What should i buy, X-box or Playstation 2

[FoCelestial]

I'm considering buying a console, the only problem is i don't know which one i want. Which is better? Which one has more games? What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Right now I'm leaning a bit more towards the X-box, because it seems a bit cheaper, and because I like the controller.

Any thoughts on the matter will be appreciated :)

[Glockstar]

"Right now I'm leaning a bit more towards the X-box, because it seems a bit cheaper, and because I like the controller."

That's two pretty big reasons right there, bud. I'd say that's enough.
But, if you want more reasons, I'll be happy to oblige ;)

- Firstly, it's not so much that the XBox is "cheaper", it's just a better value. One of the two biggest reasons for going with the XBox is that, because of the built-in harddrive, you don't have to buy any memory cards. Not only does that mean more money for games, but it also means that you don't have to worry about memory cards or space. The HDD is frickin' huge. (The other biggest reason is the controller - which we've already mentioned.)

- Another bonus of the HDD is that it gives you the ability rip songs off your CD's. And there are a lot of games that feature "Custom Soundtracks".

- Don't know if you're going to get into online gaming or not, but almost everyone agrees that XBox Live is the industry leader, with regards to online console gaming. Voice chat, Live Aware, downloadable content, scoreboards/leaderboards, and most of all, Friends Lists.

-

The games define each console just as much as the hardware itself does though. I am of the opinion that each console fulfills a certain niche. That is to say, that one offers more of certain types of games - and does these better - than the others. But unless you only like games in a few specific genres, you really can't go wrong with either the XBox or the PS2. They both have got a lot of games - and lots of different types of games. The PS2 library is bigger than the XBox's, but it's also been on shelves about a year and half longer - and some of those PS2 games are really showing their age now. Still, both libraries are HUGE and there's no doubt in my mind that there's plenty enough quality choices to keep a gamer happy for years - and that's just counting the games that are available now!

I used to think that a person should know - or think about - what type of games it is that they like before they decide which system to buy, but not so much anymore. Not when you're deciding between just the P2 and XB anyways. However, like I said, there is no denying that each of the consoles has different strengths and weaknesses. For example: the XBox library runneth-over with first-person militaristic shooters - but only has two light gun games. While the PS2 is the system to have if you like Japanese-style role-playing games; but if you prefer your RPGs to be of a... Western flavor... then, sorry, but the PS2 has got nothing for ya.

Anyways, you might lean towards getting a _________ if you like __________.

Fill in the blanks with:
* PS2... Japanese-style RPGs; platformers; survival-horror games; old-school shooters; rhythm and music games; and 3D fighting games.

* XBox... FPSs; driving/racing games; Western-style RPGs; and action games.

I think both consoles are equal with regards to: sports; puzzle games; family/kids games; adventure games; and strategy games.

I have all three consoles, but the XBox is, without a doubt, my favorite. I like variety and I like all kinds of different game types. And though the XBox library does have some holes, I find that it meets my wants and needs the best. By far. I also think that a lot of the best of the best of the games in each of the specific genres is found "Only On Xbox".

Hope I helped.

[Gadfly2317]

I faced the same dilemma as you a little over a year ago. I only gamed on the gamecube, but I wanted to expand. I liked the xbox controller and I liked the hard drive. I very much wanted to play Panzer Dragoon Orta, and was looking forward to Fable. I also wanted to play some realistic racing games which were lacking on the GC. Project Gotham 2 on Xbox rocks.

But honestly, I didn't stop and ask myself, truly "Who am I" as a gamer. I've been bored with the xbox game line-up. It is way heavy on steretypical style games. It has shooters and racers downpat, and Ninja Gaiden kicks ass if you've got the skills for it.

I bought a Ps2 for the first time 3 months ago after looking down on it, snobbily, as "the inferior systsem." I have absolutely fallen in love with it. Sure, its controller isn't the best, and you've got to have a memory card, but talking about VALUE. The game lineup is huge. And there are TONS of 90%+ rated games for $19 or less. For example I've picked up Capcom's Devil May Cry for $9, and I also got Silent Hill 3 for $9 brand spankin new along with the CD soundtrack disk. Brand new you can get things like Gran Turismo, Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, Ratchet and Clank, and Jak and Daxter (1 and 2) for $19, and even less used.

I've gotten over 25 Ps2 games in 3 months because there are so many for so cheap.

What are you gaming on currently? Do you have a Gamecube? If you don't, then you can also look forward to GC partial-exclusives like Resident Evil 4 and Viewtiful Joe that have, or will have Ps2 versions. And right now I'm LOVING Grand Theft Auto San Andreas.

