# XBOX or PS2, which one? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 22, 2003, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-or-ps2-which-one/156675 "2003-02-22T00:20:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![raisinbread](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8491ac/32.png) [@raisinbread](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raisinbread)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-or-ps2-which-one/156675/41 "2003-02-23T00:50:30Z")
Panzer Dragoon is pwn3d by Rez. Rez is superior. ---
**Author:** ![Netbrian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71e660/32.png) [@Netbrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Netbrian)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-or-ps2-which-one/156675/42 "2003-02-23T02:06:50Z")
What on EARTH is wrong with the Gamecube?! ---
**Author:** ![Ms2001](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ms2001/32/18463_2.png) [@Ms2001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms2001)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-or-ps2-which-one/156675/43 "2003-02-23T02:20:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Doctordec \* > **Xbox has built in ethernet for broadband while PS2 needs an adapter.** Note that you still have to buy an Xbox Live kit to play online… the built-in Ethernet adapter is only good for LAN games. ---
**Author:** ![d\_redguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5fc32e/32.png) [@d\_redguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/d_redguy)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-or-ps2-which-one/156675/44 "2003-02-23T02:41:25Z")
> [@](#): > > _originally posted by moriah:_ > Isn’t anyone going to point out that the Xbox is made by the Evile Empire and that we should all hope that the Xbox will go the way of the Dreamcast and that Microsoft will lose lots of money in a gleeful _the villian gets his punishment in the end_ reverie? Well I really **want** to. I do. But see, the thing is, is that they are doing it right. And it pisses me off. :mad: They are making good games dammit! They should stop that immediately!! Seriously, though, I am a PS2 owner, and I love it. But I cannot find a bad thing to say about the XBox (Besides the whole Evil Empire thing). The type S controller is cool if you can’t handle the big one. And the big one is great for driving games, it makes you feel more like you have a steering wheel in your hands. I kinda like that.🆒 ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-or-ps2-which-one/156675/45 "2003-02-23T03:39:19Z")
I should point out that if you like hockey games, NHL 2K3 is available only on X-box. It’s so much better than EA’s NHL games that it’s sad. Hockey fans might want to bear that in mind. I used to love EA NHL games but the latest installment is offensively bad, while NHL 2K3 is a marvelous product. ---
**Author:** ![ElwoodCuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/edb3f5/32.png) [@ElwoodCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElwoodCuse)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-or-ps2-which-one/156675/46 "2003-02-23T07:17:26Z")
Wrong. NHL 2k3 is available for all 3 systems. (X-box is the only one with online play, however). Sega did announce that it’s no longer making sports games for the GameCube, though. And yes, NHL 2k3 is FAR better than EA’s last few games. ---
**Author:** ![Tarrsk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/97f17d/32.png) [@Tarrsk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarrsk)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-or-ps2-which-one/156675/47 "2003-02-23T08:24:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by raisinbread \* > \*\*Panzer Dragoon is pwn3d by Rez. > Rez is superior. \*\* …? The two games are nothing alike. How can you even compare them? It’s like saying that Pacman is pwn3d by Galaxian. ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-or-ps2-which-one/156675/48 "2003-02-23T08:25:54Z")
GTA3 and GTA3:VC are not available on the X-Box, so of course, you must get the PS2. ---
**Author:** ![DKW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dkw/32/3118_2.png) [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-or-ps2-which-one/156675/49 "2003-02-23T09:00:59Z")
skinny - Tell you what…why don’t you visit a few video game stores (might want to check out a website or two as well) and ask the folks _there_ what to get. Most of them are quite knowledgable, and since they’re trying to sell everything, you can count on a lot more objectivity than you will on any messag board. Always remember the one ironclad truth about the console gaming industry…nothing makes one damn microscopic speck of sense. To date, I’ve yet to hear one convincing explanation for: - Why the Dreamcast failed (I’m not buying horseplop like “everything Sega does is cursed”) - The supposedly massive graphical advantages/disadvantages of the PS2 compared to _anything_ (sheesh, are you guys _cyborgs_ or something?) - How to tell when a system has “hit its limit” (For the PSX, this was around the time Gauntet Legends came out, but that was plainly obvious.) - Why a teeny tiny handful of ultra-megahyped games sets the tone for the entire system. So don’t worry too much…chances are one choice is as good as another. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-or-ps2-which-one/156675/50 "2003-02-23T16:21:33Z")
“GTA3 and GTA3:VC are not available on the X-Box, so of course, you must get the PS2.” I got it on the Dreamcast first, an older version. [gamefaqs.com](http://gamefaqs.com) has game lists of all kinds, faqs too, all systems. “What on EARTH is wrong with the Gamecube?!” He didn’t want to discuss that one, although I don’t know why. I own all the systems because I like certain characters that are found on only each system. ---
