No_Style

Yes, if this was a contest to see who has the biggest balls in the console world, the X-Box wins hands down. But, this is not the PC gaming world where specs of a system machine determines it's greatness. In the PC Gaming world, a system with better specs will obviously play a game better than another PC. Power in the console world isn't what makes the difference, it's how you use the power that makes the difference.

Sony Playstation 2

Sony's success with the PSOne did not rely on the power of the system, but instead playing on the convience of it.

"The PS had the advantage (over the Saturn) of an extremely easy development environment, which attracted many third-party games developers. It also sold for $100 cheaper than the Saturn in the US, which attracted consumers."
Source: CyberiaPC

When the PS2 came out, it had a strong backing with a long line of developers rallying up. Sony knew developers were going to develop for their system despite the more difficult development environment (compared to it's predecessor) or the "slower" hardware. With the large range of developers, the Sony Playstation also appealed to a wider range of audience compared to its competition.

A familiar face is seen in the PS2. Sony decided to use the same controller and memory card interface it used in the past. The biggest plus for the PS2 controller is its versatility. It can be used for a wide range of games effectively which is a big plus for the gamers with variety.

When gamers see Sony Playstation, it's almost a given that you will see Capcom, SquareEnix, Rockstar and Konami there. Titles like Megaman, Street Fighter, Metal Gear, Final Fantasy and Grand Theft Auto have made impacts on a Sony console so it's fitting to see them appear time and time again on a Sony console.

Here are the reasons for PS2:

1) Cheaper than X-Box.
2) Strong line of games.
3) A Familiar face. (Familiar controller, symbols etc)
4) Strong Sony support.

The Microsoft X-Box

When the Microsoft X-Box was released everybody declared it "a PC in a box" from Microsoft. A lot of people even thought it might flop despite its superior power. Luckily for Microsoft, it didn't flop. With a ridiculously strong title like Halo, the X-Box soared. Microsoft was practically giving away development kits at the early stages for developers to get a line up of games for their console. Many gems were produced for the X-Box, but a large amount of them were either ports from its console brethren or its distant cousin, the PC!

The X-Box did not break new ground from a PC Gamer's perspective, but it did break new ground as a console. It brought strong titles from the PC world to console gamers who have never experienced first person shooters with amazing graphics or even played online.

"It's good to play together"

The X-Box Live! is probably the most dominant feature of the X-Box. With Nintendo not in the multiplayer scene and the PS2 without a massive network for their gamers to join, the X-Box stands out there. Instant multiplayer action (at a small fee) attracted the most competitive players who were willing to try new things.

The X-Box had its share of problems as well. The large controller was not only a source of comedy, but to some a source of frustration. A newer, and smaller controller was released for the Japanese market, but it was also released in North America, but it was never widely bundled with the console. The console itself wasn't small either. The X-Box also claims the title for the largest console on the market.

The design of the controller appeared to be a mix of Dreamcast and the PS2 controllers which works out really well for the variety gamer as well. The controller also featured a "Yanking" protection mechanism which allows for the controller to be pulled out without tearing down the entire console from your living room table onto the floor.

Reasons for the X-Box:

1) You get to play (sometimes badly ported) PC games on your TV.
2) Powerful hardware for outstanding graphics.
3) Easy Online Multiplayer
4) Strong Microsoft Support

Nintendo GameCube

The N64 made two big mistakes. 1) It had too many titles aimed at the younger generation and 2) The cartridges. Fortunately, Nintendo rectified one of their mistakes, however its games suffered with titles aimed at younger children. By the time titles of older appeal rolled out, Nintendo found themselves dead last in the race.

Nintendo's comeback all began with their massive price cut to become the most affordable console on the market. For just $149 CAD, you can pick up a GameCube. With sales beginning to rise, Nintendo have released info at this year's E3 on many titles which appeal to older generation. Titles like, Metroid Prime 2, a new Zelda game with a mature Link and dark theme, and a new Star Fox game which isn't about a Fox running around in a forest.

In the matter of games, Nintendo probably has the most exclusives compared to the other consoles. Not only does Nintendo hold licenses to their vast intellectual property, but they have acquired special remakes for popular titles to appear exclusively for their console. Titles such as Resident Evil and Metal Gear Solid have made updated appearances on the GC. Other titles like FF: Crystal Chronicles and Resident Evil Zero have also made fresh and new appearances exclusively on the GC.

