PS2 or X-Box?

[Alexandra242628]

I'm getting this as a "family gift." My husband only likes surfing, skateboarding, etc. games. One friend says X-Box but my BIL who is a real video game nut says PS2. I'm leaning more towards PS2 because of the DVD player which knocks out me buying my son one.

[Art]

I'd say PS2. I have one and have played both systems (X-box vs. PS2).

[pilot_chip]

PS2 - more titles available

if you think you'll be playing online get the slim ps2 unit
( it comes with the network hardware )

there will be some games though are only available on the x-box

Halo 2 for example

[ramirami]

another vote for PS2

[john802]

I vote for PS2.

[desertpilot]

Another vote here for the PS2. There is a new PS2 model (SCPH-70000 CB) now that's smaller in size than the original PS2 (SCPH-50000). It's only about an inch high and internal volume has been reduced by 75% of the previous console. Cost is approx. $150 but in short supply in some areas (YMMV).

My dad bought one of my kids this new PS2 model for X-mas and I'm sure my other kid will ask for one on his next birthday.



http://fp.scea.com/Content/consoles/...s/PS2New_l.jpg


Sony New PS2 link

[desertpilot]

In case my image link doesn't work, here's the pic of the new smaller PS2 (SCPH-70000 CB) system.

[a2Pilot]

PS2 = More titles to choose from. Especially for kids.

XBOX = Better graphics, but fewer titles. Very few titles for "Everyone", but there are some great titles for "Teen" and higher!

(I've got an XBOX and love it!)

Edit - My son has an XBOX and I love it!

[pilot_chip]

Originally posted by a2Pilot
PS2 = More titles to choose from. Especially for kids.

XBOX = Better graphics, but fewer titles. Very few titles for "Everyone", but there are some great titles for "Teen" and higher!

(I've got an XBOX and love it!)

Edit - My son has an XBOX and I love it!

Have you played Halo 2 yet ? Haven't played it but
I hear that it's an excellent game.

[aubie2]

A vote for Xbox. I have Halo 2 and it is awsome. Both PS2 and Xbox can operate as a DVD player (of course with the DVD remote accessory which costs extra). So I would look at the games PS2 and Xbox offers and decide. If you don't care about games like Halo 2 and stuff like that then it is a toss up. So you can read all the pros and cons until you are blue in the face but you will not go wrong with either one you buy. Hope this helps!!!

BTW I went with Xbox since I have one. Another way to decide is to see what systems your son's friends own. If they play online, then you can get the same system his friends have so he can join with them online.

[RipRocK]

I recently purchased an Xbox and the main reason I did that was the better graphics quality and better FPS you get given the same game.

There's no denying that many more game titles are available for the PS2, but usually the good games are available for both platforms anyway. I usually check out xbox.gamespy.com and gamespot.com/xbox for reviews of games and the highly rated games are usually available for both platforms.

Given that I was purchasing a console for my girls, I did look into the available children's titles for both boxes, but the games developed mainly for children or pre-teens were almost always given dismal reviews. I wasn't about to have my girls play some dumpy games just for the sake of having them play kids/preteen games.

There are plenty of non-violent, non-suggestive games out there with good reviews and I'd rather see them play a nice RPG game, really good sports games and racing sims than some lame kids' titles.

Some really good games out there are developed solely for PS2 and vise versa, or a game will be released alot sooner for one platform before the other, but when it came time to make a decision, I just felt better going with an Xbox, possible future modding considerations notwithstanding

[beef_jerky]

I'd recommend X-Box if your husband likes to tinker. There's free software that's been developed for the Xbox called Xbox Media Center, that allows you to use the X-Box as multimedia jukebox as well as a gaming console. I'm getting an X-Box as an alternative to a CD changer or more expensive media servers (http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?cl...c&m=MB-S1&p=i, http://www.kenwoodusa.com/product/pr...roductId=2608, http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/M...idx_server.htm)

Here's a link to the X-Box Media Center site: http://www.xboxmediacenter.de/info_project.htm

Another good site with info on modding the X-Box: http://www.xbox-scene.com

[hgilmore]

I own a video game store and know both systems up and down. I have played many games on both systems, and XBox is my system of choice. Here's a little input on both systems.


PS2

Pros -

1.) As others have said... there are a lot more titles available and they span all age ranges very well.
2.) Much smaller than the XBox.
3.) If you enjoy RPG games... Final Fantasy XI Online can only be played on PS2 or PC. However, don't get the slimline version of the PS2, because you need to install a hard drive to play this game and it won't fit in the smaller PS2.
4.) Works as a DVD player with no additional equipment needed.

Cons-

1.) Slower game loading.

2.) No hard drive to store game saves on. You must purchase memory cards to store game saves.

3.) No where near as durable as the Xbox. Sony has had a ton of problems with their DVD drive. We literally get about 8-10 PS2's a month in that need repaired or cleaned. Frequently the cost of repairing them is higher than replacement.

4.) No Halo 2..... the best First Person Shooter game available.

5.) Can not be modified.

6.) No Network adapter in the full size PS2. Must be purchased separately. The Slim PS2 has a network adapter, but you can not install the hard drive in that one.

7.) Only 2 controller ports. Need to purchase a Multi-Tap to play 4 player games.

Xbox

Pros-

1.) Faster game loading.

2.) Hard drive to store game saves.

3.) HALO 2

4.) Durable- They rarely come in for repair (one every other month or so). When they do need fixed, the repair is usually easy and inexpensive and usually costs less than $50.00.

5.) Better Graphics

6.) You can store music on the factory hard drive and it can be modified to have a larger Hard Drive. With a larger drive and a mod chip, you can store games, movies, pictures, etc. on it. (As previous poster beef_jerky said... check out www.xbox-scene.com for more info on that.)

7.) Four controller ports for multi-player games.

8.) Built in Network adapter.

9.) oh yea... this needs to be said again... HALO 2!!!!!!!!!

Cons-

1.) Not as many games available... especially for younger kids.

2.) You need to purchase an additional accessory to use it as a DVD player. ($29.99 - DVD remote kit)

3.) Bulkier... takes up more space.

4.) No Final Fantasy XI online.



Summary:

Both systems are excellent gaming platforms with their own strengths and weaknesses. The Xbox is the the more durable machine with better and more reliable hardware. It has better graphics on most games. The Xbox is definitely the better overall system. However, due to the game selection, the Xbox really is the best choice only if the gamers are teens and adults. If you have younger kids, the PS2 might be the better choice.

If you kids are really young (under 7), check out the Gamecube. Lots of kiddie games and also some really good adult titles. Also, it's the least expensive of the three systems.

Good luck and Merry Christmas!!!