I figuered I'd bring this thread back to life since the new consoles are just about to hit, and since the Video Game forum is intended for those who know and don't know about video games. Since there seem to be alot of people who are still undecided, they can browse this thread and ask questions that need answering---enjoy!!

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This thread will attempt to be UNBIASED and present the pro's and con's of diferent systems. Please do not pollute it with opinions, only facts please. If there are any mistakes, please help correct them.

Personally, I'm a Nintendo fan, but please, if I've left anything out, please help correct it--this thread is for those who don't know too much about the different systems.

BTW, I consider "mature" to be 15 +


Nintendo GameCube ($200)


Pro's

-Is a gaming-only machine, thus its performance isn't hampered by other features and the price isn't going up because of extra features that may be unwanted

-Is a well-known family system/is a household name

-Rules the kiddie/handheld market with an iron fist

-Is well-versed in video games

-Is attempting to get into adult/mature market

-Is relatively inexpensive (compared to the other systems)

-Is a powerful system

-Has many well-known, exclusive characters (Mario, Zelda, Metroid, etc . . .)

-Comfortable controller (or so it's said)

-Is easy to program for--developers said to be desperate for development kits

-Is small in size, thus it takes up less space than the other consoles, leaving room for other devices

-Four (4) controller ports

-Nintendo has learned from its' mistakes from the N64, so it's being more friendly towards 3rd party developers

-Has strong launch line-up


Con's


-Has a kiddie image--many adults are turned off by image and color purple

-Is a gaming only machine--no extra features so adults may be turned off--may want PS2 or X-Box instead for the extra features

-May not put out decent adult games as it's just starting to cater towards mature themes

-May have bad residual image, courtesy of N64

-Doesn't have 'deep pockets' parent

-Some people may not like the look of it---may want a a PS2 or X-Box more due to looks

-Its' memory cards are at the two (2) extremes--one (1) on ly has .5 (1/2) MB of memory ($15), while the other has 64 Mb of memory (approx. $99)



Sony Playstation 2 ($300-$250)


Pro's


-Is a powerful system

-PS1 was a success, so PS2 has a good image going

-Caters to both kiddie and mature interests

-Has well-known exclusive games (Devil May Cry, Grand Turismo 3, Square games, etc . . .)

-Will have price drop soon

-Well-known and loved familiar controller

-Already has a vast user-base

-Looks good on outside

-Has 'deep pockets' parent

-Has vast support from 3rd party developers (though it seems that most (1st and 2nd party developers excluded) games will end up on all 3 systems)

-Has backwards compatibility with all PS1 games

Con's

-Introduction of DVD may hamper gaming quality

-More expensive than other systems

-Many current games are too short

-Is hard to program for

-Original line-up may have turned off amny people, and current games aren't 'killer apps', but many current and upcoming games are very good/looking very good.

-Has two (2) controller ports

-Size may be too big for some entertainment centers




Microsoft X-box ($300)



Pro's

-Has powerful hardware (the highest 'specs')

-Has many good-looking games coming

-Looks good on outside

-Has 'deep pockets' parent

-Is easy to program for

-Has many extra features--eg: network adapter, HD, DVD player, CD burner, etc . . .

-Has strong launch line-up

-Nearly no need for memory cards (courtesy of 8 GB HD)

-Four (4) controller ports



Con's


-Many people hate Microsoft

-Controller said to not feel right

-May not be enough consoles for the holiday season

-Many people fear PC ports as main source of games

-Many people fear X-Box as entry-way for a TV PC (though this has been said to be unlikely; profit speaking; as Microsoft is all about profit, it's said to be unlikely)

-Said to be a 'stripped down' PC

-Number of quality games are uncertain---could easlity have none, resulting in sytem death, or it could have many, resulting in dominacne of the console market

-Bigger (about the size of a VCR) than the other sytems---might be too big for some entertainment centers

-More features mean the price is higher---for those that don't care about the extra features, the price may be too high

-Must buy a remote to use the DVD player (approx. $30?)--remote isn't included



Sega Dreamcast ($80-50)



Pro's


-Is already out

-Has a low price tag

-Has many quality games out

-Has well-known exclusive titles

-Many games around $10-$20

-Good games still coming out

-Contoller said to be excellent once you get used to it

-Built-in modem

-Online games said to be excellent

-Has long-standing parent in video game business




Con's

-Is a dead system (no more being made)

-Games said to stop coming out by end of year

-Controller said to not be comfortable at first try

-Doesn't have 'deep pockets' parent

-Many games being ported to other systems--Dreamcast system not needed so much to play once-exclusive titles

-Said to be less powerful than other systems (System stats would have to be compared)

-System not made to be durable---lens said to fail, among other things





That's all I can think of for now, if anything else happens, please help keep this thread updated and UNBIASED

How about ease of programming? GC & X-Box being fairly developer friendly, PS2 notoriously difficult.

