Age: 31
Console Chosen: X-Box

Reasons:
1. I was really impressed with the graphics on the launch games. I found them to be as good as (and in some cases, better than) the PS2.

2. The internal hard drive (no more mem cards!) and the Ethernet connection at no extra charge. I could care less about the DVD player. Right now my X-Box is sitting on top of a 5 DVD changer. No need for the additional DVD kit.

3. True 5.1 Dolby Digital sound. It seems like the three games that I purchased (Madden, NBA Live, and DOA3) are all in surround sound. I have to double check on DOA3.

4. I'm a big guy with big hands. So while everyone is complaining about the controller I love it. I played for hours yesterday without my fingers cramping. Try that on a GameCube if you're not eight years old.

5. I like sports and fighting games. The fact that Gates licensed with everyone and their mother means more titles in the future. I think it's kinda cool that by February I can choose between Madden, NFL Fever, NFL 2K2, ESPN NFL Prime Time 2002, and NFL Blitz. Plus, have you seen Dead or Alive 3? Just imagine what Soul Calibur 2 will be like.

6. This is not Bob. Bill Gates wants to succeed with this. He won't dump the system before my warranty runs out.

I'm not a hardcore gamer. I don't like FPS games or have any interest in Mario, Luigi, and Final Fantasy whatever number they're up to. I know this has little relevance to my reasons but I just wanted to state that.

Age:31

Console Chosen:Xbox

Reasons:
1 2 and 3 HALO HALO AND HALO
4 5.1
5 HDTV Support
6 Internal storage
7 make your own soundtracks

I am getting an XBox for myself and my son for Christmas. I believe it has greater future potential and that Sony will need to introduce Playstation 3 sooner to compete.

^ for MACD23. Let's keep ALL the "which console is better" posts to this thread.

I still don't know!

It's between a Gamecube and an Xbox. I haven't bought a video game in 6 years (PS one) due to being happy with my PC but I am getting tired of upgrading only to find a game a week after that will not run full throttle @ the best resolution & detail (I'm a stickler for that, if I can't run @ full detail, I don't want to play it).

I won't buy a PS2 because a friend has it & I can play his basically anytime I want.

I'm 30 with a 6 year old son. Gamecube has the more family-friendly titles but also looks to have more mature-themed games in the future: Resident Evil series, Die Hard - read about it on one of the game sites (you can't have a Die Hard game without guns!).
However, X-box has the greater graphics power (if only by a small margin) & HDTV capability. Just knowing that Madden 2002 on the Xbox has scrapes on the players helmets is influencing my decision.

I've played both at kiosks in stores and I like both controllers (I actually think the Xbox controller is comfortable). DVD-capability isn't an issue, got one.

Dagnab it! I still can't decide!

Age: 27

Console: XBOX

Reason:
Broadband
Superior DVD playback
HDTV capabilities
Technically capable of great things but time will tell
Will be probaly get hacked extensively

DOA3 will keep me satisfied for awhile but they need a RPG the calibur of FF on the XBOX as well as just "fun" titles like available on the GC.
FFX almost made me get a PS2.. If the price of the PS2 drops I might invest in one also for playing FFX and Devil May Cry.

BTW .. This is my first console since the N64 since I've been PC gaming since then

Age: 24
Choice: PS2

Traditionally I have been a PC gamer. I love playing deep strategy and RPG games. But sometimes I really love playing at the arcade for the quick, fun experience. Driving games, gun games, and fighting games are some of the games that can only be experienced at the arcade for the most part. Up until recently I felt consoles could not keep up with the arcade games, especially with the peripherals and interface, but lately that has changed with the PS2.

So far the only good driving game out there is GT3 for PS2. Project Gotham for XBOX looks nice, but where is the steering wheel? The GT Force/Driving Force wheel for GT3 makes the game a million times more fun. Playing a racing game with a gamepad just seems lame to me. The PS2 has the only gun games on the market, and they are quite good. Where are the good joysticks for DOA3 for XBOX? I can't fathom playing a fighting game with a gamepad. Also the PS2 is backwards compatible, allowing me to play Dance Dance Revolution on it.

I love the arcade experience, and now with the PS2 I don't have to go to the arcade to get it. I currently have for the PS2:
1.) DDR Dance Pad
2.) GT3 Driving Force Wheel
3.) GunCon2 Light Gun
4.) 3 arcade-style joysticks (one of which is the Shadowblade)

Yeah, it gets expensive, but considering I spent more than $1000 playing Tekken3 at the arcades, it's not so bad in comparison.

