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I tell you what, I'm sick and tired of getting games that I think will last for ages and I end up completing them in about two/three days.
The Getaway for example shames the PS2 for one reason and one reason only...it's way too short! The plot and everything else is spot on, but then I reached a certain mission that I felt was only half way into the game when suddenly, one of the main characters dived off an exploding ferry. I had the feeling that this was the end, but I just didn't want to believe it.. I couldn't! But indeed the game came to an end. Okay, so I unlocked free-roaming, but it is simply useless seeing that the game doesn't have extra missions in the GTA kind of way.
My lovely PS2 wouldn't do this to me? Would it?
I'm thinking of getting either a Cube or an X-box, but I'm not too sure which one to get. I played Mario Party (boy what a game!) and it seemed like an everlasting game that I could never get bored of. I haven't had the chance to play an X-box yet, but with Xbox Live! and it's huge array of my kind of games around, it's very tempting.
So which next-gen console do you think has the best value for money? Here are the stats:
PlayStation2 - Slick design, cool start-up menu and a reasonably fast processor. Now, when this was released pre-ordered I bought it for £300 and I didn't get a control pad or a memory card. The package you are given alters depending on which retailer you pre-ordered with. Still, I felt paying that amount of money and not even getting any peripherals with it was a bit harsh, but I got it anyway. So far the quality of the PS2 games have ranged from miserably standard to astonishingly high quality, but at the minute apart from Vice City nothing much is there to attract more people to Sony's next-gen investment. But that doesn't necessarily mean it isn't selling well because the PS2 is selling shed loads.
Where it needs to be improved is with its game longevity and imaginative peripheral schemes. I don't know whether Sony are keeping much of the PS2's future plans secret or what, but so far, apart from its online launch in march it has lost a lot of its attraction since it arrived. I thought it was pretty unfair that they brought the different coloured PS2's out so late and in a way it showed weakness on Sony's behalf. It seemed as though they had only thought of it at a later date when really they should done this from the start; unless this was a profit making tactic.
From day one, Sony have promised so many things, but we are still yet to receive most of them, like being able to connect mobile phones to the cpu. Still, this doesn't mean my PS2 hasn't left me with countless hours of extraordinary gameplay. It holds a series of one of the best games around (Vice City, PES2 etc) with many more promising titles like 'The Matrix' on their way. It may seem bare at the moment, but I have faith in the PS2.
GameCube - Legendary "cube" design, futuristic Cds, beautifully fast processor and fantastic peripherals. Nintendo's dominance showed from the day the Cube was released. I'm sure Luigi's Mansion kept many owners entertained even with the lack of launch titles it had in the UK, but soon enough Nintendo showed the world that they haven't lost their touch. I've played a number of games for the GameCube and seriously I did not want to leave. Once I pounced at my long awaited opportunity to play Die Hard: Vendetta I had the usual doubts you get before playing a game. But once I layed eyes on the graphics, I knew there was no need for doubt. Although the controls need a lot of getting used to, the game is superb. Then I played more games including Pikmin and Mario Sunshine and I knew that I had a dejavous of the old times I had with my Snes, only this was about a billion times better.
The Cube has fantastic graphics, no slow down during the fantastic gameplay and most of all it has a respectable amount of fantastic games, especially like the previously mentioned Mario Party 4. It seems as though Nintendo know how to make gamers actually ENJOY playing their games. Add to this it's legendary peripherals like the Wavebird pad (a pad that doesn't need to plug into the console), quite a large memory card (no more N64 packs), the ability for GBA advance owners to interact with the console and its online launch this march and you know that this is a console with a lot of potential. What's more how kind Nintendo were to release such a fantastic next-gen console at such a comfortable price, and you get peripherals.