I wonder how much of an advantage Sony & Microsoft actually have over Nintendo in terms of funding. As companies as a whole, they're obviously worth a lot more, but unlike Nintendo they can't funnel all their money into their consoles.

X-Box
Pro or Con: 'The PC console'
Con: Bundles of $500+ being encouraged

PS2:

Pro: 15 million+ install base

And I'd disagree with the "lack of quality games" part. Twisted Metal Black, Klonoa 2, GT3, and NBA Street are all very good, and they came out quite recently. Then next month there's ICO, Silent Hill 2, Soul Reaver 2, and others. I've been quite happy with the PS2 library.

X-Box

Con: games are mostly shovelware from the PC

Nintendo

None. Looks great!

Chaos, I applaud you for trying to initiate an unbiased discussion on these 3 systems, but as you can see from the two posts just above mine (Grimfarrow and RJainMJ) some don't quite understand the definition of the word UNBIASED. Regardless of what you try to accomplish, some here find a way to sneak a little "pot shot" at a system other than their pet brand.

Example:
Shovelware?... No Cons for the Nintendo?... Obviously Grimfarrow is biased and shouldn't be taken seriously.

Another example:
'The PC Console'? Many might consider this to be a pot-shot.
And even though Bundles are being made up for it, not every retailer is doing this.

Again, let's try to be unbiased. If you kids need the definition of that word, I suggest you get off the computer, and go and do some homework.

Notice he said "Pro or Con". I don't think it's out of line to suggest that the X-Box is in many ways a streamlined/stripped PC. Which can be a good or bad thing, depending on your point of view.

As for the other point, Microsoft is recommending that retailers sell in bundles, and since this seems to be the trend I believe that the stores selling the X-Box without a bundle will be the exception rather than the rule. It remains to be seen what the bundle situation with the GC will be.

I think a better way of showing the pros and cons would be to compare the technical specs.

Another con for the X-box... the way Microsoft is encouraging retailers to sell insane bundles. The one "deal" (though I hesitate to call it that) that I've seen so far is $499 for X-box console, 3 games (at least one must be 1st party) and a 1st party accessory. That is the pre-order bundle from Electronics Boutique. Oh, and the minimum deposit is $100. Guess they don't want to risk people pre-ordering for $5 or $10 and then just letting the money go when GameCube beats X-box to the market and they buy that instead...

Unbiased? That would be a boring discussion. I don't want to read a chart comparing technical specs of systems. That doesn't gauge the quality of a system. How bout we just STOP comparing the systems and talk about which GAMES look good because EVERYONE is biased in some way towards one system or another, myself included. And what are you talking about with this "deep pockets" nonsense. Am I the only person who actually bought their own consoles when I was younger? (I'm only 20 now) I don't understand that logic as a pro or con in a discussion. If I'm off just please clarify.

Here is my unbiased post.

GC has this http://cube.ign.com/previews/15337.html

Xbox does not
PS2 does not

GC Wins!

Maynerd

Because if it's just the quality of the games that makes or breaks a system, the Dreamcast would still be a contender. And by "deep pockets", he's talking about the equity of the company that releases the system.

Just because the Dreamcast folded doesn't make it bad, dote it? It's all corporate politics and economics, which most game players don't really give a crap about. Seriously, does anyone buy a system because Sony's stock dropped a few points last quarter, or the GameCube can push that much more polys per second? Everyone I know buys a system because there's a game they want that' ONLY on that system.

I bought an N64 for Mario 64.
I bought a PSX for Final Fantasy VII.
A friend of mine bought one for Metal Gear Solid.
Another bought a DC for Soul Calibur.
And I'm planning to get a PS2 for Final Fantasy X and Metal Gear Solid 2.

In the end, it comes down to the games you want to play. Anything else is just bull.

Right on!! The ONLY reason I ever bought my DC was for Sonic Adventure 1, and ONLY for SA1. Later, I decided to buy some used games (I'm on a tight budget) and give the DC more than a one game use.

