Games Consoles (PS2/Xbox etc)

[iceman]

Hey guys.

I'm looking into getting a games console for the kids, something like an Xbox or PS2.

Who's got one of these and can maybe give some feedback about which one is better and why?

Also, what are the cost of games etc?

I'm happy to buy the unit second hand, which is probably a much better option since the new consoles are coming out which should mean a good price on 2nd hand older units.

What are the pros and cons of each? Don't they also connect to the internet or something? Also can't they be used as a DVD/CD player?

Thanks for any feedback.

[Striker]

Hahahaha....yeah right Mike...just admit it....you want a games console for those overcast nights. send the kids into the spare room to watch video's and away you go.

I think their both good consoles......if I was to buy one I would definetly go for the PS2 only becuase their is more games available for this console....but I much prefer PC games.

As far as specs.....the Xbox has a better video card then PS2 but alot of the quality of the games are contributed by the game software more so then the video cards on both these Platforms.

Playing DVD's can only be done on the PS2 unless you install a mod chip into the Xbox.....

I am not 100% on these mods....and I wont go into other methods that are used..as these are illegal...and you will send me another PM......lol

Their both nice and cheap now...another thing to consider...they are bringing out a portable PS2 I think later this year...$400.


New PS2 portable (http://engadget.com/entry/1883446133489767)

[iceman]

Thanks Tony, just had a quick look at ebay, and 2nd hand Xbox's and PS2's go for "around" $200 (2nd hand), depending on how many games they come with etc.

[slice of heaven]

Now thats a nice can of worms to open Ice.

We have an Xbox here. And the kids have a PS2 at their mums.
Kids opinion...XBOX..unanimous

The Xbox has better graphics. Thats a FACT. It was designed and fine tuned with the best gameplay in mind.

PS2 has more games available for it than the XBOX. BUT the best games are on the XBOX.

They both are capable of CD & DVD playback but the PS2 DVD player is not a good unit for constant DVD playback. They wear out Quick.

Both have a new version to be released soon .The XBOX360 and the PS3.
The 360 will be out by Xmas. Like every game console it will have an inflated price at first.
So my opinion is the current XBOX is the pick of the 2 at the moment for quality games, PS2 for the variety.
Halo and Halo2 are the best first person shooters I've played.Only available on XBOX

Xbox live is booming for internet multiplayer games.
Sierra was making games mainly for PS2 as it was an easier format to use.
They've since jumped ship and are concentrating on XBOX and XBOX360 games because of the XBOX live market.

Slice

[ving]

I will echo tony's incredulous reply... for the kids, yep the kid hey! ;)

I have a ps2.
note that unless you mod the ps2 (which will void any warranty) you will only be able to play region 4. not sure about x-box's stance on this...
ps2 has more games avaliable than its MS counterpart.
as for games targeted at kids, the best platform is prolly nintendo.

I'd say go ps2 just because more of them are sold than any other console.

[slice of heaven]

DVDs are playable on both Striker.

XBOXs can be bought brand new for $199.

[iceman]

Will the Xbox 360 play Xbox games? I suppose there'll be new games just for the 360 which don't work on the xbox?

Where from?

The nintendo what?

Jacob has an older gameboy colour, and i'm not really keen to get a nintendo advance - i really think i'd prefer something that can hook into the TV, even though portability has its advantages.

[slice of heaven]

Is this really for the kids? or have you got itchy fingers Ice?

[slice of heaven]

I havent dealt into the specs on the 360 yet as there doesnt seem to be a final answer.They like to keep you guessing and hoping. The 360 was designed with what the users wanted in mind, they had an ongoing poll on their site for ages.
Their original intentions were to be able to play XBOX games on the 360 . As for vice versa I dont know
For the cheapest prices try the big department stores. Package deals come up often.
You can upgrade the XBOX for reasonable prices. MOd chips to play all regions and larger harddrives are the most common.
With the largest harddrive you load something like 40-50 games on it and play without the game disc installed.
The new release games are available for say $7 per night and being able to load them on the harddrive means.........

[ving]

nintendo game cube, mike.

[iceman]

nah it is for the kids.. i've got FPS games on my PC which I play from time to time (was my obsession before astronomy), so i'm not interested in getting into console gaming.. i don't need any other hobbies to take up my time :D

More games for PS2 is good, but there'd still be enough for Xbox, wouldn't there? It's not like I intend to buy 20 games or anything.

sssshhhh! :D

[iceman]

Ok so how does the NGC (game cube) compare to the PS2 or XBOX?

Features? Price? Games?

[ving]

http://www.nintendo.com/systemsgcn
ere you go..

