Best video game system?

TigerMike · 04-10-06, 11:00

Thinking about buying one of the latest game console systems (XBox 360, PS2, Gamecube, etc.) but was wondering what you all think is the overall best platform to go with. Admittedly, I don't really know anything about any of these systems, as I've always been more of a computer game nut/nerd. Which system is the better quality, which has better/more games to choose from, etc... I typically like shootem up games (like Counterstrike, SOF2, Deltaforce, etc) or racing games (like TestDrive, etc).

Thanks for helping in my decision. Couldn't think of a much better way to spend what little tax return money we'll get back!

Mike

BlackSunshine · 04-10-06, 12:11

I just bought a 360 this weekend, and let me tell you, it is bad ***. I don't have the TV to harness its full potential (it will play in HD) but from what I have played thus far, it is amazing. I got the higher end system that comes with a wireless remote, hard drive, etc. With the wireless remote, you can turn your system on/off from the comfort of your recliner! You don't even have to get up to turn it on off. (Gee, I don't sound lazy do I?)

So far all I have played is Project Gotham Racing and Far Cry something or another, and this game is simply stunning. Also check out King Kong for this system, it's unreal. The game selection is not huge right now, but it is growing and this system is the future. You can play regular XBOX games on the 360 (NOT on the core system, which is $100 less, however). A PS2 or Gamecube pales in comparison to the 360. I have several systems.... PS2, Gamecube, Xbox/Xbox 360, all the way back to PSOne and Nintendo 64. The 360 is simply superior to all of them.

If your wallet doesn't mind, and you can find one, it's worth it. ESPECIALLY if you have an HD television. The PS3 is a ways away, and rumors have it costing substantially more than the 360.

JohnnyDaJackal · 04-10-06, 05:53

I'd just get whichever system offers the most/best games your into. I remember reading tons and tons of problems and glitches when Xbox 360 came out, although I think they probably resolved most of them.

btw when I first saw the thread title, I was thinking of all time. That would be NES 8bit for me. I still hook it up and play some Rad Racer or Mike Tyson's Punch Out once in a while

Sherman8r44 · 04-10-06, 05:56

I would say PS2 for the sheer fact that it is the only console that can play Gran Turismo 4, which is by far the GREATEST GAME EVER! XBox 360 has great graphics and is top-notch for FPS games, but it has nothing that even compes close to GT4. PS3 when it comes out will IMO be the perfect system, but I've heard that the pricing will be ludicrous.

Quickstrike · 04-10-06, 06:27

I would buy an original Xbox system and soft-mod it. They are really cheap now, so you get a lot for your money.

With the softmod you can turn your xbox system into the ultimate media player. The home-brew applications for it are just phenomenal. Search for "XBMC" to get an idea.

You can also install emulators on it that will allow you to play any nes, snes, sega genesis, mame-x, gameboy, gamegear, n64, and many others.

It will also allow you to load and play your *back-up* games off of the hard drive.

Real amazing what it can do. Friends and relatives are always amazed and want one of their own after seeing my modded xbox.

Xbox-Scene is a good place to look if you are just getting started.

I will get an XBOX 360 if/when it is modded.

truzoom · 04-11-06, 11:28

Mike,

I think your gaming preferences will have you at somewhat of a split between PS2 and XBox/360. I am just going off generalizations, but I think PS2 is more plentiful when it comes to racing games (more specifically, gran turismo), while XBox is for the action-seeker with lots of shooting games and arcade-style play.

I know this was somewhat the case for regular XBOX since Microsoft did not have the support of many Japanese developers that are heavily into racing sims.

guapsnaman · 04-11-06, 11:47

Obviously the 360 is the industry's leader in video game consoles.

But I WILL wait out till that $1000 PS3 is released for I know that with it's BluRay technology is going to surpass the obsolete DVD.

NT2SHBBY · 04-11-06, 11:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quickstrike

I would buy an original Xbox system and soft-mod it. They are really cheap now, so you get a lot for your money.

With the softmod you can turn your xbox system into the ultimate media player. The home-brew applications for it are just phenomenal. Search for "XBMC" to get an idea.

You can also install emulators on it that will allow you to play any nes, snes, sega genesis, mame-x, gameboy, gamegear, n64, and many others.

It will also allow you to load and play your *back-up* games off of the hard drive.

Real amazing what it can do. Friends and relatives are always amazed and want one of their own after seeing my modded xbox.

Xbox-Scene is a good place to look if you are just getting started.

I will get an XBOX 360 if/when it is modded.