**Author:** ![cainxinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7bcc69/32.png) [@cainxinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cainxinth)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-or-ps2-which-one/156675/51 "2003-02-23T21:28:31Z")
I own an xbox so obviously there’s a slant here, but I trust ps2 devotees will fill in any gaps or errors. **PS2** PRO: Portability Backwards compatible with PS1 games Largest game library Free online play Included DVD playback Not owned by M$ CON: Four player games require an optional $35 multitap Online games require an optional $50 modem Requires optional $15-$30 memory cards to save games Jaggy, low polygon count (simple geometry) graphics Same price as XBOX despite cheaper hardware Exclusive Games: Grand Theft Auto series, Final Fantasy series, Devil May Cry, Tekken/ VF series, GT3, Kingdom Hearts, Rez, Frequency/ Amplitude, Everquest Online, Ratchet and Clank, Xenosaga, Jak and Daxter, Maximo, Contra 3, ICO, Twisted Metal Black **XBOX** PRO: Included 8 gb hard drive for faster loading, bigger maps, and no need for cards Included broadband connectivity Four controller ports Smoother, high polygon count (most complex geometry possible on a console) graphics Rip mp3’s to hard drive for custom soundtracks in supported games CON: No 56K option Online play costs $50/yr (includes one free game and headset) Original controller too bulky DVD playback requires optional $30 remote control Exclusive Games: Halo, Panzer Dragoon Orta, Project Gotham Racing, Splinter Cell, DOA3/ DOAXBV, Jet Set Radio Future, Unreal Championship, Mechassult, Morrowind, Oddworld, Shenmue II, Knights of the Old Republic, Dino Crisis 3, Fable, Deus Ex Invisible War ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2003, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-or-ps2-which-one/156675/52 "2003-02-24T05:02:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by hyperjes \* > \*\*In order to play **Kingdom Hearts** , one must have a PS2. 😃 I like that game! \*\* I was home this past week, and my brother had this game, and he got me totally hooked on it! I am about 20 hours into it, but had to come back to my apartment for school, and I might not get to play again until _AUGUST_!!! I am so annoyed that I didn’t have more time to play it! I was just about to go attack Ursula in _The Little Mermaid_ level. I tried to get my brother to lend me his PS2, but it didn’t work. I have his PS1, which he gave to me when he bought the 2, but its just not good enough anymore! So…when does PlayStation 3 come out…? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2003, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-or-ps2-which-one/156675/53 "2003-02-24T05:47:03Z")
I don’t see why it matters if there are 1000 pieces of shit out for the PS2 or 50 for the XBox, a piece of shit is a piece of shit. All companies have shitty games. Look at what you like, maybe rent the system with some games first. A video game console is an investment, by the time you purchase it, controllers, possible accessories, and games, you can be looking at a pretty large sum of money. Don’t take people’s word for it. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2003, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-or-ps2-which-one/156675/54 "2003-02-24T09:09:18Z")
> [@](#): > > Note that you still have to buy an Xbox Live kit to play online… the built-in Ethernet adapter is only good for LAN games. Not true. There are other 3rd-party services that allow online play, though it doesn’t have the support that Xbox Live has. Anyway… We own both a PS2 and an Xbox. I also have a kickass computer, so 99% of my gaming time is spent on that. Between the other 1%, however, lately the majority of it has been spent on the PS2… with Vice City. BUT, the thing to keep in mind… for me, I played the “main plot” of Vice City only up to the point where I had the entire city unlocked… after that, I simply play in 15 minute bursts where I spend the entire time running from the cops, feds, and military. Anything more than that is mind-numbingly dull. By contrast, I must have logged over 200 hours playing Halo, single-player. I hope that tells you something, considering that one is capable of beating the game in 10 hours, easily. In my opinion, “exclusives” are overrated, especially since the top exclusives will eventually get ported to PC anyway (like GTA3 and Vice City)… and, remember, I have a kickass PC. Beyond that, the “non-exclusives”, like Silent Hill 2, have been consistently better on the Xbox than the PS2. Games like Morrowind - I’m sorry, but I LIKE games that have such remarkable features as “depth” - are impossible on PS2… superficial, shallow games like the FF series, which are essentially movies with ten minutes of actual gameplay interspliced between, seem to be quite popular, though. Then again, if I had to pay $50 for a movie - not a very good one, at that - I’d be slightly annoyed. Furthermore, I believe it was Mr2001 that I had a bet with, back before the Xbox came out… where he betted that Microsoft would make a significant change or update to the system within a few months of its release. And he lost the bet. But, of course, I didn’t say anything about it… 'til now… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Xavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/2bfe46/32.png) [@Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xavier)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2003, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-or-ps2-which-one/156675/55 "2003-02-24T10:33:56Z")
THE **X-BOX** **skinnywhiteboy** , the **X-Box**! ---
**Author:** ![Ms2001](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ms2001/32/18463_2.png) [@Ms2001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms2001)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-or-ps2-which-one/156675/56 "2003-02-25T01:03:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SPOOFE \* > **Furthermore, I believe it was Mr2001 that I had a bet with, back before the Xbox came out… where he betted that Microsoft would make a significant change or update to the system within a few months of its release.** That sounds vaguely familiar. Got a link? ---
**Author:** ![raisinbread](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8491ac/32.png) [@raisinbread](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raisinbread)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-or-ps2-which-one/156675/57 "2003-02-25T01:30:56Z")
Rez and Pansy Dragon are alike. Same targetting system, flying game except you don’t have some Anne McCaffrey cast off as your mount and it’s set inside a computer instead of some Final Fantasy world. The only place where they’re different are the fact that Rez is better. ---
**Author:** ![cainxinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7bcc69/32.png) [@cainxinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cainxinth)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-or-ps2-which-one/156675/58 "2003-02-25T02:47:41Z")
I haven’t played Rez yet, but Panzer is so fricking incredible it must be off the charts. ---
**Author:** ![Ms2001](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ms2001/32/18463_2.png) [@Ms2001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms2001)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-or-ps2-which-one/156675/59 "2003-02-25T03:37:50Z")
Another difference: Rez is set to music, you create the soundtrack as you play. Imagine that you’re playing Panzer Dragoon, but meanwhile you’re on acid and your whole world is turning into a Winamp visualization. That’s Rez. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xbox-or-ps2-which-one/156675.md?page=2)