Gamecube or PS2

[heresiarh]

Hi everyone,

I am a heavy pc gamer playing mostly strategy games, and hoping to play HL2. I am thinking of getting a console system for other games like Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy etc. I do not know anything about console systems and I have never personally owned one. I have noticed the price difference between the Xbox, PS2 and Gamecube is only $50.

Which one is a better buy? I was leaning more towards the Gamecube since it has many cheaper games available now, unlike PS2 and Xbox. Also, I do not know their graphic system.

Please advise.

 

[magomago]

1) dont buy ANY console because of the graphics. Especially if you are an avid pc gamer and are used to a certain graphical level you will be dissapointed with the graphical falir of consoles. Yes some games look REALLY nice, but at the same time you'll find a more consisten level of quality on the pc

With that said, I would say the Ps2. It has a LOT of games (and cheap games on the 19.99 "greatest hits" or whatever they call it) and probably has the most diverse library. Then again, I am a heavy (or was ) RPG kind of person so I naturally gravitate towards what the Ps2 offers. While tid eson't always have the prettiest titles (espcially those that come from ports~try to stay away from that) the titles that are made for it are impressive...and even old titles like MGS2 and FFX still hold their own.

I can't say much about the Gamecube because I don't really play it...so see what others say.

and if graphics really are that much a concern to you (because it seems you actually want to know about system specs, whereas I wouldn't give a rats ass. If you are wondering the SNES is 3Mhz whereas the Genesis is 7.5Mhz and you don't see people declaring a clear winner between both consoles because it is about the games) then just get an XboX. You'll see a lot of similar titles from your pc, which is nice if you are too lazy to boot it up your pc to play games, and it does have games like Halo....actually it has a lot of FPS so that is a good system if you are into console FPs

 

[Ant001]

IMO, Halo is the best console game there is, so I'm slightly biased towards Xbox

I also have a GameCube. The problem with it are the games, or the lack thereof. I personally don't like most of the games out for GC. However, if you do, it's actually a pretty nice system.

I don't have a PS2 and don't pay attention to games for it, so can't really help you there. I have heard that it has a wide selection of games.

Basically, all the systems are pretty equal, other than games. Xbox and PS2 can play DVDs and connect to the internet.

EDIT: Yes, if you've never owned a console and are into PC gaming, be warned about the graphics. 640x480 interlaced can drive you crazy, especially in FPSs. Also the controllers aren't nearly as precise as kb/mouse.

 

[Smithyoffline]

ps2

 

[ciba]

PS2 has a much larger game library. If you like RPG's, the PS2 is hands-down a better choice.

Gamecube is the better get-drunk-with-friends-and-play-games-party-box. Mario Kart, Smash Brothers and a number of other games make it a good multiplayer box. Chrystal Chronicals also gets an honorable mention.

 

[InlineFive]

Since Zelda is only made for the Gamecube you have to get the Gamecube.

 

[jm0ris0n]

I bought a gamecube this christmas and really enjoy it.

My library so far includes Mario Sunshine, Zelda: Windwaker, Super Monkey Ball 2, and a disk that came with the system that has Both N64 versions of zelda, and the 2 NES version of zelda.

I don't regret my purchase at all As far as cheap games goes...I picked up mario for $25, Monkey Ball 2 $28, Zelda $33, and the other disk was free. Now that its summer I'm gonna pick up Eternal Darkness and Metroid. Both can be easily had for under $20 a piece. Each is a AAA title. And if you want to talk graphics, Mario Sunshine has better Pixel Shader effects than any PC game except maybe far cry on max settings.


Just my 3 cents

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

You won't go wrong either way if you go with the system that lets you play the most games you'd want to play. Since you're already gaming on your PC I'd suggest the Gamecube if PC gaming is going to continue to be primary. That's what I have, PC and Gamecube, and even with the price drops on the XBox and PS2 and really can't justify pulling the trigger on either one. The only games I can't play with what I have that I feel I'm really missing out on are Mechassault & Crimson Skies for the Xbox and Devil May Cry & Onimusha for the PS2. There's some stuff coming down the pipe that might get me to take the plunge another console this gen (probably Xbox), but until that happens I'm pretty content with the PC and Cube.

 

[RagingGuardian]

It depends on what games you want to play. The GC features alot of kiddy games and co-op party games whereas the PS2 appeals to a more mature crowd.

I own both because of exclusive games that you won't be able to play anywhere else. The PS2 has Gran Turismo and the Final Fantasy series and the GC has Zelda and Nintendo's own big guns.

Even though I spend most of my time playing PC games my GC gets alot of work also and will in the future as soon as that new Zelda game drops.

 

[XBoxLPU]

PS2 or Xbox

I like my Cube but I also like sport games and it sucks not having ESPN(SEGA) on the Cube ...

 

[bluewall21]

GameCube, it has the solid backing of Nintendo (Metroid Prime, anyone?), and some other cool games.

 

[Gagabiji]

DarkCloud for PS2 is awesome. But then again, the GameCube has the new Zelda coming out for it. Not WindWaker 2, but this one.
But not any more!

 

[heresiarh]

Thanks for all the info. Two games i really want to get on the gamecube are NFS: Underground, and Zelda series. PS2 games, the only one i really care about is Vice City and MGS series. I hate Halo (no offense) so xbox is out of the question. As for graphic concern, i am pretty aware of that since a couple of my friends own it. I have a 33inch tv so i think i should be fine over there.

