Disclaimer: If this turns into a system flame war I will delete this thread. Simply list the reason you chose whichever system, on the premise that you could only have one of the next-gen systems (PS2, Gamecube, X-box). There is no reason to reply to other members and start arguments. Just list your reasons and go on. Then members on the fence about which system to buy will have a good list of opinons to scroll through that can give them another resource to help them decide. EGM didn't something similar to this at the end of the Gamecube vs. X-box feature in this months issue. 6 editors choose X-box, and 5 choose Gamecube. I highly reccomend that issue to anyone still undecided. Again, do not start a system flame war!

Also, mention your age. We'll see if only kids want GC and only adults want X-box like people always insinuate.

I'm getting a Gamecube. I'll be 23 in a couple of weeks, before the launch.

1. Most of my favorite game series are made by Nintendo or Rare, and they will only be on this system.

2. Resident Evil is an exclusive, at least for the time being.

3. Third party support so far looks to be getting spread across all three systems, at least for the big games. I've yet to see anything as an exclusive on PS2 or X-box that is a game that I "must-have." That's just my opinion, I know many people are stoked about GT3, Devil May Cry, Final Fantasy, Halo, Oddworld, etc. Those just don't interest me, and as a result give the Gamecube the edge for me, as it has the exclusives I want and is getting most of the big third party games, i.e. Madden, Sega games, Soul Calibur 2, etc. that will be on all systems.

4. It is $100 less than the PS2 or X-box. I'm on a limited college student budget, so that is a huge deal to me. for $299.99 plus tax I can get a PS2, and X-box, or Gamecube w/ two games.

5. The controller looks to be very nice, but I haven't gotten a chance to use it yet. I did get to try out the X-box controller, and I didn't care much for it. It's too big and the buttons are slick. I could easily see my fingers getting sweaty after a long gaming session and sliding off of them. It's by no means unusable. It's not much worse than the Dreamcast controller, which I eventually got used to. The only thing I would complain about on the GC controller after only looking at it is that the D-pad looks a little small, which could be a problem, especially in fighting games. The PS2 dual shock is still probably the best controller out there, but I won't be able to say for sure until I get to use the GC controller.

6. Size. The GC will fit in the space under my TV much easier than the X-box or PS2. Yes the X-box and PS2 do look better, but I don't care as I keep my video game systems behind the wooden door underneath my Wega in my Entertaiment system. The shelves behind the glass doors to the the left of the TV are full with my other components.

I'm 23.

I have not yet decided what system I am going to get.

I currently own N64 and Dreamcast. Buying a system for me is a pretty big investment. Hardware and games cost a lot of money, so I have decided to wait.

I will wait to see what system is the best one out there for my money. I think it's pretty premature to choose a system based on one game.

23

System of choice. Gamecube

Reason: Zelda, Mario, Star Wars.

And now that EA has announced NHL2002, I have no reason not to.

I currently have a PS, sold my N64 a while back

Age: 25
Choice: Gamecube

Reasons:

1. Games. I cannot wait for Rogue Leader 2. Wave Race, the upcoming Zelda game, another Perfect Dark, these all get me excited. I have never purchased more than 10 games for a given system in it's lifespan, simply because I am extremely selective about what I play. If I want to try something, I'll rent it. If I like it, I'll buy it. It has to have replay value.

The PS2 has several games I would like to try (Devil May Cry, MGS2, TW:B, 007) but it's price tag is too high right now. I already have a DVD player, and I can't justify that kind of purchase right now. If it drops, we'll see.

The X-box has no games that interest me right now. Halo sounds and looks good, but I would want to play it against other people, and I already have a computer for that. I outgrew 4 player split screen when I left college. Not that it couldn't be fun, but married life, jobs, and other committments make a 4-player video game party a rarity. If I wanna play with others, that's what my cable modem is for. Everything else is completely uninteresting. Haven't enjoyed fighters for a long time now (DOA3) is out, and never really liked Oddworld. Those are the big release titles and none of them interest me.

2. Price - I have bought the last three Nintendo systems, all at $200 or less. Considering I got the SNES for $200 (I think, I can't remember exactly what I paid for it) with two controllers and a game, paying $300 for the same thing now seems pretty cheap. And I probably won't get a second controller (no need) so we are down to $250. GC is the cheapest, and can only get cheaper.

3. Comfort - I am pretty loyal to Nintendo, because I have never regretted a purchase of a Nintendo system. I was spoiled in college because my roommate had a Playstation, so I got to play everything I wanted to. And that was great, I had a ton of fun with many PS games. But the system I chose to buy was Nintendo, and I still play my 64 (Majora's Mask is really hard, weird and fun). I'm busting out the SNES this weekend for a little MKII as well.

