Sorry for breaking in and asking this, but I have checked the big game websites and can’t find an answer for the life of me:
Will Xbox and/or GameCube play DVD-movie discs? I haven’t plunked down the money for a PS2 yet, but one of its biggest draws for me is the DVD-compatibility. I don’t know if I’m willing to shell out $300+ for a machine that only plays games, so I may have to bypass GameCube and Xbox if they don’t deliver.
Speaking of which–weren’t they supposed to make some sort of DVD-peripheral for Dreamcast? I’d think Sega would sell all remaining consoles if they made a $50 DVD add-on for DC.
Pardon my hijack…
P.S. I won my DC in a contest, so I didn’t have to pay for it at all!
Gamecube will not play DVDs, but it also will not cost $300+ either. GC will cost between $150 and $200 dollars. There is another more expensive version of Gamecube that will be produced by Matsushita (also known as Panasonic) that will feature DVD playback.
The XBox will not play DVD’s out of the box. From xbox.ign.com: “you won’t be able to play DVDs right of the box. Instead, you’ll have to purchase a “remote control” kit that will basically include a piece of hardware or software and a remote control that will allow you to play normal DVDs on your system”
BTW, in many states those PS2 (and now Game Boy Advance) bundles are illegal. They can’t force you to buy the $299 PS2 (don’t pay more than that, if you do, that money goes directly to store profit), a $49.99 game, $34.99 controller and $34.99 memory card if you don’t want it. Check with the consumer protection agency (often part of the state attorney general’s office) or Better Business Bureau and see what the law is.
Also BTW, PS2 naysayers would do well to check out Metal Gear Solid 2 (out November) and Gran Turismo 3 (out now in Japan and June in the US). Drool.
That was also one of the PS2’s biggest flaws. Get a separate DVD player… it’ll cost you the $100 you save on getting the Gamecube, anyway. And it’ll be more reliable.
Otherwise, you get the PS2, and you get an awkward gaming system AND an awkward DVD player.
I prefer sports games, and the top designers of such games (most notably EA Sports) will be designing games for XBOX.
Now, I understand that you will probably pop in to tell me that EA isn’t the best, but sales of their products certainly speak volumes.
If you want to cling dearly to your PS2, go ahead. Take your shots at Microsoft as well. But, for those who live in the real world, we all know that Microsoft’s XBOX will be the most widely used and accpeted game console.
Other companies are motivated by money, and getting on board with anything Microsoft does gurantees that. That benefits me and other consumers.
Look, we all know the Microsoft song and dance, we all know Beta was better than VHS, and MACs are better than PC’s, blah, blah, blah , yadda, yadda, yadda…
“That was also one of the PS2’s biggest flaws. Get a separate DVD player… it’ll cost you the $100
you save on getting the Gamecube, anyway. And it’ll be more reliable.”
But with nothing to play until the game thing Cube comes out, if it ever does…
The PS2 has one rather obvious advantage over those other two consoles. It exists. I can go into my living room and play Tekken Tag Tournament, Madden 2001, or Rayman right now. DVD player? I bought it to play games. Think I’ll do that now.
You have a computer, right? My PC will run any game better than the PS2 ever will. Sure, the damn thing cost much more, but it runs much faster, with better graphics, on a better display. Plus better controls, better customizability, and, of course, the GREATEST bonus of a computer…
