I am thinking of getting my husband a game system for Christmas. Being a girl who hasn’t played a game since the original Nintendo Mario Brothers I am confused by my choices.
Which is more popular? Which has the best games? His favorite computer games are Medal of Honor and some Doom like game which isn’t Doom. He likes to shoot things.
He also enjoys playing games with others over the internet. I understand that is possible with the XBox but I am not sure how it works. Has anyone done that? Can you do it with a Playstation 2?
Any cool accessaries he will just have to have with either system?
Microsoft is losing money on the XBox. It doesn’t have a big enough installed base to make it attractive for game developers. There is doubt in the industry how much longer it will be a viable platform. Microsoft has a lot of money - it depends on how much they are willing to subsidize the XBox.
But the Playstation 2 isn’t an internet appliance. If you want an internet applicance, buy a PC.
Also, IMHO, FPS’s are really crappy on a console. They are better suited for the mouse/keyboard combination of a PC. So, while he might enjoy Medal of Honor for the PC he might not care for it on a game console.
The XBox, despite what Dangerosa says, is a pretty good console that seems to be generating more game development than I could ever afford, and your husband would love “Halo” if he likes Doom-type games. It’ll be supported for a long time to come.
The PS2 has more games, but to be honest I don’t personally know anyone who could afford to buy all the games for either, anyway. The selection exceeds most people’s budgets no matter which you buy. What matters is what KIND of games you like, since both machines have a large number of excellent games, so buy based on which 2-4 critical games he’ll play most. Anyone who likes FPS games will go bonkers over the XBox’s “Halo,” but then again maybe he’d like PS2’s “Grand Theft Auto.”
I honestly don’t think you can really go wrong with either system, game-wise. There’s a terrific selection. IMHO, the XBox is a technically better system and I’d buy that, but you won’t be disappointed with a Playstation if you go that route.
While it is true that both systems are equals, I’d go with the PS2. The selection is far greater than the XBOX because you can still play the original Playstation games on the PS2 (mind you, there are some very good Playstation games that are worth buying such as Metal Gear Solid). PS2 titles are also alot better than any on the XBOX (GTA3, Metal Gear Sons of Liberty, Max Payne, etc.). Also, (not knowing if your husband is a sports fan) the game titles on the PS2 play alot better than on the XBOX (most notably the NCAA and Madden series) because of years of perfection on the Playstation. Go with the PS2.
Wow! The same thread a week ago. I even did a search. I really did!
Thanks for your help guys. He really like playing shooter and war games more then anything. He isn’t much interested in sports and he doesn’t need a ton of games because he really likes to play the same one over and over. A lot of his playing over and over comes with playing over the internet with games like Medal of Honor. But, it seems like every couple of years he wants a new computer or to upgrade the old one because it won’t play the newest games as well. I figure that a playstation or xbox for $199 will be cheaper then a new computer this year. But if the XBox has the capablity to play on the internet then that is the way I think I am going to go. Halo seems cool too.
Something else to bear in mind is that there is now a rumor circulating that the PS2 and Xbox are going to drop to $150US around Yankee Thanksgiving, and that Gamecube may hit a paltry $100. Might be worthwhile waiting another week or so just to see if the rumor is indeed true.
That would explain why Best Buy has stacks of these systems sitting around with no price markings anywhere. Of course they do have a 30 day guarantee so it might be worth it to pick one up now while they have tons.
I am sure that he would like your suggestion RickJay but he is only getting one! If I bought him both I would never get to use the TV again.
Er, with the network adapter, the PS2 can be used for online play. Finding one may be a challenge, but the XBox certainly does not have an exclusive on online gaming.
The PS2 is not going to be $150 on black friday. Its going to be $199, the xbox too, but a xbox comes with three games.
However:
"overstock.com has a bunch of Playstation 2 consoles and games on sale. Refurb PS2 $179.99 - $15 coupon = $164.99, $2.95 shipping. No tax in most areas.
As said, both consoles are great purchases with great games.
One advantage of the PS2 that hasn’t been mentioned is that its older games are much cheaper. You can get some great, best-selling games for just 20 dollars. That includes action games like Devil May Cry and MGS2.
Untrue. Really, the only one it’s got going for it is the two GTA3 games (and one of them’s on PC already, and the other one soon will be). Xbox has MGS2: Substance, and its port of Max Payne (wow, ancient history, there) has long been regarded the superior of the console versions (of course, the PC version is better than console). Then there’s Mechassault and Splinter Cell to snag up, plus the huge list of upcoming games…
It all depends on what you want. Me? I’m patient. I saw the list of upcoming Xbox games and thought, “That’s what I want.” I made my purchase by thinking more than a month in advance… I was thinking several years in advance.
The best thing, in my opinion, about the PS2 is being able to snag up all those old PSX games for $10. As soon as I pull a chunk of cash together, I’m going to raid the Sony Classics aisle…
If you are buying it now, get the PSII, I still don’t think there are enough killer apps in the XBOX lineup. The XBOX current package, with 2 games for 199 is very nice though.
If you can swing both, get the XBOX package now, and wait for the rumored PSII price drop. If the XBOX drops in price to 149, I doubt they package any games with it.
Also, the xbox has a bigger controller so make sure your hubby hands are bigger. I hear the xboxs for sale these days have an S controller that is smaller. Come friday after thanksgiving, the xbox should be $199 with three games.
But if the XBox has the capablity to play on the internet then that is the way I think I am going to go. Halo seems cool too.