I bought a Dreamcast and was really happy with it, but then they dropped it and now I've got a system with no upcoming support. Sure, the games I have for it are great, but I'm not getting any better ones. So I got burned there.

Could the same thing happen with Nintendo? Absolutely, I'm realistic enough to know that no company is infallible. But based on it's track record, I feel comfortable with the purchase. But I felt pretty comfortable with Sega too, so who knows?

4. Perception - I cannot help but feel that the X-box is a stripped down computer and the PS2 is a gloryfied DVD player. I don't want my systems to have a hard drive. That gives developers an option to patch games and that's already something I have to deal with on my computer. Why would I want it from a system? PS2 justifies it's price tag partly by saying it's also a DVD player, but I would never use it as one so that little piece of marketing is lost on me.

Bottom line is I've chosen the Gamecube because it fits what I want as a gamer the most. I really hope the other systems are successful as well, since that only breeds competition and new and better games and hardware. But I can only justify purchasing one and I feel the most comfortable, with the fewest questions and doubts, with the Gamecube.

Age: 24
Console: PS2

I'm not a huge gamer and the PS2 has enough games to keep me happy. Granted, I'd like to have Oddworld, but I can live without it.

I will stick with my dreamcast for at least a year or two.
I can surf the internet, play many great games online and alot of games are 9.99 or 14.99 now. can't go wrong

Age : Early 30's
System PS2
Reason: I've had a PS2 since launch. I had waited nearly 2 years without buying a game, that was long enough. I owned a PSX and liked it. I'm happy to have backwards compatibility. The must-have games are coming at a rapid clip now, and there have been games I've enjoyed since the launch day (SSX, Madden). I don't doubt that the X-box and GC will be great as well, but with a PS2, you have over 10 million units already shipped and dozens of great games. It's already a proven winner.

ps, for those of you with a GC and an entertainment system: where will you put it? That cube shape is pretty moronic unless you live in a dorm or keep it in the kid's room (just MHO).

age: 20

system of choice: ps2 and gamecube

why: ps2 has, in my opinion, a growing library of great games with tons more on the way. gamecube has future games I am interested in such as mario, zelda and metroid... and especially the resident evil series.

This sounded pretty darm close to a flame...but I will answer anyway.

I'll be putting it right beside the TV in the Entertainment center. It's small enough to fit almost anywhere.

Trying to follow the thread rules, but I thought I would answer this.

I already have a DC and a N64 in the shelf under my receiver. That's in the center of the console, bottom half, with a glass door. One of the other systems will have to move, but the small GC would fit nicely next to the either in that space. I actually don't have room for a PS2 or an X-box. They would have to go on the floor next to everything. It's a one-bedroom apartment

Age: 27 (Law Student)
System: PS2 (Purchasing this weekend)

Reasons: I'm purchasing the system b/c the boyfriend keeps nagging me about the system. No, the system is not for the boyfriend (only) it's for the house we live in. We already have a PS, N64, DC, Sega Saturn, and SNES. Do we play these systems now, from time to time. The majority of these systems were purchased for a particular game or two. Since I like the baseball, wrestling, racing and girly games (Jersey Devil, Crash, Tomb Raider), I usually purchase the system for those particular games. The boyfriend on the other hand will purchase the Soul Calibur type games.

I will consider purchasing the GameCube and X-Box if they have a game that I want to play. I think the GameCube will have Wrestlemaina 2002 and All Star Baseball 2003 (I will purchased All Star Baseball 2003 if it comes out). If and when the Gamecube comes out with games that interest me, I will purchase it.

Also, we have a Home Theather system. Whatever system is being played at the moment, that's connected to the tv. The other systems and games are in one of the compartments.

Anj

I bought a PS2 a year ago, at launch, and I am sure now that I chose the right system.

X-Box is not generating a great deal of mainstream excitement, from what I've seen. The hardware looks powerful, but most consumers are more enamored of the sony box, and many would-be early adopters are taking a wait-and-see approach due to rumors of a buggy operating system (I know, I know. But it crashed at E3 in front of everyone.)

Additionally, Gamecube and Gameboy Advance, as well as some monster PS2 must-haves will take the wind out Microsoft's sails, and sales. The X-Box launch isn't terribly compelling, and there are even rumors that Microsoft has scaled back shipments due to anticipated lack of demand.

Do I want to play Halo? Well, sure. But Metal Gear Solid 2 will ease that pain.

age:39

console: PS2 and I may get a Gamecube down the line.

reasons: I waited about a year before buying my PS2. I did not see enough games I wanted to buy before now. Now the system is getting a bunch of games coming out that i want. I decided to go with the PS2 because i have PS1 games I would still like to play. I wanted to use it as my second Dvdplayer in my bedroom also. I liked the games that were scheduled to come out for it .

