I need you guys to help me with this impulse buy...
I once was a video game junkie, mostly on PC though. I currently play Return to Castle Wolfenstein and Half-life.

The X-Box looks (by far) to be the best console out there and it would look awesome on my 53" HDTV, but I pause.....

Other than HALO, is there any games that are a must have? any coming? I have not kept up with the console world. I have a dreamcast, but I never really got into it. I have a cable modem and wonder if X-Box will ever use the broadband capabilities.

Man, $400.00 on a console is hard. Cany anyone help me through this?

What genres of games do you like? That will lead us to give you a or

You sound enthused. Halo will likely be coming to the PC, and it will be better. You are no long a video game junkie; you can afford to wait to see if games come out that require you to buy the system.

Huh?

As to the original poster, tell us your previous systems, what games you liked before, and stuff like that. Broadband support is *definitely* on its way (compared to the ambiguousness of the PS2 broadband -- will a periphial be supported by the consumers?).

He plays a couple PC games, but not as much as he used to. He's thinking about putting down hundreds of dollars on an impulse purchase. I don't think he should. Pretty self explanatory, I thought.

Well,
FPS
sports
Driving
Fighting
RPG
Flight sims
Space sims

I have a feeling I would really injoy Starfighter and HALO. I am still looking but have a strange feeling I will be picking up the green box this weekend

Let me be honest with your thumbs up ones (I own all 3 systems)

FPS - Halo, cream of the crop

Driving - Project Gotham Racing (not everyone's cup of tea), Rallisport...it's ok in this genre

RPG - ummm, nothing yet until Morrowind probably...and you may want to pick that up on PC...Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic will be out later this year (maybe), but that is coming months down the line to PC as well

Flight sims - nothing

Space sims - nothing, Starfighter is ok but you will beat it quickly.

So really there are only 3 games that would probably interest you, question is if the other two outside of Halo would interest you at all. You may want to hold onto your PC and wait or find a friend that has an X-Box and rent some games to see if you truly want it.

I'm sure others will have other games that may go into your thumbs up categories though, don't rely only on my view.

I can see why you're tempted by the Xbox, it's the most akin to PC (IMO). But with the types of games you like I think you would be happier sticking to the PC and using that $$$ for a graphics card and all that.

At the very least I suggest you rent the Xbox and the games you're interested in before you throw down $400 to buy it.

FonMan: do you have a gaming enabled PC rig right now? Tell us about that.

If you want a great gaming rig for your Home Theater, the Xbox is the right choice for you. You'll get great 5.1 sound (something the other consoles are very weak in), and 480p (the PS2 doesn't offer this, and the GameCube isn't even consistent with this). The Xbox has lots of great first person shooters coming out, along with Halo already out and Max Payne (3rd person shooter). RalliSport Challenge is a great racing game, so is Project Gothem Racing. In the future, we'll get Sega GT which should be awesome. RPG, Fox mentioned 2, but he didn't mention ProjectEGO which is one of the biggest anticipated games coming out on the Xbox next year.

Take a look at Flay's list http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=155931 and also IGN and GameSpot and see what interests you.

I'd recommend waiting a year before spending big money on a Video Card, at least by then you could get better graphics than the Xbox.

If you want to play FPS games, the XBox is the best choice.

According to EGM, Doom III is looking at an XBox first release. Also MS is trying to get Quake 4 as an XBox exclusive.

http://www.snowcrash.org/Slasher/blahblahblah.jpg

There are really too many shooters to name: Thief 3, Ranbow 6: Raven Sheild, Mace Griffen: Bounty Hunter, SWAT, Brute Force, and House of the Dead 3 to name a few.

Driving Games are also found in vast quantites on the XBox. Along with the games that have been mentioned, there are a couple others you will want to check out: Midtown Madness 3, Totaled, and Crazy Taxi 3.

RPG's are looking good. Other ones that were not mentioned are B.C., Duality, and Strident.

In Flight shooters, we have Yager (amazing looking) Gunmetal, and the recent anouncement Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge.

In Space Shooters, we have the 2 star wars games and a flight shooter from the team that did Tie Fighter, X-wing vs Tie Fighter, and Star Trek: Bridge Commander.