Nintendo seem to be thinking straight. They released their different coloured consoles shortly after its release (rather than a year or two later) and they have an astonishing amount of consistency in how decent their games are. They even released a totally different (and more expensive) version of the Cube, which is a metallic silver and allows you to do loads more than the ordinary console. Boy how I envy GameCube owners, but I'm still undecided whether I should get this or an X-box. I wonder if the Nintendo had already planned interaction between their GameCube and the new, hot-looking GBA.
X-box - Oh, speak of the devil. Chunky design, damn fast processor, built in hard drive (no memory card needed) and a lot of tempting games. Don't worry, it will fit in to your normal console spot; don't let it's appearance fool you because although Bill Gates may seem like a greedy geezer who doesn't give a toss, he actually does. Being a debut console Microsoft ensured that they had the right idea with the X-box by carrying out thousands of surveys and conventions all over America; little did they know that not every gamer is like the average "crazy" American. However, this turned out a very smart move from the gunners because after all we do like our games thrilling.
Okay, so I haven't played on it yet, but I have seen plenty of its games reviews, most attractingly Dead or Alive 3. Any PS2 owner would know that DOA2 was one of the delayed launch titles in the UK competing with Tekken Tag and and definitely one of the best. I heard rumours of a DOA3 being released and I couldn't wait, thinking it was going to be on the PS2. Then, left gobsmacked, I heard it was making an appearance on the X-box. From then on, I despised Microsoft because I thought somehow foolishly that the developers would muck it up this time round, but I was plainly like a child who wasn't receiving enough attention. Not only is it THE best fighting game around, but it blatantly shows only what I think is a minor part of the X-box's full potential. Partnered with Halo, PGR, Jet Set Radio Future and loads more classics I just cannot wait to get hold of one of its "chunky" control pads.
Undoubtedly, from the many programmes I've seen about it; the many mags I've read about it and the many good comments I've heard about it how the X-box as a console itself takes the mick out of both the GameCube and Playstation2. That is why I speculate on certain Xbox titles, whether the PS2 can cope with them. But I still have faith that it can. What's more, with much talk about Xbox Live! and its many fascinating abilities like being able to create your own online guide and watch it develop and talk to anyone around the world during a game using a headset shows that Microsoft aren't a force to be reckoned with, especially as their even already talking about an Xbox2 (how original). This just goes to show that Nintendo aren't the only ones with their heads screwed on. But then again, Microsoft seemed to have quite a dodgy starting period, changing the price of the Xbox in all directions so more people would buy it. Okay, that's just logical thinking, but being able to think of a reasonable starting price like Nintendo did shows good marketting skills.
Nevertheless, Microsoft and their Xbox seem to be on a roll with loads of promising titles on their way. Cleverly they've gathered huge handfuls of developers, which is why they seem to be getting so many games, which quite weirdly from what I've heard have mostly turned out excellent. I'm chuffed for America's most popular geek and his oh so tempting console.
So out of the three next-gen consoles, who would you say has the most value for money?
After reading over that again, I'm tied between the Cube and Xbox.
Feel free to discuss
The Getaway for example shames the PS2 for one reason and one reason only...it's way too short! The plot and everything else is spot on, but then I reached a certain mission that I felt was only half way into the game when suddenly, one of the main characters dived off an exploding ferry. I had the feeling that this was the end, but I just didn't want to believe it.. I couldn't! But indeed the game came to an end. Okay, so I unlocked free-roaming, but it is simply useless seeing that the game doesn't have extra missions in the GTA kind of way.
My lovely PS2 wouldn't do this to me? Would it?
I'm thinking of getting either a Cube or an X-box, but I'm not too sure which one to get. I played Mario Party (boy what a game!) and it seemed like an everlasting game that I could never get bored of. I haven't had the chance to play an X-box yet, but with Xbox Live! and it's huge array of my kind of games around, it's very tempting.
