Whats the best console?

[Ghoward]

Hi,

Well I've never owned one I've always had computers but after seeing some X-Box games online I think I'm going to have to just buy one.

Is the X-Box the best console right now or should I buy something else?

Gary

[Edgedamage]

Buy what makes you happy. And has the most games that you like.

[Dave_K.]

I agree with Edgedamage, research which console has the best games that interest you.  If online is your thing, then maybe xbox is it.  If wider selection of games is what you want, then Playstation2 is it,  If great 1st party titles is what you want, than gamecube is good.  Don't want to start a "which console is best" war as everyone has their favorites.  If you are employeed, there is no reason why you can't buy them all.

[SNAAAKE]

try dreamcast first.
so many quility games

I have every one of them(ps2,gamecube,x-box)
but I end up playing dc more then anything...

[abrannan]

I'm going to have to agree with Snaaake, give the Dreamcast a try first.  Especially with the EB games online 15 games for $50 deal right now.   COmbined with the fact that most EBGames or GameStops have either a free second dontroller of memory card when you buy a DC, you can get a DC, 15 games, memory card, and a VGA box (Guilty Gear X looks so amazing on VGA) for about $100.  

There are some real gems in the Dreamcast lineup that you can't get with other consoles.  Power Stone (and Power Stone 2), Soul Calibur, Re-Volt, Jet Grind Radio, Space Channel 5, and on, and on, etc.

The current group of consoles all offer different strengths, as others have already pointed out.  I'd say find some friends who have these different consoles, and try 'em out for yourself.  

[SirPoonga]

Review the systems and games at places like www.ign.com and www.gamespot.com.

I have a gamecube and my roommate has a PS2.  The only thing I like the PS2 for is GTA Vice City, State of Emergency (for along time it was PS2 only), and Gran Tourismo.
I got the cube for games like Metroid, Zelda, Super Smash Bros, typical Nintendo type games.
I'd like an Xbox for Xbox Live, the new Conker that is coming out, Halo, features the system has.

[Ghoward]

Well I ended up going with the X-Box, I wanted it so me and my wife can play football against each other.

I have to say its really good...........is it me or are the graphics better on consoles than on the PC?

Just waiting till Friday now  for the 65

[eightbit]

Xbox wins in the raw horsepower, memory, and graphics card categorys. As far as the number and quality of games thats up to you to decide. Many or most of the biggest games are available on all 3 platforms. I have 2 xbox's and I would challenge anyone to show me a single game that is on a ps2 or gamecube that is better on those than the xbox version. I would also like to see any game on a ps2 or gamecube that had better graphics than the games written to take advantage of the xbox hardware, like DOA3 or project gotham racing.

Excuse me a secound while I put my flame suit on(remember to read my sig)....

It comes down to if you want to play mario or have a wide selection of kid games then you probably want the gamecube. If you want the most titles to choose from you probably want the ps/2, if you want the flashiest graphics with the newest games and the biggest online game presence then you want the xbox. Another huge advantage to the xbox is the modibility factor. If you decide you want to play mame on it or other emulators its not hard to do.

Edit: Ooops looks like he already made his choice, though what I posted here is still good stuff so I'll leave it.

[Dave_K.]

I have 2 xbox's and I would challenge anyone to show me a single game that is on a ps2 or gamecube that is better on those than the xbox version.

Play "Need for Speed: Hot Persuit" on the PS2 and then try the Xbox version...you will see the xbox version sucks arse....  The graphcs may be higher resolution, but I think they look worse, the gameplay is actually different between the two versions with some special features not even available on the xbox.  

[eightbit]

Play "Need for Speed: Hot Persuit" on the PS2 and then try the Xbox version...you will see the xbox version sucks arse....  The graphcs may be higher resolution, but I think they look worse, the gameplay is actually different between the two versions with some special features not even available on the xbox.  

I was never a fan of the Need for Speed series. I'll have to check it out. Thats odd that the gameplay would be different.

[Lilwolf]

Other items to note..

Rentals... big factor... See what your local video store supplies... (unles syou have blockbuster or other big name... then your golden)

Why?  There are a TON of crap games (especially on PS2... where the lincensing is easier to get).  

For dreamcast... you can't rent them anymore... but you can burn them without modding most dreamcasts.  But should you?  I personally say yes... but buy them if you like them.  The originals play better (load faster because like files are next to each other... the ripped versions usually have cutscenes removed to fit on a CD... instructions)...  

I've done this with a few games already (burned them then bought them)... On ebay almost all games are a few bucks... more to ship then to buy)...  So no need to warez them... but the lack of rentals suck.

[Ghoward]

Xbox wins in the raw horsepower, memory, and graphics card categorys. As far as the number and quality of games thats up to you to decide. Many or most of the biggest games are available on all 3 platforms. I have 2 xbox's and I would challenge anyone to show me a single game that is on a ps2 or gamecube that is better on those than the xbox version. I would also like to see any game on a ps2 or gamecube that had better graphics than the games written to take advantage of the xbox hardware, like DOA3 or project gotham racing.

Excuse me a secound while I put my flame suit on(remember to read my sig)....

It comes down to if you want to play mario or have a wide selection of kid games then you probably want the gamecube. If you want the most titles to choose from you probably want the ps/2, if you want the flashiest graphics with the newest games and the biggest online game presence then you want the xbox. Another huge advantage to the xbox is the modibility factor. If you decide you want to play mame on it or other emulators its not hard to do.

Edit: Ooops looks like he already made his choice, though what I posted here is still good stuff so I'll leave it.

Thats about what I was told in the store when I got my X-Box  and it made my mind up right away.

[Dave_K.]

I was never a fan of the Need for Speed series. I'll have to check it out. Thats odd that the gameplay would be different.

