PS2 vs Xbox

In My Humble Opinion
21

ice1000 - Hi, I’m DKW. I’ve owned a PS2 for some time now. Here’s my take:

  • The reason games like Grand Theft Auto and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater get an ungodly amount of hype in the magazines is that’s what video game magazines do. I’ve yet to meet one person on any VG-related board who’s sided with a single VG mag article on anything. So the old saying, “Don’t believe the hype”, certainly holds.

  • The reason games like Tekken invariably get fawning reviews is that those guys really go for mega-complicated, 500-gazillion-layer impossible-to-learn counterintuitive hypertechnical fighters. Likewise, any RPG that doesn’t completely suck is going to get praised to Jupiter and back. That’s what they like. You may be different. Don’t abandon your judgment.

  • You need to get an idea of what’s available for both systems. 150 virtually identical sports titles (which is what the PS2 seemed to have for about the first year of its existence) do not make a system. You might not realize it now, but there may come a time when you don’t want to hijack a car or pull off a chicken-10 string-multipart throw combo. Variety is good…look for it.

  • I’m sick to death of the endless hashing of hardware specs. That’s because I trust only my eyes and ears, and I have yet to notice any appreciable advantage of the X-Box. For that matter, I fail to see any appreciable advantage of the PS2 over the Dreamcast. Okay, the SNES was clearly superior to the NES, the PSX was clearly superior to the SNES, and the DC was definitely a lot better than the PSX. But you cannot prove by me that the X-Box blows the doors off the PS2. I’m talking something that’s apparent and describable, not some overnumerized chest-thumping hair-splitting-16-ways techno-jargon crap. (I’m sorry to be so harsh, but this really does get tiresome.)

Also remember that there’s no substitue for gameplay and games that you’ll actually like. One of my favorite series has a ton of cartoony animation (why this is automatically considered the kiss of death, I haven’t a clue) and lots of colored buttons coming down the screen. Oh, and a bunch of music. I love it. I’m getting #7 the instant it hits Toys 'n Joys.

At any rate, the PS2’s graphics are fine. Also, the loading times are considerably better than for many PSX games, and the sound is always crystal clear. Unless there’s some monster first-person shooter from hell with 200 active sprites at a time on the horizon (that you’re thinking of getting, of course), I don’t think you’ll have a beef. Oh yeah, from what I’ve seen of the X-Box, it’s cool too.

  • Did you know that it’s incredibly easy to rent these games? Really! Every Blockbuster Video store in the country has them; you might be able to find a local outlet or two willing to provide the same service. Renting is the PERFECT way to play those games that you’re not sure you want to own. So not being able to afford 200 games really isn’t that huge an issue.

  • Imports! The PS2 has a host of really great imports (like Beatmania IIDX, which I’lll be getting soon). The X-Box, due to the collapse of the Japan market, won’t have any. Of course, you’ll need a modchip or some other way of playing them, but if you really want great selection (and I always do), it’s worth it.

  • I fail to understand what’s so great about the X-Box controller. It looks horrible to me, and every time I tried to use it, it felt completely wrong in my hands. Thankfully, they have reliable arcade-style joysticks, but the PS2 basic controller is vastly superior in my mind. Of course, I’m not the one doing double 360s and other monstrosities on a controller, and I can’t understand how so many other players do these without a second thought.

  • Um…you are aware that a few X-Box demo units broke down in the store? (“Underventilated” or not, that’s just unforgivable)? And that there will not be a whole lot of 3rd party support? And that it’s produced by Microsoft, which historically has not had a great reputation for consistent quality, or for that matter competing in any market they can’t establish a monopolistic stranglehold on? Well, better get used to it, 'cause it’s unlikely to change. In fairness, they do seem to be making an effort to produce high-quality games, but if you’re looking for something simple or offbeat, or for that matter something the whole family will enjoy, prepare for a long search.

  • Again, it boils down to what you want. Trust your eyes and ears; don’t believe the hype. And what you want may not be the same as what “everyone else” wants. Don’t ever abandon your judgment. Don’t rely to much on spec reports; they don’t tell you how much you’ll actually enjoy the game. Did I mention that you should always trust your eyes and ears?
    Well, that’s my piece. Make of it what you will.

22

ice1000 - Hi, I’m DKW. I’ve owned a PS2 for some time now. Here’s my take:

  • The reason games like Grand Theft Auto and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater get an ungodly amount of hype in the magazines is that’s what video game magazines do. I’ve yet to meet one person on any VG-related board who’s sided with a single VG mag article on anything. So the old saying, “Don’t believe the hype”, certainly holds.

