GeoffK

I now have all 3 consoles (Picked up the X-box Sega Pack today as we're going to be doing video game reviews on DVD Talk VERY SOON) and I can say I love each and every one for what they are.

X-Box - Technically WOW. Dolby Digital 5.1 - HD420p, using a hard drive to cut down on load times, online game play. How can you not appreciate this console!?! Sure the number of titles out isn't anything close to ps2 but some of the titles like Halo make it all worth while.

PS2 - Not technically as cool as the Xbox, but as solid as a console as you'll ever find. The controler is the best of them all and there are enough MUST PLAY titles to make a PS2 a very solid choice. Another big plus with so many titles is that prices tend to fall pretty fast even on big games. I picked up Freakstlye for under $20 also recently NBA Street for under $20, both solid games and a real plus to get them at $20 v $50

GameCube - Cute and cuddly, looks so tiny next to the X-Box, but don't underestimate it. GameCube is all about the nintendo library and it's a fantastic one at that. Luigi's Mansion was an absolute hoot, and I love Star Wars: Rogue Leader--Rogue Squadron II, but the Cube tends to go unplayed over the PS2. A hard fact of life. Like the controller the LEAST of all 3, just never have felt the same level of comfort and control. Games have been slow to come out but the pace is picking up.

If I had to pick 2 consoles, right now it would be PS2 and Xbox, sorry cube, just too many games and so little time. And if I had to pick 1 it would be PS2 for the library and the controller which again I think is best of breed.

One thing missing in all this of course is PC gaming, which I've decided to not personally do. I know I miss out on a lot of great stuff, but in order to get my work done it's better of my computer is 100% work (ie no games).

Well that's my 2 cents. I'm looking forward to DVD Talk having Video Game Reviews and see how my thoughts about the 3 systems change over the next year

Josh H

I agree with most everything you said, except for the controller part. I like the GC controller slightly more than the PS2 one.

The PS2 has been my most played console since picking it up in may after the price drop. It simply has the best game line up, and you can't beat all the good games at $20. I just picked up Devil May Cry for $20, and had my mom order me 3 games for x-mas on the buy 2 get one free amazon deal, so it'll be taking up the balk of my time for a good while

I've been very pleased with the GC though. It's had a very impressive first year, probably the best first year of any console I've bought at launch. Rogue Leader, Mario Sunshine, and Eternal Darkness are 3 of my all-time favorite games. Not bad for a system not quite a year old. PLus Metroid Prime is coming out soon, and looks to join this list. There were several other good games like Wave Race and Pikmin that were fun, but not AAA IMO.

I haven't picked up an X-box yet, mainly due simply to time constraints. But also the game lineup just isn't screaming "buy me" to me yet. Halo's really the only game I cringe at not being able to play. But if I had more spare time I definitely pick up the bundle and pawn off the games, as I don't have any interest in either of them, and use the cash for Halo.

taylor34

I actually have all three too. Before last week, my ps2 and gamecube got far more time than my x-box. But when I got an hdtv last week, that all changed. Now the ps2 is the least played, simply because it is so far behind the gamecube and xbox as far as progressive scan games go. The xbox and gamecube destroy the ps2 graphically if played on an hdtv--makes it harder to enjoy ps2 games now.

As far as actual games go, the ps2 has the best library by far, with the gamecube 2nd (although the gamecube has better multiplayer games by far over the ps2). The xbox honestly has nothing I want, except for jet set radio future and NHL 2k3 online. However, if there is a game out on all three systems, I'll definitely get it for the xbox over the other 2.

Later

Taylor34

Josh H

Make sure you read reviews. Games are sometimes better on a certain system, and it's not always the X-box. For instance, the X-box and PS2 version of NFL2k2 are fine, but the GC version isn't as good. The best example is Need for Speed 2 where the PS2 version is by far the best, and the X-box and GC ports are ridden with slow down.

Aghama

I beat Halo tonight. I think I'll be selling it.

Josh H

What difficulty level did you play it on? Gallant Pig, Flay and the other Halo buffs on here say you haven't really played it unless you at least play it on Heroic (with Legendary being even better). Apparently the smarter A.I. almost makes for a different gameplay experience (so they say anyway.)

tha_dvd_man

I have more fun replaying certain levels in Halo than I do actually beating it.

Keyser Soze

No counsel bashing! I'm reporting your post to a moder... oh... um...

forget it.

-k
###

Keyser Soze

I was pissed that no extra weapons, or unlimited ammo got unlocked after beating this game.

I guess I'm just spoiled by Capcom....

-k
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Aghama

Smarter A.I. won't make the levels more interesting. The outdoor ones were cool, but that was only like 1/3 of the game. The indoor levels were godawfully repetitive.

Tuan Jim

I've beaten the game on Heroic, and I'm going through it again on the same diff, but I'm not sure it's humanly possible to beat it in Legendary with just one person ;p Co-op would be a breeze but I can't get past the second level by myself

Tuan Jim

Gallant Pig

Did you beat it in Heroic? Just curious! edit: Eh, sounds like you beat it in "Normal", unfortunately that takes a lot of the fun out of the game. A blind old woman could walk through the game in normal.

Aghama

Some of the levels (e.g. The Library) were irritating enough when they were easy, I don't think I could stand to play them against smart enemies.

On another note, the Cibo Matto song in JSRF is the first piece of music in a video game to make my brain bleed.

Gallant Pig

"it's his 30th birthday"

quietsoul

I'd have to agree with Aghama on all accounts. The game looks and sounds fantastic. It's a great game, but I'm beginning to lose interest in it. I'm working through the game in normal, co-op. I just finished the Library, and I must say there's no way I'd go through that again. These last few levels just sucked the fun out of the game. I'm sure Heroic makes the game that much harder and more interesting, but again, the post-Flood levels just kill any interest I had in going through it again. That's too bad though, I was really into the game when I first rented this afternoon.

khai

Legendary with co-op is great fun. It's incredible how smart the AI gets.

Static Cling

You're a brave man to forego PC gaming, Geoff. If I had to choose one gaming platform and its future incarnations (for example, PS3 or whatever) to keep me for the rest of my life, I'd take the PC without hesitation.

Thunderball

Geoff : For the Cube check out Animal Crossing and Mario Party 4.

Tons of fun. Mario Sunshine is great as well.

Thunderball

Wonders who asked Static for his PC gaming opinion?
j/k

Thunderball

I love that song.