[ving]

20 games from a huge range or from a smaller range?
:whistle:

[toetoe]

We have both consoles here and must say the xbox would be used more than the sony. Like what slice said, the xbox has the advantage of having a hard drive which my son has replaced with a bigger one so he has all his fav stuff on it with out having to find the cd, dvd, game or what ever. You can purchase remote controls for both units for watching dvd`s which make it so much easier than trying to use the hand controler on the games console. Thats all i can say about them as my sons play around with them, not me.

[iceman]

I'm not entirely interested in the DVD feature of either unit, since i've already got a DVD player.

The hard-drive sounds like a good feature.

[ving]

think it going to come down the the games you want to pl..... er, your kids are going to play mike. features mean nothing if there arent any games you/they like for the console. I'd say go to the dept store and look at the range of games for all platforms and let that be your deciding point.

[slice of heaven]

There is heaps of good quality kids games for the XBOX, more than any kid would ever play right through. We often buy the Australian XBOX Magazine which has demo discs with new games.
A lot of the demos are about all a kid needs for some games, some of the demo discs are the kids favourites but they wouldnt enjoy the full game any better.
Older games are available often for $25 brand new.

[ving]

you work for MS dont you slice! ;)

[iceman]

Thanks for all the help guys, i'm leaning towards an xbox. Will keep an eye out on ebay for some bargains.

[slice of heaven]

The Gamecube was outdated 2 months after it's release by the PS2. The PS2 was outdated by the XBOX 6 months later but you could play PS games on the PS2 which helped keep it in touch.

[MiG]

PS2 has Gran Turismo 4 on it whereas Xbox doesn't. That's all I care about.

[slice of heaven]

No I dont work for M$ Ving. lol
Its just that they have a good console and the development team and all those $$$$$$$ to do it.
If you get an XBOX Ice, dont forget about the Halo games.(Only to be played on legendary though.)

[slice of heaven]

How much better would you like to play GT4 if it didnt have square edges on the details in the graphics MiG? Or stutter.
I've seen V8 Supercars on PS2 and its a let down after playing it on the XBOX.

[ving]

gt4 would be great on m$-box slice... except it doesnt work on it.
like I said in an earlier post, check out the avaliable games at a dept store and base the decision on that...

I wouldnt buy nintendo if I wanted to play gt4... but would if i wanted to play mario or donkey kong...

[Striker]

Thanks Geoff...wasn't sure on that.

Something to note Mike.....I will try to put this in code....PS2 games can be played no matter what the source...wink wink...without affecting the warranty.

Xbox you lose the warranty by the use of a mod chip.

Both are great consoles...personal preference.

[toetoe]

Is it the xbox which is internet friendly??

[Comet Hunter]

Amen brother! :D

[slice of heaven]

Sorry Striker
Full warranty is still offered for XBOX with the mod chip depending on who fits and supplies it. Check the Trading Post and online gaming stores for various options.Some sell brand new Mod XBOXs with full warranty.

It still gets back to the fact they are gaming consoles and which one does the best job of it

[Astroman]

You could always wait till next year and get the xbox 360 :)

[silvinator]

Hey Mike, we have both an xbox and the nintendo gamecube. We sold the PS2 a year ago though as that was just overkill!
In terms of graphics, the xbox is the best by far. The gamecube comes next and last of all the PS2.
With regards to games, the PS2 does seem to have more games that are better but the xbox also has some very good games too. I love the gamecube games the best though. For the little ones, I think the gamecube games are more suited to their age - the xbox and PS2 games tend to be much more violent (except the resident evil games on the GC...that series freaks me out!)
In terms of price, you just have to know where to buy and when to buy. The majority of the games on the xbox and PS2 are way overpriced - expect to pay around $89-$99 retail at most shops. You're much better off getting these games used, most of ours are. GC games tend to be a tad cheaper at around $89, though I've seen some still retailing for $99 as well. Some have dropped down to $49-ish though as obviously, they are not as new now.
We are very happy with our xbox and GC. My final advice is this: if you are not too fussed about fancy features (like dvd playing capabilities, able to be modded - which in itself comes at a high price) and want family friendly games, then go for the gamecube. However, if you are looking for better graphics and more versatility in a console, then go for the xbox.
I hope this has been of some help :)

[ballaratdragons]

Mike,

Sorry to throw a spanner in the works but may I suggest the Nintendo 64. (everybody groans)

It has hardly any violent games which makes it perfect for kids and the whole set-up is cheap.

Consoles go for about $20 - $40 and games go for about $5 - $30

And it has the all time most famous collectable game of the century - Lylat Wars.

The kids at my boys school keep wanting to come over and play Lylat Wars and those kids have all the latest Xbox & PS2 games.

You would love Lylat Wars Mike. Even if you get them an Xbox, get yourself a Nintendo 64 and Lylat Wars!

It is a space adventure/challenge starring a Fox, a Rabbit, a Frog and an Eagle (sounds corny when I explain it). It is cooool!