  • The reason games like Tekken invariably get fawning reviews is that those guys really go for mega-complicated, 500-gazillion-layer impossible-to-learn counterintuitive hypertechnical fighters. Likewise, any RPG that doesn’t completely suck is going to get praised to Jupiter and back. That’s what they like. You may be different. Don’t abandon your judgment.

  • You need to get an idea of what’s available for both systems. 150 virtually identical sports titles (which is what the PS2 seemed to have for about the first year of its existence) do not make a system. You might not realize it now, but there may come a time when you don’t want to hijack a car or pull off a chicken-10 string-multipart throw combo. Variety is good…look for it.

  • I’m sick to death of the endless hashing of hardware specs. That’s because I trust only my eyes and ears, and I have yet to notice any appreciable advantage of the X-Box. For that matter, I fail to see any appreciable advantage of the PS2 over the Dreamcast. Okay, the SNES was clearly superior to the NES, the PSX was clearly superior to the SNES, and the DC was definitely a lot better than the PSX. But you cannot prove by me that the X-Box blows the doors off the PS2. I’m talking something that’s apparent and describable, not some overnumerized chest-thumping hair-splitting-16-ways techno-jargon crap. (I’m sorry to be so harsh, but this really does get tiresome.)

Also remember that there’s no substitue for gameplay and games that you’ll actually like. One of my favorite series has a ton of cartoony animation (why this is automatically considered the kiss of death, I haven’t a clue) and lots of colored buttons coming down the screen. Oh, and a bunch of music. I love it. I’m getting #7 the instant it hits Toys 'n Joys.

At any rate, the PS2’s graphics are fine. Also, the loading times are considerably better than for many PSX games, and the sound is always crystal clear. Unless there’s some monster first-person shooter from hell with 200 active sprites at a time on the horizon (that you’re thinking of getting, of course), I don’t think you’ll have a beef. Oh yeah, from what I’ve seen of the X-Box, it’s cool too.

  • Did you know that it’s incredibly easy to rent these games? Really! Every Blockbuster Video store in the country has them; you might be able to find a local outlet or two willing to provide the same service. Renting is the PERFECT way to play those games that you’re not sure you want to own. So not being able to afford 200 games really isn’t that huge an issue.

  • Imports! The PS2 has a host of really great imports (like Beatmania IIDX, which I’lll be getting soon). The X-Box, due to the collapse of the Japan market, won’t have any. Of course, you’ll need a modchip or some other way of playing them, but if you really want great selection (and I always do), it’s worth it.

  • I fail to understand what’s so great about the X-Box controller. It looks horrible to me, and every time I tried to use it, it felt completely wrong in my hands. Thankfully, they have reliable arcade-style joysticks, but the PS2 basic controller is vastly superior in my mind. Of course, I’m not the one doing double 360s and other monstrosities on a controller, and I can’t understand how so many other players do these without a second thought.

  • Um…you are aware that a few X-Box demo units broke down in the store? (“Underventilated” or not, that’s just unforgivable)? And that there will not be a whole lot of 3rd party support? And that it’s produced by Microsoft, which historically has not had a great reputation for consistent quality, or for that matter competing in any market they can’t establish a monopolistic stranglehold on? Well, better get used to it, 'cause it’s unlikely to change. In fairness, they do seem to be making an effort to produce high-quality games, but if you’re looking for something simple or offbeat, or for that matter something the whole family will enjoy, prepare for a long search.

  • Again, it boils down to what you want. Trust your eyes and ears; don’t believe the hype. And what you want may not be the same as what “everyone else” wants. Don’t ever abandon your judgment. Don’t rely to much on spec reports; they don’t tell you how much you’ll actually enjoy the game. Did I mention that you should always trust your eyes and ears?
    Well, that’s my piece. Make of it what you will.

23

ice1000 - Hi, I’m DKW. I’ve owned a PS2 for some time now. Here’s my take:

  • The reason games like Grand Theft Auto and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater get an ungodly amount of hype in the magazines is that’s what video game magazines do. I’ve yet to meet one person on any VG-related board who’s sided with a single VG mag article on anything. So the old saying, “Don’t believe the hype”, certainly holds.

  • The reason games like Tekken invariably get fawning reviews is that those guys really go for mega-complicated, 500-gazillion-layer impossible-to-learn counterintuitive hypertechnical fighters. Likewise, any RPG that doesn’t completely suck is going to get praised to Jupiter and back. That’s what they like. You may be different. Don’t abandon your judgment.

