Which console to buy?

[Skyclad1uhm1]

I'm thinking of buying a console with a few games for the little sisters (8 and 9) and brother (12) of a friend of mine. To prevent total carnage in fights over who gets to play I'd prefer multi-player games. They've played games on my PC, and seemed to mostly like: RtCW, GTA2 and other 'racing' games.

Still waiting for the prices to drop a bit (X-Box price will be dropping in the next few weeks, Gamecube dropped already, dont know about PS2), but if I can get decent games with an older (cheaper) system I'm interested in that as well. They wouldn't mind playing a bit older games either probably.

 

[datalink7]

For the younger crowd I think Gamecube is a pretty good option.

 

[murphy55d]

I just bought an XBox but if this is for younger kids I agree, go with the GameCube.

 

[Kadarin]

This strikes me as a bit odd (maybe I'm out of touch with kids these days), but two little girls, ages 8 and 9, are into RtCW?

 

[datalink7]

<< This strikes me as a bit odd (maybe I'm out of touch with kids these days), but two little girls, ages 8 and 9, are into RtCW? >>



Yah, I didn't see that. Hmm... if they are into RTCW, maybe get the XBOX (Halo rules). XBox is the best system of the three overall IMO, just for the younger crowd nintendo titles are generally a lot of fun (all the mario and zelda stuff. Not that older can't enjoy those as well). But if they like RTCW... maybe the XBox?

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

<< This strikes me as a bit odd (maybe I'm out of touch with kids these days), but two little girls, ages 8 and 9, are into RtCW? >>



I was playing it when they visited, and of course they wanted to know what I was doing and wanted to try it as well.
It's their brother who played it mostly (they aren't good enough yet with keyboard/mouse combo), but they managed to actually aim better a little while than I did (They were being fired at from a roof far away, and I was just about to tell them that by keeping the mouse key pressed they could fire faster when they fired 2 bullets, knocking him off the roof :Q)

Edit: Typo fixed.

P.S. They played it together too, one using the mouse for aiming/firing, the other moving :Q

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Thought about it a while, I haven't seen/played Halo yet so I don't know how that is set up, but can that be played multi player on one console/TV? They don't have internet... And if it's single player only, how is it done? Does it get boring once you finish the game? I finished JK II in one day in Jedi mode, figure it will only take me half a day in Jedi Master now that I know the puzzles and tactics. Don't want them to finish it in that time, would be a waste of money (games are, just like music CDs, bloody expensive here. Just checked and Halo was (in an expensive store) 69.99 Euros, about $62.31).

Edit: Typo master strikes again!

 

[tweakmm]

Square is going to be making games for Gamecube
'nuff said

although, had you asked me before Sqaure anounced the news, I would have said PS2

 

[royaldank]

I think a lot of people are waiting on the GameCube to see if they actually make games for it. N licensing and approval is the toughest in the business and the N64 suffered from this. Sure, carts were more expensive to produce, but half the problem was related to N's process of game approval. I wouldn't mind buying a GC right now, but I fear that it will become like the N64 and have only 2 or 3 good games per year, and only 10 or 12 to pick from each year.

But, they seem to be getting quite a few games so far. If they keep it up, it could be a wonderful system.

XBOX is great, but could die from competition. Dreamcast is a great system, but it died from the competition.

Looks like if you want a sure fire thing, PS2 is the way to go since it allready has a huge library. But, you'll pay for that choice in a year when it is hitting it's hardware limits (some say it is starting to max out allready with games like Jak and Daxter) and the GC and XBOX are easily surpassing them in graphics and overall performance of games.

 

[Toasthead]

I too would suggest GameCube, its less expensive and more kid friendly games

 

[Ameesh]

i would say xbox, cause in a couple of years theyll appreciate it more too. the mario games get old fast.

 

[ragiepew]

I have both an xbox and gamecube and while I do prefer the xbox, for younger kids I'd suggest the gamecube simply because most of their games are tailored to a younger audience. Sure SSB: Meele is fun for adults too but its also nice for the kids.

If you're going to be spending time on it then I'd suggest the xbox... so far it has better games, more games, better graphics, and better audio (IMHO before everyone dumps on me). I dont think xbox will die out from competition... i believe that MS will do everything to ensure its survival. xbox also has a ton of games coming for it... dont know about gamecube... just recently picked it up, i've had the xbox since November.

Anyway... either system is a good buy... hell I think that the PS2 would be a great buy if it was a bit cheaper. Anyway, wait until E3 as that is when everyone expects Sony and Nintendo to drop prices... maybe even MS.

