I’m a 52 yr old guy who can’t even hook up his entertainment center.So, I need help.I see commercials with these great looking games.I see movies based on these games. But I know one system won’t play all (I don’t quite understand why,after all,my tv picks up more than one channel).
So, in English,for dummies…which system is best?Who has the best games?
Unquestionably, the best current console gaming system is
It’s the same as the company that makes the best trucks. 
this must be some kinda code 
There’s obviously no single “best” console. This belongs in IMHO. I am partial to the Nintendo Gamecube personally, with the PS2 next and the Xbox last (of the current generation). Have you played video games you liked in the past? If you tell us the kind of games you like, we can suggest a console you’d like.
Moved to IMHO.
samclem GQ moderator
Well, XboX has the most powerful graphics engine and the most bells and whistles of the current generation. Playstation has the largest catalog of games and the larger audience.
At this point, with the next generation of uber-consoles on the horizon, I’d go for whichever console has the 2 or 3 games you find the most appealing. The consoles are getting downright cheap, and will be practically free after the next generation is established.
If you’ve always wanted to play Halo, go with Xbox. If you’ve always liked Killzone or Daxter and Jak, go with PS2. Neither machine is going to be viable for a long period of time, so go with what’s going to provide the most entertainment for the next 2 years.
It’s completely subjective, but in general:
Nintendo Gamecube - The “kiddie” system - most of the games are based around animated animals stealing bananas and throwing water balloons at each other, and so on. Still, many of these games are great, and the system has a few “adult” titles, too. Has the least games of the three big systems.
Sony Playstation 2 - The hardcore nerd’s system - all of the major franchises here, as well as many weirder japanese games that used to not make it to the states. Technically the weakest of the three systems technology-wise, but still has the best games. Doubles as a DVD player.
Microsoft X-box - Technically the most powerful system, but also the most pedestrian - leans heavily toward simplistic action, racing, sports games with dazzling graphics at the expense of having little or no puzzle/role playing/strategy/innovative/unique games. Very late in getting the most popular franchises - Grand Theft Auto, Metal Gear Solid - released for it.
Certainly, the best and most often given (around here, at least) advice is to pick the system based on the games. For example, if you like Final Fantasy, the choice is simple. Likewise if you’re a Halo-head.
A lot of the “major” games are released for all three, though not so much Gamecube anymore. In those cases, the Xbox version is usually the “best”. All bets are off (at the moment) for the next gen of systems.
What VCO3 said. Also the X-box can go on “Xbox LIVE” with some games. Basicly it lets you play the games online. Also it can be used a s a DVD player if you buy the special remote controll for that feature.
Personally I’d not buy an X-box now, as it’s successor (the X-box 360*) is coming out in two weeks, IIRC.
*If you want this, buy the version that comes *with *the hard drive, as it will allow you to play games from the first X-box, as well as do a few other things.
The most important question you ask is “Who has the best games?”
And the answer is…another question: What games (or types of games) do you want?
Xbox generally has better first-person shooters (hell, they have the Halo franchise), and generally better head-to-head networked gaming.
PS2 generally has better “solo” games and, in terms of games that interest me at least, a larger library (it also inherits the original PlayStation’s library of games, which makes it a HUGE library).
GameCube generally has the best in-the-room multi-player games. Stuff like Mario Party and the Mario sports games (tennis, golf, etc.) tend to be very good, social party games (if you’re having a very geeky party.
You probably picked the best time to get on the console bandwagon, so unless your planning on plunking down something like a thousand bucks , your looking at the first gen xbox and the ps2.
So get out your CC and rent a system and a couple of games , each week , look in the video section of your local block buster for what ever games you will likely to be playing.
Relax , ya got plenty of time
Declan
Aha, rent a system and compare…thanks
priapus - Well, for me, it was pretty simple:
Gamecube: Has a Codebreaker, but the game selection isn’t too great.
X-Box: Excellent selection, including a number of exclusives I’d really like to get my hands on…but no Codebreaker.
Playstation 2: Great selection, numerous games (including imports) I gotta have, and it has a Codebreaker. (And a Pro Action Replay, but I find the Codebreaker more versatile.)
PS2, hands down. And that’s exactly why I got a Dreamcast as well.
Yeah, yeah, yeah…look, let me ask you a question. Do you enjoy having to repeat a level over and over and over just to get past it? Do you like adversaries/tasks that punish you to the moon and back if you make the tiniest mistake? Do you enjoy having no control whatsoever and never being able to hit back when you get slapped around like a rag doll? If not, you need a Codebreaker. Period. Don’t even pretend otherwise. Sure, you can try getting through Def Jam Fight for New York or Gran Turismo 4 on pure ability. But after hours, days, even weeks of constant failure, you’re going to want help.
You know all those kids squawking about “honor” and “taking the fun out of the game”? They’re super-hardcore fanatics who don’t mind spending hour after hour on the same game just getting a single maneuver or sublevel down, no matter how frustrating or maddening it gets. I’m not. You’re not. Get help.
There are a FEW games I don’t need the Codebreaker for, but not a whole lot.
X-Box is really only good if you’re going to do a lot of online gaming (something I personally wouldn’t touch with a 10 mile pole). A Gamecube is nice for lots of non-serious gaming with the occasional Mature title, but again, the selection isn’t the greatest.
Questions? Fire away.
What do you think of the next generation xbox coming out soon?
For what it’s worth, my 11-year-old son asked for, and received, the Xbox two years ago for Christmas. He loves it, and he does not do any online gaming with it, nor is he allowed to play Halo yet. He has sports games, race games, and a couple of James Bond games. Most of his friends have the Nintendo GameCube, a couple have the PS2, and he says those are good consoles too… but this year he wants the Xbox360! (And I told him, have you seen what they’re saying it’s going to cost? Ay chihuahua!)
All of the consoles have their strengths and weaknesses. You really need to know what you want to play to find out which one is right for you. Just remember that the Xbox and the PS2 are due to be replaced soon - there won’t be many new games available for them after their successors have been released.