I can never compare PC and console games since C&C series is on the PC and is best game ever , and also fantastic shooters like Castle Wolfenstein, Medal of Honor etc.

I'll wait for a few more suggestions in this thread and then go ahead and buy a console system.

 

[Wahsapa]

3 friends of mine work at the local gamestop so im pretty in touch with the console gaming world and as things stand now your best choices for a system are either the GAMECUBE or XBOX.

its retarded the amount of ps2's that break. as for "it can play dvds" get a dvd player you cheap bastards, a console videogame shouldnt be purchased on the decision of if it can play movies or not.

its not about which consoles better its about which one is best for you. you already own a pc, so you prolly shouldnt get an xbox because it really is just a pc in the form of a console. maybe when xbox2 comes out next year, but i would definately hold off on buying one right now.

the gamecube i think is really the best option for someone not knowing what they want because it gives you basically everything. everything that a console should be atleast (ie: not a dvd player/computer). 4 players, quality game library, and its connectivity to the gameboy advanced platform give it a very broad array of functionality.

and the quality of japanese gamecube games far surpasses a large portion of the games released here. half the ps2's game library is trash(but that can be said about many consoles).

gamecube = win

 

[heresiarh]

yes i dont care about dvd playing. i have a kick ass dvd system. my main goal is to play console games.

 

[AWhackWhiteBoy]

quality,not quantity. i love my gamecube. i can't see how other gamesystems can match gamecube games replay value. i never get sick of the gamecube games. its much more multiplayer oriented vs single play though. get 4 friends together and you can have endless fun with it.

 

[heresiarh]

do you think i should buy it from ebay? i might get a gamecube plus some games along with it for about $70-$80. does gamestop has any kind of deals like that on used GC systems?

 

[Wahsapa]

oh also gamecube graphics are from an ati chip, forget the specs but its not that powerful, it also has a ibm cpu. who knows whats in a ps2. and xbox is a bunch of stuff from nvidia.

 

[imported_intercollector]

I'm going to definately put my opinion out towards the Gamecube. I've owned 2 PS2's, both of which broke. I still have tons of PS2 games, plus 4 controllers, network adapter, etc etc etc and I like the PS2 games, so I will probably get another one eventually. But I recently picked up a gamecube, and only have Double Dash, but I have to say the Mario Cart Saga continues in full force. This game rocks, and is worth the price of the game cube on it's own.

 

[heresiarh]

so more people are leaning towards the gamecube. anyone bought anything from gamestop?

 

[heresiarh]

Has anyone played Xbox's MechAssault? I've heard good reviews on it. Damn it i cant make up my mind.

 

[Matthias99]

I've bought from them; most of their stuff is usually fine, although, of course, you're taking a chance with a used console. I think they have a 30-day warranty on them, maybe longer. I haven't bought any hardware from Gamestop/Funcoland in a WHILE.

I would also recommend the Gamecube, although the PS2 is also not a bad choice. I don't think very highly of the XBox, although MS has finally done some interesting things with XBox Live, and there are a *few* decent games out now besides Halo (PGR2, Soul Calibur 2, Ninja Gaiden, maybe Halo 2 someday...)

I found the Gamecube to have a fairly large library of titles I wanted to play, including the various Zelda games, Rogue Squadron, Metroid Prime, Super Smash Brothers, and all the standard cross-platform sports games these days (Madden, SSX, NBA Street, Soul Calibur 2, etc.) They also have some very interesting titles like Pikmin (and its upcoming sequel), Super Monkey Ball, Animal Crossing, Ikaruga, and more. You may have also noticed that Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes came out exclusively on the GCN (since you mentioned you were a Metal Gear fan). However, it doesn't have quite the breadth of titles that the PS2 does, and the only online game is Phantasy Star Online. It's also worth noting that the Gamecube supports progressive scan output for most of its games, so if you get your hands on an EDTV or HDTV set at some point, it offers a nice graphical boost there (the XBox also supports this, but not the PS2).

The PS2 counters Nintendo with a huge library of games, including many excellent RPGs from SquareSoft (such as the incredible Final Fantasy X). They also have their own exclusive games, such as Gran Turismo 3, Tekken 4, and Metal Gear Solid 2 (and its upcoming sequel). Plus, you can play every single game ever released for the original Playstation (and they're all dirt cheap these days!) The PS2 also offers online play if you're into that.

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: heresiarh
Has anyone played Xbox's MechAssault? I've heard good reviews on it. Damn it i cant make up my mind.

Briefly. I wasn't impressed. I used to play the PC Mechwarrior sims back in the day, and it's nothing like that -- just a mindless arcade game. I mean, there are *power-ups*.

 

[heresiarh]

I don't care much for RPGS on the PS2. The only one i have played is MGS2 (fantastic game), and thats about it. Although I am interested in playing Zelda. Hmm .. a little more thinking before i make up my mind. I wish i had $400 lying around to buy PS2 and Gamecube

Which game kicks absolute ass on Gamecube?

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Should have seen it coming concerning GC... I'm pretty sure that Zelda is consistently voted the best game series for consoles, and if there is going to be 2 Zelda games for the GC you can't go wrong with GC...