to being an early adopter is the unfortunate side-effect of seeing last generation games through next generation eyes.

Try playing the 360 for a few months and then go back to PS2. Yuck. Even RE4 on the Gamecube starts to look all jagged and blocky (blasphemy, I know).

Funny, I feel the exact opposite way. I played my 360 a decent amount -- games like PGR3, Burnout Revenge, Oblivion etc. -- and then went back to playing PS2. I had no problems playing Phantom Brave (which looks pretty crappy) and Parappa the Rapper 2 (which also looks like a PS1 game). I wasn't bothered by jaggies/pixelation at all. I was cool with it. While I enjoy graphics a lot, they're not the whole picture. No pun intended.

[Anthony1]

You have all of that setiment for the Jaguar, but no love for the 32X? The 32X has Star Wars Arcade, Knuckles' Chaotix, Blackthorne, MetalHead and T-Mek!

Jaguar>32X



The 32X is the one system where I really took a bath by being an early adopter. First off, it cost $169.99. Then I had to buy a game, I think the games were $49.99 and I bought two of them. Virtua Racing and Star Wars Arcade. So I spent roughly $290.89 on the 32X, when you factor in tax.

Now, for my $290.89, what did I get? A very mediocre stop gap system, that was utter crap. Star Wars Arcade and Virtua Racing were decent games mind you, but those games should have been regular Genesis games with a special chip in them like the FX chip for the Super Nintendo. To think that it took the 32X add-on to create those games is pretty laughable. Again, both of those games are decent games, from a playability standpoint, but from a technological standpoint, they are pretty dissapointing. Even back then, they were pretty dissapointing. Let's face it, there is nothing about the 32X that even remotely looks 32-bit. There were promises of all this extra color, and better sound, etc, etc. But I honestly didn't see any extra color, and the sound was as horrible and scratchy as it's always been, if not more so. LOL


Believe me, I really TRIED to force myself to like the 32X, and to think it was good, but after awhile, I had to face the reality, that the 32X was a piece of crap. I spent about $290 on the 32X, plus some extra $$$ on renting a few 32X games, and I ultimately realized that I was just lying to myself and being myopic about it. I finally came to my senses and sold that crap off and tried my best to forget it ever happened.


The good news, is that the 32X was the only system that I really felt that way about, so I feel like I only really got burned bad one time. Now, did the Jaguar suck too? Yes it did, but, it did have some redeeming qualities, and the games did seem like a jump forward, at least for a few months anyways. The Jaguar does actually have some technological advances in it, while the 32X was probably the worst engineered piece of video game technology ever, (well maybe the Game.com takes that cake).


I do have a 32X, actually a couple of them, and I actually collect loose 32X carts, but I do it more because it's like this weird bastard child thing, and there is a strange nostalgia with it. But I still feel like it sucks pretty damn bad. And please don't mention Knuckles Chaotix. That game is always mentioned as the one saving grace of the 32X, and that game just simply sucks, and I wish Sonic was never associated with it. I love Sonic. I rank Sonic 2 and Sonic CD and Sonic 1 and Sonic 3 quite highly, but Knuckles Chaotix was just a bastard child of that series, and I hate how people actually give that game props. I like Sonic games, and that game sucks, so I just don't understand why people like that game. That whole tethered gameplay thing was a total dud as far as I was concerned. Man, what a piece of crap. I wish they had just made a regular Sonic game on it, and not that dumb tethered gameplay thing.


The best 32X game to me was Star Wars Arcade. I do have Blackthorne, and while it's a decent port, I think the SNES version plays better.

[Cryomancer]

Dreamcast was good just because it was neat to see the world be really into it for the short period of time it was popular. But I also had the mispressed disc issues so yeah.

Otherwise I'm generally not an early guy at all. I wait for at least one price drop / decent bundle and some holiday cash before I get something usually. I don't see the benefit either, EXCEPT things like the 360 where there's a large online aspect, that stuff WON'T last forever, whereas the games can be played as long as they still exist. Sometimes I do feel that I'm missing out on the 360's online community as live on xbox was pretty awesome when i actually got to use it, so i'm sure it's even better nowadays (friend of mine won a 360 in the early giveaways so I'm messed with one a bit).

Obviously, nowadays most online DC games don't work online anymore, so unless you played it then you'll probably never get to unless someone comes up with server emulation and hacked saves or something.

[klausien]

Obviously, nowadays most online DC games don't work online anymore, so unless you played it then you'll probably never get to unless someone comes up with server emulation and hacked saves or something.

That is a good point. Actually, your whole post was a good point. If you are into online gaming, being an early adopter is a good thing as you can take advantage of the service for a longer time than late buyers. I remember being in college during the DC heyday and loving the fact that I could use the University's dialup connection while living off-campus to play PSO with my roommate in the other room. Did the same with Diablo 1&2 on the PC.

Now that I am in the real world, I am less into the online gaming thing. This is mostly due to lack of time and impatience with cheaters and morons. I also mod my machines for import play, which is more important to me. Don't want the hassle.

