I'm not trying to start a console war around here but I have a question. I am looking to replace my Dreamcast with one of the systems out there now. I'm dont really care about the platform games or stuff of that nature. The games I would play most would be sports games especially the Sega Sports line. Of the three which one plays these games the best? I've noticed that the Xbox version of the games looks crisper but graphics isnt what a game is all about. However, I think the X-box controller would make sports games hard to play but if I'm wrong tell me. I'm only basing this on playing Halo in CompUSA so I havent spent much time with X-box or PS2 for that matter. My brother has a Gamecube so I've spent some time with it. So, what does everyone recommend?

graphics and sound...xbox.
but if you want tight control, go for the ps2.

the gamecube version is suppose to be the worst of the bunch.

Xbox will look best, but personally, I prefer the PS2's Dual Shock.

Most likely NBA2K3 for the Box. Online yumminess.

Shoulda made this a poll. That woulda been cool.

Probably Xbox. It has the best graphics and the hard drive for saves.

However, I own an Xbox and I bought the Gamecube version so I could play it with the Wavebird which is the best controller on the market.

Xbox versions have better graphics and saving on the hard drive is nice. Plus if want want to go online it has built in broadband.

Xbox - Better graphics.
PS2 - DualShock 2 controller.

Hard choice. You'd probably be happy either way.

I have all three systems, and buy all my sports games on the Xbox for the same reasons others have stated(graphics, sound, online, etc...). I use the Japanese Xbox controller to play my sports games, and find that it works better for those. So, if you get an Xbox, you might consider picking up an S Controller. I still had to get used to it(having played on PS2 forever), but now it feels natural.

You are absoulutey right about the S controller. I picked up one to play NFL 2K3 and it makes a world of difference --- extremely confortable and intuitive. In my mind, it rivals the dual-shock...

Definately the Xbox version. It supports online play, has better graphics and sound, and has virtually unlimited storage space for save games which translates into lots of different seasons, or franchises, etc.

As for the controller, I've never had a problem with the standard controller. If you really need a smaller one or love the DualShock, either get the Controller S or get an adapter so you can use the DS. But! I've never loved the DS, especially since games pretty much use the left analog stick as standard now. I think the only reason people like it are they are very familiar with it. Hell the design pretty much hasn't changed since launch of the PSX - 7! years in the US.

I've got PS2 and GameCube. I don't really buy sports games for the GC...sports games have never played too well on Nintendo systems for some reason (I love the system except for this fact though). I played Madden on both PS2 and XBox, and liked it better for the PS2. Then again, I'm used to PS2 controller and like it much better than the Box's. It sure looked pretty for the Box though...

The XBOX controller felt weird at first but now I like it best out of all the controllers. Also the sticks ARE tighter than the PS2 (which was a huge leap over the PS1) even though the PS2 sticks are pretty damn nice too.

Not having to buy a memory card for save data and possibly faster load times should be a consideration also.

Having all 3 consoles I can say that for any multiplatform games I will always get the XBox version even if it comes out a few months later.

Chris

Xbox All the way baby!!!

I get it for the xbox. If not for the graphics & sound reason, then for season saves. Mucho help in that department.

If you feel comfortable with the xbox controller, in general, then playing ANY game with it should be fine. It's just perfect for NBA2k series. The only difficulties I had with it was when I switched from the original Xbox controller to the S controller. Getting used to the different placements of the black&white buttons was kinda tricky.

If you're buying a system for sports games alone, then get an X-box, it's no contest.

The graphics are generally the best and the hard drive is perfect for memory hogging sports games.

The only downside, IMO, is the controller. But it's not unbearable. I just prefer smaller controllers like the GCN and Dual Shock. The type S is better, but still a little strange for me.

The main reason for getting a PS2 over an X-Box has now come down to a controller??? How pathetic... The X-Box controller felt wierd for about 5 minutes, I now prefer it over any controller out there. (Yes, I'm talking about the original "huge" one). But if you do have little baby hands then you can always pick up a Controller "S." I played a PS2 for the first time in a while at a friend's house recently, and I have to say I couldn't stand the dual shock 2.

Long story short, get the X-Box.

For the same price you get:
-Best hardware, with all the necessities of Online
-4 controller ports
-hard drive
-great games
-dolby digital 5.1
-store TONS of songs on your hard drive to listen to in games that support this feature, or just use your X-Box as a jukebox (I love this feature).
-Better DVD playback (if you really give a rat's @** about DVD playback in a console, I for one don't).

People really need to quit being jerks and saying crap like "people with little baby hands" or "kid's hands" for people that like the GCN or Dual Shock controllers and junk like "big ape hands" for people that like the X-box controller.

It's just a matter of opinion.

Who care's if someone likes a different controller than you do? Can't people just say they prefer whatever controller without insulting anyone else?

And the controller is a big deal when picking a system as you are going to have to use it every single time you play a game on that system. So if you hate the controller for whatever reason, that should definitely factor into your decision. It shouldn't be the deciding factor as none of the controllers are unbearable and pretty much anyone will get used to all of them after a little bit of time, but it should definitely factor in to a decision on which console to get.

Hate to be a stickler but that's not true. The PSX launched in the US in the Fall of 95. It came with a controller that had only a D Pad and buttons, no analog sticks. Then their came the Dual Analog controller which had two concave plastic analog sticks but no rumble and a slightly different design(larger handles, L2 and R2 buttons weren't enlarged as they are on the DS). Then in Japan they released a Single Shock controller that shares the same shape as today's Dual Shock. Then finally the Dual Shock came out. It came out in the US in the Spring of 1998(the same day Gran Turismo came out). So the design hasn't changed in almost 5 years

You are a stickler!! That's why I said pretty much . I know all about the changes that have happened to the PSX as I bought one on US launch (GameDay was unlike anything!). And I know about the DAP (I prefer the longer handles of it and was shocked that DS didn't keep the bigger handles) and the new pads since then. Anyhow you get my point tho. It is still basically the same pad!

Umm I wasn't trying to be a jerk. I also own a gamecube, but I prefer the original X-Box controller. The general idea I was getting at was if you have small hands you probably won't like X-Box's original controller. It is bigger than the other 2 console's controllers, but I like that. It's my opinion that controller should have little to NO influence on your decision of console, especially when compared to game library, system specs, etc... There are sooooo many controllers out there, ranging from the standard controllers to the 3rd party "super dooper mega" controllers, that it shouldn't be a deciding factor.

Avoid using phrases like "little baby hands" and you won't come across as rude. Things like that often start fights on here. I mean you could have said "people with smaller hands" in your original post. The other type of comments I mentioned serve no purpose other than pissing people off.

Anyway, I agree that controller's shouldn't be a major reason to decide on a console, but they definitely factor in.

Games are number one, then hardware specs and graphics. If someone's still on the fence after that, then the controller can come into play into the decision. You have to be comfortable with it. Third party controllers suck 99% of the time, and some have even blown fuses in consoles, so I don't consider them much of an option.

Well with 3rd party converters (which aren't that expensive) you can use a dual shock 2 on any of the 4 consoles (with full rumble support etc..). So unless you hate the dual shock 2 then no, controllers should not be a deciding factor.

Chris

I've heard the PS2 to other system adapters aren't perfect because of difference in the "stiffness" of the various systems analog sticks, making the PS2 controller either to lose or or to tight for some games. But I haven't used one myself and people on boards tend to be full of crap, so maybe someone who uses them can post some impressions.