A VERY detailed comparison and opinion of the X-Box, GameCube, and PS2

Here you go:

Microsoft Xbox

Price: $299

Main Processor: Custom Intel Pentium III, 733 MHz

Graphics Processor: 250 MHz NVidia "XGPU"

Polygons per Second: 125 million (raw, no game effects engaged)

System Memory: 64 MB

Audio Channels: 256

Media Format(s): Standard CD-ROM and DVD-ROM discs (with 650 MB - 4.7 GB of storage)

On-line Gaming: The Xbox supports Broadband only service with a built-in connector (you folks with only 56k dial-up service are out of luck). Microsoft decided to go with a Broadband-only strategy to optimize the on-line experience. Microsoft vows to have the Xbox on-line in the summer of 2002, and according to the Xbox website, you will be required to subscribe to Microsoft's network, for an as yet disclosed price.

Plays DVD-Video discs and CDs: Yes (plays DVDs only with accessory kit - $30)

Recommended Accessories: extra controller ($40), S-video cable ($10)

Dimensions: 13.2"/3.3"/10.8" (W/H/D)

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/videogame/images/xboxsystem.jpg


Noteworthy Games Now Available: Halo (first-person-shooter), Dead or Alive 3 (fighting), Oddworld: Munch's Odyssey (platform adventure), Project Gotham Racing (arcade racing), Madden NFL 2002 (Pro Football)

Upcoming Games of Note: SSX Tricky ("Xtreme" snowboarding), The Matrix (action), Dead to Rights (third-person-shooter), Max Payne (third-person-shooter), Soul Calibur 2 (fighting), Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 ("Xtreme" skateboarding), The Thing (survival horror), Medal of Honor: Allied Assault (WWII first-person-shooter)


Pros

Billy Boy's newest baby, the Microsoft Xbox, is here, and it's a beast of a video game console. Sporting the most powerful processor on the video game market, 733 MHz, and the most memory, 64 MB, the Xbox is not for the weenie, prissy video gamer - it's for the big boys that like power, power, power! With ability to display 1920x1080 HD resolution, it produces some beautiful, sharp images - that is, if you have an HD or HD-ready TV that can handle that kind of resolution, otherwise you'll get the standard 640x480. Underneath this muscle, the Xbox boasts a built-in 10 GB hard drive, and a built-in Ethernet device, so if you want to go on-line with the Xbox when Microsoft's network launches (supposedly in the summer of 2002), you won't need to buy any extra peripherals. You can also use the built-in hard drive to store save-game data; so buying a memory card will not be necessary (unless you want to take your saved games over to a friend's house). The Xbox includes four controller ports, unlike the PS2's measly two ports, and requirement of a $35 peripheral to add more controllers to the system.

With a marketing budget of $500 million, there's no doubt that you've at least heard of the Xbox at this point - you've probably noticed that Microsoft is in bed with Toxic Hell… uhh, I mean Taco Bell to promote the system. So, Microsoft has the public curious about this new black box, which will undoubtedly lead to sales. While I was cruising the mall the Saturday after the Xbox launched (yes, I have a pathetic life), Microsoft's new toy was the one piece of merchandise EVERYONE was talking about.

A Sony executive was recently quoted in the press as admitting that the power of the Xbox has shortened the life cycle of current next-gen consoles. Sony is rumored to be moving the target launch of the PlayStation 3 to the end of 2003, rather than 2005 or 2006 as they initially projected (the PS3 is supposed to be something like 1,000 times more powerful than the PS2). Could this be the first sign of the haughty Japanese company finally running scared?

Many are quick to discount Microsoft's entry into the video game world. However, these people forget that when the PS one debuted in America in 1995, no one thought that Sony had a chance of dethroning juggernauts Nintendo and Sega. Here we are almost seven years later and Nintendo isn't number one, and Sega's not even in the hardware business anymore. Guess who is number one now - you guessed right: Sony. If they play their cards right, Microsoft might pull off this same trick.