And Variety. If you only like a couple kinds of games, like shooters and racers, or just have GOT to play KOTOR, then you'll get by fine with your xbox. But if you want to play a lot of different kind of games, you can't beat the Ps2. Not only does it have your standard games--many racers, tons of RPG's (sadly lacking on xbox), some stunning platformers, tons of horror games, but it also has many hard to define niche games that are a joy because they are so unique and fun (see Culdcept, Katamari Damacy, Amplitude.)

Ps2 is a joy. And my GC is still the heart and soul of my gaming systems. But my Xbox sits idle most of the time, except when I fall for the hype of some big game that seems really cool at first, but then is ultimately sort of shallow and dissapointing (see Fable.)

[PapaSmurf]

XBOX or PS2 eh? I think you should buy a Gamecube

[tekbit]

XBOX or PS2 eh? I think you should buy a Gamecube

Word!

[no.1gamer]

XBOX or PS2 eh? I think you should buy a Gamecube

Yea, Gamecube is the cheapest...

But between the Xbox and PS2 I would recommend the PS2. The Xbox has a few good games, but the PS2 has a ton of good games. But it really depends on what kind of games you like the best.

[Tappy_Tibbons]

do your own research, start with www.gamerankings.com to see what genres you prefer.

Personally, I've never owned a Ps2 because, to be frank, most games and genres I am interested in on PS2 are in superior form on Xbox...for instance...

GTA 3 and Vice City sold millions of PS2s...however, after a while, both games were released on Xbox in superior form with better graphics and the abilty to use the soundtracks on your Xbox as the in-game music. GTA San Andreas will probably go to Xbox to, although the release date hasn't firmly been stated. MGS2 was also another temporary PS2 exclusive which is top rated but also avialable on Xbox as in MGS2 Substance (Though I think the game sucks).

Then you have Xbox exclusives...Halo, Halo2, Crimson Skies, DOA Ultimate, Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic, Fable, Ninja Gaiden, Panzer Dragoon Orta, Morrowind, Rallisport 1 and 2, Project Gotham 1 and 2, The Chronicles of Riddick (good game, trust me), Jet Set Radio Future, Voodoo Vince, Crazy Taxi 3, and even Unreal Championship, there are TONS of awesome games on Xbox that will NEVER end up on PS2...sure, some may end up on PC, but that's to be expected and PC gaming is an expensive habbit to boot!

If you plan on getting online, then Xbox is without a doubt the best possible choice. Not only are nearly all online titles on both consoles graphically better on Xbox, but they are usually less buggy than PS2, ntm the PS2 online is riddled with cheaters with virtually no other means of resolving the issue other than user feedback, which rarely works.

Also, there are NO ONLINE FIGHTING GAMES on PS2, PERIOD! There are nearly 5 on Xbox now. There are NO ONLINE FLYING GAMES ON PS2, PERIOD, there is Crimson Skies on Xbox, which OWNS. There are NO decent online shooters on PS2 other than maybe R&C UYA...yet there are more outstanding online shooters on Xbox than you would possibly have time to play. Online racers on PS2? Let's see, there's Burnout 3, which is better on Xbox because of more organized rankings, better graphics and the ability to use your own custom soundtracks, which you will want to do because the default soundtrack bLOWS. Grand Turismo 4 was supposed to be a prize trophy for the PS2 online, has had the online portion CUT OUT.

But whatever man, Glockstar preached the truth..

If you like ______ genre, buy console _____.

If you like Japanese RpGs like Final Fantasy, get a Ps2, if you like games like Knights of the Old Republic, get Xbox.

If you liek action games, you only need one...Ninja Gaiden, which craps all over all the pathetic Ps2 hack and slashers in the genre.

If you like fighting games, it's a toss up.

If you like sports games, why not get better graphics and custom soundtracks with the Xbox?!

If you like shooters and you buy a PS2, you should be locked away somewhere far far from here because there are NO decent shooters on PS2.

If you are into wacky abstract/music/light gun/survival horror games, get a PS2, that's one thing PS2 has, and always will have on PS2 because the majority of those games come from Japan and all Japanese Developers hate the Xbox other than Tecmo.

Basically, if you like American type games, get Xbox, if you prefer Japanese games, get a PS2, simple as that.

[sw33tjimmy]

i say save your money and go with the phantom.

[Deathstroke]

I say wait another two years and you'll likely have new consoles that are backwards compatible to choose from.

[mandark]

I say wait another two years and you'll likely have new consoles that are backwards compatible to choose from.
Best suggestion yet. Why buy a PS2 of X-box now this late in the stage when the newer ones will be able to play the current libraries. If you've been able to hold out this long you might as well wait some more for the next gens.