So which next-gen console do you think has the best value for money? Here are the stats:
PlayStation2 - Slick design, cool start-up menu and a reasonably fast processor. Now, when this was released pre-ordered I bought it for £300 and I didn't get a control pad or a memory card. The package you are given alters depending on which retailer you pre-ordered with. Still, I felt paying that amount of money and not even getting any peripherals with it was a bit harsh, but I got it anyway. So far the quality of the PS2 games have ranged from miserably standard to astonishingly high quality, but at the minute apart from Vice City nothing much is there to attract more people to Sony's next-gen investment. But that doesn't necessarily mean it isn't selling well because the PS2 is selling shed loads.
Where it needs to be improved is with its game longevity and imaginative peripheral schemes. I don't know whether Sony are keeping much of the PS2's future plans secret or what, but so far, apart from its online launch in march it has lost a lot of its attraction since it arrived. I thought it was pretty unfair that they brought the different coloured PS2's out so late and in a way it showed weakness on Sony's behalf. It seemed as though they had only thought of it at a later date when really they should done this from the start; unless this was a profit making tactic.
From day one, Sony have promised so many things, but we are still yet to receive most of them, like being able to connect mobile phones to the cpu. Still, this doesn't mean my PS2 hasn't left me with countless hours of extraordinary gameplay. It holds a series of one of the best games around (Vice City, PES2 etc) with many more promising titles like 'The Matrix' on their way. It may seem bare at the moment, but I have faith in the PS2.
GameCube - Legendary "cube" design, futuristic Cds, beautifully fast processor and fantastic peripherals. Nintendo's dominance showed from the day the Cube was released. I'm sure Luigi's Mansion kept many owners entertained even with the lack of launch titles it had in the UK, but soon enough Nintendo showed the world that they haven't lost their touch. I've played a number of games for the GameCube and seriously I did not want to leave. Once I pounced at my long awaited opportunity to play Die Hard: Vendetta I had the usual doubts you get before playing a game. But once I layed eyes on the graphics, I knew there was no need for doubt. Although the controls need a lot of getting used to, the game is superb. Then I played more games including Pikmin and Mario Sunshine and I knew that I had a dejavous of the old times I had with my Snes, only this was about a billion times better.
The Cube has fantastic graphics, no slow down during the fantastic gameplay and most of all it has a respectable amount of fantastic games, especially like the previously mentioned Mario Party 4. It seems as though Nintendo know how to make gamers actually ENJOY playing their games. Add to this it's legendary peripherals like the Wavebird pad (a pad that doesn't need to plug into the console), quite a large memory card (no more N64 packs), the ability for GBA advance owners to interact with the console and its online launch this march and you know that this is a console with a lot of potential. What's more how kind Nintendo were to release such a fantastic next-gen console at such a comfortable price, and you get peripherals.
Nintendo seem to be thinking straight. They released their different coloured consoles shortly after its release (rather than a year or two later) and they have an astonishing amount of consistency in how decent their games are. They even released a totally different (and more expensive) version of the Cube, which is a metallic silver and allows you to do loads more than the ordinary console. Boy how I envy GameCube owners, but I'm still undecided whether I should get this or an X-box. I wonder if the Nintendo had already planned interaction between their GameCube and the new, hot-looking GBA.
X-box - Oh, speak of the devil. Chunky design, damn fast processor, built in hard drive (no memory card needed) and a lot of tempting games. Don't worry, it will fit in to your normal console spot; don't let it's appearance fool you because although Bill Gates may seem like a greedy geezer who doesn't give a toss, he actually does. Being a debut console Microsoft ensured that they had the right idea with the X-box by carrying out thousands of surveys and conventions all over America; little did they know that not every gamer is like the average "crazy" American. However, this turned out a very smart move from the gunners because after all we do like our games thrilling.