With all this mix reactions you just tell the 'Man' not to buy an XBOX. My response is this. If you have the money BUY IT!!!!!!! otherwise stay with Dreamcast. There are alot of games out there that are GOOOOOODD!!! for the XBOX just go to this site or any other that reviews games and you will be able to find out with a little search which games you like. Go to www.ign.com

I'm where you are at... I have been strictly a PC gamer... Last console I owned was an Atari 2600, but I still always considered myself a gamer. I'm huge into FPS games (not so much RPGs) and Adventure games and racing games. I picked up a Dreamcast when the price dropped to 50 bucks. I didn't really play on it much. My girlfriend bought me an Xbox and PGR for christmas and I went out and bought 6 more games for it that day. I have Halo, PGR, Tony Hawk 2x, Dead or Alive 3, Silent Hill 2, Amped and Dark Summit. I've played them all alot and I like all of those games. The system is great. I have since picked up SSX Tricky (sold next day), Wreckless (wanted to sell next day), Spy Hunter (sold next day), Tony Hawk 3, Blood Wake, Cel Damage, JSRF and Dave Mirra. I don't know if any of these titles are really "Must Have" material besides Tony Hawk 2x, Halo and Silent Hill 2. I do enjoy most of the games I have... What I'm excited about is the future... there are so many great games out there that I am really looking forward to... Some of them will be available for the PC, but apart from FPS games - I'd rather play games on the console now. I've been converted. Halo is fun on the console, and I'll be picking up Agent Under Fire probably, but I'd rather play FPS games on the PC with a mouse and keyboard. It's a good console though and I guess I'd suggest perhaps waiting until there's at least 5 titles out that you think you would really enjoy... one title isn't enough to sustain a console. So if it's just Halo, then I'd suggest waiting for awhile... otherwise, I'm certainly happy with mine and my only complaint is that the PS2 has some games I'd like to see on Xbox.

Your preferences are leaning heavily towards PC. FPS games are best played on a PC, no contest. The Keyboard-Mouse control can't be beat (unless you spring for the Keyboard and Mouse on a Console). Driving games are best played on a console, in my opinion, and the best one I have played is GT3. RPG is best played on the computer, unless you are a FF fan, inwhich case you would have to buy a PS2. Any sim is better on the computer. You should take that money and invest in a graphics card with TV out. You will get better graphics and be able to play the games you want.

Considering the games you have listed I think you are best off not getting an Xbox. Halo is a great game, but other than that I don't know if there is enough to warrant the $299.99 purchase. My Xbox and Gamecube both have dust on top of them from lack of use.

I think you would be best off using the money to upgrade your PC. The games you want will probably best be supported by the PC.

If he's going to buy a nice Video card, then he has to get a nice audio card to match, and his processor better be over 1 ghz and he should have over 200 mb of ram and a big hard drive.

A video card does not a gaming PC make.

If you look around, games are becoming a real bargain. I got a sealed copy of PGR for $34 on half.com, not counting a $5 coupon, so $32 shipped/sealed. There are more and more showing up there, esp. the first release ones. If you've ever played Jet Grind Radio on Dreamcast, Jet Set Radio Future is a kick-ass sequel. Halo is the best FPS hands down. DOA3 is a sweet fighters with graphics that'll blow your mind (though the single player is a little lacking).

Flight/Space sims coming up -- Flay already mentioned Crimson Skies (sequel to the PC game), and Yager.

These last few weeks have seen a number of new top quality titles being released, it's as good a time as any to pick up a box.

oh yeah, for old school, hard as nails, platform gaming, check out Gun Valkyrie (also by Sega and Smilebit, makers of JSRF).

Tuan Jim

I guess the question of the day is what type of computer he has.

My 1800+ athlon XP will play games real nice with a nice video card and a SB Live 5.1 for $36 at newegg will sound as good as an Xbox.

so the key is are the games on the XBox what you want to play. If they are then buy it. if not then do not. if money is tight then do not. If money is not an issue then buy it.

Really it is an easy answer: for me - but this is an answer for me. I am willing to tell you what to do. However since i only know what I think the solution I would provide would not really work for you except by chance.

Ignore all of us- Make your own Informed decision based on your personal situation.

Look those who own one and like it want it to succeed so more people buying it will help. they are not exactly unbiased. those of us who do not own one really may be biased against it.

How do you really decide what to do?

read a bunch then look at your own reasons for getting one.

Good Luck

OK, straight up honest opinion.
I play all systems and many games, so here goes.

PC gaming is your best fit right now, but frankly (I know many will diagree), it has been sloping off lately. The next few months to year will revitalize it though, with some incredible releases. So, if you are unsure, I would stay with PC for now, pick up some of the big names in the coming months and wait.

If you are itching for that good old console game feeling (let's face it, console games just feel different), than the PS2 is where its at. LOTS of great titles.

HOWEVER, the Xbox is picking up major steam, not with its current releases, but with what is in the pipeline. There have been some huge announcements, and I believe E3 will bring us some shocking and very pleasing announcements as well. So, maybe wait until then, and satisfy yourself with Jedi Knight 2, Dungeon Siege and some others on the PC.

THANK ALL OF YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!
That was great feedback. I was going to address all of your excellent posts one by one, but I will try to hit them all here.