  • You need to get an idea of what’s available for both systems. 150 virtually identical sports titles (which is what the PS2 seemed to have for about the first year of its existence) do not make a system. You might not realize it now, but there may come a time when you don’t want to hijack a car or pull off a chicken-10 string-multipart throw combo. Variety is good…look for it.

  • I’m sick to death of the endless hashing of hardware specs. That’s because I trust only my eyes and ears, and I have yet to notice any appreciable advantage of the X-Box. For that matter, I fail to see any appreciable advantage of the PS2 over the Dreamcast. Okay, the SNES was clearly superior to the NES, the PSX was clearly superior to the SNES, and the DC was definitely a lot better than the PSX. But you cannot prove by me that the X-Box blows the doors off the PS2. I’m talking something that’s apparent and describable, not some overnumerized chest-thumping hair-splitting-16-ways techno-jargon crap. (I’m sorry to be so harsh, but this really does get tiresome.)

Also remember that there’s no substitue for gameplay and games that you’ll actually like. One of my favorite series has a ton of cartoony animation (why this is automatically considered the kiss of death, I haven’t a clue) and lots of colored buttons coming down the screen. Oh, and a bunch of music. I love it. I’m getting #7 the instant it hits Toys 'n Joys.

At any rate, the PS2’s graphics are fine. Also, the loading times are considerably better than for many PSX games, and the sound is always crystal clear. Unless there’s some monster first-person shooter from hell with 200 active sprites at a time on the horizon (that you’re thinking of getting, of course), I don’t think you’ll have a beef. Oh yeah, from what I’ve seen of the X-Box, it’s cool too.

  • Did you know that it’s incredibly easy to rent these games? Really! Every Blockbuster Video store in the country has them; you might be able to find a local outlet or two willing to provide the same service. Renting is the PERFECT way to play those games that you’re not sure you want to own. So not being able to afford 200 games really isn’t that huge an issue.

  • Imports! The PS2 has a host of really great imports (like Beatmania IIDX, which I’lll be getting soon). The X-Box, due to the collapse of the Japan market, won’t have any. Of course, you’ll need a modchip or some other way of playing them, but if you really want great selection (and I always do), it’s worth it.

  • I fail to understand what’s so great about the X-Box controller. It looks horrible to me, and every time I tried to use it, it felt completely wrong in my hands. Thankfully, they have reliable arcade-style joysticks, but the PS2 basic controller is vastly superior in my mind. Of course, I’m not the one doing double 360s and other monstrosities on a controller, and I can’t understand how so many other players do these without a second thought.

  • Um…you are aware that a few X-Box demo units broke down in the store? (“Underventilated” or not, that’s just unforgivable)? And that there will not be a whole lot of 3rd party support? And that it’s produced by Microsoft, which historically has not had a great reputation for consistent quality, or for that matter competing in any market they can’t establish a monopolistic stranglehold on? Well, better get used to it, 'cause it’s unlikely to change. In fairness, they do seem to be making an effort to produce high-quality games, but if you’re looking for something simple or offbeat, or for that matter something the whole family will enjoy, prepare for a long search.

  • Again, it boils down to what you want. Trust your eyes and ears; don’t believe the hype. And what you want may not be the same as what “everyone else” wants. Don’t ever abandon your judgment. Don’t rely to much on spec reports; they don’t tell you how much you’ll actually enjoy the game. Did I mention that you should always trust your eyes and ears?
    Well, that’s my piece. Make of it what you will.

24

Why does this board not have a feature to eliminate double posts?

Oh yeah, ice1000, one more thing…there is a distinct difference in the type of games each system is capable of. The X-Box clearly has more online gaming capability. Of course, I’ve never been big on online gaming (taking on a live opponent I can see is harrowing enough), and for some reason they get all upset when you use Gameshark codes, so it’s really just a matter of taste.

25

Grand Theft Auto and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater get hyped because they are the best games out and they kick ass. Bad games get panned all the time. I agree with several reviews I’ve read at gamespot.com

I have spent more hours than I care to share on both systems, and the xbox graphics are visibly better. And its doubtful games like et Set Radio Future could even be ported to the PS2. Max Payne was and even with all the effects turned down it made the Sony hardware sputter. Even Final Fantasy X, which pushed the PS2 to its limits and was visually stunning, had serious jaggies and low polygon models that xbox exclusives and good ps2 ports never have. I don’t know if that qualifies as “blowing the doors off the ps2” but it is an appreciable difference and a selling point.

