[jm_etue]

OK, I've finally decided to ask for help.

But you guys scare me! (I thought the Display Devices forum was tough!)


I want to add a console this Christmas mainly for my 12 year old daughter.

D geeks say YEA RIGHT - FOR HIS DAUGHTER... )


I dont care about online or multiplayer yada yada yada.

I dont care about 720p or 1080i (but yes to 480p!) or hard drive add-ons.

Not really big on 1st-person shooters or many sports games (one or two maybe).


My last console was a Super Nintendo (I loved it!) so any of these systems will probably blow me away.


I like some of the classic arcade games on some of these systems.

I have a 2 year old who will be bugging the 12 year old to play it, too.


So the way I see it, I want something that has reliable hardware, comfortable game play and not too steep a learning curve, but will have the next BIG games put out for it for a couple years.


She likes the Harry Potter, Star Wars and The Sims type PC games.


If I were making the decision just for me, I think it would be the GameCube,

but I like the DVD player on the new sff PS2, and right now it seems to have all the BIG games on it.


All 3 consoles have nextGen units in development - will I be able to play current games on those systems?


And X-Box really seems better suited to you more serious gamers - but I dont want to bore my techie 12 yr old daughter (or her friends!)


I really respect all of your opinions I've read, I just thought I might get a clearer choice with an explanation of my situation.


Thanks in advance for all your help - AND AWAY WE GO

 

[NoThru22]

I own all three consoles and I'd say I play Xbox 85% of the time, Gamecube 10%, and PS2 5% (if that. I probably play the Dreamcast more, not counting Samba De Amigo for my excercise.) If you want a system with DVD capability, I'd say Xbox, because a PS2 costs the same but is technically inferior in many different ways. Ruling out the DVD capability, I'd actually say get the Gamecube because it's nearly as powerful as the xbox but also has a lot of games that you and your daughter would appreciate. And since DSchroll is taking a break from the forum, I'll tell you he'd vote the Gamecube too (duh.)

 

[jm_etue]

GameCube is what I was thinking at first (especially w/ a 2 yr old), but PS2 does have some cheap games (bargain PS1 etc) and because of the variety I'm sure at least 1 or 2 of them would be fun for my 2 yr old to play.


But whatever next big movie or PC action/adventure/RPG games come out don't always make it to GameCube.


It seems PS2 will probably be viable for HIP games a little longer - and may be compatible with PS3 or whatever.

 

[Richard Paul]

The PS2 has the widest selection of games by far and the PS3 will be backward compatible with it. For younger children platformers like Sly Cooper, Jak and Daxter, Darkened Skye, Ratchet and Clank may tip the balance to the PS2. On the other hand the X-box does have 480p for almost every game and has better graphics. I would recommend the PS2 but the X-box would work well too.

 

[ChrisFB]

If 480p is a firm criteria it basically rules out PS2. Very few games support it. Gamecube has a number of games (make sure you get a console that allows for component video out as they are discontinuing it). With Xbox, you really get the best audio/video combo for home theater users but with children that age Gamecube has the games that are fun for kids as well as the whole family. Gamecube is still a close second in graphics and audio but PS2 is way back there. Xbox is the only system that offers any 720p/1080i games but they are very few and far between and nearly every major release is 480p so they tend to be mostly oddball titles without much in the way of eye candy anyway (Amped 2, Soul Caliber 2 being a few of the exceptions).


As far as a DVD player, I don't think any of the consoles are much good. The new PS2 may support 480p DVD but Xbox definitely does not (unless modded). That being said the DVD player in the Xbox is marginally better from what I've heard. GC is a no-go for DVDs, wrong drive.

 

[Swat_R2]

I sold my PS2 as it was collecting dust, my Gamecube gets some play from time to time, but by far my Xbox gets the most action.


Why settle for a low quality version of the same game? And if you want 480p then you want to avoid the PS2. It hasn't aged well.


Then again, it does have some nice exclusives, so that makes it a somewhat necessary evil.

 

[SMac770]

Don't forget the X-Box is significantly larger and significantly louder than the PStwo (the 70000 model which just came out / is out, depending on who you talk to).


And I assume notthru22 wasn't commenting that the PStwo is technically inferior for DVD playback, unless he's ready to explain exactly how. And the PStwo won't require you to shell out more money to enable DVD playback, although the remote is handy (and cheap at $15 MSRP).


And looking at my Q4 games to buy (PS2 only: Ace Combat 5, Grand Theft Auto SA, Gran Turismo 4; XBox only: Halo2), I'll clearly be spending much more time on my PS2 than on my XBox.


But the GameCube would be the better system for the games you're kids are likely to want I would think. While the PS2/PStwo has some nice collections of older/simpler games, my 6-year old nephew has had little problem picking up modern games on his GameCube. And Mario Party can be a lot of fun for a group game. None of the controllers are little hands friendly, but a buddy of mine has a couple of "midget" GameCube controllers which my niece and nephew can handle quite easily (she's only 3).

 

[Swat_R2]

I agree with SMac, go for a GC. It's cheap, has a lot of great 1st party kids games (as well as some mature titles), has an amazing wireless (cheap) 1st party controller, and is cheap.


Looks better than PS2, promotes fun local multiplayer. Good stuff

 

[Hellraiser]

I say get an xbox. This system is not just for the tech savy geek types...you'd be hard pressed not to find a game that is not on both xbox and ps2 at this point in the game. Most of the time the xbox version is the better looking and smoother running version of the game.