I also think the 360 was too early to the party and will wait for a price drop. I forsee the need to play Halo 3 at some point. On the other hand, I will definitely be getting a Wii day and date with Zelda and whatever else looks good. Will also be taking that day off from work to play (something I've never done). PS3 is out of my price range.

[Zadoc]

You have all of that setiment for the Jaguar, but no love for the 32X? The 32X has Star Wars Arcade, Knuckles' Chaotix, Blackthorne, MetalHead and T-Mek!

Jaguar>32X



The 32X is the one system where I really took a bath by being an early adopter. First off, it cost $169.99. Then I had to buy a game, I think the games were $49.99 and I bought two of them. Virtua Racing and Star Wars Arcade. So I spent roughly $290.89 on the 32X, when you factor in tax.

Now, for my $290.89, what did I get? A very mediocre stop gap system, that was utter crap. Star Wars Arcade and Virtua Racing were decent games mind you, but those games should have been regular Genesis games with a special chip in them like the FX chip for the Super Nintendo. To think that it took the 32X add-on to create those games is pretty laughable. Again, both of those games are decent games, from a playability standpoint, but from a technological standpoint, they are pretty dissapointing. Even back then, they were pretty dissapointing. Let's face it, there is nothing about the 32X that even remotely looks 32-bit. There were promises of all this extra color, and better sound, etc, etc. But I honestly didn't see any extra color, and the sound was as horrible and scratchy as it's always been, if not more so. LOL


Believe me, I really TRIED to force myself to like the 32X, and to think it was good, but after awhile, I had to face the reality, that the 32X was a piece of crap. I spent about $290 on the 32X, plus some extra $$$ on renting a few 32X games, and I ultimately realized that I was just lying to myself and being myopic about it. I finally came to my senses and sold that crap off and tried my best to forget it ever happened.


The good news, is that the 32X was the only system that I really felt that way about, so I feel like I only really got burned bad one time. Now, did the Jaguar suck too? Yes it did, but, it did have some redeeming qualities, and the games did seem like a jump forward, at least for a few months anyways. The Jaguar does actually have some technological advances in it, while the 32X was probably the worst engineered piece of video game technology ever, (well maybe the Game.com takes that cake).


I do have a 32X, actually a couple of them, and I actually collect loose 32X carts, but I do it more because it's like this weird bastard child thing, and there is a strange nostalgia with it. But I still feel like it sucks pretty damn bad. And please don't mention Knuckles Chaotix. That game is always mentioned as the one saving grace of the 32X, and that game just simply sucks, and I wish Sonic was never associated with it. I love Sonic. I rank Sonic 2 and Sonic CD and Sonic 1 and Sonic 3 quite highly, but Knuckles Chaotix was just a bastard child of that series, and I hate how people actually give that game props. I like Sonic games, and that game sucks, so I just don't understand why people like that game. That whole tethered gameplay thing was a total dud as far as I was concerned. Man, what a piece of crap. I wish they had just made a regular Sonic game on it, and not that dumb tethered gameplay thing.


The best 32X game to me was Star Wars Arcade. I do have Blackthorne, and while it's a decent port, I think the SNES version plays better.

The 32X was a leap forward, albeit a small one, as it was released after both the Jaguar and 3DO. To say that it’s worse than the Jaguar is a gigantic mistake. Simply compare Shadow Squadron or Virtua Racing or Virtua Fighter to ANY 3D polygonal game on the Jaguar.

32X is a true 32-bit system, unlike the Jag with it’s Tom and Jerry; it was so jerry-rigged that no developer could pull decent graphics out of that machine.

Also, to say that Virtua Racing and Star Wars Arcade could’ve been done on the Genesis Super NES style with an “FX Chip,” that is also incorrect. Simply look at the one “chipped” game that Sega did release for the Genesis: Virtua Racing. Compare that to the 32X version, and you will immediately notice that the 32X version is leaps and bounds beyond what that chip was capable of.

The 32X version of Virtua Fighter is also widely regarded as being superior to the Saturn version of the same game!

Your quarrel with Knuckles’ Chaotix seems to be with the game play. I will be the first to admit that every 2D Sonic game is better than Chaotix. Sonic 3 & Knuckles is my personal favorite. (And I still like Chaotix!) However, visually Chaotix is technically and visually well beyond any 32-bit 2D platformer of its day, and even beyond. The sprite scaling alone it enough to give it credit on that front.

Also on the 2d side, Kolibri is jaw droppingly good!

I think that the 32X’s version of DOOM also stacks up well against the Jaguar and SNES versions.

The problem with the 32X is that it never had the time to mature as a system. Darxide, with some nice texture mapping, was really beginning to show what the hardware was capable of. And no Sega CD game was ever developed for the 32X hardware, though many were planned and cancelled. Descent on 32X would’ve been excellent!

Aside from debating ‘what could have been,’ let’s focus on what was.

DOOM – Best console version.
Knuckles Chaotix – Visually, the best 2D platformer of its time.
Kolibri – Visually stunning and one of the best 2D shooters. It is both interesting and unique.
Star Wars Arcade/Shadow Squadron/Virtua Racing/Virtua Fighter – Simply put, these 3D experiences were simply not possible on any other console of the day in any for with any “chip” technology that was affordable or available.