The controller for the GameCube is comfortable for just about any type of game except fighting games. Nintendo probably did not count on fighting games to make such a big difference these days, because of the PS2. The design of the GC controller is simplistic and easy for the younger gamers. The big green button means "Go!" or "Ok!" while the red button means "Stop!" or "No!". It's one of the more fun controllers to use with its pressure sensitive triggers. Gamers were also glad Nintendo redesigned their joystick portion of the controller. No more blisters, no more plastic shavings and no more limp joystick after playing Mario Party.

Reasons for the GameCube

1) Smallest Console on the market
2) Lots of Nintendo classics making reappearances for the older audience.
3) Cheapest price.

Conclusion

Is it late to come back and discuss about which is the better console in the console world? No of course not. Nintendo has climbed on its horse and delivering a new lineup of games. Sony has games from every major genre awaiting much anticipated debut. The title which made the X-Box is coming back in his highly anticipated sequel. After each E3, a console's life can surely be determined and by the looks of things, these consoles are still flying high.

Is there a winner? No, there is no clear cut winner. It all depends on what you want in your console. Research the console you're going to purchase, weigh your options, check the amount of money you have in your pocket and remember it's all about the games~!

As for the next generation of consoles, the X-Box Next and the PS3 are already under way with rumours flying everywhere. Meanwhile, Nintendo have not announced any significant for their next generation console. What's going on with Nintendo? I speculate Nintendo isn't going for the brute strength of their systems, but rather for an affordable and comparable system.

P.S - This was going to go in response to the mini-discussion/bickering in the news post about X-Box outselling PS2 last month, but it's now here.

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Zardon

Good article, some good games on the PS2 I agree - the xbox is the best of the lot though, its more a multimedia center than just a console, but as for gaming, im not really into 640x480 with no AA, ill stick with 1600x1200 on ATI

No_Style

For sure. Who wouldn't want to see all their games with AA? One of the biggest things I want from developers of 2D-fighting games is the use of AA or the use of more frames in their sprites... You know I'm talking about you, Capcom!

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Zardon

I heard the xbox is capable of AA at 640x480 with playable rates.

No_Style

Yeah it can. Remember, it's a modified GeForce 3 under there. Some games do use it, like Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3. Halo, doesn't. I distinctly remember playing Halo on my friend's X-Box and complaining about the jagged lines after playing it on PC.

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Billy Toaster

Halo on the Xbox was great - but I imagine if you turned AA on it would crawl to a halt - it was slow without AA on at times.

zerodamage

And what is so ironic about this is that the Saturn was ridiculed big time for the sloppy mess on the inside with the dual processor design and difficulty in its design. The PS1 had a simple design, easy as heck to design for.

Then comes the Dreamcast, Sega completely turned around with this system. Simple to program for, great support for 3rd parties. PS2 comes out, sloppy insides and Sony wins yet again. Primarily Sega's fault for giving up on the DC so quickly. It was quite the powerful cheap system.

Zardon

i loved the dreamcast, very underrated console.

No_Style

I agree. But, Sega's failed Dreamcast did not go without making a few impacts of it's own though. I own a DC and I still play with it Ah, It's a great system for 2D fighters and a few other titles.

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Logla

not to mention soul calibur.

zerodamage

Anyone who ever played Shenmue on Dreamcast knows the system had some horse power. First online console. Hell, even a modified Windows CE operating system on it for those who wanted an easy to program environment. PowerVR powered the system. Sega just made a huge mistake giving up on it so quickly.

Zardon

I dont think they did make a mistake, they were losing money and wanted to concentrate on arcade machines. Im not so sure even if they had put masses of money and resources into it, it would have made much difference. Sony just took over, more capital as well to work with.

JavaFox

If you look at their financials since they quit the hardware business, you will see that far from being a mistake, dropping hardware was, unfortunate as it may seem for fans of SEGA like myself, SEGA's best bet for survival.

BiGBrOwNPimpsta

there is 3 reasons why sega failed

1. sony and nintendo's name had dominated the market
2. poor marketing of games

but the root of all their problems
3. final fantasy VII for Playstation

they duked it out till the end for the next final fantasy which became one of the best games ever to be on a console. right after that saturn went down, and once sony heard about dreamcast they slapped the PS2 together and proved to be very successful.

but XBOX is a console they say, but the way it is made and talked about it's just a PC in a box, why should I waste money on that? Playing a slowed down first person shooter at 15 FPS (i.e. Unreal Championship) with a freakin controller is retarded. I play my UT2004 at a cheaper price, online at 70 FPS at 1152x768 resolution full details 2x fsaa. I could play the game with a 9200 pro or fx5200 at higher details and possibly buy a system for 500 cdn that still outperforms xbox.