[sinfree]

I have had both, and I personally like the XBox a little better, though both are very nice consoles. You will probably be happy with either one. Basically, unless you are in love with PS2-only games, go with the XBox. Becuase of the hard-drive, and also because I believe the load times, etc tend to be faster on XBox. Especially saving and loading, since it is writing to/from a hard-drive as opposed to a memory card. For example, I had NCAA football for both PS2 and XBox, and the PS2 took FOREVER to save my season... the XBox was much better in that category. The XBox arguably has the better hardware, though that probably really comes down to how well the programmers use it. I have seen PS2 and Gamecube cames rival or beat XBox games in graphics, because they were very well put together. For alone play, Live is hard to beat. I would first take a look at the games line-up for XBox and make sure there are enough titles that you want to play to make it worth it, and also at games that will be coming out. I think I probably liked my Gamecube better than my PS2, the graphics definitely tended to be better as a whole on GC... but of course the game line-up for Gamecube doesn't shake a stick at PS2, though GC has some sweet games.

All in all, I recommend XBox :).

[Glockstar]

I say wait another two years and you'll likely have new consoles that are backwards compatible to choose from.

Best suggestion yet. Why buy a PS2 of X-box now this late in the stage when the newer ones will be able to play the current libraries. If you've been able to hold out this long you might as well wait some more for the next gens.

I can't believe you guys.

As cheap as these systems are now, you're going to suggest to a fellow that he wait 2-years, and pay $400 to play todays games?!?

Unless you guys have had visions of some future console that will play all of this generations' games - the PS2s, the XBox's, and the GCs - you guys are whacked.

[Deathstroke]

I can't believe you guys.

As cheap as these systems are now, you're going to suggest to a fellow that he wait 2-years, and pay $400 to play todays games?!?

Unless you guys have had visions of some future console that will play all of this generations' games - the PS2s, the XBox's, and the GCs - you guys are whacked.

Whatever choice he makes, he will be missing out on one consoles library of titles.

By waiting another two years, he will get to play this generations games as well as the next generation games. If he buys a console now, it'll be obsolete in another two years. And then, he'll have to fork over more money to get another console. At this point, it's better to hold out, do some research on what each console has to offer in their respective libraries and then when the new consoles roll out, he'll have a better idea of his own tastes and which franchises he wants future installments of.

[Rykon]

It isnt better to hold out. If you didnt have a console now, you wouldnt want to wait two years to get one. I say go with Xbox. It has a built in hard drive, better feeling controllers in my opinion, better games, and Xbox Live. I've owned all three consoles, and I've traded in the other two. Xbox is great. It has Halo 2 and (soon to get) Doom 3, which PS2 or GameCube will never get. We're also getting Ubisoft games sooner than PS2. And we're now getting games that were once PS2 exclusives. Plus, when you buy an Xbox now it comes with two great games, both Xbox Live enabled. It also includes a three month free subscription to Xbox Live. And also, the Xbox 2 wont have backwards compatability. Well, Im not saying it wont, but now it looks doubtful. And like I said, in two years, they wont have great launch titles. I know tons of people who will still be playing their Xbox even after Xbox 2 is out. Not everyone can just cough up $300+. Again, I say go for Xbox. Four controller slots, you can save songs, Xbox Live, and better game selection. Oh, better graphics doesnt hurt, either.

[Deathstroke]

If you have to have a console now, I wouldn't suggest the X-box simply because by this time next year it'll be obsolete. Currently, everything points to an X-box 2 launch in late 2005.

[Rykon]

As will the PS2. And plus, no gaming for a year? You must be crazy. And plus, the PS2 has a lesser online play, worse graphics, two controller ports, you cant save songs to it, and no hard drive. Plus, look at the Xbox exclusive games. Mech Assault 2, Halo 2, Doom III, Half Life 2 (it'll eventually come), and we're going to get GTA: San Andreas in February. I cant think of any reason I'd want a PS2 (actually the only reason I ever got it was for Vice City way back when). Also, PS2's have way more problems. I bought a PS2, it didnt work, there was something wrong with the video/picture thing. Then I got a new one, and it had a problem with the disk tray. My third one had a problem where it couldnt read any disks whatsoever. Ive yet to have one problem with my Xbox.

[Deathstroke]

As will the PS2.

Not true, Sony seems to be planning a mid to late 2006 launch. At this point, PS2 will last two years while X-box will last one year. Game lineups for both will probably end up being scarce at the end anyway. If he's held out this long, he can hold out one more year. Or, he can spend money now but if he does, he better make sure that he has a pretty good backlog of games to play because chances are, that's all he'll have to play for a while.