Console Wars

[Chrono5788]

Well, it's Microsoft vs. Nintendo vs. Sony, and here's what I think...

Microsoft: I don't understand what everyone's beef with it is. X-Box's hardware is far superior to that of the other two consoles, and it uses the DirectX 9 platform, which should be attracting a TON of PC developers. And, in case you don't know, there's a lot of them. Also, X-Box Live! is a pretty stable and good service, by far the best online console gaming I've experienced.

Sony: I don't know, the way they rely on so many 3rd-party developers kind of turns me off, but I know their current system is a good one. Now that they DO have a system that can run in resolutions above 1x1, I've been much happier, and games like Onimousha, Devil May Cry, Dance Dance Revolution, Metal Gear Solid 2 (games, not stories), and Grand Theft Auto make me tingle with joy, but then again, 3/4 of those games have been ported to X-Box, though the ports have been failures on the developers part (save GTA). I dunno, I think that someone might realize that life's better with faster hardware, and it could change the tables in the war very fast, as Sony doesn't have absolute control over it's developers. I don't know what's going to happen, but I do think that Microsoft will eventually become a major threat.

Nintendo: I'm a fanboy, and I love GameCube: Metroid: Prime, Soul Calibur II, Viewtiful Joe, Pikmin, Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes, Animal Crossing, Eternal Darkness, and a lot more I can't remember at 12:45 AM live on that console, and they're all games I'll buy if I haven't already. I don't quite understand why they're losing, either... Barely any of my friends use their consoles for online play, which is, from what I'm to understand, is giving PS2 it's advantage (that and a LOT of games), and GameCube's hardware is also superior to that of Playstation's. On top of that, you'd think the endless supply of good 1st party (OH YEAH! Mario Party! Add that to the list) would help keep it competitive, but for some reason it's failing. I don't get it, I really don't...

Come and discuss (in a nice, civilized, and pretty[Women need to be clothed] manner)

 

[Super_vegito34]

Im a nintendo fan too, you missed out on the Zelda series in your list, unless you don't like it. I think nintendo are losing because the online capabilities, although most people don't make use of online play, extra features such as that, DVD players, headsets (socom), the eyetoy and more of a range of games make people more interested in that console even if they're not neccesarily going to make use of them. It makes the console more appealing. (I do know not everyone buys consoles because of that reason). Nintendo does have Phantasy star online, and you can play GC LAN games over the net using your computer and modem and some cables: www.warppipe.com

IMO I would rather have a good computer than an X-box, I hate the controllers and they're huge. The graphics aren't as good as people say they are and I think HALO is overrated. PS2s are my second choice after GCs, they have some great titles: Final fantasy, GTA etc. They also have a lot of games. GCs are my fav. though. Besides Final Fantasy, a lot of games that GC and PS2 both have, the GC versions are better eg. The Matrix has better graphics and controls on GC, DBZ budokai took way longer to come out on GC but it has better graphics when it loads(and I counted): in duel mode for example, on GC the loading radar spins 2.5 times, PS2 30 times.
I think the GC controller is the best of the three. It has less games but they don't advertise enough. There are way more games out than some people think. Games like Zelda and Metroid which are only for GC, have great graphics and gameplay, and hardly have a loading time.

Nintendo are falling behind in sales because they are about a year behind in time. They're waiting longer than everyone else because they want to do it right, like they waited to go online. I think to stay in contention they need to speed up thier releases.

Its just my opinion though, it depends what you like.

 

[Alteh]

Woh wat is that warpipe thing. Does it allow you to play games with other people on the internet or just land with people in the same house/area.

 

[Super_vegito34]

Woh wat is that warpipe thing. Does it allow you to play games with other people on the internet or just land with people in the same house/area.

To tell you the truth Im not entirely sure, because Im not going to get warppipe until I get a Broadband Adapter for my GC but I think its within your region, like Australia and England or something like that, but I think I saw on the site that they are going to try to make it international or something. It will support all LAN games though apparently. Im not an expert on it, the site can probably answer more than I can.

 

[Optimus Prime]

Microsoft: I don't understand what everyone's beef with it is. X-Box's hardware is far superior to that of the other two consoles, and it uses the DirectX 9 platform, which should be attracting a TON of PC developers. And, in case you don't know, there's a lot of them. Also, X-Box Live! is a pretty stable and good service, by far the best online console gaming I've experienced.

