Console Debate

[Zedie9]

:wonder: Which console is your favorite, at the moment? And I don't necessarily mean which you have the most games for. ;) Post your praise or criticism about the various systems here. :spin:

[pikatsu]

My mouse is jumping to the walls of my desktop... Damn MS Basic Optical!
:smash:

[BAMAToNE]

It was damn close between the SNES and the PSX, but the SNES won out. I think I've probably had more fun over the years with it. I think I enjoyed the library of RPGs better. Newer is not necessarily better imo. ;)

[Kilu]

Gamecube. No competition. I have had my best times with it.

May be worth noting though that there was not SNES in da house in its peak. And on SNES era it sucked to live in Europe. Still does, but not as much. Most of my SNES RPGs (not many, actually) are played on emulator. And outside RPGs there aren't that many SNES games that I would consider classics/memorable games.

[daniel]

If I had to go for the best of all time I would go for megadrive because it is a classic and had some of the coolest games too, plus that look was great, but saying that Ps2 is probably the best cause it also plays PSX games. PLus it had the greatest game series in history on it too as well as other cool rpg;s. Plus the joypads are way superior to most others.

Dreamcast was a flop, so was jaguar and a few others.

And If you want the most successful?? Then it is without doubt the gameboy which is STILL going:)

[silverDistortioN]

snes i liked... on top of the RPG's, i liked zelda, megaman x, and... *shrugs* i dunno.

gameboy advance is my current favorite. on top of the RPG's, i like zelda, megaman zero 1 and 2, and... *shrugs* i dunno.
(actually, the only rpg i've played was golden sun, which i hated, but i just thought it would sound like a better comparison that way. =)

psx had too many mediocre games for me to consider it a masterpiece of gaming technology. i did enjoy FF7, twisted metal 1 and 2, and the original legacy of kain. (haven't played xenogears.)

...but there's something to be said about that dreamcast. *takes off his nonexistent hat and places it over his heart, bowing his head*
o, dreamcast! how i miss thee!

[Zedie9]

Dreamcast was a flop
:nana: Hardly. Dreamcast graphics often still look better to me that those of many PS2 games. And the Dreamcast had a good library of games, as well, though I'll grant that some of those were ports or multi-console releases. Still, most of the time, the DC version came with the best graphics in almost every review you'll find. :wonder: Now if someone had only come up with a better controller... :p

[Kilu]

Dreamcast fell because of bad advertising. Think about the headstart Sega had for other same generation consoles, but they failed to use it properly.

But then again, I have always thought that Sega was better at making games that consoles.

[Firefly]

Sega's problem is that they were always a bit too ahead of their time. And whenever competition came around, they always tried way too hard to stay on top. I wish they had ignored the competition and just concentrated on filling their own niche.

When the PS came out, people were making these heavily 3d games for Saturn when it was way harder to implement effectively. While 3d on the Saturn can be done well (NiGHTS, Panzer Dragoon Zwei), it usually isn't. I've always felt that Saturn is best at 2d games such as arcade translations, and it would've done better if they had brought more of those games over. Capcom made some really excellent arcade ports for the Saturn which never saw the light of day here.

Dreamcast was an awesome system with a very high ratio of good-to-crappy games unlike the PS/PS2, but it just couldn't compete when PS2 came out. But Sega took a lesson from the past and made the DC super-easy to make games for. It even had a built-in modem (and like a 50-foot phone cord). I don't think the average consumer at the time was even capable of comprehending the implications of that. (Some years later, people were all creaming their pants when the PS2 got its modem adapter... -_-)

I blame bad marketing, dumb consumers and/or Sony fanboys for the death of Sega's consoles. I'm glad they're still making games, at least.

[silverDistortioN]

i've only had the opportunity to play one game for saturn... (i forget the name... it's the one with the giant humanoid robots where you slide around and shoot each other.) saturn came out during the unfortunate time where i had little video game exposure... due to my dad thinking they were all going to be obsolete in a month. i missed out on the SNES nearly completely its first time around... i only got mine just last september.

but i digress...
dreamcast was god damn awesome. sega was foolish not to run a counterhype campaign, in my opinion.
...i simply loved jet grind radio. my ddr inspiration comes from gum. =)

[Kaze Nigai]

SNES for me :D Standards for RPGs were generaly created with this system! It' was the first console around the house that actualy belonged to ME, so I got to pick and choose the games for it! I came to love my SNES when I played FFII ((American version obviously)) and it's been my favorite console ever since.

