X-Box, Game Cube, or PS2?? - Advice requested

[Timber Loftis]

I'm going to get one of the above-referenced systems. I have come to the conclusion that 2-5 hrs. of BGII and other games on my PC may have somewhat contributed to the death of my HDD inside of 1 1/2 yrs. My HDDs always die, and my wife (who never games on her computer) always has long-lasting HDD's.

Besides, at under $200 a piece, these are pretty good little entertainment investments. LOL- actually, I intend to buy mine used at this really cool store in Gurnee, IL, so it will be even cheaper.

Traditionally, I like Nintendo - my last system was N64. But, I am unfamiliar with these games these days. So, which to buy? [img]graemlins/1ponder.gif[/img]

I like FPS games, especially the Bond ones and PErfect Dark. I also really like the Star Wars flight simulators, like Rogue Squadron. Siphon Filter 1 and 2 were also wonderful. When it comes to these dedicated platforms, I'm not so much into strategy.

I have always seen Nintendo as having more playability (i.e. controls react better to my input), but PS as having some better graphics. X-box I am unfamiliar with.

So, which one would you advise? Please keep in mind that relevant concerns are:
1. number of games available,
2. viability of the system before a replacement makes in obselete (a la N64 - at least Sony keeps making PS1 games)(Note: if there is a better platform coming along soon, please let me know).
3. Online gaming is NOT a concern for me - I'm a loner.

Thanks - as always all advice appreciated.

[Rokenn]

Halo alone is worth getting an XBox for. And Halo 2 is looking even better [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Arvon]

Sorry I can't help. But this post give me a chance to rant about console games. Every time I've gotten into them there is a major upgrade, making the system I have obsolete. I then can't get new games and upgrades. As a mater of fact I heard, on the news yesterday, the Sony is developing a new chip for their games. I didn't pay too much attention to the article. Oh and remember most of the modern consoles have HDs too.

Maybe a dedicated pc for game playing with minimum net access and minimum other software might be a possible idea.

[Angelousss]

well i don't know how many games are avaible for each but the lack of games has been an issue with x-box, they have been working to resolve that. One of the main advantages of the ps2 is the backwards compatability. Allowing you to play all the playstation games you missed(fftactics, and 7 spring to mind, although avoid ff8 like the plague). I've played fps on the ps2 and gamecube and i found the gamecubes control scheme much more intuitive. on the other hand Halo was one of the biggest launch games for x-box and is supposedly brillant. Something about the x-box which strikes me as good but bad for actually wanting to buy the system, alot of the best games are ported(or devolped for both platforms) to the pc, Halo(in the works), splinter cell, and morrowind spring to mind.

[Angelousss]

oh and a response to the launch of new consoles, all three are relatively new, i don't think any of the big three will be launching a new console within a year and a half, maybe 2 to 2 and 1/2years but that would be a strech. i actually tend to wait to get a new console until they are dirt cheap. the last console i bought anywhere near launch was an nes, and i didn't get my genisis until it was like $110 or something. a great game is a great game even a little late. just ask the bg2 forum.

[Sir Exxon]

Hmm, you say that PS2 have better graphics than GameCube? This is actually wrong, the order of best graphics is:
1. Xbox
2. GameCube
3. PS2

But to give you my opinion, buy GameCube. You say you like FPS, and even though the best of them so far (Halo) are on Xbox, there will come many more FPSs on GC. And away from Halo, GC has all of the best FPSs, atleast IMHO.
I could rant on and on right now about the GC, but I don't have the time, so perhaps I'll get back to you. But my words of advice: Buy GameCube!

[/)eathKiller]

Dreamcast All the way!

Ok ok If i had to put the next console down the line from the best, (DC would be way at the top) i suppose the X box is ok, though it doesnt seem to push the kinds of colors the GC tends to place in its games, it generally comes off as being darkner, more like a PC without the PC in it... Frankly I'd recomend just getting a souped up PC if you wanted to play such games... The PS2 is the best for people who like role playing games, BUT Phantasy Star Online will never come out for it, if you get the X box you can most certainly get it for X box and same with gamecube, I own both X box and Gamecube, and frankly, I never touch either of them... That's because i've got this souped up 3 Ghx PC with 2 gigs of ram and an NVidia GeForce 4

[Nanobyte]

I'm beginning to regret ever getting an Xbox. Of all the games out now, there are only four I like to call my own. Up till now, I was really looking forward to this PSO launch for Xbox, but since they require an online account, I've steered away from it. Ever since Xbox live came out a few months back, every good game that appears to offer good gameplay and replayability (I also look for good multiplayer games, I try to steer clear of single ones since they get old once you beat them) is developed for the online system, and all of us who choose not to pay an extra fee for online play are stuck with all these *minor* games. I'll keep the system for games like Halo, but maybe in the near future I'll invest in one of the other two systems.

So I'd say, Timber, the only real options you have to choose from is the GC and PS2.

[ 04-21-2003, 04:20 PM: Message edited by: Nanobyte ]

[Bruce The Aussie]

well, me and my brother together own nearly all the major consoles since the spectrum (exept the X-box, i hate microsoft games division two much) (oh and the master system 1, its rarer than gold). my suggestion would be the Snes as it rocks, but seeing as you want a latest gen console i can't say that one.

from the kind of games u want, i'd say gamecube. my brother owns one and he likes it. plus Zelda - the wind waker is out in america. (not over here yet though, dammit).
although the PS2 does have devil may cry and, as Angelousss said, you can play FF7 and tactics (if you can get hold of a copy of tactics, i haven't so far )


also angelous, FF8 wasn't that bad. some people (including me) liked it alot. mainly the Avid FF fans. and just becuase i can personally name all the people that liked that game, doesn't mean it ain't good [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Arledrian]

Just buy all three - the lot of them combined still only costs half of a desktop [img]tongue.gif[/img]

EDIT: and then, like, adopt me, TL [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[ 04-21-2003, 05:03 PM: Message edited by: Arledrian ]