I really feel bad for the 32X, because it was a good system. Sure, it has a lot of crappy games and a lot of awful ports. However, the games that it did well, that were done well for the 32X, I should say, were nothing less than fantastic.
Every time I look at the list of games that were announced for the 32X and canned, it makes me sad.

[Zadoc]

I was there at launch for the Dreamcast and Xbox.

Being a part of the Dreamcast’s historic and energetic launch was an amazing experience. I was there first with gorgeous amazing graphics. Soul Calibur and Sonic Adventure were my launch day acquisitions. Two amazing games. I was there every step with the Dreamcast, from its first “online” game, Chu Chu Rocket, to PSO, and everything in between.

Being first with Xbox was no worse. Halo was enough for me. With a good group of 4 to 8 friends, I could make a very long night out of Halo alone. Also, I enjoyed being their first for Xbox Live.

With the Saturn, I was an early adaptor for the Net Link. I witnessed first hand an online community spring up for the first time around and internet-capable console. It was history in the making. From each PlanetWeb browser release to each release of the online games. I wouldn’t trade any of those experiences away to save $50 or $100 by waiting to buy.

Also, I’ve never had any early hardware problems. (I wasn’t a PS2 early adaptor, after all!)

[klausien]

[32X] DOOM – Best console version.

Not to be a dick, but I totally disagree. Most of what you said in your post was true, but the Jaguar version of DOOM kills the missed opportunity that was the 32x game. If that one game had been better, it would have sold systems. The Jaguar version is truly fantastic and was the best console port for a short while.

The best console version of DOOM was probably the PS1 version (though it came later) Colored lighting, system link, and an incredible redone ambient soundtrack. The XBox DOOM 3 Collectors Edition ports are closer to the PC version and have a sick 4-player mode, but the ambient sounds in the PS1 version of the game really do it for me.

[bangtango]

You have all of that setiment for the Jaguar, but no love for the 32X? The 32X has Star Wars Arcade, Knuckles' Chaotix, Blackthorne, MetalHead and T-Mek!

Jaguar>32X



The 32X is the one system where I really took a bath by being an early adopter. First off, it cost $169.99. Then I had to buy a game, I think the games were $49.99 and I bought two of them. Virtua Racing and Star Wars Arcade. So I spent roughly $290.89 on the 32X, when you factor in tax.

Now, for my $290.89, what did I get? A very mediocre stop gap system, that was utter crap. Star Wars Arcade and Virtua Racing were decent games mind you, but those games should have been regular Genesis games with a special chip in them like the FX chip for the Super Nintendo. To think that it took the 32X add-on to create those games is pretty laughable. Again, both of those games are decent games, from a playability standpoint, but from a technological standpoint, they are pretty dissapointing. Even back then, they were pretty dissapointing. Let's face it, there is nothing about the 32X that even remotely looks 32-bit. There were promises of all this extra color, and better sound, etc, etc. But I honestly didn't see any extra color, and the sound was as horrible and scratchy as it's always been, if not more so. LOL


Believe me, I really TRIED to force myself to like the 32X, and to think it was good, but after awhile, I had to face the reality, that the 32X was a piece of crap. I spent about $290 on the 32X, plus some extra $$$ on renting a few 32X games, and I ultimately realized that I was just lying to myself and being myopic about it. I finally came to my senses and sold that crap off and tried my best to forget it ever happened.


The good news, is that the 32X was the only system that I really felt that way about, so I feel like I only really got burned bad one time. Now, did the Jaguar suck too? Yes it did, but, it did have some redeeming qualities, and the games did seem like a jump forward, at least for a few months anyways. The Jaguar does actually have some technological advances in it, while the 32X was probably the worst engineered piece of video game technology ever, (well maybe the Game.com takes that cake).


I do have a 32X, actually a couple of them, and I actually collect loose 32X carts, but I do it more because it's like this weird bastard child thing, and there is a strange nostalgia with it. But I still feel like it sucks pretty damn bad. And please don't mention Knuckles Chaotix. That game is always mentioned as the one saving grace of the 32X, and that game just simply sucks, and I wish Sonic was never associated with it. I love Sonic. I rank Sonic 2 and Sonic CD and Sonic 1 and Sonic 3 quite highly, but Knuckles Chaotix was just a bastard child of that series, and I hate how people actually give that game props. I like Sonic games, and that game sucks, so I just don't understand why people like that game. That whole tethered gameplay thing was a total dud as far as I was concerned. Man, what a piece of crap. I wish they had just made a regular Sonic game on it, and not that dumb tethered gameplay thing.


The best 32X game to me was Star Wars Arcade. I do have Blackthorne, and while it's a decent port, I think the SNES version plays better.

The 32X was a leap forward, albeit a small one, as it was released after both the Jaguar and 3DO. To say that it’s worse than the Jaguar is a gigantic mistake. Simply compare Shadow Squadron or Virtua Racing or Virtua Fighter to ANY 3D polygonal game on the Jaguar.