Y'know what sucks? They're still makein' Uncharted Waters games and they aren't porting them T-T Why Konami...WHYYYYY~

[Yuffie]

I like my PS2, it doesn't break as easily as the N64 and it's games. :p

Who thought of using those spangly little bendy pins in the games that snap off so very easily? >.<

The controller's also too big for me to hold properly. ^^;
I played my friend's gamecube and had to use her little brother's controller. :p

My PS2's also good because of still being able to use the PS games with it so it doesn't clutter up my room with several consoles. :)

[daniel]

Agreed with you totally Yuffie, and I agree with the controller part esp. Some of them were designed for King Kong!

But never mind, I am using My PS controllers to play all my games now:):):):)

[kai]

controllers designed for king kong? i have always found most of the console controllers to be a perfect size. all except the new xbox controllers, they are too small. i feel as if everything is smushed together, the old ones were perfect.
guess u have to keep in mind that the industry is mainly ruled by males and it is a well known fact we have big hands :wave:

and snes as the best console all the way, if only for mario kart. they keep making the game but the original is far superior to any of its followers.

[Kaze Nigai]

all except the new xbox controllers, they are too small. i feel as if everything is smushed together, the old ones were perfect.
guess u have to keep in mind that the industry is mainly ruled by males and it is a well known fact we have big hands :wave:¬_¬ Hell I couldn't use that large controller if I wanted too, I've got tiny hands for a guy. So while yes most guys have large hands, you can't forget our female gamers ((Wich I assume is what you were getting at)) and that at least 1/3 of guys have average to small hands. . .They had good reason to make them smaller...

[kai]

they could make controllers smaller but then the majority (2/3 of male gamers) will suffer. why should i suffer for your small hands? anyways they have different sized controllers for purchase it is really just the problem of which controller comes standard with the console.

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

[Locke Cole]

I find that the PS2 controller is just the right size for me. I've never played Gamecube or Xbox, but I've seen the controllers, and I don't think I'd like them too much. Then again, I never like having to get use to a new control set.

As of lately, the only controller I've been using is my keyboard and mouse. :p

[kai]

when i had a ps2 i found the remote was fun to use for some games, however i had a turbo controller also that was larger than the original.
hmmmm since this is the console debate and the topic is already at hand i might as well ask the question. . . . .

does the controller shape/size/color/button config/taste effect most gamers view of the system?

i know it does effect my view of a console but not largly. i would play most games no matter how obscure the controller.

[Zedie9]

:D Just weighing in with my thoughts on the controllers. ;)


PSX/PS2 - They're fine for me, though having four shoulder buttons annoys me more than helps me. :p

Xbox - I can use either size, but I prefer the smaller one for fps... For some reason, the triggers on the larger one make my wrists hurt. :ponder:

Gamecube - Although a bit small, I like the button layout (excepting the hideous new Z button, of course ;)). My biggest gripe with the Nintendo controllers is the same one it has been for years: the plastic feels cheap, and the controllers (especially the analog sticks) wear out after prolonged use. :wonder: Hmm... if I could have a custom-made GC controller, I'd add the C buttons back, but keep the C Stick. I'd replace all analog sticks with one from a Sony or Xbox controller, and I'd either add a Z Trigger or lose the Z button altogether. :shades:

[silverDistortioN]

button layout and controller size don't usually matter to me at all... except that damn s-type. start and select are on the left side of the god damn controller! WHAT the FUCK!

and for some reason, i had trouble with the old GBA's because of my left hand... i haven't touched it for a while, but i think the d-pad is too close to the edge (maybe too far from it?), so i can't get a good grip on it if i have to press the L button...
i'm not really sure tho... i didn't have any trouble with SNES or anything else for that matter... oh well.

[Firefly]

I can get used to all controllers. It's basically a non-issue unless it gets super uncomfortable. There are pluses and minuses for all. I find the PS2 controller not ergonomic at all, but it gets the job done. I'm most comfortable with the GC controller, simply because I use it the most.

