X-box: My First Impressions
 

Well, my friend finally picked up an X-box (I wasn't going to get one) and I just spent a few hours playing NCAA 2004. I think that now that I have actually put some time into playing it, I can give my opinion on the X-box.

The graphics definitely look better than a PS2, but as much as I would have thought by all the talk it gets from X-box fans. Keep in mind that I do have the PS2 hooked up using the composite and the X-box hooked up using the S-video to a 36" Wega. For all the talk I hear about the X-box's graphics being so superior, I was a little disappointed when it was only a little better than my PS2.

The controller is total poop, especially while playing NCAA. I'm sure the controller works great for games that are designed to use it, but NCAA just isn't one of those games. The four shoulder buttons are really needed for a game like this, and not having them is really annoying. The placement of the "white" and "black buttons is also very akward. I would have liked them to be closer to the other buttons, more towards the center of the controller. The controller felt OK, but because of the akward placement of the buttons, I could never get comfortable with that. Also, the buttons are way too sensitive. This is something I'm getting used to, but wow, did that cause problems.

Overall, the console was a disappointment to me, if not just because of the controller. The amount of graphical superiority just wasn't there after hearing all the talk about it. The controller was a real pain, and eventhough I'm sure I could get used to it if I kept on playing, I just don't have the time (especially with a PS2 :D). Maybe KOTOR will change my mind.

I agree with ya 100%, which is why I have the other 2 systems instead of Xbox. The Xbox controller sucks even worse than the old Dreamcast controllers (although the 's' controller is better). The graphics are better, but of course its not gonna blow you away, they just seem smoother most of the time. The game selection is also weak, and theres no excellent xbox exclusive games...I think halo blows...way overrated, loads of better FPS on the PC. Every major game comes out on PS2 as well as xbox, so theres no need to have both IMO. The only thing good about xbox is it has nice online stuff, but ya gotta pay money and I never play online. The hack-ablitiy is also very nice...emulators, new hard drives, divx movies, mp3 server etc...all cool, but pricey.

well, if you were to hook the xbox and ps2 up using the same connection I am sure you would notice a much better picture. When I switched from the ps2 to xbox I couldn't believe how much better the graphics are.

Controller- well I guess this is different for everyone, I myself prefer the feel of the s controller to that of the ps2. I can't stand the nintendo controllers so there is no need to go there.

Games- not true that "every major game comes out on ps2 as well as xbox" since Kotor, Halo, Doom 3, Halo 2, Jedi Knight 3, Half Life 2, Fable, Perfect Dark Zero, and Ninja Gaiden are all xbox exclusive.

Well, the PS2 is connect through composite (Video/R-Audio/L-Audio) which is not as good as S-video. If anything, the difference should be less if I got a S-video connection for the PS2.

I've always thought that not liking the controller is a pretty weak excuse for not enjoying a potentially great console. I hated the DC controller but that didn't stop me from playing countless hours of the great library, using an adaptor so I could plugin my PS controller.

Having said that I think the xbox controller is the best of the 4 (maybe weak for certain games) but then there are adaptors out there so that those who don't like it can use other options.

Chris

When comparing graphics you should probably consider the console on which the game was developed. Most multi-platform games seem to be developed for the lowest common denominator a.k.a. the PS2. Then they are ported to the other two consoles with minimal graphical enhancement if any. If you look at a game that was developed on the Xbox like Splinter Cell then look at the game ported to the PS2 and Gamecube you can see the difference in the graphics. It may be a big difference or a small difference depending on what you are used to and what you understand about graphics.

The Xbox S controller is okay IMHO, but so are the PS2 and GCN controllers. I think I would like a cross between the PS2 controller and the Xbox S controller. For games like Tony Hawk's I prefer the PS2 controller, but for NFL 2K3 and NHL 2K3 the Xbox S controller is fine.

Watch how you post here. This thread is borderline console bashing.

Re: X-box: My First Impressions
 

My roommate has his PS2 connected my 36" VVega via composite video, and the different betwen the PS2 and my component-connected XBox is absolutely night and day. Having spent several years poring over DVD, maybe I'm a little more attuned to such things (my roommate claims to not be able to notice a difference between the two), but in terms of visual quality, there's no comparison between what I'm seeing.

karblack - I think the fairest way to compare games is to pick a game which was simultaneously developed for each console. Picking a game developed for the X-box isn't a fair comparison unless the game was redesigned especially for the PS2. Since that will never happen, I will have to go with the way I compared.

edstein - Who was that directed to?

You expect an EA port from a PS2 game to Xbox to be significantly better?