Okay, so I haven't played on it yet, but I have seen plenty of its games reviews, most attractingly Dead or Alive 3. Any PS2 owner would know that DOA2 was one of the delayed launch titles in the UK competing with Tekken Tag and and definitely one of the best. I heard rumours of a DOA3 being released and I couldn't wait, thinking it was going to be on the PS2. Then, left gobsmacked, I heard it was making an appearance on the X-box. From then on, I despised Microsoft because I thought somehow foolishly that the developers would muck it up this time round, but I was plainly like a child who wasn't receiving enough attention. Not only is it THE best fighting game around, but it blatantly shows only what I think is a minor part of the X-box's full potential. Partnered with Halo, PGR, Jet Set Radio Future and loads more classics I just cannot wait to get hold of one of its "chunky" control pads.
Undoubtedly, from the many programmes I've seen about it; the many mags I've read about it and the many good comments I've heard about it how the X-box as a console itself takes the mick out of both the GameCube and Playstation2. That is why I speculate on certain Xbox titles, whether the PS2 can cope with them. But I still have faith that it can. What's more, with much talk about Xbox Live! and its many fascinating abilities like being able to create your own online guide and watch it develop and talk to anyone around the world during a game using a headset shows that Microsoft aren't a force to be reckoned with, especially as their even already talking about an Xbox2 (how original). This just goes to show that Nintendo aren't the only ones with their heads screwed on. But then again, Microsoft seemed to have quite a dodgy starting period, changing the price of the Xbox in all directions so more people would buy it. Okay, that's just logical thinking, but being able to think of a reasonable starting price like Nintendo did shows good marketting skills.
Nevertheless, Microsoft and their Xbox seem to be on a roll with loads of promising titles on their way. Cleverly they've gathered huge handfuls of developers, which is why they seem to be getting so many games, which quite weirdly from what I've heard have mostly turned out excellent. I'm chuffed for America's most popular geek and his oh so tempting console.
So out of the three next-gen consoles, who would you say has the most value for money?
After reading over that again, I'm tied between the Cube and Xbox.
Feel free to discuss
The Xbox has been out for 3 months more? I thought they were both released in march?
And even if it was I just have the feeling that the Cube won't have as many promising titles as the Xbox. It may have fun little titles like Luigi's Mansion and Melee, but looking at the Xbox listing they too have fun little titles as well as loads of adult titles. I can't really see the Cube being much of a console for adult gamers even though they have brought some adult titles, but only some.
I do have broadband so Xbox Live! would be ideal.
*Hmmm...Xbox or GameCube?*
And even if it was I just have the feeling that the Cube won't have as many promising titles as the Xbox. It may have fun little titles like Luigi's Mansion and Melee, but looking at the Xbox listing they too have fun little titles as well as loads of adult titles. I can't really see the Cube being much of a console for adult gamers even though they have brought some adult titles, but only some.
I do have broadband so Xbox Live! would be ideal.
*Hmmm...Xbox or GameCube?*
XBox has been out for 3 months more, so more games are logicaly out for it.
Online is great fun, but only if you have broadband for XBox Live.
And GC has Metroid.
Oh yes......
:D
Online is great fun, but only if you have broadband for XBox Live.
And GC has Metroid.
Oh yes......
:D
Whitestripes wrote:
> Well, considering you played on the Cube and thought it was fantastic,
> you should get one of those.
>
> Even better you should get a Q-Cube :D
>
Yeah that's the thing though. The GameCube does have some brilliant games, but there's a thought in my mind that the Xbox overall will have more good titles than the Cube.
I mean, looking at the SR mag Microsoft have got loads of games that already strike me. Plus, it's the fastest console on the planet, which means for each of their games no matter how bad it plays you are guaranteed excellent graphics and fast loading times, as well as no slow down.
Don't get me wrong I admire the GameCube, but the Xbox does appeal more. I'm sure the Cube will be successful online, but Xbox Live! simply sounds like the dogs balls.
I am leaning towards the Xbox's direction, but I'm still not sure.
> Well, considering you played on the Cube and thought it was fantastic,
> you should get one of those.
>
> Even better you should get a Q-Cube :D
>
Yeah that's the thing though. The GameCube does have some brilliant games, but there's a thought in my mind that the Xbox overall will have more good titles than the Cube.