Cons

On the flip side of this equation, many also point to the disastrous consoles that were known as the 3DO and Atari Jaguar. Both systems - which were, like the Xbox, American - went up in a ball of flames like a Taliban radar station very quickly after their launch. 3DO and Atari had one hell of a time convincing the Japanese market that their new products were viable systems, and the consoles collapsed. When Billy Boy introduced the Xbox at the Spring 2001 Tokyo Game Show, the Japanese offered it a very chilly reception. Could history end up repeating itself?

According to the official Xbox website, while you won't have to buy any extra peripherals to play games on-line, you will have to pay for Microsoft's service. With the PS2, you have to buy the $40 peripheral, but you use your existing ISP. In the long run, the Xbox could end up being more expensive for on-line gamers.

While the PS2 plays DVD-Video discs right out of the box, the Xbox requires the purchase a $30 remote control that "unlocks" the DVD playback functionality of the system.

The Xbox's third-party support is decent (but not quite what Sony's is), but Microsoft's first-party-developed (not just published) titles are uninspired. Plus, I haven't seen any ultra-hot, must-have exclusive Xbox announcements for 2002. While some developers may not have gotten around to announcing anything yet, there's already a healthy list of amazing PS2-exclusive games due next year. The only reason I can think of for the lack of announcements has to do with the recent rumor that some third-party publishers have put their Xbox titles on hold until they see how the system fares through Holiday 2001. However, some publishers have quickly denied this rumor - including the world's largest third-party publisher, Electronic Arts (EA, of EA Sports fame).

Now this is a matter of taste, but I find the Xbox to be an oversized, ugly, hulking brute up next to the sleek PS2, and the petite GC. What's worse is that the Xbox controller is way too big, difficult to get comfortable with (especially if you have small hands), and the buttons are spaced oddly, requiring you take your eyes off the screen to see where you need to press. Of the controllers packed into this trio of next-gen consoles, the Xbox controller runs a very distant third. With more time, I may get used to it, however its sheer size is hard for my stocky digits to deal with.

Nintendo GameCube

Price: $199

Main Processor: IBM "Gekko" PowerPC, 485 MHz

Graphics Processor: 202.5 MHz ATI "Flipper"

Polygons per Second: 6-12 million (actual, with game effects engaged)

System Memory: 40 MB

Audio Channels: 64

Media Format(s): Proprietary 3.125 in. DVD-ROM discs (with 1.5 GB of storage)

On-line Gaming: The GC supports both Broadband and Narrowband (56k) Internet capabilities with accessory adapters (no pricing or release date yet available). Nintendo's plan for an on-line gaming network for GC remains a mystery at this point, as the company is focusing on the launch of the system right now. No current GC titles support future on-line play.

Plays DVD-Video discs and CDs: No

Recommended Accessories: extra controller ($35), memory card ($15), S-video cable ($10)

Dimensions: 5.9"/4.3"/6.3" (W/H/D)

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/videogame/images/gamecube.jpg

Noteworthy Games Now Available: Star Wars: Rogue Leader (aerial combat), Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 ("Xtreme" skateboarding), Madden NFL 2002 (Pro Football), Luigi's Mansion (platform adventure), Pikmin (adventure/collecting), SSX Tricky ("Xtreme" snowboarding)

Upcoming Games of Note: Resident Evil: Remix (survival horror), Mario Sunshine (platform adventure), The Legend of Zelda GameCube (working title) (role playing game), Metroid Prime (first-person-shooter), Perfect Dark Zero (first-person-shooter), Pokémon (adventure/collecting), Soul Calibur 2 (fighting)


Pros

Nintendo's latest addition to the world of video game consoles is the GameCube. At only $199, it's the least expensive of the next-gen consoles, as well as the smallest of the three (there's even a carrying handle on the back, and a sold-separately LCD screen peripheral will be available soon). It comes in two colors (purple and black), with an orange version scheduled for next year. The GC controller is improved, as it feels more like a Sony DualShock 2 (in my opinion, the best of three controllers), while still retaining the versatility of the N64 controller. Speaking of controllers, you can plug four into the front of the GC, while Sony makes you buy a $35 adapter to allow you to connect more than two to the front of the PS2.

