Gaming Systems

[VTChEwbecca]

As many of you seem to be of the gaming-system age, I was wondering if you could tell me which gaming system you prefer: Xbox or the Playstation II.

My husband and I have an original playstation, but we're not entirely sure where we want to make our next purchase. We don't have a ton of PS1 games, but we do have a few we love. We prefer sports games (American football and hockey), my husband enjoys a few war games (first person shooters) - though we're mostly getting the system for the former sports games, and a driving game here and there.

I've heard good/bad things about both and I'm leary of dealing with microsoft, because I simply don't trust them not to steal my money. I also suffer from a bit of motion sickness and can only handle certain viewpoints and games....would the better graphics of one or both systems help me, do you think?

Note: We did not grow up with videogame systems...me less than him. We both had old ataris, and I did not even play videogames besides a few computer games, until we bought our PS1 a few years ago. So, we're not exactly up with the technology. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Nicola]

Personally, I've only ever used a Playstation 1 and 2 so I can't advise you on anything else, but I "upgraded" my daughter to Playstation 2 last Christmas purely because she could carry on playing her favourite games from Playstation 1.

On a purely personal level, the only reason I bought it for her was because she'd done so well in karate that I thought she deserved it

I've heard good and bad things about both consoles so it will ultimately be your decision at the end of the day - sorry I wasn't much help

 

[Litany]

As many of you seem to be of the gaming-system age, I was wondering if you could tell me which gaming system you prefer: Xbox or the Playstation II.

Seems a little limited. I like neither of them.

I'm a Nintendo girl. In fact I just got my brand new shiny pink GBA SP yesterday. It's so lovely.

I had the original pink GBA, but the lack of light was getting to me, and the SP was so pretty and shiny and I couldn't help myself.

Anyhoo, we have a Gamecube and a fine machine it is too. Better graphics, speed and loading times than all that Sony nonsense. Of the two, if I didn't already have a PC, I'd get an X-Box. But I do have a PC, so I don't see much point. Got the Gamecube because the games are a bit quirkier and with the PC and the Gamecube you end up with a better variety of games, in my humble opinion. Plus the PS2 really is quite pants. You can always spot it when the screen shots for a game are on the PS2 rather than another console.

Second anyhoo, there's the PSX which combines a PS2 with a DVD player/writer and TV recording hard drive. Think that's out this year. All those gadgets rolled into one.

 

[phil_t]

We (Me & Ice) have a PS2 and a GBA SP - both of which are pretty cool systems that we havnt actaully played on all that much (the PS2 is buried somewhere among the pile of junk in my bedroom ). Ive played the X-Box and there are some good games - especially Halo if your husband is into First Person Shooters - as for sports games, well they are practically the same on both consoles, but if you use the PS1 controllers then you'll pick up the PS2 instantly as it is almost identical.

Phil

 

[Ruzi]

Well, the only systems we have now are ps1 and 2, n64 and gamecube, so I haven't tried xbox, but from the systems I have tried, I'm a ps2 person through and through. I like that the controllers, memory cards, and games from the ps1 can still be used, plus doubling as a dvd player. I've had it for a while and considering the abuse its taken, it's a tough little thing.

 

[bobbyburns]

the PS2 has a strange tendency to break down after a couple years, which sucks ballz ... so I'd stick with the X-box, it's much more powerful, but mainly because more and more games coming out nowadays are compatible with all three systems so you don't have to settle for a weaker console because your favorite game was only released on the PS2. I'm telling you, it's a weak console. but the X-box ... basically, microsoft released a computer with controllers, and I'm here to tell you, it'll blow your socks right through your fucking shoes.

buy it. when halo 2 comes out, you're gonna wish you had.

 

[Wabbit]

Yeah, Xbox is the way to go

Regards
SillyWabbit

 

[VTChEwbecca]

In fact, I did go with the XBox. A lot for the reasons mentioned by Bobby (I'd seen that same complaint elsewhere...thanks for the heads-up). XBox seemed the better deal and I certainly am impressed with the graphics.


I appreciate everyone's suggestions. I'd pretty much made up my mind before posting, but I just wanted a few more opinions, just to be sure.

Thanks again

 

[Stewart]

I have a PS2. I rarely play it though, preferring Championship Manager and Civilization, on my laptop, above all other games. Must admit, though, I had fun playing Manhunt and the GTA franchise. My friend bought Pop Idol as a joke and made us play it one Saturday when we didn't go out. It was fun for the first play. I don't think he's taken it out of its box since. At least I won - sung Livin' La Vida Loca in the final - poor performance but I got the wardrobe just right.