I mean, looking at the SR mag Microsoft have got loads of games that already strike me. Plus, it's the fastest console on the planet, which means for each of their games no matter how bad it plays you are guaranteed excellent graphics and fast loading times, as well as no slow down.
Don't get me wrong I admire the GameCube, but the Xbox does appeal more. I'm sure the Cube will be successful online, but Xbox Live! simply sounds like the dogs balls.
I am leaning towards the Xbox's direction, but I'm still not sure.
Nah
I went 'backstreet' ;)
I went 'backstreet' ;)
Then you have your customs tax.
That one will hurt.
*winces*
That one will hurt.
*winces*
£350, including Animal Crossing, shipping, and a step-down convertor (not that it needs one).
It should arrive around the start of February.
Obviously, that was the mock-up cardboard Q I have at the moment I was stroking.
It should arrive around the start of February.
Obviously, that was the mock-up cardboard Q I have at the moment I was stroking.
Whitestripes wrote:
> Well, considering you played on the Cube and thought it was fantastic,
> you should get one of those.
>
> Even better you should get a Q-Cube :D
>
> Go. Now. Gamecube.
>
> *strokes shiny shiny Q*
How much did that Q-Cube cost you? Must have rocked your wallet, to say the least.
> Well, considering you played on the Cube and thought it was fantastic,
> you should get one of those.
>
> Even better you should get a Q-Cube :D
>
> Go. Now. Gamecube.
>
> *strokes shiny shiny Q*
How much did that Q-Cube cost you? Must have rocked your wallet, to say the least.
Well, considering you played on the Cube and thought it was fantastic, you should get one of those.
Even better you should get a Q-Cube :D
Go. Now. Gamecube.
*strokes shiny shiny Q*
Even better you should get a Q-Cube :D
Go. Now. Gamecube.
*strokes shiny shiny Q*
I guess I went on a bit there.
Suggestions on whether I should get a GameCube or Xbox would be greatly appreciated.
Suggestions on whether I should get a GameCube or Xbox would be greatly appreciated.
I tell you what, I'm sick and tired of getting games that I think will last for ages and I end up completing them in about two/three days.
The Getaway for example shames the PS2 for one reason and one reason only...it's way too short! The plot and everything else is spot on, but then I reached a certain mission that I felt was only half way into the game when suddenly, one of the main characters dived off an exploding ferry. I had the feeling that this was the end, but I just didn't want to believe it.. I couldn't! But indeed the game came to an end. Okay, so I unlocked free-roaming, but it is simply useless seeing that the game doesn't have extra missions in the GTA kind of way.
My lovely PS2 wouldn't do this to me? Would it?
I'm thinking of getting either a Cube or an X-box, but I'm not too sure which one to get. I played Mario Party (boy what a game!) and it seemed like an everlasting game that I could never get bored of. I haven't had the chance to play an X-box yet, but with Xbox Live! and it's huge array of my kind of games around, it's very tempting.
So which next-gen console do you think has the best value for money? Here are the stats:
PlayStation2 - Slick design, cool start-up menu and a reasonably fast processor. Now, when this was released pre-ordered I bought it for £300 and I didn't get a control pad or a memory card. The package you are given alters depending on which retailer you pre-ordered with. Still, I felt paying that amount of money and not even getting any peripherals with it was a bit harsh, but I got it anyway. So far the quality of the PS2 games have ranged from miserably standard to astonishingly high quality, but at the minute apart from Vice City nothing much is there to attract more people to Sony's next-gen investment. But that doesn't necessarily mean it isn't selling well because the PS2 is selling shed loads.