Yes, the original Xbox controller is made for ogres, but the smaller one hits a weird nerve in my fingers when I use the triggers sometimes. Not to mention it's basically a ripoff of the Dreamcast controller, though I've used that one quite extensively too.

I've also been holding off on getting a GBA SP because it's not nearly as comfortable as the GBA. I'm afraid I'm missing that backlight quite a bit though, and I just might have to break down and get one soon. Either that or wait for the DS. o_o

[silverDistortioN]

you can always buy a separate backlight and install it yourself.

look into the afterburner... i've been meaning to get one, but i haven't really been playing all too much.

[kai]

or you can just get an emulator on a laptop and play it easily on that . . . . . but unless u have a laptop already it would be a costly convienience :banana: :yeahright:

[Firefly]

you can always buy a separate backlight and install it yourself.

look into the afterburner... i've been meaning to get one, but i haven't really been playing all too much.
I really wanted to, but it's really easy to botch the installation and I don't have a soldering iron anyway. All the places that would do it for you are sold out of kits, too, and I think it's been discontinued. Poo.

[Kilu]

GC controller is perfect for me. I don't think the analogs wear out at all. Maybe I don't use it as much, but I have noticed a certain behavior on some players that probably destroys the analog in no time. But I won't get into that because it's just too damn hard to explain. As far as the rest of it, it's a perfect fit for my hands and even the Z button isn't that bad.

N64 controller is probably the worst I have used. When using the analog, my left index finger under the pad was always hurting because of the design. Maybe I held it wrong, or maybe it just didn't fit into my hand. And again, no analog wearing out issues.

PSX/PS2 doesn't really fit, but it doesn't hurt either (like N64). I also dislike the two shoulder buttons, but luckily there aren't that many games that I have played that needed to use R1 and R2 (or L1 and L2) at same time.

As for the XBOX, haven't played a single game for it, not even tested it. Not held it in my hands even once :)

NES and SNES are good, though nowadays NES feels a bit sharpedged. But none of the new pads have better digital pad than S/NES had.

And yes, the awesomnes of GC pad is a big part of why GC is my favourite console. Whenever a game is multiplatform, I always buy the GC version because of the pad :)

[Yuffie]

I find the standard PS2 controller about right, maybe a little big. :p
But I got a free dual shock one with a game or something and I haven't used it since I got it because I can't reach the controls. :rofl:

[Kyari]

To me, the GC controller feels right, plays right, and all the buttons press right. I am truly impressed with it. The only button I don't get is 'z'.

PS2 . . . no complaints. I like the feel of the sticks, but I'm not sure where to put my fingers for the L/R triggers.

X-Box . . . I hate both types. You can't find anything easily (without looking) on the big controller, and the little one requires serious thumb scrunching to hit the buttons . . .

I like, just to mention, my Logitech Gamepad I have for the PC as well. Although the d-pad is a bit rotated . . .

GBA SP . . . no issues. A bit small though. Just a bit :) . However, I always seem to, if I'm in bed and roll over, turn down the volume with my left index finger.

Oh, and don't screw with the afterburner. It's like trying to get S-Video quality out of a 20 year old TV by messing with the knobs . . . you feel like you're getting somewhere, but let me tell you, you're not. :D

[silverDistortioN]

i don't see what the big deal is with the shoulder buttons on the PS/PS2...
is it really that hard to use your middle finger to press R2? i can even do it with my little half finger.

[Kyari]

It's not hard at all. But is that what they mean for me to do? I have no idea. But now I'm used to the index finger . . . I can't switch.

And when I do, they slide off quickly. Oh well.

Here's another sucky controller - GBA SP with the GC link cable attached. Hard on the index fingers and brutal when you need to use L/R.

[silverDistortioN]

yeah, i'm fairly certain that's how they intended you to use them...
the little extended handles i figure are there to make it easier to grip with just two fingers.

i much prefer the L2/R2 buttons to xbox's black and white buttons, tho.