32X is a true 32-bit system, unlike the Jag with it’s Tom and Jerry; it was so jerry-rigged that no developer could pull decent graphics out of that machine.

Also, to say that Virtua Racing and Star Wars Arcade could’ve been done on the Genesis Super NES style with an “FX Chip,” that is also incorrect. Simply look at the one “chipped” game that Sega did release for the Genesis: Virtua Racing. Compare that to the 32X version, and you will immediately notice that the 32X version is leaps and bounds beyond what that chip was capable of.

The 32X version of Virtua Fighter is also widely regarded as being superior to the Saturn version of the same game!

Your quarrel with Knuckles’ Chaotix seems to be with the game play. I will be the first to admit that every 2D Sonic game is better than Chaotix. Sonic 3 & Knuckles is my personal favorite. (And I still like Chaotix!) However, visually Chaotix is technically and visually well beyond any 32-bit 2D platformer of its day, and even beyond. The sprite scaling alone it enough to give it credit on that front.

Also on the 2d side, Kolibri is jaw droppingly good!

I think that the 32X’s version of DOOM also stacks up well against the Jaguar and SNES versions.

The problem with the 32X is that it never had the time to mature as a system. Darxide, with some nice texture mapping, was really beginning to show what the hardware was capable of. And no Sega CD game was ever developed for the 32X hardware, though many were planned and cancelled. Descent on 32X would’ve been excellent!

Aside from debating ‘what could have been,’ let’s focus on what was.

DOOM – Best console version.
Knuckles Chaotix – Visually, the best 2D platformer of its time.
Kolibri – Visually stunning and one of the best 2D shooters. It is both interesting and unique.
Star Wars Arcade/Shadow Squadron/Virtua Racing/Virtua Fighter – Simply put, these 3D experiences were simply not possible on any other console of the day in any for with any “chip” technology that was affordable or available.

I really feel bad for the 32X, because it was a good system. Sure, it has a lot of crappy games and a lot of awful ports. However, the games that it did well, that were done well for the 32X, I should say, were nothing less than fantastic.
Every time I look at the list of games that were announced for the 32X and canned, it makes me sad.

This will fan the flames of a debate but I have to disagree here. Jaguar is a better value than 32X, in any shape or form. For better or worse, Jaguar had a collection of games that appeared on no other systems. That wasn't just because they ALL sucked, either. The 32X had ports of games from the Saturn and Genesis library.

My contributions to the topic at hand:

I've never seen progress from a new system as much as the Dreamcast. I did not buy it the first month or two it was out but I did pick one up well before it disappeared from store shelves and died.

I wasn't an online gamer but I am a big sports game fan and could not believe the breath-taking graphics of the NBA 2K and NFL 2K games. Not to mention Soul Calibur, Virtua Tennis, Shenmue, Sonic Adventure and so many more. My memories of those games are very fond and I still relive some of them today when I have spare time to plug in the DC.

I really enjoyed playing some of those games while they were still new. It was an experience you'd have to be there to appreciate. You'll probably never know if you go back and get one after the fact, having already played some sort of X-Box system or PS2.

[Zadoc]

[32X] DOOM – Best console version.

Not to be a dick, but I totally disagree. Most of what you said in your post was true, but the Jaguar version of DOOM kills the missed opportunity that was the 32x game. If that one game had been better, it would have sold systems. The Jaguar version is truly fantastic and was the best console port for a short while.

The best console version of DOOM was probably the PS1 version (though it came later) Colored lighting, system link, and an incredible redone ambient soundtrack. The XBox DOOM 3 Collectors Edition ports are closer to the PC version and have a sick 4-player mode, but the ambient sounds in the PS1 version of the game really do it for me.

Yes, agreed. Both the Xbox and PSOne version < the 32X version. I should have said the best version at the time.

The poor framerate killed Doom on the Jaguar for me.

Edit: I busted out my Jan '95 copy og EGM, and the 32X version scored an average of 8.5, while the Jag version scored an average of 6.9.

[Zadoc]

This will fan the flames of a debate but I have to disagree here. Jaguar is a better value than 32X, in any shape or form. For better or worse, Jaguar had a collection of games that appeared on no other systems. That wasn't just because they ALL sucked, either. The 32X had ports of games from the Saturn and Genesis library.



What good games did the Jaguar have that were exclusive? I'll even give you AvP, even though it was ported to the PC.

I paid $20 for a Jag, AvP, and Tempest 2000 and I feel ripped off. I only keep the system for its "strange" factor, but as much as I have tried, and very hard, I am just not able to get excited about any game for this system at all!

Maybe I need to be enlightened. Enlighten me!

Also, explain one thing to me, how is it possible that the 32X recieved ports of Saturn games when the Saturn was released well after the 32X?

That's a kin to saying that the version of Tempest 2000 on the Jaguar is a Saturn port.

[unwinddesign]

I enjoyed my 360 at launch (well, two weeks removed from launch). I mean sure, the games are pretty much balls, but checking out the new tech was worth the $400. I doubt there will be any warm and fuzzy feelings associated with it, though. I mean while it was interesting...Perfect Dark Zero/PGR3 -- yeah, they're ok. Not great.