Those of you that have played Lylat Wars know how great it is!

Tell him! Convince him!!

[robin]

Ok ...heres my 2bobs worth.My kids started out on the good old Nintendo 64. & when that started getting a bit basic, we went straight for the Gamecube.The graphics are excellent & although there's not near as many games as PS2 or XBOX, the ones my kids love are fun, colourful & timeless.They're not into shooting, slashing...any of that hardcore stuff. Just fun, action packed escapism.Gamecube has it all. Funny thing is....every so often they get all nostalgic & bring out the 64 with the Mario's, Banjo Kazooies & go-carts.
(No matter what console we would have, when their eyes are going square, the telly's off & the console is put away)

[slice of heaven]

The choice of games for kids on any format is at the parents discretion.
Most games produced for all major consoles are targeted at the market that has the money to buy them...teenagers up.
Sedate games dont get priority in marketing, but there are heaps available.
Of the 30 odd games owned by us and my brothers family only 3 are shoot em ups. The rest comprise of sports, racing and a wide range of arcade style games like Sonic, Shrek ,Crash Bandicoot,Finding Nemo,Scooby Doo,Harry Potter and so on.
And I agree with your last statement fully Robin.
The have to know its a privellage, not a right.

[iceman]

Thanks for all the advice..
I've been looking at gamecube's a bit more, and they actually seem a bit cheaper than the PS2 and Xbox.. can get a system for under $150, give or take, depending on how many games it's bundled with (2nd hand).

The good thing about the gamecube, is with "gameboy player" adapter, it can run all of the gameboy, gameboy colour and gameboy advance games - so there'd be all the games you will ever need.

So now the choice is between GC and Xbox.. I'm not interested in the DVD player, and the GC is a bit cheaper.. and we already have a gameboy colour with half a dozen games.. hmm..

[slice of heaven]

Here's an opinion from an 8yr old, Mike
If youve got a Gameboy the games are OK on the gamecube. But he'd rather play a full disc version than a gameboy cartridge on the Gamecube.In other words leave the gameboy games in the gameboy
He says the Advance games dont work in the gamecube.(you might want to check that out, I dont know if another adaptor is available)
He has a gameboy colour and plays them on his friends Gamecube.They have the full range of consoles. Why anyone needs 7 game machines I dont know.

He says XBOX rules.

[robin]

I will point out a couple of more things Mike.Gamecube does have a range of more mature stuff, they're not all cutesy games by a long shot.There are certainly shooting, slashing & fighting games in the catalogue. My 8 y.o loves his gamecube & out of the myriad games available, he really only plays about 8-10 of them.Over & over.Then one that has sat on the shelf for 6 months will be rediscovered & the hit of the week.They're colourful with happy music & funny characters.When he's a teenager he'll probably want something more high octane.Teenagers also want the popular brand names that everyone else has got & PS2/XBOX are them. Also, many teenagers swap games & if you've got a Gamecube & all your mates have PS2/XBOX then swapping a mini GC disk wont be on.Also, PS2/XBOX are more 'in your face' in the everyday media...there's glossy ps2 ads on TV or xbox banners at sporting arenas.Its sometimes easy to feel like the left out underdog with the Gamecube but I guarantee you, if your little ones sat down with my son, they'd be mesmerised by the colourful graphics, happy music & fun characters....wow!...that was longwinded!

[Striker]

I better agree with Geoff otherwise he's going tell me I'm wrong again...lol

Buy a full platform....go the Xbox...or a PS2.

[acropolite]

I've got an Xbox, got it free with my ADSL when Telstra had a push on. Xbox can even be hacked to run Linux and I have seen a media centre mod mentioned as well. There are plenty of good kid's games available as well. Games aren't that expensive if you buy carefully, wait until they've been released for a while and you usually get them for 50% or less of the original release price. If you're into petrolhead stuff Colin Mcrae Rally is good. (yeah I know it's just for the kids).... :D

[toetoe]

Some specs on the new consoles.
http://www.xbox.com/en-AU/xbox360/console.htm

http://au.playstation.com/index.jhtml
There is supposed to be stuff on the ps3 in here somewhere but i can`t find it.

[slice of heaven]

Heres a link for the PS3
http://www.macworld.com/news/2005/05/17/ps3/index.php
The 6mth jump by M$ might give them an advantage plus the fact the 360 will be easier to upgrade.
But they are both taking it to extremes and taking it way past whats needed for a kids gaming machine.

The 360 specs are still pre-release specs, what they are going to release is still unknown

[toetoe]

I agree with you slice, i think there aim is to make there consoles the heart of your entertainment system in the lounge room.

Mike: For basic game play for the kids, stick to the older consoles, no matter which way you go you will be able to have a good choice of games from either one.

[slice of heaven]

Exactly Toetoe