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19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
Im confused, 2 Jun 2004
Ok, so most people tend to champion one console over another, claiming different things about each and never really saying anything about them. So I am here, as a neutral commentator to see if I can offer anyone out there who has had as much trouble as me (in deciding which console to go for) a little bit of clarity. I have owned an Xbox since January (after not owning a console since my megadrive and SNES days when I was 12!). Yesterday I finished my university finals and decided I deserved a treat. So, wanting something substantial for what little money I have, I decided to pick up a Gamecube second hand from Game. I was lucky enough to get a choice and got a really classy silver version which was in pristine condition. I got 3 games, Mario Kart, Mario Sunshine and Joe Viewtiful. I decided on these games for one main reason. I own the Xbox, and in my personal opinion, nothing around today can match (or come anywhere close) in terms of graphics, sound or control. I bought Ninja Gaiden last week, and if you need any proof of the Xbox's capabilities simply go to www.gamespot.com and look at the screenshots. It's the most incredible thing you have ever seen on a console. I figured I'd get the Gamecube because, in terms of serious games (the Splinter Cells, Ninja Gaidens of the world, the PS2 offers those games in a vastly reduced graphical and sonic format. The PS2 may offer a HUGE selection of games, but then again, the proportion of good-to-bad games rises as the output does also. The best games you'll find on the PS2 are also available for the Xbox (and certainly this will increase at an incredible pace over the next months). I remembered back to my days on the SNES and how I loved Mario (and more specifically Mario Kart) and I chose to opt for the Gamecube as it offers a more "game-related" experience; cartoony fun etc. Of course, more and more games are coming out that showcase its abilities for the adult market. I'll be honest, I have been trying to decide whether I made the right choice not getting the PS2... Simply because it offers a nice little package with a huge choice, and seems to ready to stay for another 2 years 'til the PS3 is released. The Gamecube's future on the other hand looks more uncertain... which is a shame. I am sure the reason for this is the lack of range in its catalogue as well as the slightly tacky looking cube design. And it's purple. This is the only thing that worries me; whether this will stand the test of time. While Sony create consoles that are backwards compatible, it is unlikely that Nintendo will do the same. Anyway, that's a little off-track. I want to say that graphically speaking, the Gamecube is right up there with the Xbox in most places; you may notice slightly less crisp graphics on some comparable games, but both consoles tear the Playstation 2 to shreads. Of course, many argue against this being a valid criticism of the PS2, and I can understand why... It is after all, the GAMES that matter. I can't confess to know a lot about games for the different consoles, I have only played about 12 on the Xbox, 3 on Gamecube and maybe 4 or so on the PS2. I wasn't until January particularly interested in taking up this hobby so I missed out on a lot of the progression of the Playstations. I can be honest and say, on the whole I think I made the right decision in ignoring the PS2, because I don't have much of an interest in having as many games as I can afford; I just want a few great games to pass some time, maybe play with some mates over a beer or play with my nephews. As a 23 year old I'm happy with the Xbox's techinical capabilities, which these days are being fully exploited and are leaving the PS2 in the shade. The Gamecube is such a small package, but it must be said, with the size of it, and the size of the discs (tiny), it cannot fail to impress. It is a tiny machine with a huge heart. I didn't find the controller that attractive until I play it, and while the PS2's controller may be the coolest looking, both the new Xbox controllers and the official Gamecube controllers are well on a par with the PS2's in terms of functionality and comfort. Of the games I have played on both the Xbox and PS2 it must be said that the Xbox games offer a larger, more varied and more impressive gaming experience (i.e. Medal Of Honor, Frontline), while the exclusive titles for the Gamecube have helped its plight immensely; Who can argue with games like Mario or Zelda?? This is a bit of an unstructured review, but I just wanted to get across what I think the main problems are when coming to decide (if one must) between the consoles. Certainly they have been my main obstacles and my main reasons for buying the consoles I have bought. I do love the odd gadget, but I think the "integrated" idea of dvd players is no reason to choose one console over the other. I think in this sense the Gamecube has it right; it's stuck to games. If you want the dvd player of course, then it's PS2 or Xbox, but |
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