Nintendo has finally eschewed the dreaded cartridge format for a proprietary 3.125" DVD-ROM media format (with a 1.5 GB storage capability). Developers are happy because not only do they have more freedom in creating games - thanks to the greater storage capacity and versatility allowed by ROM discs - but also game sound effects, dialog, and music can be greatly enhanced over the limited cartridge. Even happier are the game publishers. Ever wonder why N64 games were so expensive, while PS one games were $10-$20 cheaper? Simple: cartridges are damned expensive to produce compared to stamping out optical discs. So, no more will you have to plunk down upwards of $60 or $70 for the newest Mario or Zelda adventure, and Nintendo now promises stronger third party developer support.

If you're a fan of classic video game franchises like Mario, Donkey Kong, Zelda, Metroid, and newer franchises like Perfect Dark and Conker's Bad Fur Day, then the GC is your only choice. These are Nintendo-owned properties that will be receiving GameCube-only follow-ups in the next year or two. Don't forget that Nintendo also holds the exclusive video game publishing rights to the Pokémon universe. Just a couple of month ago, developer/publisher Capcom awarded their flagship Resident Evil franchise solely to Nintendo. By the middle of next year, look for a remake of the original 1996 Resident Evil game, but this time completely overhauled for the next generation hardware (early in-game videos are nothing short of stunning), as well as GC ports of RE2, RE3, and RE: Code Veronica, followed by the all-new RE: Zero and RE4. And the GC is the only next-gen system to have a Star Wars game set in the original trilogy's universe... well, honestly, the GC is the only next-gen system to have a decent Star Wars game at all! Star Wars: Rogue Leader is a drool-inducing aerial combat game where you can pilot X-Wings, Y-Wings, B-Wings, snowspeeders, and the Millennium Falcon.

Cons

Nintendo has never been able to live down its image that its systems are geared towards younger gamers. While the company has made progress in providing a wider array of titles from E-rated to M-rated, there's no denying that the GC is aiming at a younger audience. Sure, Nintendo might have acquired the Resident Evil series, and their new franchises Perfect Dark and Conker are both very deserving of their M-ratings. But people still can't shake the facts that the GC is purple (there are few black ones on the market, and you never see them in the media), its biggest franchises consist of E-rated games, and it's the only system you'll ever see a Pokémon hopping around in.

While Nintendo has made strides to gain strong third party development support, they still do not possess the support that Sony, or even Microsoft, has gained thus far. Most of this stems from Nintendo's reliability on the publisher-unfriendly cartridge in the 32/64-bit era, while its competitors went with discs, but now that they've jumped on the optical disc bandwagon, this could change in the coming months. But for the time being, you'll see a much broader range of titles coming from Sony and Microsoft.

Nintendo's on-line gaming plans are a complete mystery - even to many of GC's software developers. Also, the GC does not play DVDs and CDs because of its use of the smaller discs (however Panasonic is supposedly developing a GC/DVD/CD combo next year called "Q," but Panasonic claims that it will never leave Japan).


Sony PlayStation 2

Price: $299 ($329 with included Gran Turismo 3: A-spec game)

Main Processor: Sony Emotion Engine, 295 MHz

Graphics Processor: 150 MHz Sony Graphics Synthesizer

Polygons per Second: 66 million (raw, no game effects engaged)

System Memory: 32 MB

Audio Channels: 48

Media Format(s): Standard CD-ROM and DVD-ROM discs (with 650 MB - 4.7 GB of storage)

On-line Gaming: The PS2 supports both Broadband and Narrowband (56k) Internet capabilities with an accessory network adapter ($40) hooked up to your existing ISP (the Sony adapter is not yet available, but currently you can use certain third party USB modems or Ethernet devices). Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 is the console's first on-line game, and Sony already has more in the pipeline, including Square's Final Fantasy XI, and Sony's own properties SOCOM: U.S. Navy Seals, Twisted Metal: Online (an add-on to Twisted Metal: Black), and the fourth iteration of the coveted Gran Turismo racer.