I bought a PS2 at launch (preordered, came on Halloween 2000). Not a mistake either, but pretty much the same thing as the 360. The one thing I remember is that it took me 20 minutes to figure out how to turn it on. Damn Sony and their tricky designs.

I bought a DS about two weeks after launch. Again, same deal as the two above examples. Not really any great games (Feel the Magic was entertaining), but worth it nonetheless. I sold it after about 8 months, though, because it seems I'm the only one who realizes the system is boring and sucks a fat one.

;)

Otherwise, I haven't bought any systems at launch. I will buy a PS3 and Wii at launch, just because I like that new tech feel and checking out all the cool features. And you can't put a price on shoving those new systems in your friends' faces.

The one regret I have is not purchasing a Dreamcast at launch. That system was so fucking awesome; it's really a shame that I didn't experience it in its hey-day. The launch was badass too -- I would have actually played the god-damned thing, as opposed to what I've done in the prior three examples. Oh well. Can't cry over spilled milk, I suppose.

[bangtango]

This will fan the flames of a debate but I have to disagree here. Jaguar is a better value than 32X, in any shape or form. For better or worse, Jaguar had a collection of games that appeared on no other systems. That wasn't just because they ALL sucked, either. The 32X had ports of games from the Saturn and Genesis library.



What good games did the Jaguar have that were exclusive? I'll even give you AvP, even though it was ported to the PC.

I paid $20 for a Jag, AvP, and Tempest 2000 and I feel ripped off. I only keep the system for its "strange" factor, but as much as I have tried, and very hard, I am just not able to get excited about any game for this system at all!

Maybe I need to be enlightened. Enlighten me!

Also, explain one thing to me, how is it possible that the 32X recieved ports of Saturn games when the Saturn was released well after the 32X?

That's a kin to saying that the version of Tempest 2000 on the Jaguar is a Saturn port.

Really, if you don't want that Jag, I could stand to buy a spare unit and those games. Care to sell it?

What I meant to say is that many of those 32X games also appeared on Saturn (later) or previously came out on Genesis. Misworded that, I guess. Main point being that the 32X had hardly any games that you couldn't already play on another system.

AVP on PC deviated from the Jaguar version. There were enough differences that someone who played it on the Jaguar might not recognize it, except for the fact it is also a FPS.

As for exclusives, a few of those include Cybermorph, Ultra Vortek, Iron Soldier 1 & 2, among several other games. I could probably list a dozen more off the top of my head, but that is not the point.

While there were plenty of bad games on the Jaguar, there were also some good ones. Look at the list of their US game releases right here in the rarity guide, you won't find many of those games on any other system.

[Anthony1]

The 32X was a leap forward, albeit a small one, as it was released after both the Jaguar and 3DO. To say that it’s worse than the Jaguar is a gigantic mistake. Simply compare Shadow Squadron or Virtua Racing or Virtua Fighter to ANY 3D polygonal game on the Jaguar.

32X is a true 32-bit system, unlike the Jag with it’s Tom and Jerry; it was so jerry-rigged that no developer could pull decent graphics out of that machine.

Also, to say that Virtua Racing and Star Wars Arcade could’ve been done on the Genesis Super NES style with an “FX Chip,” that is also incorrect. Simply look at the one “chipped” game that Sega did release for the Genesis: Virtua Racing. Compare that to the 32X version, and you will immediately notice that the 32X version is leaps and bounds beyond what that chip was capable of.

The 32X version of Virtua Fighter is also widely regarded as being superior to the Saturn version of the same game!

Your quarrel with Knuckles’ Chaotix seems to be with the game play. I will be the first to admit that every 2D Sonic game is better than Chaotix. Sonic 3 & Knuckles is my personal favorite. (And I still like Chaotix!) However, visually Chaotix is technically and visually well beyond any 32-bit 2D platformer of its day, and even beyond. The sprite scaling alone it enough to give it credit on that front.

Also on the 2d side, Kolibri is jaw droppingly good!

I think that the 32X’s version of DOOM also stacks up well against the Jaguar and SNES versions.

The problem with the 32X is that it never had the time to mature as a system. Darxide, with some nice texture mapping, was really beginning to show what the hardware was capable of. And no Sega CD game was ever developed for the 32X hardware, though many were planned and cancelled. Descent on 32X would’ve been excellent!

Aside from debating ‘what could have been,’ let’s focus on what was.

DOOM – Best console version.
Knuckles Chaotix – Visually, the best 2D platformer of its time.
Kolibri – Visually stunning and one of the best 2D shooters. It is both interesting and unique.
Star Wars Arcade/Shadow Squadron/Virtua Racing/Virtua Fighter – Simply put, these 3D experiences were simply not possible on any other console of the day in any for with any “chip” technology that was affordable or available.

I really feel bad for the 32X, because it was a good system. Sure, it has a lot of crappy games and a lot of awful ports. However, the games that it did well, that were done well for the 32X, I should say, were nothing less than fantastic.
Every time I look at the list of games that were announced for the 32X and canned, it makes me sad.