I was not a fan of the series either, but rented this one for the PS2 and LOVED it.  I was about to buy the xbox version, and thankfully rented it for xbox first (had a 2 for 1 rental coupon).  OMG, what a difference.  I believe a completely diffferent team did the port to xbox...and let me tell you it was definatly a "port".  Menu's and gameplay options were different.  The gameplay was so much worse (the AI and handleing seemed different too!).  And finally one of the key features of the game wasn't even available on the xbox (the look ahead matrix type gimick).  The only game I've seen that was worse on the xbox...otherwise I'd agree with you.

[jakejake28]

I have to say its really good...........is it me or are the graphics better on consoles than on the PC?

yea, in many cases it is... i believe this is due to the programmer writing for a single type of architechure and a single type of hardware, where he can max it's potential and not worry about lower-end user complaints. sorta like what Doom 3 would really look like if the devs could make it for only the top-end systems (instead of high-mid to top end).

[Frostillicus]

Welcome to the wonderful world of xbox.  Yes there are many games available for the PoS2, but you'll find much of it is shovelware.  And although total # of xbox games is lower, there is a lesser % of shovelware, IMHO - though it's still there (procast fishing anyone?).  But there are plenty of great ones, too.  Next purchase: modchip

[slicer_d]

Sega Saturn  

Seriously if you want to play great arcade games there is nothing better.  I love my shmups and the SS is unrivaled for the amount of modern shmups it has also a lot of 2d fighting games and other fun stuff.  Unfortunatally almost all the good games are Japan only so they are expensive unless you know where to get them (wink wink).

Second is PS2 mainly because it has Guilty Gear XX and GTA3 then DC because it has a lot of arcade stuff then XBOX because it has halo and DOA3 then GC because it is the big N and I had to buy it.  I basically own almost every big console and thats what I think of them.

[shmokes]

The first response is the most valid.  PS2 has by far the largest library of games.  It has the largest library of great games, mediocre games and crap games.  But still, it has the most good games of any system.

X-box is the most powerful (but many games don't really take advantage of it because they were originally developed for PS2).  It also is the only system of the three to support dolby digital 5.1 sound in games, though PS2 supports it if you're watching DVDs ).  X-box has Halo.  Can be easily hacked.

Gamecube is more powerful than the PS2 in the sound/graphics department, but not as powerfull as X-box.  Gamecube has Nintendo's first party development teams which have created more new videogame genres than most companies have created videogames.  They are having a difficult time shedding their "kiddie" image, though they are trying -- plenty of adult fare.  Oh yeah....word on the street is the Gamecube/Zelda bundle (comes with every Zelda from the original NES game to Ocarina of Time) will be on sale at Wal-Mart from 6am until 10 or 11 (or while supplies last) for $79.  edit: I'm retarded.  I should probably mention that this is a day-after-thanksgiving sale.  Don't just go in on any given day between 6 and 11 am.  Also, if you're interested check your local Walmart.  Last year the one by me decided to open at 5am instead of 6; and some are open all night, but who knows when they'll start giving people the good deals?

Wrap up:

PS2: Best chance that you will be able to play any given game.  Also best chance that you will never run out of great games to play.

Xbox: Best chance your game will look and sound as good as it possibly can (keep in mind we are talking about mostly subtle differences, not like the difference between a PS1 and PS2 game)

Gamecube:  Best chance your game will be made by Nintendo, which really is a bigger deal than it sounds.

Overall Winner?  Probably PS2.  That said, of the three I own a Gamecube cos I only buy about 3-5 console games a year and Nintendo is my favorite software developer.  Comically, the next system I buy will probably be an X-box cos I'm excited about the modding capabilities.  I still think that the PS2 is hands-down the must-have system of the three.  Different people are just looking for different things.

[jakejake28]

i'm gonna play devils advocate and say my fav. (of this gen) is gc, then xbox. i own both, but do't have a ps2 b/c i couldnt think of 2 games i would buy for it.

why i luv my cube is simple: my fav. controller, with some of my fav. games: resident evil, metroid, zelda, pikmin, the list of quality titles goes on.

frosti and schmokes mentioned shovelware, you'll find that 1/2 ps2 games is shovelware, mebbe 1/4-6 xbox and gc.

also watch the companies future: microsoft is devoted to xbox live, and it shows. ps2 is trying it out, but not close to xbox. nintendo hasn't made an effort, but most games they release (1st party) don't seem online friendly anyway.

[shmokes]

Oh yeah...I should have mentioned that.  The gamecube controller is like butta'.  It's the best, most comfortable, gamepad ever made for any system.  And the button layout is really intuitive.  Nintendo has a long history of innovation in the controls dept.

Frosty hates it, though, so take what I say with a grain of salt.

Oh yeah, if you do the math I think you'll find that the shear size of the PS2 library still more than makes up for loads of shovelware.  

[saltypenguin]

Cube has the best controller? That's a new one by me. I'll agree it's deffinately the most comfortable, but the button design and placement is just horrible imo.  I have a hard time with fighting games and Tony Hawk.  Any game where I have to press the B and X buttons simultaniously or in quick succession is pretty tough.  I like my buttons all the same size and shape, and evenly placed.  I own a Cube and an Xbox  btw.  Only own Zelda for the cube.  Have 29 xbox games now I think.  There's deffinately games on the cube I would like to own, but when it's time to buy there always seems to be an xbox game I would rather have.  

[eightbit]

And the button layout is really intuitive.

Intuitive? The button layout is painfully unintuitive. I think if your used to it, it might be simple and easy. But the xbox and ps/2 controllers are much more intuitive to me. Maybe its because they are more traditional and I have almost no time on a cube. I just know when ever I go to my friends house and play his cube I can't remember what any of the buttons do. Especially in the sports games.