Plays DVD-Video discs and CDs: Yes

Recommended Accessories: extra controller ($35), memory card ($35), S-video cable ($10)

Dimensions: 12"/3.125"/7.25" (W/H/D)

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/videogame/images/ps2system.jpg

Noteworthy Games Now Available: Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (tactical espionage action), Gran Turismo 3: A-spec (racing simulator), Grand Theft Auto III (driving/third-person shooter), Devil May Cry (platform action), Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 ("Xtreme" skateboarding), Madden NFL 2002 (Pro Football), Twisted Metal: Black (car combat), Ico (platform adventure), SSX Tricky ("Xtreme" snowboarding)

Upcoming Games of Note: Final Fantasy X (role playing game), Max Payne (third-person-shooter), Dead to Rights (third-person-shooter), Medal of Honor: Frontline (WWII first-person-shooter), Spider-Man: The Movie (platform action), Return to Castle Wolfenstein (first-person-shooter), Tomb Raider: Next Generation (working title) (platform adventure), The Thing (survival horror), The Terminator (action), The Matrix (action), Soul Calibur 2 (fighting), Tekken 4 (fighting), Virtua Fighter 4 (fighting)


Pros

With a one year head start on its competitors, a worldwide installed base of over 20 million units, hundreds of available titles, spectacular "in-house" game development (responsible for PS2-exclusive mega-hits like Gran Turismo 3: A-spec, Ico, and Twisted Metal: Black), and unparalleled third-party developer support, Sony's PlayStation 2 is a major contender in the next-generation console war. In other words, despite its shortcomings, the PS2 is a very safe bet… at least for the time being.

The PS2 is the only console on the market right now that is playable on-line. If you buy Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, have ISP service in your house, and an external USB modem or Ethernet device (or Sony's own $40 device out next year), you can be grinding and olllie-ing with people all over the country in no time flat. Plus, Sony already has other titles coming soon that will take the on-line experience even further, including Square's Final Fantasy XI, and Sony's own SOCOM: U.S. Navy Seals, Twisted Metal: Online, and Gran Turismo 4.

Playing DVD movie discs and CDs is no problem for the PS2, and the system will even play DVDs right out of the box - unlike Microsoft's Xbox, which requires a $30 add-on to play DVDs. Coming next year from Sony is a hard drive that can be easily housed inside a port on the back of the console. It's a 40 GB unit (probably costing about $150) that will allow you to install game data into the drive and cut down on the tedious load times of some titles. It's also a requirement if you want to eventually use your PS2 for e-mail and 'net surfing (however it's not required if you simply want to play games on-line).

After spending the last 15-20 years of my life playing video games, I can safely say that the Sony DualShock controller is the best I have ever used. It's a comfy unit with ideally sized and placed buttons that allow quick access without taking your eyes off the screen. The DualShock is also a well-designed controller that will be comfortable in many different hands. I have short, stubby fingers, yet the DualShock is just as comfortable in my hands as it is for my fiancée who has long, thin fingers.

20 million installed units is not something game developers want to ignore. It won't surprise you, then, to learn that some third party developers concentrate their efforts on PS2 titles before developing for other systems. For example, the development of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (the most anticipated game of 2001, according to many industry experts) was concentrated for the PS2, however the Xbox and may get a version of it sometime in 2002. Until Microsoft becomes a proven player in the game business, you won't see the Xbox getting every title the PS2 gets, at least as quickly. And if the titles are big enough (like the Madden NFL franchise and the Sega Sports 2KX franchises), you can bet your sweet bippy that they will appear on multiple platforms, almost always including at least the PS2.

