PS2 or Gamecube?

So I’m going to buy one of these for my kids this Christmas. The question is - which one? The PS2 is a bit more expensive than the gamecube, but Computer Shopper voted it the best console of the year (not that I think that means much, but y’know).

So help me out - which should I get and why?

Thanks

I had both and PS2 is by far my favorite. I can use it to play games online (provided you have broadband), and it has some of the best games available out there…
(most of the games I play probably wouldn’t be appropriate for young kids though)

YMMV

Plus it doubles as a DVD player and CD player, neither of which Gamecube can do.

PS2: more games, plays DVDs, plays PS1 games, some excellent titles, possibly the oldest technology though.

Xbox: has the edge in processing power, some excellent titles, bulky, can’t play DVDs without an add-on, fairly limited range of games.

Gamecube: definitely in third place. Some big name games but that’s about it.

How old is your child… or children???

If they are under 14, I would go with a gamecube.
If they are older, I would go with the XBox…

the only advantage of the PS2 is that it can play DVD’s… but really… who doesn’t have a DVD player by now???
I have the PS2…
XBOX is new and there are a ton of games out for it now…

Hold your horses there mate. Stats I’ve seen say between 25% and 35% of US households have a DVD player.

Quote: by merge

"who doesn’t have a DVD player by now??? "

Well, I didn’t have a DVD player until I bought PS2 and I know lots of people that don’t have DVD players.

beezle, if cost is really a concern of yours take into consideration that you will also have to buy a memory card (about $25) and an additional controler for PS2 (about $15-20).
There is no upgrade need for the DVD funtion though. It is ready to play as soon as you set it up.

I don’t know what you have to buy for GC though.

FYI, there are a lot of threads around here about this topic too.

are you serious? I do not know anyone that does not have a DVD player… they are so cheap nowadays…

Yes, we’re serious. I’m glad you can afford to splash out that much cash without thinking about it. Many can’t; more than 50% of your country’s population, at least.

since xbox isn’t a consideration :wink: I would go with whichever system has the games that you and your kids want to play. If you want to play broadband and don’t have a DVD player, PS2 is the better option of the two you stated.

merge, you and I may have DVD players, but out of consideration for all the video-quality challenged out there we must not be snotty about it :slight_smile:

As quite possibly the only 18+ Gamecube owner, I have to say that the best solution is to look at specific games for each console, just as I did.

GC- METROID PRIME, BABY! As well as Super Mario Sunshine, the upcoming Legend of Zelda, and decent third-party support, although Sega’s sports games are leaving (unless the Nintendo buys Sega rumor is true, I suppose.)

PS2- DVD support, although I’ve heard it’s not the best (layer change problems, etc.) A wider variety of games, but most of them seem to be sequels to older games.

The ideal solution would be to let the kids try the demo systems at the store and see what interests them. That would kind of spoil the surprise, though.

-brianjedi

wait… you mean not everyone has a 43 Inch HDTV and a progressive scan DVD player with Componet video, and Optical sound? :smiley:

[sub]…what ever you do don’t buy the xbox and get the game ‘splinter cell’ it WILL take over all of your spare time.[/sub]

You buy a Gamecube, you can’t play GTA3. That’s really my only regret after buying one. You get Metroid Prime, Mario Sunshine, Zelda (all unavailable on PS2 ever) and all the games that are shared on all the consoles (most of them). The Wavebird for GCN is an excellent controller too.

BTW I’ve seen DVD players that cost $60. (Crazy!) That’s about the price difference between a Gamecube and a PS2 right there.

Hmmm…the kids are all under 14. We’re getting a TV and either PS or GC to put in the oldests room. I like the PS2 just for the fact that we’ll be able to throw all the kids and one of their DVDs in a remote corner of the house for a couple hours at a time.

The Xbox isn’t a consideration. Evil Microsoft, I already own a PC, all that jazz :wink:

The wife wants a gamecube so she can play mario games. The PS2 is gonna be a tough sell. :smiley:

We have a PS2 in the house, however i would say the really good games are limited to the ones you probably already know. I have a friend with a Cube, and I prefer that hands down.

If you don’t own a DVD player though, go with the PS2. Games & movies = better value.

“You buy a Gamecube, you can’t play GTA3.”

Or GTA VC, oh wait, the kids are under 14…surely we won’t suggest they get these games where you shoot people & run into them with your cars, which you carjacked.

Well, with a PS2, you can play dvd but you can’t do that when the kids are playing games on it.

techbargains.com Deals:
Gamestop.com has preowned PS2’s with free 2 day shipping at $169.99. Enter code: FREE2DCON Free DVD Remote too.
overstock.com has a bunch of Playstation 2 consoles and games on sale. Refurb PS2 $179.99 - 10% coupon = $162.99, $2.95 shipping. No tax in most areas.

Several games from $17.45, search for Sony PlayStation 2