I paid $400 shipped for my xbox modded with 200gb HD, chipped, and 80 games preloaded which I chose...this was pre-360 release so I'd assume it'd be cheaper now

I can email the guy's contact info who got me mine

WSUcommuter · 04-11-06, 03:07

I bought an X-Box back in late 2003 or early 2004 once the price started to come down. Microsoft knowingly and deliberately produced 1.x versions of the Xbox with faulty Thompson DVD drives, and I was unfortunate enough to happen to have this version. I had to spend about $85 on a new DVD drive (went with Phillips and an upgraded cable) to avoid the console telling me my new games and DVDs were triggering a "Dirty Disc Error". Mind you the system only had about one year of VERY light use (once a week or less) when this started to happen. Microsoft offers repairs on the Xboxes and charges about $100 PLUS SHIPPING BOTH WAYS to a service center in Tennessee to install new (faulty) Thompson DVD drives. She played fine for about 5 months and now still does so for about two hours. After this time the machine starts to skip and seem to overheat.

From what I've read and heard, the 360 does not seem to have hardware issues (yet). However, reports of system crashing and software errors galore are flooding the Internet and Microsoft support lines. I know it is fashionable to attack a company when they're huge, but I really believe Microsoft is out to take advantage of gamers with these machines. They aren't alone though, anybody remember the Panasonic 3DO? Early versions of this machine actually had electrical issues where small voltage shocks were transmitted back to the user through the controller!

Quickstrike · 04-12-06, 01:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by WSUcommuter

I bought an X-Box back in late 2003 or early 2004 once the price started to come down. Microsoft knowingly and deliberately produced 1.x versions of the Xbox with faulty Thompson DVD drives, and I was unfortunate enough to happen to have this version. I had to spend about $85 on a new DVD drive (went with Phillips and an upgraded cable) to avoid the console telling me my new games and DVDs were triggering a "Dirty Disc Error". Mind you the system only had about one year of VERY light use (once a week or less) when this started to happen. Microsoft offers repairs on the Xboxes and charges about $100 PLUS SHIPPING BOTH WAYS to a service center in Tennessee to install new (faulty) Thompson DVD drives. She played fine for about 5 months and now still does so for about two hours. After this time the machine starts to skip and seem to overheat.

From what I've read and heard, the 360 does not seem to have hardware issues (yet). However, reports of system crashing and software errors galore are flooding the Internet and Microsoft support lines. I know it is fashionable to attack a company when they're huge, but I really believe Microsoft is out to take advantage of gamers with these machines. They aren't alone though, anybody remember the Panasonic 3DO? Early versions of this machine actually had electrical issues where small voltage shocks were transmitted back to the user through the controller!

Guess I am lucky. Bought an Xbox the first year they came out, with the Thompson drive.

Use it pretty regularly to play DVD movies and such. Never have a problem.

Only complaint is (which is the same for all Thompson drives), no CD-R support. No real biggie though, since I stream majority of stuff from my pc drive, or use DVD's.

rjstaaf · 04-12-06, 03:38

We bought one of the original Playstation consoles many years ago and until this past Xmas we still used it. We now have a Playstation 2. I looked at the Xbox but, my extreme dislike for Microsoft combined with all the money we already have invested in Playstation games kept us with Sony

I have to admit I am addicted to Burnout Revenge and ATV Off Road Fury 3, both of which my son and I spend far too much time playing...

I second the comment about GT4

I also just got Tourist Trophy which was developed by the same people that brought us GT4.

http://www.us.playstation.com/Conten...US-97502/Site/

jfelbab · 04-12-06, 05:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by guapsnaman

Obviously the 360 is the industry's leader in video game consoles.

But I WILL wait out till that $1000 PS3 is released for I know that with it's BluRay technology is going to surpass the obsolete DVD.

360 is not the industry leader. According to In-Stat;

Quote:

Despite Competitors’ Gains, Sony to Lead Game Consoles Through 2010

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., March 20, 2006 - Sony will continue its domination of the video console market through 2010, though its lead will likely shrink due to stronger competition from Microsoft and Nintendo, reports In-Stat (http://www.in-stat.com). Through 2010, the Sony PS3 will account for just over 50% of the installed base of next-generation consoles, while the Microsoft Xbox 360 will have 28.6%, and the Nintendo Revolution will have 21.2%, the high-tech market research firm says.

The PS3 is not going to cost $1000 either. According to Gamespot;

Quote:

Report: PS3 to sell for $399, cost $494 to make.

Link to article.

If I were thinking of spending $400 on a console I'd wait until the new PS3 is introduced and then make a choice.

The most, and arguably the best, games are available on the PlayStation platform and all the existing games will be backward compatible on the new PS3. Further tipping the advantage to PS3 will be in the BlueRay technology.