Early next year in Japan, a line of PS2 "greatest hits" titles will be introduced at reduced pricing (after converting the yen, they come to about $30, give or take). These titles include huge hits like Onimusha Warlords and Gran Turismo 3: A-spec, among others. With the success of PS one greatest hits titles here in the states, I would look for a line of bargain-priced PS2 greatest hits titles on this side of the Pacific by next Christmas. Microsoft and Nintendo might apply this strategy as well, but it's far too early to say.

And don't forget, the PS2 is perfectly capable of playing your vast library of PS one games!

Cons

When it came to sheer graphics muscle, one year ago, the PS2 was the cream of the crop… king of the jungle… lord of the dance! Now, post Xbox and GameCube launches, it's carrying the bronze. After all is said and done, the Xbox rules the day when it comes to graphics, but not by a huge margin. When programmers spend the time developing for the PS2 with loving care and attention to detail, PS2 titles easily hold their own against Xbox titles. Metal Gear Solid 2, Devil May Cry, and Gran Turismo 3: A-spec are every bit as beautiful and detailed as anything I've seen on the Xbox.

But here's the trouble: the PS2 is a bitch to program for. Programmers HAVE to spend extra time and attention to detail to develop for the PS2. There's a much larger proportion of beautiful to ugly titles on the Xbox than the PS2 because not every PS2 title is given the attention that mega popular games like Metal Gear Solid 2, Devil May Cry, and Gran Turismo 3 are shown. Programming for the Xbox is like programming for the PC, so developers can pretty much do it in their sleep.

If you wanted to buy a PS2, and build it up with a hard drive and Ethernet device for not only hardcore on-line gaming, but e-mail and web browsing, you'll be spending a tad under $500. Guess what - for $299 the Xbox has these included. The Xbox and GameCube both have four controller ports on their units, but Sony only included two on the PS2, and to connect more you need to drop $35 for an extra peripheral. And, to save game data, your only choice with the PS2 is an 8 MB memory card ($35 each). While Nintendo has a 4 mega bit card (only $15), you can expand it to 64 MB with add-on enhancement, and with the Xbox, you need only to save to its built-in 10 GB hard drive.


Conclusions

So which is right for you? The future success of Microsoft's Xbox is still very much up in the air. While the PS2 is already considered a success, and since the GameCube will most likely be a success since its demographics don't coincide too much with the PS2 or Xbox, the real question mark in this battle for console supremacy is the Xbox. If you step back from all the hype and fan-boy chatter, you'll realize that the war itself is really between Microsoft and Sony, who are vying for the same audience. My guess is that Nintendo will be alright since history has shown that the market will support two consoles.

If you feel that you must have the absolute best graphics, and are impressed with the built-in hard drive, I say go with the Xbox. You might not have access to quite the selection of titles that the PS2 has (and will continue to have) available, but you will still be able to buy a very nice variety of games, and they will most definitely look killer. However, keep in mind that if the Xbox starts putting some serious hurt on Sony, title selection will most likely match up pretty closely (except for Sony-developed franchises like Gran Turismo and Twisted Metal). Also, if you regularly play games with more than two people at once, the Xbox's four controller ports could be attractive to you.

If you cannot live without the classic Nintendo characters that you've known for over 15 years now, or if you prefer your game selections more suitable to a younger audience, your best choice is Nintendo's GameCube. Those of you on a budget, and who aren't dying to play games on-line right away will also want to look into the GameCube.

You really can't go wrong with Sony's PlayStation 2. It has a huge selection of games, with a fairly nice balance of E-rated to M-rated titles (although they do tilt a bit toward the T- and M-rated side); it's on-line-ready as you read this; and it has the strongest developer support of the three systems. Considering the PS3 will likely be backward compatible with PS2 games, and the fact that I don't think you want to wait another two years to scrap that PS one, I believe that the PS2 is an excellent purchase.

Pretty interesting I thought.