Where it needs to be improved is with its game longevity and imaginative peripheral schemes. I don't know whether Sony are keeping much of the PS2's future plans secret or what, but so far, apart from its online launch in march it has lost a lot of its attraction since it arrived. I thought it was pretty unfair that they brought the different coloured PS2's out so late and in a way it showed weakness on Sony's behalf. It seemed as though they had only thought of it at a later date when really they should done this from the start; unless this was a profit making tactic.
From day one, Sony have promised so many things, but we are still yet to receive most of them, like being able to connect mobile phones to the cpu. Still, this doesn't mean my PS2 hasn't left me with countless hours of extraordinary gameplay. It holds a series of one of the best games around (Vice City, PES2 etc) with many more promising titles like 'The Matrix' on their way. It may seem bare at the moment, but I have faith in the PS2.
GameCube - Legendary "cube" design, futuristic Cds, beautifully fast processor and fantastic peripherals. Nintendo's dominance showed from the day the Cube was released. I'm sure Luigi's Mansion kept many owners entertained even with the lack of launch titles it had in the UK, but soon enough Nintendo showed the world that they haven't lost their touch. I've played a number of games for the GameCube and seriously I did not want to leave. Once I pounced at my long awaited opportunity to play Die Hard: Vendetta I had the usual doubts you get before playing a game. But once I layed eyes on the graphics, I knew there was no need for doubt. Although the controls need a lot of getting used to, the game is superb. Then I played more games including Pikmin and Mario Sunshine and I knew that I had a dejavous of the old times I had with my Snes, only this was about a billion times better.
The Cube has fantastic graphics, no slow down during the fantastic gameplay and most of all it has a respectable amount of fantastic games, especially like the previously mentioned Mario Party 4. It seems as though Nintendo know how to make gamers actually ENJOY playing their games. Add to this it's legendary peripherals like the Wavebird pad (a pad that doesn't need to plug into the console), quite a large memory card (no more N64 packs), the ability for GBA advance owners to interact with the console and its online launch this march and you know that this is a console with a lot of potential. What's more how kind Nintendo were to release such a fantastic next-gen console at such a comfortable price, and you get peripherals.
Nintendo seem to be thinking straight. They released their different coloured consoles shortly after its release (rather than a year or two later) and they have an astonishing amount of consistency in how decent their games are. They even released a totally different (and more expensive) version of the Cube, which is a metallic silver and allows you to do loads more than the ordinary console. Boy how I envy GameCube owners, but I'm still undecided whether I should get this or an X-box. I wonder if the Nintendo had already planned interaction between their GameCube and the new, hot-looking GBA.
X-box - Oh, speak of the devil. Chunky design, damn fast processor, built in hard drive (no memory card needed) and a lot of tempting games. Don't worry, it will fit in to your normal console spot; don't let it's appearance fool you because although Bill Gates may seem like a greedy geezer who doesn't give a toss, he actually does. Being a debut console Microsoft ensured that they had the right idea with the X-box by carrying out thousands of surveys and conventions all over America; little did they know that not every gamer is like the average "crazy" American. However, this turned out a very smart move from the gunners because after all we do like our games thrilling.
Okay, so I haven't played on it yet, but I have seen plenty of its games reviews, most attractingly Dead or Alive 3. Any PS2 owner would know that DOA2 was one of the delayed launch titles in the UK competing with Tekken Tag and and definitely one of the best. I heard rumours of a DOA3 being released and I couldn't wait, thinking it was going to be on the PS2. Then, left gobsmacked, I heard it was making an appearance on the X-box. From then on, I despised Microsoft because I thought somehow foolishly that the developers would muck it up this time round, but I was plainly like a child who wasn't receiving enough attention. Not only is it THE best fighting game around, but it blatantly shows only what I think is a minor part of the X-box's full potential. Partnered with Halo, PGR, Jet Set Radio Future and loads more classics I just cannot wait to get hold of one of its "chunky" control pads.
