Microsoft will realize their butts are being spanked and then decide to kill the Xbox once they figure out they cannot become a monopoly in every technology market.
PS2: the games industry is behind the platform, as they trust the installed user-base. Games are now hitting the third generation as developers get the hang of the architecture, and there are some real gems both out there and on the way. PS2 is entrenched in the Japanese market, so will always receive more development attention.
Xbox is ugly, says M$ on it, is butt-ugly, is huge, has a gigantic, ugly controller that messes up your wrists, requires the purchase of an additional bit of hardware before you can play DVDs and it's unbelievably ugly.
Not to mention the fact that there are lots of very, very bad games available for Xbox, and tons of crappy ports of PC games.
PS2 for all the reasons: Tekken Tag (Tekken 4 to come soon), WRC, Grand Theft Auto 3, Gran Turismo 3 / concept, Unreal Tournament, FIFA 2002, ah well, and a whole shitload of PS1 games will run on it (games you'll get for peanuts, seeing they're ancient by now, but still extremely playable).
And very good quality DVD playback. And, at least in Europe, PS2 online to come soon. 2 USB ports? you got em.
Here is why I am leaning towards Xbox (drop the "because it's MS crap cause it doesn't matter to me).
It has a hard drive. ( I have heard the memory crap with PS2 can drive you nuts ), on-board ethernet, better graphics, etc.
Boys - MS is not going anywhere anytime soon. MS has more money to play with then any of us could imagine. Our New Media director has had many meetings with MS about it and they are throwing so much money at Xbox it's not even funny. The way he put it to me: Yeah, there are more games NOW for PS2 but you buy an Xbox, you are investing in the future.
Don't get me wrong, I am a through and through Sony guy. TV is Sony, Camcorder is Sony, Stereo is Sony. But I am thinking the Xbox is the better of the two.
Actually, if you haven't already made the purchase, I would recommend the GameCube. I own all three consoles, and I can say that the GC will be my most-used this fall and holiday. Nintendo's lineup is simply stunning--we haven't had something this grandiose from the industry in years. Super Mario Sunshine and Animal Crossing, both already released and ready to be snatched up and enjoyed to their fullest, kick off the celebration, with Star Fox Adventures (a title that has spent over FOUR YEARS in development) coming onto shelves September 22nd. Additionally, Metroid Prime will make its way to stores in November, marking the first return of Samus since Super Metroid, after almost ten full years. In January or February, Nintendo will again shock the world with the cel-shaded Zelda game.
It's a fantastic lineup with the hugest franchises on earth. It's a celebration in quality, and neither the Xbox nor PS2 have anything on it. Of course, I will buy Xbox Live simply because it is the realization of online gaming that I've been waiting for since I picked up my Dreamcast on launch day, but in terms of quality, Nintendo owns all this season.
If you already own a GameCube (you're crazy not to), I would pick the Xbox, simply because the PS2 is losing steam in America. Most of its bigger hits are simply evolutionary or rehashed sequels. Meanwhile, the Xbox has a fantastic, extremely-organized, and well-thought-out online plan ahead of it.
EDIT: I should say that one particular incredible game coming to the PS2 this holiday is Ratchet and Clank, a curious and well-conceived blend of platformer, RPG, adventure, and shooter genres. I encourage you to look into this game should you decide upon a PS2. I guarantee you it will be the sleeper hit of the year, from what I've played at E3.
[ 09-18-2002: Message edited by: Jon Rubinstein ]</p>
I have had a PS2 since summer 2001. I have no complaints at all.
Last week i bought the network adapter ,hooked it up to my cable router and was online playing games in less than 5 minutes. SOcom US navy Seals is a blast ,online or not. Madden 03 is fun also. There are alot more online games coming soon.
My advise is for the PS2 , but it is a free country, even though M$ want to own/control every aspect of your life.
M$ should just petition the UN for soverenty as their own nation....after approval they can just claim the rest of the world as their own, since they already rule at least 95% of it.
<strong>Here is why I am leaning towards Xbox (drop the "because it's MS crap cause it doesn't matter to me).
Don't get me wrong, I am a through and through Sony guy. TV is Sony, Camcorder is Sony, Stereo is Sony. But I am thinking the Xbox is the better of the two.
Still listening to opposing arguements though...</strong><hr></blockquote>
Like you I'm a through and through Sony guy (TV, Stereo etc). Even if I thought the Xbox was better, I'd still buy the PS2, without hesitation.