If XBOX or Gamecube come out with other fun arcade-type games that support arcade-type controllers, I'll get them. Until then, it's PS2.

GameCube...
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GameCube...!

I'm 26 and I got a GameCube. I really don't think you can go wrong with any of the systems-they all have strengths and weaknesses, and the fact that many games are going multi-platform evens it out somewhat (since the developers don't improve/screw up a game when porting it to another system). Plus, I think the Cube has the strongest first- and second-party software.

I got a Cube because my brother did. He's much more of a gamer than I am, and I'll be able to play his games all the time. If we each buy the same number of games, we'll each have twice as many games to play as the ones we each buy.

If it was just me, I would have bought an XBox, but I didn't want to have to buy every game I want to play in addition to the extra $100 I would spend on the system. Granted, I have to spend money on memory cards and maybe the upcoming broadband adapter, but that seems fair when I don't have to import the Japanese XBox controller.

Hard choice with so many damn systems out there. I got the gamecube and it is awesome!! SSX Tricky and Rogue Leader is so much fun!!! But I got so sick of Nintendo sticking to mainly kiddy games so I had to get the PS2 also. I mean, come on, Grand Theft Auto 3 is the best game I've ever played and I don't think this game will ever be released on the cube. And if they do, its gonna be cleaned up so much, they'll turn it into a kiddy game!! Anyhow, I say, if I had to choose, I would pick PS2 because they have the most games.

age: 27
system: PC, DC, Xbox

updated tally (best I can figure):
PS2 - 32
GCN - 30
Xbox - 21
average age - 21.4

Well...

PS2

I'm 17.

I chose the PS2 since it has a exceptional library of games and t he PS2 is compatible with the older PS1 games, so the library is i don't know, maybe 1000+.???

Age: 28
Choice: XBOX

After mucho reading, thought, reflection, etc., I chose the XBOX. Reasons were much of the ones already talked about. I have a Playstation 1 but not too many games so backwards compatability was not a factor. I have always thought of Nintendo as a kiddy console b/c they have always presented themselves as family friendly. The games they release show that. They have either censored their games or usually stay completely away from mature games.
There were good reviews all over for the XBOX and nothing bad that I could find (except for the always present Microsoft-haters).

I had the cash, so I decided on the most powerful system that is geared toward my age group. I know the game pickens are slim right now but that does not bother me since I do not spend my life just playing games. I also like the fact that it is HD-ready & nothing is better than 5.1 sound (except maybe 6.1)!

I just hope I do not carry my curse of buying short-lived gaming systems. Yes, I bought an Atari 7800, Sega CD & 32X. Hopefully I have not cursed the XBOX or those who have bought the XBOX this time. (Microsoft's pockets would have to be deep enough to survive my curse, dontcha think?)

No matter what system you choose, as many have said, it is certainly a great time to be a gamer. Enjoy!

Age: 21

Console: XBOX

Reason:
Broadband - I am big on multiplayer, I don't really care for single-player RPGs
DVD - Component video, 5.1 audio, what more do you want?
Better value and performance - If you build it, the games will come

Age: 25
System: PS2

This is a change, since I was totally set on the Gamecube. But I realized that the games I really want to play (Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Perfect Dark) won't be out for a long while. The only launch game I'm interested in is Rogue Leader. The X-box, while having Halo, has nothing else for the next six months that I even want to rent.

The PS2, however, had two games I purchased when I bought the system, Twisted Metal: Black and GTAIII, and I rented MGS2 on the way home from the store. There are at least three or four other games I want to buy/try. I could wait 6 months for those games to come out on the X-box, but that means 6 months with one game and a controller I hate, and the graphical upgrades didn't seem to warrant that kind of wait. So, PS2...

bumped for Toad.

Age: 31
Own - Gamecube and XBox

I was planning on getting Nintendo's system no matter what for their first party franchises. I wasnt planning on getting a Box but Halo changed my mind for me. I also know the best versions of NBA sims will be on the Box due to the harddrive and the ethernet port. I was overwhelmed with quality Dreamcast titles so I said I wouldnt buy the PS2 until MGS2 came out. Now that its out I think Im still gonna wait and see if the Box's version is good. Ive got tons of game options right now, I dont think Im buying a PS2 for the three titles I really want when there is a good chance of them coming to the Box improved.

24

xbox

I had the PS2 but i sold it for the xbox.