 

[VTChEwbecca]

We don't own a new PC (ours is a mixture of two put together from '97 to 2001), so we don't have the capabilities to play the newer computer games.

Not watching tv greatly increases our time to play games, as well. We love all sorts: board games, cards, video games, outdoor sports when its warm....I can't sit still, so video games work well for me.

 

[Stewart]

We don't own a new PC (ours is a mixture of two put together from '97 to 2001), so we don't have the capabilities to play the newer computer games.

New games, for the most part, seem to revolve around the First Person Shooter genre. Although they are fun for a while, they soon become tedious. Too much the same.

My favourite genre, the adventure is a dying breed. Rarely are any games still being made beyond the amateur scene. I still play and write text adventures (now called Interactive Fiction).

 

[VTChEwbecca]

New games, for the most part, seem to revolve around the First Person Shooter genre. Although they are fun for a while, they soon become tedious. Too much the same.

I've noticed that in the computer scene. I'm more into sports games, myself. I did enjoy the original Sim City, but never got into the newer ones and I quite enjoy good pinball games. On the computer, I like mind games the most, but I've never really been a fan of "interactive fiction."

 

[Litany]

I like adventure games, but good ones are few and far between these days. Also like puzzles, which is something the GBA is good for, and then stuff like Sim City, The Sims, Harvest Moon. Can't stand first person shooters, but I do enjoy a good stabbing game, like Neverwinter Nights, Dungeon Siege and Divine Divinity. Reason I like the Gamecube is that you get some quirky games on it that make a nice change from running round a series of corridors killing aliens/zombies/soldiers/psycopaths.

One game I'm looking forward to is WhiteDay. Survival horror but with no weapons. You work through it by solving puzzles, but it's good an gory as well.

 

[Wabbit]

New games, for the most part, seem to revolve around the First Person Shooter genre. Although they are fun for a while, they soon become tedious. Too much the same.

My favourite genre, the adventure is a dying breed. Rarely are any games still being made beyond the amateur scene. I still play and write text adventures (now called Interactive Fiction).

Jell-0

What about MUD ? Have you tried/like any of them? When I had more time to myself ( IE: When I was not working all the f*ing time ) I used to be quite into them.

Anybody else like/liked/tried MUD?

Regards
SillyWabbit

 

[Stewart]

I've used only one MUD - IFMUD. It's the online location, built by the interactive fiction community, awards ceremonies and exploring.

Although I like adventures, I've never liked RPGs. Whether it's the whole get item to give to other person quest, developing skills and 'levelling up', the magic, or....I don't know.

I used to like Fighting Fantasy as a kid.

 

[Wabbit]

Hmmmm

What about Mist and its sequels? I loved mist. Was not so fond of Riven because the puzzels got a little TOO abstract and they were spread over to large an area. Far too much wandering about and back tracking. I have not played the third one but am sure to buy it at some point in the future

Regards
SillyWabbit

 

[Stewart]

Hmmmm

What about Mist and its sequels? I loved mist. Was not so fond of Riven because the puzzels got a little TOO abstract and they were spread over to large an area. Far too much wandering about and back tracking. I have not played the third one but am sure to buy it at some point in the future

I loved Myst and Riven. Actually, talking of Myst III: Exile, I gave it to somebody in my old work on loan and, I moved last July. I just remembered that I never got it back.

I hadn't even completed it either.

 

[Wabbit]

Go get em! IT'S PAY BACK TIME!!!!

Yeah, those are great games. I completed Myst but not Riven. I will get them all again at some time. The atmosphere can't be beaten!

Regards
SillyWabbit

 

[Litany]

Hmmmm

What about Mist and its sequels? I loved mist. Was not so fond of Riven because the puzzels got a little TOO abstract and they were spread over to large an area. Far too much wandering about and back tracking. I have not played the third one but am sure to buy it at some point in the future

The third one is a lot better than the second. With Riven I got fed up of traipsing back and forth all over the place to solve each and every puzzle. And the puzzles themselves were buggering hard too. With Exiles, the puzzles were more self contained and limited to specific areas. And it was gorgeous. Without spoiling too much, there's this one island with this funny roller coaster thing and it was fantastic fun to play with.

 

[Stewart]

Without spoiling too much, there's this one island with this funny roller coaster thing and it was fantastic fun to play with.

Grrrr! Silly rollercoaster! Bad rollercoaster!