How do they compare? Can the best PS2 games compare with the best PC games out there today? Would a PC gamer be satisfied with PS2 games like MGS2, GTA3, Ace Combat 04, GT3 or Silent Hill?


You see, I don't want to upgrade (expensive) or buy a new computer (even more expensive). A PS2 will allow me to play current games and I won't have to cross my fingers anymore praying for the game to run smoothly.

I have both personally My PC is great for me to play Adventure and RPG games (Wizardry 8, The Longest Journey, Icewind Dale, etc.). But my PS2 is also great - I've really enjoyed ICO, Silent Hill 2, SSX Tricky, and Metal Gear Solid 2.

Then there's the GBA, which is even sweeter with Golden Sun, Wario Land 4 and Gradius Galaxy just released!

I'm going to be gamed-out for a while I'm not playing anything except Wizardry 8 right now.

I'm a PC gamer... with all the console hullabullo going on - I settled on a Dreamcast for the cost of a PS2 GAME and about 20 games at 7 - 10 bucks a pop. It's just fine for me. Then on the other hand, my buddy left his PS2 over here for a few days while his TV is being repaired and me and my roommate have been playing Silent Hill 2. Wow - that game is cool. I'm not a Metal Gear Solid fan, but my neighbor brought over his demo of MGS2. I assure you that if you liked the original, you will like the new one. Is it worth buying a whole system for? I don't think so, but I'm not you. For me - I look at a Console as $300 + tax + extra controller + 3 games + more tax = around $500 or so. You can buy components for your current PC upgrade for around 400 bucks with room for 2 or 3 PC games... (Try going to www.newegg.com and picking out a new video card and motherboard and athlon processor with heatsink and fan. For about $800 I turned one outdated machine into Two PCs that will play ANY PC game out there right now. I had to buy a new case for the second PC, but that's what it cost me for 2... ) Anyway - As for PS2 vs. X-Box... I think the PS2 will be something you can buy and enjoy right now with the games that are out... developers will continue to develop for the console and then in a few years they'll release the PS3. The X-Box is the console for the future. There's some great titles out now, but I think that once developers see that there are tons of X-Boxes in homes and it would be a profitable console to develop for - As well as the fact that it's EASY to develop for - it will be a no-brainer for them to start cranking out games. The X-Box I think will have longevity. As for the Gamecube... It doesn't sound like the type of console you would be interested in anyway. However, It seems to be the console for gamers on a budget since the system costs 100 bucks less than either the PS2 or X-Box. Games are just as expensive though.

As for your original question which I seem to have avoided somehow... PCs walk all over consoles in terms of graphics. As for games - I'd have to say it's a toss-up. I've always been partial to First Person Shooters - but after playing Silent Hill 2 on the couch with my roommate, I can see how Consoles have their advantages. I'm gonna hook my PC up to the TV once my new one arrives and see what it's like playing my PC games on the big screen while sitting on the couch. I enjoy the Dreamcast too. The Playstation was only kinda fun for me - I never felt the graphics were all that impressive. But this new crop of consoles kinda changes things. Once Duke Nukem Forever and Doom 3 come out - I'll be back on the PC wagon though.

One big difference between PC games and Console games is the cinematics of em. See - PC games seem to be developed without supervision. Nobody pays attention to them really except the gamers so they end up being not quite as polished. But Console games seem to be overseen by hollywood or something with some of the movies they put in them these days. Also bad acting is a factor, but whereas in PC games the acting is by the programmers and their buddies usually, the acting in Console games is by actual actors, so they don't really have an excuse.

My advice to you would be to either buy an X-Box now, wait until the PS2 drops in price (shouldn't be too long - a few months after x-mas probably - longest wait would be summer I'd guess), or pump up your PC. I've been giving serious thoughts to buying an X-Box, but I've also been thinking about a PS2, but I'm sure I'm going to wait until the price drops on that one. There are so many good games out for PS2 and by the time the price drops, I'd imagine some of the games that are out now would've dropped in price too.

Would a PC gamer be satisfied with PS2 games like MGS2, GTA3, Ace Combat 04, GT3 or Silent Hill?