I bought the XBOX.

Here are the reasons why.:

1. I dont have to tell this crowd about the capabilities of the machine, they are simply superior to everything else. The hard drive is what sold me the most. Once developers get some experience with this type of platform, the sky is the limit.

2. I really wanted a superior system to put on my 53" HDTV set up. That thing was major jack, and I love it to death, but I wanted to experience the best gaming possible on the big screen.

3. My Son. I have a 3-year old who LOVES to play video games with dad. We both sit down and play, ony he has an old dreamcast controller that isnt plugged into anything He could care less, he just loves it.

4. Game developers. I like the line up and the fact that Microsoft is behind this. Not that I am a huge MSFT fan, I just want a company with major $$$ that can ride it out if it gets slow. Dreamcast should be a major wake up call about supporting systems that dont have support behind them.

5. I'm a sucker for new sparkley gadgets !


I have a nice PC and it gets used daily. I still prefer FPS's on the computer and will still buy computer games. The problem is that the games that I like seem more and more limited. Is it just me or has there been only about 1 game a year that is worth buying? As I said in my original post, I play Half-Life and Wolfenstein. Both with broadband multiplayer. I can see that this will still be the best way to enjoy online gaming for awhile. I have been a PC gamer since most of you were watching Elmo and will continue to be, but it is very obvious that the talent and productions dollars are going to the consoles.

That being said, the next PC title I will probably pick up is Star Wars Galaxies, but I bet that is not out till Christmas.

Here is what I picked up at Best Buy on Friday Night:

1 XBOX Console
1 HDTV pack (cables)
HALO
Wreckless
2-year waranty ***

*** I usually avoid these like the plague, they are genuine rip-offs that are pure profit for the store. But in this case, the technology is new and its made by MSFT. If I am going to create a library of games at $53.00 a pop, I want the damn system to fire up 6 months from now. The charged $39.99 for 2 years. Thats $20.00 a year to make sure I not stuck dishing out another $350.00 on a unproven (build wise) product.

Reviews

HALO- So far I have only played about 5 minutes of game play and watched all of the intro. It's a beautiful game. It is going to take me awhile to get used to using a controler for a FPS. I love keyboard/mouse and this will be hard to get used to.

WRECKLESS- This is far better than I had hoped for. I had to buy a driving game and this one was on sale. I also read some reviews and they were mostly positive. I will be hunting down cheats for this game.

So now I have another hobby to drop money on. I think I will rent some games to see If I really want to spend the $$$ on it, but I have been impressed so far. The system allows you to switch to dedicated 1080i HDTV resolution, and it is amazing. I have a feeling you will be seeing more of me over here (in Video Game Talk) but that is OK, the otter farm is getting stale

Thanks again for all of your help !

Congratulations on an excellent choice.

A word of advice. Play Halo on Heroic the first time through. Anything less is cheating yourself. Also, Halo is the best adaptation of the k/m combo to a controller I have ever seen. You will pick it up in no time.

I wouldn't reccomend the game for a 3 year old, but Halo has a co-op mode if you so choose.

Here are a couple fun facts about the xBox you may not know yet.

1. That hard drive can be used to rip your cd's too. It has the capacity to hold over 73 hours of music. You can use it as a digital audio player if you have it hooked up to your stereo.

You can find more info about it here: http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=183000

Also, certain games like Tony Hawk 3, Project Gotham Racing, Amped, and Rallisport Challenge will allow you to incorperate your own music during gameplay.

2. Info on XBox online is supposed to break this month. Except to see pricing info, structured plans, and supported games. MS is also expected to give you the ability to change the look of the dashboard.

good for you

It seems money is not a real issue and you seem to like the style of games that will shine on the XBox.

Enjoy your games

I got a real cute mental image of your son playing next to his dad. keep spending that time with your son since it will be the best thing you could ever do with your free time.

Congrats on your new machine.

I'm glad to hear you picked one up... I would've suggested staying away from Wreckles. Project Gotham is better. I think that Best Buy has a sale on Cel Damage going on. SSX Tricky was a bargain as well. Circuit City has Dave Mirra for 29 bucks too. Don't ever buy Kabuki Warriors.

As for Halo and the controlls, try making the right thumbstick control your look (like a mouse) as in up, down, right, left. Then make your left thumbstick control your movement (like wasd) as in forward, backward, strafe left, strafe right. Once you've done that, it's a piece of cake getting used to it.

Thanx.
I had metro St. Racing for Dreamcast. And though is was beautiful, I became bored with it fast. I never was able to unlock the cool cars because of that stupid Kudos system. Gotham is out.

About HALO, Your suggestion is good except for one thing, I'm a Lefty I did switch the controls around last night and found a better set up. Still not as good as K/M, but I'll get use to it