Advice on game consols...

[Carolus Rex]

I'm thinking about buying a game consol. Sony Playstation 2, X Box, Game Cube, any others out there?

Which should I go for? What's the difference between them (performance, available games, price etc)? For example, now there's one called PS2 The Next Generation, what's the difference between it and the original PS2?

When does the next generation of consols come out? Should I wait until then or is it still worthwhile to buy now?

Carolus

[DrSpike]

You have a pc.......aren't you a bit old for Playstation?

[Carolus Rex]

Heh, heh! Maybe...

You mean Game Consols are mostly for people enjoying FPS games, heavy on graphics? I tried Civ II some years ago on a consol (don't remember which one), it was a horrible experience!

Medal of Honour on the other hand...

Carolus

[DaShi]

If Asher was here, he'd give you all these stats on why the X Box is the best. Since he's not, get a PS2 for the Final Fantasy games.

[DrSpike]

Originally posted by Carolus Rex
Heh, heh! Maybe...

You mean Game Consols are mostly for people enjoying FPS games, heavy on graphics? I tried Civ II some years ago on a consol (don't remember which one), it was a horrible experience!

Medal of Honour on the other hand...

Carolus

Well I prefer FPS on the PC, but of course to get the same sort of performance as a top console you need a killer machine.

Another point you might want to consider is that FPS towards the more strategic side of the genre appear more frequently on the PC.

MP is also better on the PC, though the gap is closing a little.

Consoles are usually quite cheap, and easy to use. Pricey games mostly though.

Overall I'd never give up PC gaming for console gaming, but that's just me.

[child of Thor]

Well the Gamecube is kinda third place unless your mad on Mario [Plus its not really being supported as much anymore]

That leaves PS or Xbox.

PS has LOADS of games, but most of the ones i've played I found quite easy to complete or offered a fairly shallow gaming experience IMHO.

Xbox has much less software, but the few killer titles it does have offer IMHO far more depth than on any other console. Its games look better too. My girlfriend loved playstation, untill i got the xbox and now with games like Morrowind, Knights of the Republic and Halo ; she said she couldn't imagine going back to PS - and she was a big FinalFantasy fan!

Both are great consoles - look for the best deal with the bundled software and the kinda games it comes with.

But you cant beat a good pc - you also can do other stuff with a pc if you fancy a break from gaming.
I got a clunky old PC for playing good strategy titles and classic games and an xbox for some playing some of the better newer releases.

Oh and i'm an 'old' gamer - the xbox is still fun

[Carolus Rex]

Originally posted by DrSpike

Well I prefer FPS on the PC, but of course to get the same sort of performance as a top console you need a killer machine.

Really, I thought PC's were lagging graphic-wise... I take it you have a killer machine then, or is there something else explaining why you prefer FPS on the PC?

Originally posted by DrSpike

Overall I'd never give up PC gaming for console gaming, but that's just me.

No, that's me too. Who said anything about giving up PC gaming? Do Leontief preferences ring a bell?

Carolus

[Carolus Rex]

Originally posted by child of Thor

Both are great consoles - look for the best deal with the bundled software and the kinda games it comes with.

Ok, thanks! So far it looks like Gamecube is out and that it's a toss-up between X Box and PS2...

Oh, and hold on to that girlfriend! The kind who is into gaming is a rare species indeed...

Carolus

[asleepathewheel]

I have both a PS2 and a Gamecube. both I've gotten a lot of enjoyment out of,but lately I've been playing the Gamecube more. Recently got Mario Kart-a blast, and have the gameboy player expansion, so have been playing a lot of gameboy games (I find the side scroller simplicity to be more enjoyable than 3d games, ie love metroid fusion)

the playstation has atrocious load times, drives me crazy waiting to load games. Mostly PS2 I play FF games and sports games.

Right now in the states they are really cutting prices on the Cube and the ps2 is cheap as well, you might be able to pick up both for less than the original ps2 price.

[DrSpike]

Originally posted by child of Thor
Oh and i'm an 'old' gamer - the xbox is still fun

Shouldn't both you and Carolus be playing with your abacus, muttering something under your breath about damn computers?

[asleepathewheel]

Oh, regarding that new ps2 (PSTwo IIRC). I don't think it has improved on any aspect of the actual game console, I think they just threw in stuff to make it more of a multimedia center, not sure what, and jacked the price way up., maybe its a smaller box or something.

[child of Thor]

Originally posted by DrSpike
Shouldn't both you and Carolus be playing with your abacus, muttering something under your breath about damn computers?

How did you know i used an abacus at school? It sadly wasnt very good at side scrolling games, but then the ZX81 was only slighty better at it

My big dislike about consoles is that it a pure consumer product - it doesnt encourage creativity like a computer(of any sort) does. Still its the cost that makes them so appealing(the reason i got one, and to see if they were really that much better than the old Atari 2600!).
I'm very happy with my xbox - its got some complex games(Championship Manager/Morrowind and a few others), that offer a little more than the other console platforms i've played a couple of times. Ok so its Microsuft, but then most stuff people do on their PC is as well, and it provides Sony with some much needed competition.

Carolus, just cause i like the xbox doesn't mean its the one for you - go look at your local software outlets and see the kind of games it stocks for both the xbox and PS, i find there are very few if any that appeal to me in the PS section. In the xbox section there are a couple that take my interest from time to time. So thats what helped me decide. I figure i may buy two console titles a year - on the PC its usually twice that.

[Traianvs]

don't buy a console

[Carolus Rex]

Hm... Care to elaborate on why?

Carolus

[Carolus Rex]

Originally posted by DrSpike

Shouldn't both you and Carolus be playing with your abacus, muttering something under your breath about damn computers?

Aye, on a good day that is! Mostly, however, the old run-the-walking-stick-through-the-monitor solution will have to do...

Hm... Not a surging interest in consols judging from the small number of replies... A sign as good as any advice?

Carolus