The thing that made up my mind was an article i read about the xbox being very easy to make games for compared to the PS2. I also liked the fact that the online multiplayer is built in and not a 100 dollar add on like the PS2. The power of the xbox also made a difference.

I was a little disappointed with the PS2. Over the course of the year i had or played about 30 games on it. None of them really stood out as in my mind. But after playing some games on the xbox and seeing the graphics and gameplay that was already available at last years e3. I couldn't wait to get it. In My Opinion the xbox has a very bright future and with the deep pockets that microsoft has i cannot see this system failing.

I also played the gamecube at e3 and it seemed to me it was the same type of games i played when i was 10 but with better graphics.

P.S. Also getting the xbox at the same price as the gamecube didn't hurt.

I'm 27, and I chose a Gamecube (geez...I feel like this an AA meeting).

My reasons were fairly simple:

1. Portability. I like the fact that the GC is small. I don't have a ton of space at my place, and I want to be able to take it with me to my cottage. There's no way I'd lug around that massive xbox. Further, it didn't cost as much as the others so I won't be paranoid about the unit getting kicked around.

2. Nintendo classics. My first console was NES, so I love those old titles - I'm looking forward to the Mario, Zelda, Metroid, etc. reincarnations on the Cube.

3. I use my PC for "mature" games, so I didn't feel the need to get a PS2 or Xbox for that reason.

Age: 33
Console: XBOX

I have had a souped up computer for
many years, and play the occasional game
here and there. I like games like Masters/Heroes
of Might and Magic.

Previously, I have had Atari 2600, ColecoVision,
Atari Jaguar, Amiga CD32, Sega Genesis. I never
really wanted a playstation or N64, etc..

Getting caught up with some of the XBOX hype and
the possibilities, I thought it was time to get back
into a console. Plus I just added on an extra entertainment
room to my house with 27" TV (my main viewing room has
a 36" TV, not sure if I will bring XBOX in there), Stereo and
getting a Surround sound system, it should really kick then.

Reasons:
Controllers! I like em better than PS/2s
Broadband (Multiplayer high speed gaming!)
Built in Hard Drive instead of memory cards
Newer Technology than PS/2
4 Game Ports
DVD Play w/ 5.1 Audio
Don't want to be stuck at my PC playing games, I use it mainly to surf, email, work, etc...need to get away from it!!
Will be probably get hacked extensively

Games so far:
Madden 2002
Azurik

Azurik is pretty awesome, just exploring and looking at all the graphics in this RPG is awesome. I have spent about 10 hours on the game so far.

Madden is no slouch either

I like the game demos and previews that are included on the game disks... a playable demo of Oddworld and some other game is on the Azurik disk, not sure if something is on Madden or not.

Age: 27
Choice: X-Box

I already owned a PS2, but I was somewhat disappointed in load times and how it looked on my widescreen HDTV. Seeing that the X-Box supported:

480p, 720p and 1080i video modes
Dolby Digital 5.1 in-game sound
Hard drive for save-games and faster load times
Ethernet port that can already be used online for Halo
More advanced technology

I couldn't resist. I picked up an X-Box and e-bayed off my PS2/games/accessories. I'm pretty happy with my decision so far. Now I just have to get my TV ISF calibrated for a better picture yet!

Age: 22

I chose GameCube for one and only one reason:

Super Smash Brothers Melee

Considering the amount of time I wasted playing SSB on N64, it made it worth the purchase.

The other platform games are going to be nice too... I'll probably get the Zelda game and Mario Kart when they come out.

Age 24
System PS2
Reason
1. The games-gt3, gta3, mgs2, thps3, ffx, sh2, ico etc etc
2. Most of these games are exclusives ('cept sh2, thps3, and mgs2)
3. Backward compatibility
4. Internet coming soon (wish it was like dc, or even better xbox)

Age: 23

I chose the XBox.

Halo, Dead or Alive 3, Dave Mirra BMX, and Cel Damage.

Who says we have to wait for awesome games?

Age: 15

Console: I'm undecided but thinking about GC.

Reasons:

1. The price
2. Track record, Nintendo has done a lot of great systems and the last console I bought was DC so I'm looking for something that will last.
3. Games, I'm not a hugh fan of Mario party, and I think that Mario has too many spin-off games, but SSBM is great, and RE will be fun to play again.
4. I already have a GBA, so it will be awesome to hook it up to GC and use it as a controller.
5. The controller, I love it, it feels great.
6. Metriod Prime, I can't wait to play this.