 

[Vette73]

Well if you want a system that is going to last and has not even had its best games out yet, then get the X-Box.

If you want something cheap get a Sega Dreamcast, their are I think about 300games and if you have high speed internet you can download games and burn them to a CD. I have a dreamcast

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Thanks, I'll see if prices drop a bit more anytime soon (Gamecube dropped from 249 Euros to 199 already), hard to pick which one though.
Any ideas on the multi player games? That would be a reason for me to pick a certain console.

 

[ragiepew]

if you're looking for multiplayer gaming then the one to get is the xbox... xbox live (or whatever its called) is the main reason a lot of people bought the xbox to begin with. Anyway, if you have cable/dsl i'd go w/ xbox.

xbox pricess in europe dropped too so that ought to make you're decision a bit tougher... good luck.

 

[TwoMix]

Buy a DreamCast I got it like 2months ago. It was like $40 and there are over 500 games for it! And everything is dirt cheap for it!

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

<< if you're looking for multiplayer gaming then the one to get is the xbox... xbox live (or whatever its called) is the main reason a lot of people bought the xbox to begin with. Anyway, if you have cable/dsl i'd go w/ xbox.

xbox pricess in europe dropped too so that ought to make you're decision a bit tougher... good luck. >>



That's the problem, they don't have an internet connection
X-Box still is 299 Euro (compared to the Gamecube being 199), so it's still a lot more expensive, especially if you can't find a good deal with free games.

Does the Dreamcast offer good quality video/sound, and does it have multiplayer games too?
Also, are there still new games being released for it? And can it play DVDs?

 

[SALvation]

The Dreamcast has nice graphics and sound, but not as nice as the PS2, Xbox, or Gamecube. There are a ton of great games for it, and the hardware is super cheap.

The downside is that no games are being made for it, no new systems are being made, and it can't play DVD's.

Personally I have a PS2. I'll buy a GameCube when Zelda and Mario come out but I have no plans for an Xbox...yet.

 

[ElFenix]

dreamcast still probably has more great games for it than PS2. maybe not. it took a long time for the PS2 to get out even a handful of quality games. sony's marketing BS killed DC a year and a half before you could even walk into a store and buy a PS2, and almost 2 years before there were more than 5 good titles.

 

[StageLeft]

Ps2 or Xbox. GC is a pathetic joke for kids.

 

[Smolek]

<< I have an XBox and think its awesome, but if this is for younger kids I agree, go with the GameCube. >>

 

[TranceNation]

girls dont play video games. get thems something else

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

<< girls dont play video games. get thems something else >>


These do I'm afraid, the moment they drop by with their family the first thing they do is head for my computer

Anyway, I want to give a present to the whole family, so a DVD playing gameconsole would rock.

 

[washedout]

Halo has excellent multiplayer options: there's a 2player co-op mode where you can work as a team (on the same tv) through the entire single player campaign, and there are a TON of multiplayer games. The system is designed for four player on one xbox/tv, but if you have some friends with xboxs, you can link them to play up to 16 players on 4 tvs. There is nothing better than a little 8 player capture the flag with everyone in the same room talking trash to each other...

xbox also has a game called hunter coming out in 3 weeks, which features 4 player coop, and further down the pipeline will be brute force and unreal tournement, all of which are designed around multi-player events.

The gamecube has SSB:M which is a very addictive fighting game. Aside from that, I can't think of a couple of good multiplayer games that aren't the standard racing/fighting fare.

Hope that helps.

PS2 isn't really geared towards multi-player, though cookies & cream is supposed to be fun...

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

<< Halo has excellent multiplayer options: there's a 2player co-op mode where you can work as a team (on the same tv) through the entire single player campaign, and there are a TON of multiplayer games. The system is designed for four player on one xbox/tv, but if you have some friends with xboxs, you can link them to play up to 16 players on 4 tvs. There is nothing better than a little 8 player capture the flag with everyone in the same room talking trash to each other...

xbox also has a game called hunter coming out in 3 weeks, which features 4 player coop, and further down the pipeline will be brute force and unreal tournement, all of which are designed around multi-player events.

The gamecube has SSB:M which is a very addictive fighting game. Aside from that, I can't think of a couple of good multiplayer games that aren't the standard racing/fighting fare.

Hope that helps.

PS2 isn't really geared towards multi-player, though cookies & cream is supposed to be fun... >>



Thanks!

Think it will be between X-Box and Gamecube then, hope they'll drop their prices even further