i'm sure i'll own both of these systems eventually, the question is, "which one now?"

my position is that each of them have their merits, so let's not have a flame war here. i don't think either console has any inherent hardware victories over the other one, as DVD playback doesn't interest me and i doubt the GC is that much more powerful. so like always, it comes down to games...namely who has the better ones.

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exclusives that interest me on PS2:

Metal Gear Solid 2 (greatest hits?)
Gran Turismo 3 (greatest hits)
Ace Combat 3 (greatest hits)
Devil May Cry (greatest hits)
Gran Theft Auto 3!!!!
Jak and Daxter (greatest hits)
Final Fantasy X

so the big strength on PS2 is that they have their bases covered and there are a ton of GOOD games for $15 each (with BB coupon).

PS2s weakness is that it seems a little weak in the platformer genre... played sly cooper and it was pretty weak compared to mario and rayman.

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GC exclusives that interest me:

Mario!!!
Zelda!!!
Metroid
Rogue Squadron
Animal Crossing
Wave Race

nintendo's strength (as always) is the amazing quality of their first party games.

nintendo's weakness is the total lack of good third party exclusives...unless you're still into resident evil.

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for those of you with both a PS2 and a GC, which one would you get first if you were starting from scratch?

I own both, but I got the GC first. I bought it at launch, and held off on the PS2 until after the price drop in May.

The exclusives are great on both systems (which is why I own both) and basically it comes down to what you like to play, as to which you should get first.

Personally, I'd go with the Gamecube simply because Nintendo's first party games are the main reason I'm still in gaming.

The Mario bundle is another incentive for you. As you can get a game you've mentioned that you like and a Mem card for $189. If you go with the PS2 you'll have to pay $199 for the system, $25 or so for a mem card and $19.99-59.99 for a game.

Comparing your lists, one nice thing about the PS2 is that a lot of the titles you're interested in are now "Greatest Hits" so you can pick them up without spending a lot of bank.

Thats what I noticed as well. You could get a system and a few of the games you want for under $300.

Its a tough call. Decide what you really want to play the most and go from there. I suggest playing Animal Crossing. That game is very addictive and might sway you to buying a GameCube first or you might not like it and decide to go with the PS2.

if I had to pick one or the other it would be the GC for 1 reason.... Resident Evil series. It's the main reason I got my cube. All the other games are just bonuses

I actually don't like GTA3 too much, and I'm not too fond of most of the Japanese exclusives the PS2 gets (always thought MGS was overrated; am sick of Japanese RPGs; etc), so I'd personally pick the GC for one simple reason-- Ninendo. Mario Sunshine, Metroid Prime, Zelda, Mario Kart, F-Zero, 1080 2, and whatever else the big N dreams up.

Why does everyone forget Fzero? Am I the only one that loves the series?

I've got a PS2 and a GameCube. First, I'm extremely excited about a few of Nintendo's titles, particularly Metroid Prime and Zelda. I also love Mario Sunshine.

That being said, I'd still go with the PS2 if I could only have one. Kingdom Hearts...GTA Vice City...Tekken 4... Plus, a great library of Greatest Hits titles to choose from.

Both are great systems, and I wouldn't give either of them up. If I had to though, I'd give up my GC before my PS2.

I own a GC and a PS2. Got the PS2 first (about a year ago) and then the GC (a couple of months ago). If i were starting from scratch right now, i think i would get the GC, simply b/c there are more games out for it that i want RIGHT NOW, as opposed to the PS2 where I've been waiting for the games i want for months.

whether the games are new or not is irrelevant to me since i've never played the majority of them...i'm also thinking i could sell my PS1 and a few games to supplement the price of a PS2.

but i see what you mean about RIGHT NOW...can't wait to play mario and zelda...i've already waited over a year for many of the PS2 games i want.

i am itching to buy a snes for my fzero fix.......hmmm
that and contra 3

I have all three of the newer consoles and I think if I had to pick just one I'd go with the PS2. I like the cube but there's just a lot more out there for the PS2 (especially if you still haven't played a lot of the GH titles).

sold my PS1 on half yesterday, so i guess my decision is pretty much made...

i'll get a PS2 sometime before x-mas...hopefully they'll have some sort of bundle or promo to match GC and X-box. or i'll just wait for an online deal.

just too many good "greatest hits" games to ignore.

Gran Turismo 3
Ace Combat 3
Devil May Cry
Twisted Metal Black
Jak and Daxter

and probably some others that i'm not thinking of. those $5 off $20 best buy coupons are gonna come in handy, i think.

plus there are several other older titles that i can get fairly cheap used:

Final Fantasy X
Metal Gear Solid 2
Gran Theft Auto 3!!!!

That gamecube bundle was awfully tempting, but it looks like i'll have to wait for my Mario/Zelda fix.

thanks for the input fellas.

Godzilla Detroy All Monsters-One reason to get a gamecube

Ordered a PS2 for $179 shipped.

sold my PS1 for $30...so it was a wash in terms of price between the GC and PS2...actually, the PS2 was probably cheaper given the fact that i already have a few dual shock controllers laying around.

but i'll definately get a GC at some point in the future.

I got a PS2 and absoltuley cant see myself having another system without having my PS2. So if i had none ill get the PS2 first. But you bette believe im picking me up a Gamecube by the end of the year!