[Zedie9]

Yes, the original Xbox controller is made for ogres, but the smaller one hits a weird nerve in my fingers when I use the triggers sometimes. Not to mention it's basically a ripoff of the Dreamcast controller, though I've used that one quite extensively too.:wonder: Spin-off... Are you sure? I've used my DC controllers a lot, too, and I don't find the two all that similar. Of course, I love the quality of the Xbox controller, whereas the DC one feels much flimsier and has the cord exiting the controller in the opposite side the gaming gods intended... :roll:

i don't see what the big deal is with the shoulder buttons on the PS/PS2...
is it really that hard to use your middle finger to press R2? i can even do it with my little half finger.:D Nope. But I dislike four shoulder buttons as well, as I stated earlier. That is my only complaint against the PSX/PS2 contollers. :shades:

I agree with you about the black and white buttons on the Xbox controller - it's bad enough they don't use a different shape (a la GameCube ;)), but they're so small to boot. :p

[DarkSoul]

My Favorite console would have to be Sega Genesis. It was my first 16 bit+ console and I loved all the games for it. I played a game called Phantasy Star 4, Ranger X and a few others and I have to say they were very good graphic's for a 16 bit system and alot better then any Mario Graphics and even did 3D games pretty good. I never got to use the 32x thingy.

Anyone play with the 32x stuff for Genesis?

[silverDistortioN]

about the xbox ripping off the dreamcast controllers:
the button placement is exactly the same, minus the addition of the black & white buttons and select. (or menu, i think it's called. but i always say select.)

though i couldn't really say they ripped them off... every controller takes a certain amount from its predecessors. i'd say there are enough differences not to call it a rip-off.

[Zedie9]

:D I suppose there is enough evidence to support an argument either way. I'll just go with the deciding factor in my book: the way each feels in my hand. The DC controller feels like light-weight plastic. The Xbox one has a solid heft to it (without being heavy) - plus I like the feel of the analog sticks and buttons (excepting, of course, the smallness of the black and white ones. ;)) :bouncy:

[Vicki]

Alright, you guys made a weirdo out of me. I just spent the last 15 minutes walking through my house picking up all the controllers and pushing buttons for no reason! :wacky: I liked how on the Cube controller they made it less...unbalancing, but they totally messed up the c button by making it analog and the z button was hard to remember sometimes.
I think I like the playstation and PS2 controllers best, but the thing with 2 L and R buttons can be a pain particularly in games where you don't usually use the L and R buttons very often but you need to in minigames or at special times (like that shooting thing in FFX-2).
Of note, I do not have a Dreamcast or an X-Box. I'm usually reluctant to get a Sega-family console because they are typically not as good as the rest of that generation. I don't have an X-Box 'cause my house isn't big enough. Maybe after my brother-in-law moves out and we have that spare room...
Right now my favorite console has to be PS2 because I can play Harvest Moon: Back to Nature and Dan can play FFX-2 without us having to move cables around or anything. :)

(Note: sorry; the size of an X-Box is kind of a running gag in this household :p)

[silverDistortioN]

the xbox thing was hilarious. XD

but the thing about sega consoles being generally inferior... that stems back from back in the 80's when nintendo abused their molopolistic powers on the video game industry. (it's a bit ironic to me that people seem to bash the xbox a lot for similar reasons when they have no idea about what nintendo was doing.)

you see... nintendo offered only a highly restricted license for developers to make games. once developers signed on, they could only make nintendo games, leaving the master system high and dry. after a while, as the NES got more successful, fewer and fewer developers were legally permitted to create games for the master system. in addition, the NES had a security system built that prevented unlicensed (ie. all third party) games from being played on it.

eventually, they were found guilty of violating anti-trust laws.

...and that's how sega ended up with the short end of the stick! the end!

[Zedie9]

:D The Xbox console is only 1-2 inches longer and/or wider than the PS2, though both of those seem huge compared to the GameCube. So while the Xbox is a bit heavier than the PS2, it certainly isn't unreasonably larger. :nana: It also isn't much more expensive, many of the cross platform games have extra content in the Xbox version, and it easily pummels Sony in graphical capabilities and memory (not to mention the fact that it shipped with its hard drive. ;)) Oh yeah - let's not forget it came with its broadband adapter and easily has the best online gaming set-up (and price) of all the current consoles. :shades:

[Kilu]

What about it's height? Or did you purpeosedly decide not to mention it, because it's almost as tall as GC :p Ok, sure, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit. It looks taller than PS2 though.