I also know that Sony will continue to support this system since they have maintained support for the PS1 and I loved the backwards compatibility to PS1 games which is a smart move from them.


I am still on the fence for the Gamecube. I will probably wait a year or so before deciding on it since I will want to see enough games to make the purchase worth it.

wanted to add a special thanks to toy's r us and amazon for throwing a special sale one week after I bought the PS2

Age: 22
System: GC

I already own a ps2, and I think that a GC with a PS2 I will be able to get almost all of the games that I want to play. I'm looking forward to Mario, Zelda, Metriod, FFX, and FFXI

Age: 24
I own: N64, Dreamcast
Will buy: GameCube

1. joshhinkle pretty much said it all for me, although I'm not a college student, I'll have to say that $300 for a gaming machine is just a little too much, especially if you have to purchase a game, memory card and controller. The econemy isn't doing so well, and if it gets worse, the extra $100 I save could help me out eventually.

2. Rare has to be the most diverse and talented developers. I have never loved a video game before thier masterpiece: Goldeneye. I can't wait for Perfect Dark 2 and Conker 2.

3. Nintendo has never failed me. A lot of people say that the N64 didn't last and wasn't popular, but the truth is that it was. I have so many favorites and the multiplayer experience alone from Goldeneye, Perfect Dark, Super Smash Bro's, Conker, and many others has won me over.

4. the controller. I have learned my lesson from the Dreamcast. The Dreamcast controllers were so terrible that I developed repetative stress injury from using them- without even knowing. You should have seen my face when the doctor asked me to bring in my video game controllers so he could determine the cause of my pain. - It was the awkward shape and thin grips that was causing stress. I didn't even play often. So I've tried the X-box controller and it just didn't feel like they spent any thought on making it fit hands. Looks don't mean anything for a controller.
So I'm waiting for a better solution for x-box, before I consider that. I trust Nintendo's controller designs.

Didn't mean to flame the GC. Heck, that Star Wars game looks so awesome, I almost cried at the screenshots. I just wondered about the logic of the shape. I guess it's designed like that to let you know that it's a game system, not a DVD player. I can respect that, but after spending a couple of grand on an entertainment system, I would want a gaming system that fit in a shelf. How big is the GC (in inches)?

4.3"(H) x 5.9"(W) x 6.3"(D)

You can hold it easily in the palm of your hand. So we aren't talking about a very big system.

What I have: DC (sold my PS2 after a couple months)
What I'm buying: XBox

I'm not a hardcore gamer. I don't care about Mario or Metal Gear Solid. Square and their Final Fantasy games can piss off. So far what I've seen out of the XBox looks great and their games look like a lot of fun. The support for hi-res on my HDTV and true 5.1 was also a big selling point. However, I won't be buying one on launch day, I'm going to wait a month or so to see how well it's getting reviewed. Also, I don't care about the size or color of a system. The Xbox is about the size of my VCR, so it can sit on top of that. People that complain about the size of it are idiots. Like you really don't have room to put it somewhere.

Age: 24

I bought a PS2 soon after launch. It was a pretty stupid purchase at the time, given that I only owned one game for 5 months, but the gravy is finally flowing.

I'll be getting a GC at launch for the simple reason that Nintendo & Rare's games have always been the most fun for me.

Age: Old enough to easily be your father (ok, maybe one exception there)

Console: PS1
Reason: Gran Turismo

Console: PS2
Reason: GT3

I started with a Pong (and still have it!), then Atari 2600, then Atari 5200, then Nintendo, then NES, then PS, then PS2.

End result: perfectly happy with PS2, thankewverymuch.

Wow, I didn't realize the GC was that small. Pretty cool, actually. Sorry if I ruffled any feathers

Oh, and I almost forgot the most important thing:
Reason I won't be buying a CG or X-box: My wife assures me that she will divorce me the minute I buy a second next-gen console. I think she means it, too. I hope the good games keep coming for the PS2, cause that's all I'm gettin'.

Leave the wife and get another console. No wife could be as good as halo or rogue squadron 2.

Age:29

Next system I get will probably be the PS2 and its because of the following games:
FFX
Shadow of Destiny
Metal Gear Solid 2

However, the Gamecube is also on my list for sometime next year.


I'm currently still enjoying my Dreamcast, GBA, and PSone.

Age: 27

Purchased: PS2. At launch.

Why: Gran Turismo 3. Today, I'd still buy it, when I was doing the 3 for the price of 2 thing at Amazon, I was amazed at how many games there were I really wanted to own. While the launch titles sucked, the titles that have come afterward have been stellar. I also love the backward compatibility, now I don't have to keep both the PS1 and PS2 downstairs. The controller, while imperfect, is one of the best on the market. In fact, the only thing I dislike about it is that it seems a bit difficult to develop on, and doesn't seem to have the raw power of the GC or XBox. I think it's got a running head start that will be difficult to overcome and will eventually land solidly in second place.