1. "The 32X was leap forward, albeit a small one" - no way, both the Jaguar and 3DO were far superior to the 32X. The 32X only has maybe 3 or 4 redeeming games if that. The 3DO had Road Rash, as well as many others, the Jag had AVP and Doom and Cybermorph and Iron Soldier and Tempest. It's not even a fair comparison.

2. "32X is a true 32-bit system" - Maybe in theory, but not in practice. I can line up every 32X game and have them running on monitors and have gamers tell me whether it's 32-bit or 16-bit, and I'm guessing 9 out of 10 "unbiased" gamers will say it looks very 16-bit. Now, the Jag looks 16-bit too, but the 32X doesn't have any game that even remotely looks 32-bit, and the Jaguar has at least one (AVP)

3. "to say that Virtua Racing and Star Wars Arcade could’ve been done on the Genesis Super NES style with an “FX Chip,” that is also incorrect. " - Ok, you bring up the Virtua Racing dsp cart, but that cart isn't really like the Super FX chip. It's inferior technology to the FX chip, so you can't use that as a comparison. I'm saying if Sega had the same technology of the FX chip with the Genesis, it would be the equivalent of the 32X or pretty damn close.

4. "However, visually Chaotix is technically and visually well beyond any 32-bit 2D platformer of its day, and even beyond. " - This statement is so wrong, that to even argue it would be a moot point. But I will anyways. Rayman on the Jaguar or Gex on the 3DO absolutely demolishes Chaotix as a next-gen platform game, and both games were available when Chaotix was released.

5. "DOOM – Best console version" - The Jaguar version of DOOM absolutely smokes the 32X version, background music or no background music. Not even close. The PS1 version of Doom ultimately best the Jaguar version, but it came much later.




Ok, the bottom line is that we are just going to have to agree to disagree, I think the 32X is a piece of crap, and you don't. We can argue it tell we are blue in the face, but it won't get us anywhere. Again, as much disdain as I have for the 32X, I have about 3 of those things lying around my house somewhere, and I actually collect 32X carts (not really sure why :hmm: ). So I don't despise it as much as my comments might suggest, but I honestly think that the 32X should be considered "THE" worst home console technology EVER. Game.com wins overall, but for home consoles, 32X wins in a landslide. Of course, we have did a poll on the worst system of the 90's and the 32X wasn't treated as harshly as the 3DO or Jaguar, but that was simply a case of Sega fanboys outnumbering 3DO or Jaguar fanboys 100 to 1. If you did the poll with totally unbaised gamers, the 32X would have absolutely dominated. Of course, that's just my personal opinion, but I'll go to my grave believing it.

[Zadoc]

It is appearent that we disagree, however, in an "unbiased" compairson of 3D polygonal games on the 32X vs. games on the Jaguar, the majority of gamers will agree that Virtua Fighter, Virtua Racing Deluxe, Star Wars Arcade and DarXide all look better than ANY 3D plygonal game on the Jaguar.

[bangtango]

FACT: Mortal Kombat II on 32X couldn't even measure up to the SNES version. Sega is damn lucky it never came out on Jaguar. If it had, the 32X would have been exposed like Pee Wee Herman in a movie theater. Enough said.

MORE FACTS: NBA Jam TE was better on Jaguar than it was on 32X, even with the Jaguar controller.

FACTS (CONTINUED): Rayman was on Jaguar long before any other system and showed what it could do. It wasn't a whole lot better on any other 32-bit system it later appeared on.

[Anthony1]

It is appearent that we disagree, however, in an "unbiased" compairson of 3D polygonal games on the 32X vs. games on the Jaguar, the majority of gamers will agree that Virtua Fighter, Virtua Racing Deluxe, Star Wars Arcade and DarXide all look better than ANY 3D plygonal game on the Jaguar.


As for DarXide, I really don't know crap about that, and that game never came out in the U.S., so it shouldn't be considered in the discussion. Now, regarding polygon based games, I would take Cybermorph and Iron Soldier over any of the games you mentioned.

There are two things that the Jaguar definitely has over the 32X.


1. Color - Just check out the backgrounds in Dino Dudes on the Jag. Or the third level of Trevor McFurr, or Raiden. The Jag can put color on the screen with the best of them. I know that the 32X advertised itself as having all this color, but I'm running mine on a RGB monitor and even then there really isn't any more color than the Genesis.

2. Sound - The Jaguar has pretty clean and crisp sound, relatively speaking. The 32X has horrible scratchy sound. Just like regular Genesis sound. Scratchy and not totally clear, like you are listening to a AM radio station. I'm not saying the Jag has a great sound chip either, but the sound is definitely better than the 32X.

[j_factor]

There are two things that the Jaguar definitely has over the 32X.

1. Color - Just check out the backgrounds in Dino Dudes on the Jag. Or the third level of Trevor McFurr, or Raiden. The Jag can put color on the screen with the best of them. I know that the 32X advertised itself as having all this color, but I'm running mine on a RGB monitor and even then there really isn't any more color than the Genesis.