[Kyari]

It is taller. Provided you don't set it vertical.

It just looks a bit silly, I find. I like the GC's look the best.

And 2 inches is quite a bit given a game console . . .

[silverDistortioN]

well, the xbox is significantly (enough) bigger than the other consoles, but i don't really consider it a reason not to like it... i mean, does anyone *really* lack the space for it?

[Kilu]

Don't know, don't have it, haven't tried to fit it in here :) Considering how much junk there is in this room, I might have some trouble :) I would probably need to pack some older consoles to make room for it.

[Zedie9]

:D I forgot about height, so I went and measured it for you guys. The PS2 is 3 inches high, while the Xbox is just a bit over 3 1/2. Meanwhile, the GameCube stands 5 1/2 inches with the GB Player attached. :wonder: Sounds to me like an excuse to criticize the Xbox. :p

:D And before you ask, I'm not going to weigh them. ;)

[Kyari]

I don't really care about size; personally, I think size is nothing compared to aesthetics. And I simply think the X-box is in no way aesthetically pleasing.

But that's not why I don't want one. I don't want one because I've played the games, and I can't find any I think I'd play all the way through . . . and Live is just stupid; I can't find anyone on there who is decent and intelligent enough to actually play a game with . . .

[kai]

. . . . . O_O you didn't like halo? i guess we always did play multi-player when it came to fps

anyways goin on to another question suited for this thread :D (if there is one thing i can at least do it is ask good questions . . . . . .well sort of)

which handheld console is the best? gameboy has ruled the market for years (RIP GameGear) but now the next gerneration handhelds are due for realease. who's your money on?

[silverDistortioN]

my money's on the NGage! ...not really. GBA all the way.

I don't really care about size; personally, I think size is nothing compared to aesthetics. And I simply think the X-box is in no way aesthetically pleasing.i think the xbox is way hotter than either of the other two... PS2 just looks plain ugly to me.
the xbox looks like a big, sexy corvette. as a matter of fact, you are more likely to get laid with an xbox than with any other system.

i love my xbox! ^.^
...physically.

[Kyari]

i love my xbox! ^.^
...physically.
eew . . . :knockedout:

I dunno. It's all opinion . . . but the X-box just looks gross to me.

It's not big and sleek, I think. It's the bulky guy that tries to rape you. Yeah, that's it. I'm scared of those guys. And I'm scared of the X-box too . . .

[silverDistortioN]

*hugs his xbox* ...you perv. =P
(pay no attention to the leather-clad prostitutes in my sig. >.>)

[Lord Draud]

the Xbox is MS POS i tell you i will never convert i only like my PS2 and maybe a nentendo game cube....maybe

[silverDistortioN]

not liking xbox because it was made by microsoft is, in my opinion, tantamount to not liking copasetic because it was made by local h. and we all know how awesome copasetic is.

actually, i'm not usually this loyal an xbox advocate... i just choose to support it so people don't shrug it off as a worthless piece of shit before actually playing it, as many often do.

[Lord Draud]

i don't like a lotta things. people, the world,money and corperations are just a few, i have not nor will i ever play a Xbox cause i will not suports macrohard! * goes back to playing solitair on windows 98* heh the sarcazem was a bit thick on that one

[silverDistortioN]

macrohard... hmm... damn... there's gotta be some comment i can make about that...

[Zedie9]

macrohard... hmm... damn... there's gotta be some comment i can make about that...:D Certainly - if you compare it with Kyari's comment about not caring about size. ;) :rofl:

:) Anyway - Kyari is right - esthetics are a matter of personal taste. I happen to agree with whomever down there that the Xbox looks better than the PS2, the design of which is lame, in my opinion. However, I also agree with Kyari in that ultimately I prefer the GameCube design over both the others. :blink:

As for games, if you insist that there are no games on the Xbox that are appealing to you, I'll leave it at that, because no list of highly rated or award winning games I post will change your mind. :p

:D I will also agree that Xbox Live has lots of idiotic and immature people on it... but no more than any other online gaming system I've ever used, and it certainly also has plenty of sensible and mature gamers. I will point out that gaming through Live was the most painless and simple online gaming experience to set up and implement that I've encountered to date. And the price value is tops. :bouncy:

[Kilu]

I have nothing against XBox. I just don't have the cash. I chose GC when I las bought a console, because of RE series. XBox doesn't have that hook on me. Only game that I would like to play on xbox that I can think right now is Halo.