You should use games that were made for the Xbox then ported to PS2 and see the difference (Hello Splinter Cell).

Read previous post. Where did you read that NCAA 2004 was ported from PS2 to Xbox?

I disagree -- multiplatform titles are usually developed with the lowest-common denominator in mind. That's not meant as a slam towards the PS2, but a game developed for multiple platforms isn't going to show you the potential of each as much as an exclusive title.

I would say that picking two similarly-themed titles acclaimed for their graphics for each system & released around the same time would be a fairer comparison.

Which two would you have in mind. I can't recall any PS2 and X-box game which have been acclaimed for their graphics being released at the same time. Maybe Halo 2 and Killzone? But that is in the future.

I love my XBox, and almost all the games I have for it, but EASports games BELONG on the PS2. Thats the controller you grew up playing them on, of course changing now is going to be dissapointing. I would try some other games (HALO, KOTOR, SC, BUFFY) before you make up your mind.

I recommend some better "demo" games than NCAA also (altho a solid football title, not really a pretty game to show off the Xbox).

Mech Assault, Halo, KOTOR, SC, Amped, etc. Maybe others can add more.

Well, the only ones that matter here are HL2, and Doom 3 I suppose....both of which will hit PC first, and look/play/feel/control much better than on any console. PC finally gets Halo as well (I remeber those damn halo commercials for pc like 4-5 years ago) with better everything of course, including new weapons and vehicles.

Why don't you rent Splinter Cell on both the Xbox and PS2. The Xbox is not only superior in the graphical department, but also RAM which affects frame rate, texturing and to a certain extent poly counts.
I also hated the controller at first, enough to the point where I was bashing the console on that aspect alone. However, like anything new you just need do become adjusted to it. I did, and later bought an S-controller, which IMO is the greatest ever made....

I am currently playing Splinter Cell on the PS2 (as stated in another thread). Sure, it isnt 100% up to par with the XBOX version, but it looks very impressive, and plays just as good. That was the only game that ever made me think of getting an xbox, but luckily I no longer have to :)

Did you play entirely through the Xbox version? Curious because some of the most visually impressive parts come in the middle and end of the game.

i used to think the ps2 controller was the best! but i've been playing so much xbox stuff (like KoTOR and motogp2) that i've gotten used to the xbox controller S.

now, when i grab the ps2 controller, it feels downright dinky... still good, but different if that makes sense.

Yeah, but the PS2 can do more FLOPS. I just didn't see anything impressive enough to make me go "I'm missing something".

See, I don't like the set-up of the S-controller as it is the only X-box controller I have used for an extended period of time. I may be in the minority, but is just the way it is.

Actually, just because you are not interested in the other games I listed does not make them any less, as you put it, major. It just means you are not interested in them. There is nothing wrong with posting an opinion but saying that these games don't matter is rediculous. They matter, just not to you. Obviously, KOTOR matters to someone since it has sold many xboxes to people, on this forum even, that we thought would never buy one.

edit: also, not everyone uses a PC to play games on anymore. It doesn't matter to some of us when HL2 and Doom 3 hit PC. I'll be buying my copies of these games on Xbox to play in the comfort of my living room. Can't buy them on PS2 and I am not upgrading my PC anymore just to play games.

Well, I suppose if you hook up a mouse/keyboard (even possible?) to the xbox, then HL2 and Doom 3 would be acceptable, but every true FPS fan knows that no controller works as good as that combo. I'm merely stating my opinion that for PC owners (which we all obviously are) and PS2/GC owners, theres no need to purchase an overhyped xbox. Yes, I do admit it is more powerful, has 5.1 etc, but the other negative things do not come close to making up for it.

I'll admit that a FPS is fun with a top of the line PC using the keyboard and mouse. I have however played Ghost Recon, Unreal Championship, Halo, and Return To Castle Wolfenstein on xbox and they have not suffered any, IMO, from having the s controller. They were still very fun. You now state that the xbox is overhyped??? I happen to own both a PS2 and Xbox and IMO the PS2 is overhyped. I only use my PS2 to play DVD's from time to time nowadays. There are many people on this very forum who will tell you that the dreamcast was superior to the PS2 but the Sony hype machine ruined it before it had a chance.

Heh, DC superior to PS2.....ya the DC was ok, but leave it to SEGA to kill a system before more than a handful of decent games came out. Comparing the DC to any current system is like comparing the N64 to the DC....go back and check out some DC games....none of them are on par with the good games of today, maybe the best games are on par with the worst xbox/ps2 games or something. Anyways, enough arguing for me...I will stick with my PS2/GC until the next gen and see what happens. I didn't even start this thread and I'm arguing in it...wierd :)