2. Sound - The Jaguar has pretty clean and crisp sound, relatively speaking. The 32X has horrible scratchy sound. Just like regular Genesis sound. Scratchy and not totally clear, like you are listening to a AM radio station. I'm not saying the Jag has a great sound chip either, but the sound is definitely better than the 32X.

You have apparently never played Tempo.

Tempo has shitloads of colors in it. It's so colorful that it's outright garish at times; lots of people think it uses too many colors.

Tempo also has some damn fine sound. The opening tune has vocals in it -- not little voice samples, but actual vocals. It sounds perfectly clear, not scratchy at all.


I basically agree with you that Jaguar was better overall, but 32x wasn't quite the malformed bastard child that can't do anything proper, like you're making it out to be.

[Anthony1]

You have apparently never played Tempo.

Tempo has shitloads of colors in it. It's so colorful that it's outright garish at times; lots of people think it uses too many colors.

Tempo also has some damn fine sound. The opening tune has vocals in it -- not little voice samples, but actual vocals. It sounds perfectly clear, not scratchy at all.


I basically agree with you that Jaguar was better overall, but 32x wasn't quite the malformed bastard child that can't do anything proper, like you're making it out to be.


I have Tempo, I've only played it once or twice, and although it uses bright colors, I wouldn't necessarily say that it's putting a bunch on screen simultaneously. I'll have to check it out again and refresh my memory. As for the sound, I'll definitely have to check it out again, because I remember all 32X sound being somewhat scratchy.

And still, any background in DinoDudes or the 3rd level of Trevor McFurr, will totally demolish it, from a color standpoint. The 32X isn't a malformed bastard child, but it's definitely the red headed stepchild of Sega's console family, and certainly it's most embarassing piece of hardware.

[j_factor]

Anyway, to answer the topic at hand, sometimes you have to be an early adopter. Take Dreamcast, for example. They killed it so fast that the early adopters ended up being the only people who were actually able to own the system while it was actually alive.

[bangtango]

Considering the low price you can get the 32X system for, I'd still pick it up for the games that are worth playing for it. Don't get me wrong. I just think Jaguar is better. I'd be more interested in completing the Jaguar collection than the NES, SNES or Dreamcast collections.

I never played Doom on 32X or on PS1 but it runs pretty good on Jaguar. I see some other people posting above agree. Can someone let me know what the 32X version of Doom offers that the Jaguar fails to deliver, aside from a faster frame rate?

On a side note, would anyone dare make the argument that the 32X CD outclasses Jaguar CD? I think Jaguar CD could have ran with the 3DO's, Saturn's and Playstations of the world for a little while if it had actually sold and stuck around longer than it did. I bet the first couple Resident Evil's or Tomb Raider's would have played ok on it. Most of the announced or rumored games for Jaguar/Jaguar CD ended up on the Saturn and Playstation, so it appears the licenses thought it had enough horsepower. Can't say the same for 32X.

[Zadoc]

It is appearent that we disagree, however, in an "unbiased" compairson of 3D polygonal games on the 32X vs. games on the Jaguar, the majority of gamers will agree that Virtua Fighter, Virtua Racing Deluxe, Star Wars Arcade and DarXide all look better than ANY 3D plygonal game on the Jaguar.


As for DarXide, I really don't know crap about that, and that game never came out in the U.S., so it shouldn't be considered in the discussion. Now, regarding polygon based games, I would take Cybermorph and Iron Soldier over any of the games you mentioned.



I didn't ask what you would prefer, I stated that the above games are all technically superior to Jaguar games, period. That is a fact. Whether you like them or not, that is an opinion. I happen to like both Cybermorph and Iron Soldier, but they don't come close to the technical power of the games mentioned above.

By the way, :roll: at you discounting DarXide. We're talking about system specs, and DarXide far eclipses everything on the Jaguar.



There are two things that the Jaguar definitely has over the 32X.


1. Color - Just check out the backgrounds in Dino Dudes on the Jag. Or the third level of Trevor McFurr, or Raiden. The Jag can put color on the screen with the best of them. I know that the 32X advertised itself as having all this color, but I'm running mine on a RGB monitor and even then there really isn't any more color than the Genesis.

2. Sound - The Jaguar has pretty clean and crisp sound, relatively speaking. The 32X has horrible scratchy sound. Just like regular Genesis sound. Scratchy and not totally clear, like you are listening to a AM radio station. I'm not saying the Jag has a great sound chip either, but the sound is definitely better than the 32X.

I'll give you sound, however, it's hard to argue colors and polygon rates, as all of Atari's officially released specs are complete bullshit.

They claim:

Colors
16.8 million on screen

Polygons
10,000 Gouraud shaded

...Which everyone knows is not true. These are peak preformance specs, kind of like the rubbish that Sony announced for the PS2 and PS3 launches.

However, the 32X is really capible of 50,000 flat shaded Pollygons per sec.

What is true is that the 32X far out muscles the Jaguar in the 3D world. Undisputable.

