Games Consoles (PS2/Xbox etc)

iceman (Mike) · #1 16-05-2005, 12:11 PM

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 (Tony) · #2 16-05-2005, 12:30 PM

Quote:

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

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

iceman (Mike) · #3 16-05-2005, 12:34 PM

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 · #4 16-05-2005, 12:38 PM

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 (David) · #5 16-05-2005, 12:40 PM

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 · #6 16-05-2005, 12:40 PM

DVDs are playable on both Striker.

XBOXs can be bought brand new for $199.

iceman (Mike) · #7 16-05-2005, 12:47 PM

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?

Quote:

XBOXs can be bought brand new for $199

Where from?

Quote:

as for games targeted at kids, the best platform is prolly nintendo

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 · #8 16-05-2005, 12:49 PM

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

slice of heaven · #9 16-05-2005, 01:05 PM

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 (David) · #10 16-05-2005, 01:16 PM

nintendo game cube, mike.

iceman (Mike) · #11 16-05-2005, 01:17 PM

Quote:

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

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

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.

Quote:

The new release games are available for say $7 per night and being able to load them on the harddrive means.........

sssshhhh!

iceman (Mike) · #12 16-05-2005, 01:17 PM

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

Features? Price? Games?

ving (David) · #13 16-05-2005, 01:18 PM

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

ving (David) · #14 16-05-2005, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by iceman
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.

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

toetoe (Peter) · #15 16-05-2005, 01:21 PM

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 (Mike) · #16 16-05-2005, 01:23 PM

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 (David) · #17 16-05-2005, 01:26 PM

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 · #18 16-05-2005, 01:27 PM

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 (David) · #19 16-05-2005, 01:31 PM

you work for MS dont you slice!

iceman (Mike) · #20 16-05-2005, 01:32 PM

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