The xbox controller S is quite similar to the ps2 controller in size and layout. I’ve grown accustomed to the yeti sized ones so I’m sticking with them.

26

DKW, I agree with a lot of what you say when it comes to choosing between the stuff, but I need to comment on some of the things you’ve said about the Xbox.

It can be proven though, you just need to make the effort to do. For example, my friends and I rented the Desert Storm game that is on both PS2 and Xbox. PS2 was pixelated, choppy framerates, lower-quality textures, and an overall unclear picture. Xbox was still a little pixelated, but far less so than PS2. It’s loading times were also about 1/3 that of the PS2 version, had extremely smooth framerates, sharp textures, and a picture clear enough that you can actually make out the bad guys shooting at you.

And that’s just one game we had a chance to compare. Do this with, say, 5 games out on both systems. Then, gauge the appearance of these 5 games in relation to other games out solely for PS2 or Xbox, and you will get a fairly solid indication of the differences.

Just a note, however: If you’re using a crappy old TV with coax cables or something like, you probably won’t notice much of a difference in picture clarity.

Audio is far easier to gauge. DDS vs. Not-DDS is a contest easily proven.

This was all well and good when it was competing against N64 and Dreamcast, but quite simply put it now hinders further development and enhancement of games. Graphics/Audio capabilities are not the only measure of a good system, but it DOES mean that more advanced, more immersive, and overall more unique games games are possible (For example, Blinx).

See, if you decide to get a game with too much stuff going on for PS2, it gets choppy. It’s been a rare occassion for me to get my Xbox to get even remotely choppy (it usually happens in Halo when playing 4 players on one box when everyone is driving vehicles and doing tons of shooting…and then it might skip a frame or two every now and then).

Eh, most of the imports I’ve seen have been pretty bland and generic. And Xbox DOES have some support in the Japanese market, just not much because it’s an American product.

Why is it unforgivable? The stores were stupidly not following the cautions listed. I worked for Best Buy last Christmas, and although our Xbox unit never broke, it DID shut down a few times. Know why? A combination of no ventilation and overplaying. Someone was ALWAYS playing on that Xbox, from the time the store opened to store close.

Have you even seen the list of 3rd party developers?

What, are you going to say Sony products are great quality?

And you HAVE seen the game list as well, right?

The Xbox clearly has more capability than PS2 for any game possible on a console.

27

There’s one simple way to do it: Load up Halo and GTA3: VC on two TV’s, side by side. Compare the draw distances, framerates during graphically intense situations, quality of models and textures, and I guaran-damn-tee that you’ll notice the Xbox’s graphical superiority (for example, enemies in Halo won’t disappear after a few dozen meters). And Halo only uses a fraction of the Xbox’s total graphical capability.

28

Just want to remind you again.

It is all abotu the games - and developers outside the US (especially in Japan) are dropping the Xbox as it simply isn’t selling any consoles outside North America.

If graphical ability is all you care about then get a PC. An up-to-date PC will always outdo one of the consoles.

Buy the console that has the games you want to play.

29

Seven reasons why the Xbox can suck it. :wink:

30

PS2 all the way.

I don’t care if the XBox is better on paper.

3 words make it all worthwhile.

Grand. Theft. Auto.

31

I think that this is the most important point made in this thread yet. IMO, the graphics on the Xbox games that come out in the next 12 months are going to put a lot of distance between the 2 systems.

32

I like them both. I don’t like the Xbox controller is too big… I just called them yesterday & asked if I could trade it in for a smaller one & they said no.

xbox.com offers better support I think the the ps2. You can get live support.

You can use your PS2 controller with a Xbox but not the other way around.

33

I have to disagree. If the only thing you care abotu is how the games look, then it may be, but if you care about how games play then it is a different kettle of fish.

All I have heard so far here is how the Xbox is so good graphically compared to the PS2 (and no doubt someone will go on about the Xbox outputing DD5.1 dynamically too), but has anyone attempted to say that the Xbox has better games?

I apologise if anyone has, I must have missed it amongst all the people comparing hardware specs. Frankly I’d rather have a SNES than an Xbox any day of the week.

34

Here are two reviews, both done by the same guy, who did an in depth analysis of both systems. I’ll let you read them and decide for yourself.
PS2 Review

http://www.planet42.com/games/reviews/ps2review1.shtml

X-Box Review

http://www.planet42.com/games/reviews/xbox_review/xbox_review.html

( main site is www.planet42.com if you didn’t already guess ;))

Riddick

35

Not that it matters much, in the Holy Wars…

But put GTA3 up against Vice City.
Then put Vice City against Halo.

