gekko
06-10-2002, 11:52 PM
Being almost 2 years into the console years, less than 1 for a few latecomers, here's my thoughts on the consoles.
Xbox
What they did right --
-- Audio and Video settings on system menu
I've been using an HDTV since before PS2's day, and I got used to the progressive video selection on Gamecube, not a big deal. A little message pops up when you boot the game, hit A and you have progressive scan. But once I got my l33t home-theater setup, I've really come to love the audio settings in the system menu. On Xbox, boot a game and you never, EVER see the option to select Mono, Stereo, or Surround. Why? You already set it in the system menu, you also said whether you can support Dolby Digital or DTS. On Gamecube, I need to go into options for every game, switch it, and then save it to an options file, which takes up memory card room. Of course, some games like sports games I only play multiplayer, and don't have a save file, so I need to switch it everytime. On Xbox, when I boot it automatically switches to progressive scan mode, and automatically outputs in surround sound an I'm good to go from the start.
-- Forced Progressive scan
Gamecube supports progressive scan, and it's reletivaly easy to add to the game from what I hear, yet there's a ton of games that don't support it. Every Xbox game at least supports 480p, I don't know of any which support anything else, but you know. I own an HDTV, and every game is in progressive scan, making me happy. I wish Nintendo would make the developers support it.
-- Hard drive
As many bad things that can come from HDs, none have so far thankfully. And I've still yet to buy a single memory card for Xbox. I don't mind buying memory cards, but really, I like having Halo files for every one of my friends who come over. I like having a season and a franchise in WSB, I like editing options and not worrying about wasting space on an option file, and I like buying a new game, and not really knowing, or caring how much space I have left.
What they did wrong --
-- Controller
My god, this from the people who claimed to go ask hardcore gamers what they wanted? I don't believe a word of it. The controller S is decent, I mean it seems like a normal controller. Do I think it's great? Not at all, I've used better, but compared to the old one, it's heaven.
-- DVD, no DVD?
The whole DVD kit is a joke. They sit there and brag about having DVD movie support, and then don't support it without an extra cost. Give me a break, add it or don't.
Gamecube
What they did right --
-- Disc format
Ok, so Xbox can load with similar speeds, it also uses a HD which helps. For a console without a HD, damn they did good with load speeds on this. And yes, load speeds do take away from the feel of the game, not to mention annoy you.
-- Controller
Gotta say, I love the feel of the controller. The D-Pad is a little small, but the rest of the controller is great.
-- Partnerships
Nintendo is going in the right direction here. Partnering with other companies, like the Triforce board. It's a way to get tons of great games on Gamecube. Cause as all Dreamcast fans know, Sega's arcade games made for great gaming on DC.
What they did wrong --
-- No progressive scan in some games
-- Sound
5 channel Pro Logic II, holy ****, that's amazing! But save that stuff for Dolby to figure out, why not any support for Dolby Digital or DTS? Granted most people will never take advantage of this, there are people who will, and they will want the best gaming experience possible. An optical out port is something else I want, but not needed unless you are using Dolby Digital or DTS.
-- Memory cards
SD cards will kick ass, but they're not out yet. As for right now, the memory cards are way too small. Can't wait for the 251, but that's still not the SD card.
-- No Audio and Video settings in system menu
PS2
What they did right --
-- Developer support
What they did wrong --
-- No Progressive Scan
-- Backwards Compatability
2 controller ports falls under this category
-- Audio settings not done in system settings
-- Graphics
They have improved a ton since it was released, but they still are not impressive compared to what they said they would be.
Those are my thoughts to this point. Xbox is surprising me, in a good way, PS2 is surprising me, in a bad way. Thought Xbox would be worse, and PS2 would be better. Not commenting on online stuff until it's out. Just thought I'd share my opinions on the systems I love and hate so far.
Hasn't even been a year for GC and Xbox, but it sure has gone differently than I expected.
Xbox
What they did right --
-- Audio and Video settings on system menu
I've been using an HDTV since before PS2's day, and I got used to the progressive video selection on Gamecube, not a big deal. A little message pops up when you boot the game, hit A and you have progressive scan. But once I got my l33t home-theater setup, I've really come to love the audio settings in the system menu. On Xbox, boot a game and you never, EVER see the option to select Mono, Stereo, or Surround. Why? You already set it in the system menu, you also said whether you can support Dolby Digital or DTS. On Gamecube, I need to go into options for every game, switch it, and then save it to an options file, which takes up memory card room. Of course, some games like sports games I only play multiplayer, and don't have a save file, so I need to switch it everytime. On Xbox, when I boot it automatically switches to progressive scan mode, and automatically outputs in surround sound an I'm good to go from the start.
-- Forced Progressive scan
Gamecube supports progressive scan, and it's reletivaly easy to add to the game from what I hear, yet there's a ton of games that don't support it. Every Xbox game at least supports 480p, I don't know of any which support anything else, but you know. I own an HDTV, and every game is in progressive scan, making me happy. I wish Nintendo would make the developers support it.
-- Hard drive
As many bad things that can come from HDs, none have so far thankfully. And I've still yet to buy a single memory card for Xbox. I don't mind buying memory cards, but really, I like having Halo files for every one of my friends who come over. I like having a season and a franchise in WSB, I like editing options and not worrying about wasting space on an option file, and I like buying a new game, and not really knowing, or caring how much space I have left.
What they did wrong --
-- Controller
My god, this from the people who claimed to go ask hardcore gamers what they wanted? I don't believe a word of it. The controller S is decent, I mean it seems like a normal controller. Do I think it's great? Not at all, I've used better, but compared to the old one, it's heaven.
-- DVD, no DVD?
The whole DVD kit is a joke. They sit there and brag about having DVD movie support, and then don't support it without an extra cost. Give me a break, add it or don't.
Gamecube
What they did right --
-- Disc format
Ok, so Xbox can load with similar speeds, it also uses a HD which helps. For a console without a HD, damn they did good with load speeds on this. And yes, load speeds do take away from the feel of the game, not to mention annoy you.
-- Controller
Gotta say, I love the feel of the controller. The D-Pad is a little small, but the rest of the controller is great.
-- Partnerships
Nintendo is going in the right direction here. Partnering with other companies, like the Triforce board. It's a way to get tons of great games on Gamecube. Cause as all Dreamcast fans know, Sega's arcade games made for great gaming on DC.
What they did wrong --
-- No progressive scan in some games
-- Sound
5 channel Pro Logic II, holy ****, that's amazing! But save that stuff for Dolby to figure out, why not any support for Dolby Digital or DTS? Granted most people will never take advantage of this, there are people who will, and they will want the best gaming experience possible. An optical out port is something else I want, but not needed unless you are using Dolby Digital or DTS.
-- Memory cards
SD cards will kick ass, but they're not out yet. As for right now, the memory cards are way too small. Can't wait for the 251, but that's still not the SD card.
-- No Audio and Video settings in system menu
PS2
What they did right --
-- Developer support
What they did wrong --
-- No Progressive Scan
-- Backwards Compatability
2 controller ports falls under this category
-- Audio settings not done in system settings
-- Graphics
They have improved a ton since it was released, but they still are not impressive compared to what they said they would be.
Those are my thoughts to this point. Xbox is surprising me, in a good way, PS2 is surprising me, in a bad way. Thought Xbox would be worse, and PS2 would be better. Not commenting on online stuff until it's out. Just thought I'd share my opinions on the systems I love and hate so far.
Hasn't even been a year for GC and Xbox, but it sure has gone differently than I expected.