All the hardware in the world can't make up for the fact that Xbox's lineup is about as exciting as the NBA Eastern Conference. (For those of you who didn't get that, about as exciting as watching paint dry.)

Saying the Xbox is a good system because it's powerful is like saying you made a great painting because you used the best set of paints.

- Maddox, 09-24-02.
__________________

Here's where I stand, I have always been loyal to Sony. My reasons? Playstation/2 has the most games I want to play. (In fact, I'm sure this is the reason why PS2 dominates the market, variety.)

I don't hold my ire on Xbox because it's made by Microsoft, I hold my ire against it because they havn't made any games that I would consider buying yet. Halo looked good, then they ported it to PC. That and the hideous controller of which 25% of the space is taken up by that huge green jewel. (Just in case you forget which console [and I use the term <i>console</i> loosely] you're playing)

Nintendo appealed to me when I was younger, and now I've grown out of it, sure there are some games I would play, I'll admit it, but I'm not going to buy a console for 2 games. Nintendo fails to appeal to the older market.

 

[KyoKusanagi]

It may be just me but i don't see Nintendo regaining their top dog status anytime soon - its really just past their day and unfortunately they may end up like Sega did. I've owned Nintendo consoles in the past and although i've never regretted buying them, they're had always been something about their lack of mature gamer focus that turned me off their products. Nintendo has always thought of themselves as toy makers which is really what sets them apart from Sony and Microsoft - which also happens to put off many of the older gamers.

I know there are a number of non kiddy games on the Gamecube but not enough top satisfy my gaming needs which is why I bought a PS2 - seeing as simulation, fighting, racing and survival horror games are more my style. Also the strange control system and lack of multimedia applications (e.g. DVD, CD etc) annoyed me (i know the Panasonic Q-Box can play DVDs and the like but I don't want that).

At one point I did consider purchasing an X-Box but the sheer size of the machine itself was a turn off (since i take my console around with me a fair bit - to my friends houses) that and the X-Box lacked 2D fighting games (Street Fighter III 3rd Strike is coming to PS2).

As for the PS2s lack of processing power you have to remember how old the machine is. The hardware used to create the system is already 5 years old - and considering it can run the same games as the X-Box and GCN and PC, its a damn good indicator of just how capable the system is. One look at Gran Turismo 4 should tell you that the PS2 is still giving as good as its getting.

In any case all three systems are great entertainment and if I had the money, i would probably buy them all but of course I can't. So I carefully assessed my gaming needs and wants and made the purchase based on that - rather than follow a "GCN pWnz j00 4ll!" mentality.

 

[DiebytheSword]

DirectX 9 you say?

That's an impressive feat for a GeForce3 and 1/2 that can't possibly support pixel shaders in hardware . . .

DirectX 7 or 8 is more like it.

 

[Tassadar]

I cannot wait until consoles finally die out and people stop arguing over stupid crap like this. PC is superior to all of them.
But on-topic, in terms of the so called 'console-war,' Sony obviously has the upper hand, to them the competitors are nothing but bugs that won't go away.

 

[Chrono5788]

DirectX 9 you say?

That's an impressive feat for a GeForce3 and 1/2 that can't possibly support pixel shaders in hardware . . .

DirectX 7 or 8 is more like it.

It's a custom chipset nVidia made that was built with a degree of DirectX 9 functionality.

Ninja Gaiden, Project Gotham Racing 2, Crimson Skies II, Jet Set Radio: Future, Gun Valkyire, Unreal Championship, Capcom vs SNK 2, Dead to Rights, planned ports for Doom III and Half-Life 2, House of the Dead III, the Hitman series, the Hunter series (Hunter: The Reckoning), MechAssault, Steel Batallion, Panzer Dragoon Orta, Rayman 3...

Granted, this list took a little thinking, but I could see people migrating to X-Box. Even though I could see, just as easily, more people developing for PS3 instead.

[EDIT] And they make an official smaller controller, most of the new stock consoles come with them. And I would take a good computer over an X-Box, as well, but the problem with that...
Good Computer: $1,600
X-Box: $150