Both have exclusive games you'll want to play...but chances are...anything that's a ps2 exclusive thats not a role playing game (or sony owned) will make its way onto xbox...xbox exclusives rarely make their way on to ps2.


you might want to play the new grand theft auto game...seems like a ps2 exclusive but chances are ...6 month to 1 year from now it will prob make its way onto xbox...you'll just have to wait for it. Definitely not appropriate for a 12 year old though.


Sure, you will have to buy a dvd playback kit ...but if you buy a ps2 you'll have to buy a memory card...either way..you are shelling out 20 bucks which ever console you get. Chances are you'll end up having to buy a couple memory cards with the ps2 though. You'll NEVER have to buy one with a xbox.


Plus..you'll be able to use that hard drive in the xbox for music as well. My xbox is as much a game console as it is an music player. More bang for the buck.


As a super nintendo fan...you'll enjoy a game cube...but I've ruled that out because you said you wanted the dvd feature.


either way u go, definitely check this game out..its called "beyond good and evil"...its an awesome game...yound and older people both enjoy it.


and it has a female as the main character (good for girls to see women in video games right?). you can pick it up for 20 bucks or less on all the consoles....but again..it will look much better on an xbox if your tv is supports progressive scan.


my 2 cents...

 

[Dean Martin]

I have to say right now not to buy any consoles. They are all closer to the end of their life than the beginning.

Treat yourself and your family to a brand new PC with a good video card and sound capability so you won't run into problems.


Sure you will spend a couple of G's but you will have a decent rig and be able to play thousands of games from the past and thousands into the future.

If you really want the game console experience I suggest this:
http://www.alienware.com/product_det...de=SKU-DEFAULT
http://www.alienware.com/Images/prod...5_hdr_shot.jpg

It's a media center, game console, DVD player, PC and PC game console all in one unit.

 

[Swat_R2]

I can't believe Master Chief just said to buy a PC and not an Xbox!


That's a slick PC. The problem is though is that your games will run fine for a year to maybe 2 years tops, then you have to invest in a 400-500 (of 200-300 if you want just "decent" quality) in a new card. And that new card plays well with those hot new Intel CPU's, so you need that. Then you need a new motherboard. Oops, that motherboard only runs on PCxxx RAM. You see what I'm getting at.


Not to mention that it's never plug and play when it comes to games. PC gaming is still in the realm of the computer nerd (like me) who doesn't mind spending a few hours to tweak his gaming experience to get it just right.


*Edit* Just checked out that Alienware link, looks like this PC is trying to provide console like ease of use, that's definitely a step in the right direction.

 

[NoThru22]

Yes, Xbox 4 comes out in 2011. You shouldn't game at all until then.

 

[Chacranajxy]

I've got all the current systems (barring N-Gage and Gameboy because those don't count) and I can tell you for sure that PS2 is the best. I really like RPG games and action games, so PS2 appeals to me the most. Gamecube is best for adventure games, but it doesn't have much in the way of anything else. XBox is best for FPS games and sports games and has the most robust online service. I'd go with PS2 though simply because it's got the most quality games and the games on there are simply fantastic.

 

[mrcalypso]

Xbox is my favorite system but for a 12 yr old girl you should probably go with a gamecube. Games like mario kart, mario party, sonic and even animal crossing are great for adults as well as kids.

 

[Wakey]

Quote:

Originally posted by mrcalypso Xbox is my favorite system but for a 12 yr old girl you should probably go with a gamecube. Games like mario kart, mario party, sonic and even animal crossing are great for adults as well as kids.

I 2nd. this statement.. Get the component cord for 480p & the wireless wavebird controller since it's the best wireless controller on the market.


The console market being closer to the end was funny

 

[Dean Martin]

Quote:

The console market being closer to the end was funny

If that'w what you read then you need to read more carefully.


Yes, I have turned to the dark side and am a PC gamer now.

Quote:

*Edit* Just checked out that Alienware link, looks like this PC is trying to provide console like ease of use, that's definitely a step in the right direction.

Yes, that system employs the Discover console which allows most PC games to be dropped in and played.

The system also uses an AMD athalon chip, not Intel. The MB based on VIA K8T800 Pro chipset .

 

[Monstermile]

I'd agree a GC for kids. I bought my 12 y/o daughter a PS2 and she can't seem to find any games she wants. There are alot more non-violent, kid oriented fun games for kids on the GC. But your gaming pleasure there are plenty of great games on the PS2 that are also available for the GC.

 

[Swat_R2]

Quote:

Yes, that system employs the Discover console which allows most PC games to be dropped in and played. The system also uses an AMD athalon chip, not Intel. The MB based on VIA K8T800 Pro chipset . [/b]

Yup, I was making a general point on the state of PC gaming and how much more it actually can cost than console gaming. I love AMD.

 

[Dean Martin]

Really, a console like the Cube would be more than adequate for a 12 year old but since this console is relatively new and I am a PC gamer I thought I would throw it out there. PC games aren't as hard to get running as they used to be.

 

[FrankJ.Cone]

A PS2 is the way to go for almost anyone new to consoles. More kids games than either a GC or XBox as well as more adult oriented games. Unless you are a die hard FPS gamer (And it has a few gems) the PS2 has every last genre covered.