The "because it's MS" crap does matter. It matters to me, and it matters to a lot of other people.
Search your conscience.
Search your soul.
If you're still undecided, I'm not sure how you can even be a moderator, here of all places.
Bodhi, I have all of the 'major' consoles including the Sega Dreamcast, the PS2, the Nintendo GameCube, and the Xbox.
If it came down to Xbox vs. PS2, I'd have to say you should buy the Xbox.
Why? The PS2 is the hardest console to develop for, and it shows. If a game comes out for all of the 3 current consoles, the PS2 always gets the worst version.
The Xbox and GameCube are about on par for graphics and sound unless you have a high end tv or sound system. The Xbox supports 5.1 surround sound on most of it's games and generally the graphics seemed more 'polished'.
Another factor you want to consider is online play. I just got 'chosen' to beta test Xbox Live and it's supposed to come with some games and a headset to chat with other people in the game. Supposedly, you can 'mask' your voice, so I'll see how it is and get back to you.
The PS2 just went online as well and I have SOCOM as I posted in another thread. The online service is generally flaky and lags quite a bit. The servers have been down more than I'd care to admit and I've been pretty disappointed. The PS2, like the Dreamcast, allows 56k players. The Xbox only allows for broadband users online.
As far as games go, the GameCube seems to have the 'best' exclusives. I just picked up the Animal Crossing game and it's very entertaining. Some games also link up with the Game Boy Advance (or will), including the new Metroid games. Nintendo's online plan seems sketchy at this point, though, with only Sega's Phantasy Star Online available next month. Don't get me wrong- I have PSO for Dreamcast and it's excellent, but only having one online game for the forseeable future might hurt it.
So if you don't mind living without GTA Vice City and Tekken 4 (both of which I will be buying), you'll probably do better with the Xbox (or GameCube).
[quote]If you're still undecided, I'm not sure how you can even be a moderator, here of all places. <hr></blockquote>
I should mention again that my Xbox was free.
I also forgot to add that Microsoft's support for the Xbox is horrible and that my Xbox already broke down to the point where it wouldn't read discs. Someone even told me they thought it was overheating.
It took a war with MS to look at it even though it was under warranty.
Just keep it in mind that a lot of the 'earlier' Xbox consoles had a bunch of problems (or will). Also remember that a hard drive won't neccesarily last forever and it will cost major money to get it fixed if and when it does go.
I know some guys involved in videogame journalism, and the failure rates on their, admittedly very early and totally free, Xboxes are pretty horrendous...
Comments
Why?
One word: Halo.
Why? Three words: DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS!!!
Why?
Twenty-Eight words:
Microsoft will realize their butts are being spanked and then decide to kill the Xbox once they figure out they cannot become a monopoly in every technology market.
Only because Xbox is Micro$oft
More developers, more games, entire library of PS 1 games, no Microsoft.
Besides, Halo is being deveoped for PC and Mac anyway. It's been delayed enough, so whats waiting another year or so?
Xbox is ugly, says M$ on it, is butt-ugly, is huge, has a gigantic, ugly controller that messes up your wrists, requires the purchase of an additional bit of hardware before you can play DVDs and it's unbelievably ugly.
Not to mention the fact that there are lots of very, very bad games available for Xbox, and tons of crappy ports of PC games.
And very good quality DVD playback. And, at least in Europe, PS2 online to come soon. 2 USB ports? you got em.
Don't know about xbox though
It has a hard drive. ( I have heard the memory crap with PS2 can drive you nuts ), on-board ethernet, better graphics, etc.
Boys - MS is not going anywhere anytime soon. MS has more money to play with then any of us could imagine. Our New Media director has had many meetings with MS about it and they are throwing so much money at Xbox it's not even funny. The way he put it to me: Yeah, there are more games NOW for PS2 but you buy an Xbox, you are investing in the future.
Don't get me wrong, I am a through and through Sony guy. TV is Sony, Camcorder is Sony, Stereo is Sony. But I am thinking the Xbox is the better of the two.
Still listening to opposing arguements though...
It's a fantastic lineup with the hugest franchises on earth. It's a celebration in quality, and neither the Xbox nor PS2 have anything on it. Of course, I will buy Xbox Live simply because it is the realization of online gaming that I've been waiting for since I picked up my Dreamcast on launch day, but in terms of quality, Nintendo owns all this season.