Undoubtedly, from the many programmes I've seen about it; the many mags I've read about it and the many good comments I've heard about it how the X-box as a console itself takes the mick out of both the GameCube and Playstation2. That is why I speculate on certain Xbox titles, whether the PS2 can cope with them. But I still have faith that it can. What's more, with much talk about Xbox Live! and its many fascinating abilities like being able to create your own online guide and watch it develop and talk to anyone around the world during a game using a headset shows that Microsoft aren't a force to be reckoned with, especially as their even already talking about an Xbox2 (how original). This just goes to show that Nintendo aren't the only ones with their heads screwed on. But then again, Microsoft seemed to have quite a dodgy starting period, changing the price of the Xbox in all directions so more people would buy it. Okay, that's just logical thinking, but being able to think of a reasonable starting price like Nintendo did shows good marketting skills.
Nevertheless, Microsoft and their Xbox seem to be on a roll with loads of promising titles on their way. Cleverly they've gathered huge handfuls of developers, which is why they seem to be getting so many games, which quite weirdly from what I've heard have mostly turned out excellent. I'm chuffed for America's most popular geek and his oh so tempting console.
So out of the three next-gen consoles, who would you say has the most value for money?
After reading over that again, I'm tied between the Cube and Xbox.
Feel free to discuss
The Getaway for example shames the PS2 for one reason and one reason only...it's way too short! The plot and everything else is spot on, but then I reached a certain mission that I felt was only half way into the game when suddenly, one of the main characters dived off an exploding ferry. I had the feeling that this was the end, but I just didn't want to believe it.. I couldn't! But indeed the game came to an end. Okay, so I unlocked free-roaming, but it is simply useless seeing that the game doesn't have extra missions in the GTA kind of way.
My lovely PS2 wouldn't do this to me? Would it?
I'm thinking of getting either a Cube or an X-box, but I'm not too sure which one to get. I played Mario Party (boy what a game!) and it seemed like an everlasting game that I could never get bored of. I haven't had the chance to play an X-box yet, but with Xbox Live! and it's huge array of my kind of games around, it's very tempting.
So which next-gen console do you think has the best value for money? Here are the stats:
PlayStation2 - Slick design, cool start-up menu and a reasonably fast processor. Now, when this was released pre-ordered I bought it for £300 and I didn't get a control pad or a memory card. The package you are given alters depending on which retailer you pre-ordered with. Still, I felt paying that amount of money and not even getting any peripherals with it was a bit harsh, but I got it anyway. So far the quality of the PS2 games have ranged from miserably standard to astonishingly high quality, but at the minute apart from Vice City nothing much is there to attract more people to Sony's next-gen investment. But that doesn't necessarily mean it isn't selling well because the PS2 is selling shed loads.
Where it needs to be improved is with its game longevity and imaginative peripheral schemes. I don't know whether Sony are keeping much of the PS2's future plans secret or what, but so far, apart from its online launch in march it has lost a lot of its attraction since it arrived. I thought it was pretty unfair that they brought the different coloured PS2's out so late and in a way it showed weakness on Sony's behalf. It seemed as though they had only thought of it at a later date when really they should done this from the start; unless this was a profit making tactic.
From day one, Sony have promised so many things, but we are still yet to receive most of them, like being able to connect mobile phones to the cpu. Still, this doesn't mean my PS2 hasn't left me with countless hours of extraordinary gameplay. It holds a series of one of the best games around (Vice City, PES2 etc) with many more promising titles like 'The Matrix' on their way. It may seem bare at the moment, but I have faith in the PS2.
GameCube - Legendary "cube" design, futuristic Cds, beautifully fast processor and fantastic peripherals. Nintendo's dominance showed from the day the Cube was released. I'm sure Luigi's Mansion kept many owners entertained even with the lack of launch titles it had in the UK, but soon enough Nintendo showed the world that they haven't lost their touch. I've played a number of games for the GameCube and seriously I did not want to leave. Once I pounced at my long awaited opportunity to play Die Hard: Vendetta I had the usual doubts you get before playing a game. But once I layed eyes on the graphics, I knew there was no need for doubt. Although the controls need a lot of getting used to, the game is superb. Then I played more games including Pikmin and Mario Sunshine and I knew that I had a dejavous of the old times I had with my Snes, only this was about a billion times better.