PS2 stays to its console roots and everyone knows the PS2 has the most superior controller due to its button layout, size and ALL analog buttons.

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Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Music | Logitech Z-5500 THX 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers | 2 Lite-On 20x S-ATA Burners | ATI TV Wonder Elite | Logitech G7 Mouse | Logitech MX5500 Bluetooth Keyboard

zerodamage

I disagree actually. Sega's biggest failing started at.... Sega CD, then to 32x, then the Saturn. 3 disasters of upgrades and systems left a bad taste in people's mouths. Sega however just quit support on the Dreamcast too quickly.

@/2ct!<

Yeah, DC was great till Sega stopped getting devs good games stopped coming, damn consoles, damn them all. I did have a sort of sick satisfaction reading the article about Xbox and how they were complaining about ported PC games lol.

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No_Style

Exactly. Developers did not want to make another mistake with the DC, so they stayed away.

R.I.P Dreamcast You still live in my home though.

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

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Zardon

I know someone in sega, they didnt quit support on dreamcast through choice, they had none.

Markius

the reason sony are so dominant is, with the release of the ps1, they aimed at what i like to call the "NFI" gamer.
noone had done this so they took the "NFI" market and now own it.

what nintendo need to realise is that its no longer just hard core gamers playing....its alot of casual ppl playing too (or NFI gamers as i like to call em)

as for all the companys listed in the original post for sony...they were all originally nintendo loyalists.....final fantasy....ISS....mega man...street fighter....ALL on nintendo YEARS before sony ever made a console. (i was working in a specialist video game store at the time of the SNES domination through to the ps1 domination)

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DriverHeavens Aussie...

"Lifes tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late"

No_Style

For sure. The SNES days were grand. Nintendo had it all! The countless RPGs from Square, the Mega Man X series from Capcom and more. When Nintendo and Square's relationship went sour, that really hurt them. During the N64 era, I think only 5 titles or so was made on the N64 by Capcom, while Squaresoft gave nothing to the system. You could consider me a company loyalist.

BTW, what's NFI?

In my opinion, Nintendo have already begun to target the casual gamer with titles like Mario Party, Super Smash Bros and Mario Kart games.

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SaberZ

Thats the one thing that truly peeved me about the Saturn/PSX/N64 era.


Saturn if one was able to code the VDP 1 and VDP 2 RISC processors in tandem you were able to spectacular things, VF2, Burning Rangers, Panzer Dragoon Saga. Granted these games didnt even make full use of the system, they were pushing it pretty hard. Saturn was also a 2-D monster, offering the best home port of Stree t Fighter Alpha 2 at the time(Love that game to this day). What had initially happened was Sega was planning on making the Saturn a fully 2-D beast, but when they heard that Sony's Playstation was offering a good/cost effective 3d Processing engine/capabilities, sega at the last minute through its own 3d core in the console. Sure the Saturn was dificult to program for, but i still wish i saw something that really pushed it, near its limits.


The playstation was easier to develope for, so then Sega with the DC made it even simpler than the PSX development environment. Yet developers still weren't to fond of the hardware, nor Sega. Then PS2 cameout which is said to have been and to this day is still much harder to develope for than the Sega Saturn ever was. The Dreamcast had / has titles to this day that really haven't been able to be out done. Shenmue for the longest time was the prettiest/most detailed game I've seen in quite a while, only to be surpassed by itself Shenmue 2. Soul Calibur withstood the test of time on the DC and was yet again surpassed only by itself Soul Calibur 2 and Team Ninja's Dead or Alive 2 and 3.

On a seperate note, the thing that hit most gamers that were RPG fans back in the day was the Working Designs debacle. Working Designs and Sega were probably the greatest of friends in the truest sense of the word. But lots of things led to that seperation, Working Designs secretly working on RayCrisis for PSX, Bernie Stolar putting Working Designs(whom used to rent space in Sega's booth) in the boonie area of the show floor where no sane man would tread(nobody could see them lol) to Stolar's dreaded delivery of "Saturn is not our future" that basically made Victor Ireland irate and rethink his position with Sega.



Heh anyway, sorry for this rant, just wanted to let it out, I was a big follower of both companies, hell Victor Ireland, Pennywise, Dave Z were all people I was able to talk to, IRC, Message boards, Email, and all were great people. ok...now im really going off topic...

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SaberZ-
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No_Style

Great input~! I could tell by your signature picture that you're a Street Fighter fan The Saturn had much better ports of X-Men vs Street Fighter and SFA2.. I was never too fond of the PSOne version of them

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