If you already own a GameCube (you're crazy not to), I would pick the Xbox, simply because the PS2 is losing steam in America. Most of its bigger hits are simply evolutionary or rehashed sequels. Meanwhile, the Xbox has a fantastic, extremely-organized, and well-thought-out online plan ahead of it.
EDIT: I should say that one particular incredible game coming to the PS2 this holiday is Ratchet and Clank, a curious and well-conceived blend of platformer, RPG, adventure, and shooter genres. I encourage you to look into this game should you decide upon a PS2. I guarantee you it will be the sleeper hit of the year, from what I've played at E3.
[ 09-18-2002: Message edited by: Jon Rubinstein ]</p>
Last week i bought the network adapter ,hooked it up to my cable router and was online playing games in less than 5 minutes. SOcom US navy Seals is a blast ,online or not. Madden 03 is fun also. There are alot more online games coming soon.
My advise is for the PS2 , but it is a free country, even though M$ want to own/control every aspect of your life.
M$ should just petition the UN for soverenty as their own nation....after approval they can just claim the rest of the world as their own, since they already rule at least 95% of it.
<strong>Here is why I am leaning towards Xbox (drop the "because it's MS crap cause it doesn't matter to me).
Don't get me wrong, I am a through and through Sony guy. TV is Sony, Camcorder is Sony, Stereo is Sony. But I am thinking the Xbox is the better of the two.
Still listening to opposing arguements though...</strong><hr></blockquote>
Like you I'm a through and through Sony guy (TV, Stereo etc). Even if I thought the Xbox was better, I'd still buy the PS2, without hesitation.
The "because it's MS" crap does matter. It matters to me, and it matters to a lot of other people.
Search your conscience.
Search your soul.
If you're still undecided, I'm not sure how you can even be a moderator, here of all places.
<img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" /> <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" /> <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" />
(BTW, did you buy any of that
If it came down to Xbox vs. PS2, I'd have to say you should buy the Xbox.
Why? The PS2 is the hardest console to develop for, and it shows. If a game comes out for all of the 3 current consoles, the PS2 always gets the worst version.
The Xbox and GameCube are about on par for graphics and sound unless you have a high end tv or sound system. The Xbox supports 5.1 surround sound on most of it's games and generally the graphics seemed more 'polished'.
Another factor you want to consider is online play. I just got 'chosen' to beta test Xbox Live and it's supposed to come with some games and a headset to chat with other people in the game. Supposedly, you can 'mask' your voice, so I'll see how it is and get back to you.
The PS2 just went online as well and I have SOCOM as I posted in another thread. The online service is generally flaky and lags quite a bit. The servers have been down more than I'd care to admit and I've been pretty disappointed. The PS2, like the Dreamcast, allows 56k players. The Xbox only allows for broadband users online.
As far as games go, the GameCube seems to have the 'best' exclusives. I just picked up the Animal Crossing game and it's very entertaining. Some games also link up with the Game Boy Advance (or will), including the new Metroid games. Nintendo's online plan seems sketchy at this point, though, with only Sega's Phantasy Star Online available next month. Don't get me wrong- I have PSO for Dreamcast and it's excellent, but only having one online game for the forseeable future might hurt it.
So if you don't mind living without GTA Vice City and Tekken 4 (both of which I will be buying), you'll probably do better with the Xbox (or GameCube).
I should mention again that my Xbox was free.
I also forgot to add that Microsoft's support for the Xbox is horrible and that my Xbox already broke down to the point where it wouldn't read discs. Someone even told me they thought it was overheating.
It took a war with MS to look at it even though it was under warranty.
Just keep it in mind that a lot of the 'earlier' Xbox consoles had a bunch of problems (or will). Also remember that a hard drive won't neccesarily last forever and it will cost major money to get it fixed if and when it does go.
Not quite sure what being a Moderator has to do with getting some advice on purchasing a game console...but anyway...moving on...
It gets the Mario/Zelda games and they are now getting the sports games that would really motivate my decision.
I want no Tekken or Yoshimahshsusus The RPG or Vampire Hunting Dragon Warrior.
NFL2k3
NCAA Football 2k3
Zelda
Mario
Those are my priorities.
[edit]
"Oh, but groverat, Nintendos are for kids."
- Game consoles are for fun. The minute I want "serious" video games with plots is the moment I turn into an unbearable nerd.
Nintendo makes the funnest games, hands down.
Mario Tennis is pure brilliance.
The new Zelda looks like a Disney cartoon in action.
[ 09-18-2002: Message edited by: groverat ]</p>