Looks like they managed to squeeze out a bit… well, a lot, really, more detail, more fluid frame rates, better animations…

It’s not tapped out, quite yet.

36

Ahhhhh yes, Halo…LOL Funny that you mention that…while I’m on the site, I’ll post the Halo 2 pics… keeping drooling PS2 users :wink:

(thread is here where I found the link Rent to Own Cars | Planet42 Rent to Buy )

http://www.planet42.com/images/screenshots/halo2/halo2index.htm

37

I was talking specifically about graphics.

I agree that gameplay is important as well, and I readily admit that there are great games on both sides. GTA and GTA VC? great games, wish Xbox had em. But are they so great that you can comepltely write off Halo, DoA3, Project Gotham, and Munch’s Oddysee, etc? Not IMO.

err…ok. I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree there.

38

Yes, in fact, considering that GTA3 came out fairly early for the PS2, and the improvements with VC does imply that, yes, the X-Box will be just as much better in the future than Halo.

Er. GTA3:VC::Halo:Halo2.

The thing is, of course, which is more fun?

Right now, I’ve got to admit, the Gamecube looks more pure fun.

But the PS2 has depth of library and longevity and… well, it’s lots of fun. Still, you’re probably only going to buy four or five games.

So, up to you. Personally, I chose the PS2. I don’t think the X-Box has the developer network it needs. The PS2 has range, strangeness, and weeeird experiments that sometimes rock.

39

I don’t actually own a console but for some reason I tend to follow the “console wars” quite avidly, read the reviews of the main games etc.

My conclusion: the crucial question is how much you like Japanese games especially Japanese RPG’s.

While X-Box has a few Japanese titles it doesn’t have nearly as many as PS2 and those that it has don’t tend to be as well-received. And with X-box apparently flopping in Japan that is likely to remain the same.

If you aren’t much interested in Japanese games then X-box is better. As noted here it has better specs and a good selection of American-style action and sports games.

But if you are interested in Japanese games like FF and Sukoidden then PS2 is better. You will still get the American games(with a little poorer and slower graphics) but a lot more variety.

The other question is what kind of PC you have. Several of the X-box hits like Morrowind and Halo are or will be available on PC. If you already have a high-end PC then an X-box might not be such a great deal.

For what it’s worth I would probably buy a PS2 if I were to buy a console for the larger variety of games.

40

I was talking specifically how graphics IMPROVE upon gameplay. Better framerates and further draw distances directly enhance game playability, while sharper textures, better anti-aliasing, and more powerful 3D effects allow game developers to create far more intrinsic and immersive worlds.

Sure, a game can have great graphics and be a terrible game, but a great game can be totally ruined outright by poor graphics, or a poor implementation of graphics which directly affects gameplay.

What, are you going to attempt to tell me that PS2 has better games? What a generalization. I will tell you, however, that there are many Xbox games that are magnitudes of order better than many PS2 games, and vice versa. If you prefer to look at it as “all Xbox games are not better than PS2 games, so Xbox sucks”, that’s your own right to be of the opinionated, close-minded type.

The thing is, they really didn’t squeeze out all that much more. They fixed up a few problems with the original engine, and added a lot more content. The more fluid framerates is simply because they didn’t use that stupid action-blur effect they had in GTA3. They fixed up some lighting, and they made it more cartoony when you beat people up.

The models are still very-low detail, and there is still quite a restriction on the number of objects in the scene at the same time, things still disappear when they are out of sight for just a moment, and the draw distance is still limited.

So yes, they did improve it, but only as far as how the graphics affect playability. There is absolutely nothing stunning, or even innovative, in GTA:VC graphics-wise.

Exactly. First generation games on the Xbox have amply demonstrated superior capabilities to PS2’s most recent games. What do you think they will be like in a year, knowing that PS2 has mere crawlspace for improving graphics, while Xbox has room for leaps and bounds in improvements?

This is another great point, and it goes multiple ways. If you have a lowend machine, say like my P3-500, which is amply suited for internet, and you want play recent games like Halo, Morrowind, or Max Payne, but you don’t want to shell out ~$1500 for a good computer, you can spend $200 for an Xbox and 2 games (Just a little tidbit of info: Xbox outperforms Athlon 1.4 PCs).