Edit: Check out This Poll (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=89661)

[Zadoc]

On a side note, would anyone dare make the argument that the 32X CD outclasses Jaguar CD? I think Jaguar CD could have ran with the 3DO's, Saturn's and Playstations of the world for a little while if it had actually sold and stuck around longer than it did. I bet the first couple Resident Evil's or Tomb Raider's would have played ok on it. Most of the announced or rumored games for Jaguar/Jaguar CD ended up on the Saturn and Playstation, so it appears the licenses thought it had enough horsepower. Can't say the same for 32X.

Dude, you are insane if you think that the Jag CD could've played Resident Evil or Tomb Raider. The Jaguar cannot crunch those kinds of pollygons. Just look at the specs and get the joint out of your mouth.

Was it better than the 32X CD? Yes, but no games were ever made for the 32X CD, so aside from some really nice demo "what if" videos, we will never quite know what it could do. That being said, it could definately add 32X quailty 3D polygonal power with CD quality sound and voice, so it could have been more powerful than the Jag CD because it was based on the 32X's power, which was more than twice what the Jaguar had both on paper and in reality.

[Zadoc]

Main point being that the 32X had hardly any games that you couldn't already play on another system.


I think that the 32X and Jaguar are pretty even handed in this area when it comes to 3rd party software. Jag had only about 55 releases and 32X only 36. Atari did pump out most of the Jaguar's software, thus exclusive, but most if it is unplayable crap. Breakout 2000, Club Drive? Rubbish.

[bangtango]

On a side note, would anyone dare make the argument that the 32X CD outclasses Jaguar CD? I think Jaguar CD could have ran with the 3DO's, Saturn's and Playstations of the world for a little while if it had actually sold and stuck around longer than it did. I bet the first couple Resident Evil's or Tomb Raider's would have played ok on it. Most of the announced or rumored games for Jaguar/Jaguar CD ended up on the Saturn and Playstation, so it appears the licenses thought it had enough horsepower. Can't say the same for 32X.

Dude, you are insane if you think that the Jag CD could've played Resident Evil or Tomb Raider. The Jaguar cannot crunch those kinds of pollygons. Just look at the specs and get the joint out of your mouth.

Was it better than the 32X CD? Yes, but no games were ever made for the 32X CD, so aside from some really nice demo "what if" videos, we will never quite know what it could do. That being said, it could definitely add 32X quailty 3D polygonal power with CD quality sound and voice, so it could have been more powerful than the Jag CD because it was based on the 32X's power, which was more than twice what the Jaguar had both on paper and in reality.

Tomb Raider was announced/planned for either Jaguar or Jaguar cd, so somebody thought it could measure up to the other systems that would be getting the game. Work never got anywhere because by then the system was dead.

32X had twice the power of the Jaguar? Come on now.

Somebody stop this before it spreads @_@

[jmetal88]

They claim:

Colors
16.8 million on screen

Polygons
10,000 Gouraud shaded

...Which everyone knows is not true. These are peak preformance specs, kind of like the rubbish that Sony announced for the PS2 and PS3 launches.

However, the 32X is really capible of 50,000 flat shaded Pollygons per sec.
Poll[/url]

LOL at you comparing Gourad shaded polygons to flat shaded polygons.

[Buyatari]

ADVENTUREVISION

[Buyatari]

APPLE I

[unbroken]

it never pays off, but its cool owning a nice piece of tech before any of your friends have it so they can oh and aw when they come over, i guess.

[unwinddesign]

I'm sorry, I stumbled in here and was expecting a discussion about being an early adopter. Instead, I found a bunch of arguments over whether or not the freakin' Jag is better than the 32x.

@_@

The world holds its breath as the winner is determined.

[PapaStu]

I'm sorry, I stumbled in here and was expecting a discussion about being an early adopter. Instead, I found a bunch of arguments over whether or not the freakin' Jag is better than the 32x.

@_@

The world holds its breath as the winner is determined.

Ya know I saw that last night and I thought that with the new topics they made in the Classic forum that they'da stopped spamming it up in here.

/me waves his hand.... 'Back on topic'


I think that pays to be an early adopter and they have it best for online games simply because getting in on the ground floor of a MMO or a game where you play in some sort of Vs. mode online is the way to go. Once those things are rolling and you get into some shooter thats been out for a while most people new to the game just get destroyed by veteran players (or in the case of console gamers cheaters/glitchers) and that just destroys that whole component of the game. I gave up on so many XBL and PS2 games due to glitchers and hackers (i'm looking at you SOCOM and Halo 2). Who wants to play games when no one can really have a good time but the damn cheaters?

[bangtango]

I'm sorry, I stumbled in here and was expecting a discussion about being an early adopter. Instead, I found a bunch of arguments over whether or not the freakin' Jag is better than the 32x.

@_@

The world holds its breath as the winner is determined.

Don't worry. The Jaguar fans have already won this argument handily. Follow the link:

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=89661

The reason this started was because someone brought up being an early adopter of both systems and happened to criticize the 32X in the process. He said it was a waste of money which brought the supporters for that particular Sega console out of the woodwork.

It was on-topic until then.