The main reason I'm a Nintendo fan and why I'll get a GC is because of Mario and Zelda; mostly just because of Zelda. It's all about the games!!

Jeez, read in context, please! When I said "none", I mean none to ADD to the above list. And yes, Halo, Doom 3 and the Microsoft Sports titles are ALL PC shovelware.

GameCube con: Some people are really pissed off about Zelda.

The new design of Zelda is actually growing on people--it looks like it'll be more about sneaking around than just hack n' slash (there's nothing wrong with either one)

A few things about Gamecube...

Actually doing additional things, like ability to play DVD's probably wouldn't hamper performance. In the case of playing DVD's it would increase performance- (ability to accept games on larger discs, and use DVD standard compression). This is a biased statement.


Gameboy is as deep of a pocket you are going to get in the Video Game industry.

I actually agree about the "console-only."

When I got my new receiver and tossed my 10-year old GE stereo into the closet, I realized I needed to buy a CD player. I've been using my DVD player in the meantime, and I HATE it.

If someone didn't have a DVD player, sure then I would see the appeal of an "all in one" setup. But I have broadband on my computer, I've got a DVD player, I'm not interested in saving things to the hard drive, so that's why I'm not getting an X-box.

I would be paying for features I would never ever use.

I meant in the respect that Sony and Microsoft don't depend on the console for their life, and that Sony and Microsoft have alot more money than Nintendo--I didn't mean in respect to the video game industry.

My family wants one of the new game systems. Which one should we get?

2 kids, 7 and 2, one husband and me. Currently have N64 w/ about 15 games. Also own Gameboy color and son wants Gameboy Advance. The kids like the Mario family games, but sports games as well.

The way I see it is PS2 is good since it plays all PS1 games and they are cheap now. N64 is the only way to get Mario games as well as some others. I don't really see any reason to buy the XBOX, but maybe someone could enlighten me??

I will not need the DVD player in PS2, I have a five disc changer. Which system will have the best graphics? Do all have to be hooked to a phone line? (That seems like a draw back to me and no close phone jack to game system spot)

Any help/suggestions in this would be great. Also, are the bundles the way to go or just buy the system seperate from the games?

Thanks again

It seems like Chaos put so much emphasis on posting "non-biased" replies that everyone is arguing over the definition of what "biased" is.

Anyway, while I consider the PS2 to be the best system to own right now, one day (probably not anytime soon due to college-boy monetary constraints) I hope to own all three. There are great games coming out for all of the systems and while I've never been known to come to the defense of Microsoft, I won't let my personal feelings about the company rob me of a great gaming experience. I'm looking foreward to Halo (plays very well, but not quite up to my admittedly unrealistic expectations), Dead to Rights, and many other X Box games as well as the notorious cell shaded Zelda and just about every other update to the classic Nintendo franchises. Right now, I don't see anything on those systems that can compete with MGS2 and Devil May Cry (which boasts the best backgrounds ever IMO) though. That is not to say that the next generation of X Box and GC games won't be up to par, but hopefully I'll have saved enough $$$ by then to buy the one that I don't get for Christmas.

DealHuntinMom: Off-topic, but since you asked so nicely

The GameCube has:
· Great Nintendo games, as well as several sports games
· Graphics that are better than the PS2 and are pretty close to the XBox
· Controllers that are much better than the XBox's for kids
· A price tag that is $100 cheaper than the other two

Most places aren't selling bundles, and with 700,000 at launch it shouldn't be hard to find. You very rarely save money on bundles.

Oh, and none of the systems require a phone line.

If Halo is "shovelware" I cant wait to see what developers do when they actually program for the Box!!!

I still think the system that will be the hardest to find will probably not be either the Xbox or Gamecube. It will probably be the Game Boy Advance. The Game Boy always seems to be the thing that is sold out every Holiday season and right now the GBA has the best lineup of titles for kids plus some great games for adults like Golden Sun and Street Fighter II.

If you are planning on getting one of these this Christmas I would buy one now while they are still easy to find. This is what my 6 year old is getting for Christmas. He wants Bionicle, Monsters Inc, and Rugrats games and that is the system that has them. There is really nothing for him on the Gamecube.

I will be picking up Breath of Fire myself.

Have you considered a Dreamcast? The price is dropping to $49 (!!) after Thanksgiving, and the current game library blows any of these other systems out of the water.

And, as was said above, the games are all that matter.