MGS2 - I don't really care much about this game, but the cinematics looked cool - I'd watch my roommate play it, but wouldn't care to play it. For realism - I think Operation Flashpoint or Ghost Recon fit the bill

GTA3 - will probably come out for the PC - GTA was originally a PC game anyway.

Ace Combat 04 - no idea what that is.

GT3 - I've found the Need For Speed series to be better than any of the Gran Tourismo games... but that's my personal preference. In terms of graphics - NFS2SE had better graphics than the latest GT3 and that came out a hella long time ago. I wasn't too impressed with Porsche Unleashed though.

Silent Hill 2 - This game rules. There's no exact replacement for this type of game. Resident Evil ports? Nah. Closest thing would be like Undying or some other scary FPS. One game isn't enough to get me to buy a console, but there are some really killer games coming out on consoles. That's all I need is another way to waste time.

I agree with Trigger's sentiments. I just bought a Dreamcast for $40 + some games, and while I feel the PC is superior for most my gaming, it's nice to have a Dreamcast for fighting games like Soul Calibur and Crazy Taxi. But I wouldn't pay $350 for a PS2, XBox or GameCube.

The nice thing with the Dreamcast is that it's something the whole family likes to play because it's so easy to use.

But for first-person shooters like Max Payne or online gaming like Star Wars Galaxies (coming soon), PC is the way to go.

I was always a huge console gamer until recently when i built my own comp which is a awesome gaming machine. From Nes all the way to Ps2. I still have my N64 and a Dreamcast as i love a lot of games on thsoe 2 systems like 007, Shenmue , Wrestlemania..... The rest i could care less about now. I have no intrest in a Xbox. Maybe a year from now if a gamecube goes down in price i may get one for a few games. But for now on its PC gaming for me. Bring on max Payne and SW Galaxies

I am a PC gamer and I am getting an XBox.

As good as the XBox looks it will never replace my PC as a primary gaming platform.

Would a PC gamer be satisfied? Depends on the game but for me the consoles are merely a quick diversion.

I use both my PC and PS2 to play games, but I use them to play different games. I use my PC to play multiplayer RPGs, FPS's, and strategy games, as well as old console games on the emulators. I use my PS2 games to play the great games that aren't available on PC or the type of games that are just better on a console (like sports, fighting games, action/adventure).

Probably...

I'm an occasional PC gamer. The only thing I play on PC are online FPS games and strategy games like starcraft. Recently I picked up Civ III too. I think those genre are best suited for the PC in the way that they are played with the keyboard and mouse.

On the other hand, I like my PS2 better though because it has the games that I like to play on my TV with my big speakers such as MGS2, ICO, GT3, and FFX. Still, the PC game market and the console game market are quite different from each other in the types of games that come out. There are also excellent multiplayer games like Super Smash Bros that are best played with 4 friends in front of the TV, if it was a computer screen it probbaly wouldn't work.

If your an avid PC gamer and don't like adventure type games you might be disappointed, it'll be a little different at first but soon you'll discover a whole new side to gaming . With so many high quality games coming out recently for the PS2, I'm sure you'll find something you like.

In terms of power the PC is far ahead of the consoles. I mean the XBox uses a weak p3 733 and it is supposed to be the powerhouse of the consoles- my backup computer uses a P3 800 with my real computer using an Athlon 1.33 Ghz. The current video cards will also do anything those built in cards with your console will do.
of course the game makers dumb down PC games to the largest group of PC's whereas the console games can push the envelope to the max specs since everyone has it.

why is it never easy?

In the end it is about the games. the games for the PS2 are really top notch right now. I am happy with both my PC and PS2.

If you see games you like or want on the PS2 then buy one. If not then wait. if you are not sure try to play with one at a friends house or at a gaming store.

What types of PC games do you play?

this might tip the balance. If the games out or coming out do not fit into your interests then I would also stay away.

Good Luck

I am an avide PC gamer... I have a PS2, Gamecube, and Xbox... The only one I would recommend for a PC gamer, would be the Xbox... It combines the best of both the PC gamer world and the console world...

The PS2 is typical console... Small levels, undetailed textures, limited saves, etc...

The Xbox gives you most of the benefits of the PC: HUGE levels, detailed textures, unlimited saves, etc... and the benifits of a console: FAST bootup. (I am playing a saved Halo game in 30 seconds after power on!!!), standard controller, stable platform, great games....