[Kyari]

actually, i'm not usually this loyal an xbox advocate... i just choose to support it so people don't shrug it off as a worthless piece of shit before actually playing it, as many often do. How about after they play it? :D

[silverDistortioN]

well in that case, i don't really care.

[Jim]

the Xbox is MS POS i tell you i will never convert i only like my PS2 and maybe a nentendo game cube....maybeI think we've read this book before. I can tell you how it ends if you'd like... :D

[Lord Draud]

plz do, i love a good story!

[Zedie9]

I think we've read this book before. I can tell you how it ends if you'd like... :D
:D Yes - I'd like to hear it as well. :bouncy:

[Jim]

I was simply referring to our last "omfg Micro$oft is evil and Sony is greeeaaaaaat!!11" discussion, that's all... ;)

[Zedie9]

:D Bah! In that case, I've heard it many times too many already. :p

[Vicki]

Wow. I mention what I thought was an internal joke a few days ago and suddenly people are making babies with their X-boxes. O_O
I think the only reason why I haven't been so eager to buy an X-box is the recent tendency for a lot of games to be released on a couple of systems. I already have PS2 (purchased a few days after FFX came out) and GameCube. I don't like online games because I really have trouble coping with the ignorant people running around offering to do unspeakable things to you. I don't really feel a big push to get the system. Maybe if the price drops a little... :)

Meanwhile, I'm not sure which handheld system will do best, but I do get the feeling that there is generally enough product loyalty that any incumbents will have trouble topping Gameboy.

[silverDistortioN]

wait, how'd the last MS is evil discussion end?

Wow. I mention what I thought was an internal joke a few days ago and suddenly people are making babies with their X-boxes....what do you mean "suddenly"? ...it'd be more surprising if i wasn't making babies with it. =)

[Kilu]

wait, how'd the last MS is evil discussion end?

You can check the archived forums for that :p Though I can't remember what was the thread that the discussion took place. Might have been the 'worst rpg of all time' thread.

[silverDistortioN]

bah, just tell me so i won't have to do all that searching.

[Kilu]

Long story (damn right it was long) short...

Lina (I think) was accusing everyone who uses M$ products for breaking the law because we support M$ financially by buying their products. We support the EVIL company that breaks the law and is in court all the time. And then obviously compared M$ to Sony and how Godly Sony is. Arguments suchs as Sonys faulty quality control (Sonys own games won't work on some PS2) and some lawsuits that someone (Jim?) linked to she deliberately ignored. Eventually some of us (atleats me :p ) snapped at her about her arrogant behaviour. And then she felt unwanted and left.

So, even shorter. Sony fanboy (term, nothing to do with gender) who had her mind made up before the debate began, and had no intention of actually debating, but to persuade us to share her opinion.

And I might add that she was also sharing her views in the Intelligent Discussion, and though I don't remember what she talked about there, she did however have that same arrogant attitude towards Kyari (who was the only one posting in the Intelligent discussion at the time) :)

[silverDistortioN]

thanks Kilu, much appreciated. =)

i don't really mind people who hate MS... just people who hate MS because slashdot tells them to. (yeah, they probably never did, but you get my point. i don't read slashdot.)

[Zedie9]

Meanwhile, I'm not sure which handheld system will do best, but I do get the feeling that there is generally enough product loyalty that any incumbents will have trouble topping Gameboy.
:D Don't forget the lovely GameBoy Player Adapter thingie, which connects to the bottom of one's GameCube and precludes the necessity of even owning the handheld. :shades:

[Kilu]

I won't get any of the new handhelds when they come to stores. You do know that, just like now on GBA, quite lot of the games will be recycled old games. I just don't have any need to play some game I played on PSX again on PSP or whatever.

Of course there will be some new games as well, but I'm not into handhelds anyway.