I'm waiting out the upcoming battle with XBox and GC. I think one will become the champ, reining over all other systems, and the other will be almost an afterthought, back in third place. Keep in mind, the market has consistently shown there is room for two consoles -- but not three.

Early 80's : Atari vs. Intellivision with Atari winning with a slight edge.
Mid 80's : Original NES vs. Sega Master System with NES cleaning house.
Late 80's / early 90's : Sega Genesis vs. SNES with Nintendo coming from behind with superior hardware to win the day.
90's : Saturn vs Playstation vs N64 -- Sony wins big, N64 keeps a solid base of customers, and Saturn brings up the rear, nearly killing Sega in the process.
Curent : Dreamcast vs PS2 vs GC vs XBox and Dreamcast is already history.

XBox : The big X-Factor here. Has Microsoft behind it, which is a blessing and a curse. Many geeks HATE Microsoft, but the general public has a nice warm fuzzy feeling about the name. They are also the masters at marketing and winning at all costs. I can't count them out. However, they also tend to not get things right the first time around. Hardware is traditionally top of the line, software less so -- this is a marriage of both. This one could really go either way. Disadvantages, if the software is flaky, it should kill this system. It's also targeting the PS2 market, trying to follow the success story that Sony followed many years ago. Will it work twice? With another console already capturing that market? Also, I don't want another PC. I have a top of the line PC, and I'm curious to see how many XBox games get ported, just because the hardware is so close to PC.

To be honest, I was all ready to count out the XBox until the past few months -- now, seeing the screen shots, and considering the initial line up of games (I think it's the best launch lineup of any of the three), I wouldn't be surprised to see this one run away.

GameCube: Ah, poor Nintendo. The definate underdog, in my opinion. Nintendo is still trying to dig out from under it's grindstone of being a "kid's system". Nintendo still can't decide which it wants to be, and still has a foot in each camp. On one hand, it desperately wants to be the system for parents to buy their children and feel safe, but it knows the money is in the 20-30 market. Conker's Bad Fur Day was a nice step, but too little, too late for the N64. Goldeneye could have started the trend back in the day, but they fell back on titles like Banjo Kazooie and Mario Kart/Party/Paper/Whatever. The fact that Nintendo has never had a serious racing game hurts it a lot in my eyes. The fact that it's rarely had a serious game hurts it more. So, Nintendo is in the pit, launching last, and launching with a kid's appeal. The controller is a bit of an issue too... Nintendo makes the best controllers, but I was very disappointed that the A,B and C buttons on the N64 contoller weren't the same size. More of the same in the new controller, plus a knockoff of the PS controller makes me even more disappointed. Add to this, it's the only system that will not play CDs or DVDs and will likely be the hardest to pirate. Say what you want, all these things contribute to the success or failure of a system. However, this is Nintendo, and it has some very classic franchises, and I can't remember the last time Nintendo went down without a good fight.

I see it like this:

1. XBox
2. PS2
3. GameCube

Age: 20

System: XBox

1. In contrast with GC, a large number of the launch games (and many after that), look very appealing to me. I'm not at all interested in Luigi, Waverace, Monkey Ball, Sports games, or even Rogue Squadron (i really didn't like RS 64 -- probably something to do with being an X-Wing fan). On the other hand, Halo, DOA3, Project: Gotham Racing, Fusion Frenzy and a number of other titles all look very interesting, and others are at least worth a rental. I have Halo, and DOA3 preordered right now. I'm even more excited with some of the games coming out down the line: Sam and Max, Yager, New Legends, Jet Set Radio Future, and many more (check out some of the new Japanese games scheduled).

2. From my experience, MS keeps a high standard of quality on all the games they publish: (PC) Crimson Skies, AoE 1 and 2, Mechwarrior 3 and 4, Flight Simulators, Asheron's Call, etc, etc. I forsee this carrying over.

3. Built in broadband - no further adaptors needed.

4. Built in HD -- lets me rip cds and build my own in-game soundtracks.

5. DVD player that'll let me watch on a tv (vs. my 15" monitor)

6. $300 + games is a lot, but I've been able to save it by dumping the DVDs that aren't worth staying in my collection. Also, considering the rising spec requirements on most PC games (an irritating trend I've pointed out in past posts), I won't be able to play many of the new games that are coming out, that I want to. An Xbox might be expensive, but it's cheaper than a new computer (I don't have time or money to upgrade more than RAM right now), and I don't forsee a new computer for a minimum of 1 1/2 years. This will cover a lot of my new-game needs even for PC ports. A PC port won't help me if my system won't run it.

Tuan Jim