Originally posted by kbslacker

According to the official Xbox website, while you won't have to buy any extra peripherals to play games on-line, you will have to pay for Microsoft's service. With the PS2, you have to buy the $40 peripheral, but you use your existing ISP. In the long run, the Xbox could end up being more expensive for on-line gamers.

While the PS2 plays DVD-Video discs right out of the box, the Xbox requires the purchase a $30 remote control that "unlocks" the DVD playback functionality of the system.


Yep, things that are more important to me end up being way cheaper with the good ole PS2

Originally posted by Heep


Yep, things that are more important to me end up being way cheaper with the good ole PS2


Wow, you mean you actually read a long post for once? :eek:

I will stick with my PS2 as well.

Originally posted by kbslacker



Wow, you mean you actually read a long post for once? :eek:


I know! I never read anything more than 5 lines!! It took me like half an hour to read all that....

I'm sorry PS2 fans, but Xbox is the sh*t. The graphics put PS2 to shame. All you gotta play is Halo, and you will be changed. Xbox is the best system out there!!!!!!!!!!!

KB - thanks for putting that together. Information like that, that is posted by members here, is one of the reasons I hang around here so much.

PS2!! Rulez!!!!

Nuff said!

Originally posted by DVSNCYNIKL
PS2!! Rulez!!!!

Nuff said!

I have much respect for PS2. Grand Theft Auto 3, NHL Hitz, Madden 2002, NBA Street, DOA, etc.

Very good comparison but a little late as I bought a PS2 on impulse last week. :) I was more excited about the prospect of finally having a DVD player more than the games. I bought Godfather trilogy to watch on it.


I feel that there is no way Sony will let their grip of the top spot slip, no way.
Anything on XBox will most likely be on PC at some time, right?
I think I'll be happy with a PS2 and PC.

Originally posted by Lizard King
Very good comparison but a little late as I bought a PS2 on impulse last week. :) I was more excited about the prospect of finally having a DVD player more than the games. I bought Godfather trilogy to watch on it.


I feel that there is no way Sony will let their grip of the top spot slip, no way.
Anything on XBox will most likely be on PC at some time, right?
I think I'll be happy with a PS2 and PC.

You'll be happy with the PS2. It has lots of good games on it. Xbox has plenty of potential to be 10x better though. If it comes out with good games like PS2, then It will be the best. We'll have to see> Just one more thing. You need to get "Devil May Cry" and "Grand Theft Auto 3"
These 2 games have to be in the top 5 best on PS2.

I am going to wait until they go down in price and will eventually buy all three. They all have games that I want.

Originally posted by Mrcoilover
I'm sorry PS2 fans, but Xbox is the sh*t. The graphics put PS2 to shame. All you gotta play is Halo, and you will be changed. Xbox is the best system out there!!!!!!!!!!!
XBox came out after PS2, so of course the technology will be better. Also, AFAIK, Sony had to design and create almost everything themselves, while the XBox is just a repackaged PC using the latest and greatest technology (at the time) from Intel and NVidia. I remember when the PS2 was still in design and all the magazines were all raving about how Sony, which isn't a CPU company, had to develop the Emtion chip themselves.

But as we all know, hardware don't mean anything unless there are games to back it up.

Originally posted by jinushaun

XBox came out after PS2, so of course the technology will be better. Also, AFAIK, Sony had to design and create almost everything themselves, while the XBox is just a repackaged PC using the latest and greatest technology (at the time) from Intel and NVidia. I remember when the PS2 was still in design and all the magazines were all raving about how Sony, which isn't a CPU company, had to develop the Emtion chip themselves.

But as we all know, hardware don't mean anything unless there are games to back it up.

I would call the X-Box a set top box rather than a wannbe PC. If anything I would call the PS2 a wannabe PC with the keyboard and mouse, LCD monitor, hard drive, modem and LAN, and vertical stand. Seeing the pictures of that looked like a PC to me.

Originally posted by jinushaun
But as we all know, hardware don't mean anything unless there are games to back it up.

Yeah good point, but XBox is rising to the ocassion with the software so far.