The Cube has fantastic graphics, no slow down during the fantastic gameplay and most of all it has a respectable amount of fantastic games, especially like the previously mentioned Mario Party 4. It seems as though Nintendo know how to make gamers actually ENJOY playing their games. Add to this it's legendary peripherals like the Wavebird pad (a pad that doesn't need to plug into the console), quite a large memory card (no more N64 packs), the ability for GBA advance owners to interact with the console and its online launch this march and you know that this is a console with a lot of potential. What's more how kind Nintendo were to release such a fantastic next-gen console at such a comfortable price, and you get peripherals.
Nintendo seem to be thinking straight. They released their different coloured consoles shortly after its release (rather than a year or two later) and they have an astonishing amount of consistency in how decent their games are. They even released a totally different (and more expensive) version of the Cube, which is a metallic silver and allows you to do loads more than the ordinary console. Boy how I envy GameCube owners, but I'm still undecided whether I should get this or an X-box. I wonder if the Nintendo had already planned interaction between their GameCube and the new, hot-looking GBA.
X-box - Oh, speak of the devil. Chunky design, damn fast processor, built in hard drive (no memory card needed) and a lot of tempting games. Don't worry, it will fit in to your normal console spot; don't let it's appearance fool you because although Bill Gates may seem like a greedy geezer who doesn't give a toss, he actually does. Being a debut console Microsoft ensured that they had the right idea with the X-box by carrying out thousands of surveys and conventions all over America; little did they know that not every gamer is like the average "crazy" American. However, this turned out a very smart move from the gunners because after all we do like our games thrilling.
Okay, so I haven't played on it yet, but I have seen plenty of its games reviews, most attractingly Dead or Alive 3. Any PS2 owner would know that DOA2 was one of the delayed launch titles in the UK competing with Tekken Tag and and definitely one of the best. I heard rumours of a DOA3 being released and I couldn't wait, thinking it was going to be on the PS2. Then, left gobsmacked, I heard it was making an appearance on the X-box. From then on, I despised Microsoft because I thought somehow foolishly that the developers would muck it up this time round, but I was plainly like a child who wasn't receiving enough attention. Not only is it THE best fighting game around, but it blatantly shows only what I think is a minor part of the X-box's full potential. Partnered with Halo, PGR, Jet Set Radio Future and loads more classics I just cannot wait to get hold of one of its "chunky" control pads.
Undoubtedly, from the many programmes I've seen about it; the many mags I've read about it and the many good comments I've heard about it how the X-box as a console itself takes the mick out of both the GameCube and Playstation2. That is why I speculate on certain Xbox titles, whether the PS2 can cope with them. But I still have faith that it can. What's more, with much talk about Xbox Live! and its many fascinating abilities like being able to create your own online guide and watch it develop and talk to anyone around the world during a game using a headset shows that Microsoft aren't a force to be reckoned with, especially as their even already talking about an Xbox2 (how original). This just goes to show that Nintendo aren't the only ones with their heads screwed on. But then again, Microsoft seemed to have quite a dodgy starting period, changing the price of the Xbox in all directions so more people would buy it. Okay, that's just logical thinking, but being able to think of a reasonable starting price like Nintendo did shows good marketting skills.
Nevertheless, Microsoft and their Xbox seem to be on a roll with loads of promising titles on their way. Cleverly they've gathered huge handfuls of developers, which is why they seem to be getting so many games, which quite weirdly from what I've heard have mostly turned out excellent. I'm chuffed for America's most popular geek and his oh so tempting console.
So out of the three next-gen consoles, who would you say has the most value for money?
After reading over that again, I'm tied between the Cube and Xbox.
Feel free to discuss