I've never liked the idea that many people won't give the X-Box a chance because Microsoft makes it. Granted, I don't like Bill Gates either (not ever since my first "Blue Screen Of DEATH), but the X-Box is a fun machine. Halo is an awesome game that cannot be compared to most any other FPS (besides Perfect Dark, but that's my two cents), although it's the only stand-out game I've seen on the X-Box. You can rip music onto it and listen to it in many of your games. You can play DVD's. It's getting some big franchises that many people can familiarize with. Although I haven't ever used X-Box Live, I hear it's really easy and fun to use. Heck, if you work out enough you can bench-press it, he he he.

The only complaint I've ever had was the bulky controller, but I've grown accustomed to it and now enjoy it even more than the PlayStation controller.

"GTA for Xbox will hit the streets this holiday season."

..... a port of one of the older GTA's, way to go...

also the "next GTA" isnt due out until late 2004, so it doesnt matter since the exclusivity contract runs out then.

"I've never liked the idea that many people won't give the X-Box a chance because Microsoft makes it...........although it's the only stand-out game I've seen on the X-Box"

See, that's the reason right there. There is basically nothing that I want on the XBox. I don't care about ripping music, I don't care about playing DVD's on it, I don't care about ports of games I played last year. Between a Cube/PS2 and a PC I have everything covered.

X Box blows.

PS2 rules.

PC kicks both of their asses.

Get used to it.

It will never change.

True, Halo's the only stand-out game like I already said, but I'd rather have an X-Box than a Playstation 2, anyways. Final Fantasy games haven't caught my attention since 7. GTA is worth a rent or two, but not worth the full price of buying it. Resident Evil's now moved to the GameCube. Gran Turismo is fun if you're into that kind of racing game. Ico has been considered a sleeper hit by many, but I never did enjoy that game. Devil May Cry has been enjoyed by alot of people, and I think it's fun to WATCH, but I couldn't make myself enjoy playing it. The WWE Smackdown! games suck in my opinion, so there goes that. While Metal Gear Solid 1 was awesome, MGS2 wasn't what I was hoping for, plus now Substance (I think it's called...the improved MGS2) is on X-Box anyways. Nothing much really appeals to me on the PlayStation 2.

I won't say that the PS2 is a bad system (because it isn't), but I just don't find myself enjoying its main game series much at all. I find myself playing Halo so much more than I play the PlayStation 2 all-together, and the X-Box is much more powerful a machine, so it holds greater possibilities for great games than the PS2, power-wise. Then many X-Box games are ports found on other systems (SSX for example), and simply LOOK better. For systems being the same price now, and having many of the same games as other, I'd go with the system that makes the games look better and has a series I'd like to follow (Halo). Plus with an on-line gaming plan like the X-Box has (I don't have broadband yet, so I can't use it), it just seems so logical.

Of course, I bought a GameCube because it's my favorite of the three, heh. My brother has the X-Box and PS2, so I get all the X-Box playing time I want when I'm not playing Metroid Prime, Wind Waker, Mario Sunshine, Super Smash Brothers Melee, or any other game like that.

GameCube > X-Box > PlayStation 2
My opinion, not fact.

I own a Xbox and a ps2 and I play my xbox more. The biggest reason is the storage on the xbox. I dont need to buy 2 memory cards so I can save more than one franchise on madden. Games wise, theres always Halo and Morrowind is just as good as the pc version, plus theres more good games on the way like gta.

Well said CCHSDawg. It's good to see people actually put work into their posts instead of saying this sucks, that's better. Why, because it's better.

For me personally, I like the X-Box. Halo is an awesome game, and my fiancee are playing Baulders Gate together, and we're having a blast. I liked a couple of the names for PS2, but those never really made me want to buy them. I've played a PS2 before, and wasn't overly impressed. The graphics on it weren't spectacular. On the X-box, the graphics in Halo are simply amazing. Baulder's Gate, amazing. Just my 2 cents, from what I've observed.

It seems that people have this Xbox Live! subscription thing kinda confused. Just to get it straight, it goes like this..

--As of this post, a 1yr subscription is $49.99. to play all Live enabled games
note: very few games will have an additional fee like Phantasy Star Online for something like $10/mo, True Fantasy Online, and Star Wars Galaxies. Most dont, though.

Sometime later the subscription costs will change to this...
--Starter Kit = $69.99 (for the first year).
--Year renewal = $49.99.
--Monthly = $5.99.
--Live Voice Communicator Headset (a la mode, ie: no Live subscription) $29.99


As you probably figured out by now, I have an Xbox and a Live account.
In my opinion, the Xbox is a great system. I dont ever regret owning one. I think it also says something when my girlfriend becomes addicted to a game (Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee) and finishes it... Then becomes inspired to play the previous games.

Live isnt a shabby product in the slightest bit. The headset actually sounds really good (and trust me, I know a little about voice technology. Ask hal.). Virtually no lag unless there is a valid reason for lag (ie: downloading assloads of pr0n while on Live).
The ability to have a form of a "friends" list is awesome. See whos online, what they are playing, and invite or be invited to a game. To add to that, some games also have downloadable content to extend the life of your game. New maps, weapons, missions, etc, with scheduled releases. I say thats pretty neat.
From what I hear there will also be a feature that will give the ability to voice chat with them while they are in a seperate game as well as a IM system that can be accessed via PC and possibly even a cellphone.

The Live network isnt a simple option. To me, Live has multiplied the value of my xbox tenfold. If you ever take the time to view http://www.xbox.com/community/ you can see that Xbox has something good going on. I think they are recognizing that the online community is a very loyal bunch and are trying to strengthen their product with this dedicated following. To enforce this, tourneys are held (with prizes), fan art competitions, and other crap going on as we speak. Soon XSN will launch.
XSN is a sports gamer's wet dream. With XSN, you can create virtual leagues. It will keep track of your rank, stats, and standings on the league. Arrange a schedule of games and get email or cellphone alerts for news on your league/tourney or reminders that you have a game coming up if you like. XSN comes free with any XSN enabled game to anyone who has a Live account.
There are 6 XSN titles announced:
NFL Fever 2004 (August)
NBA Inside Drive 2004
Top Spin
Amped 2
NHL Rivals 2004
Links 2004
More info here http://www.xbox.com/e3-03/games/preview-xsnsports.htm and here http://www.XSNsports.com if youre interested.

Sure I love my xbox, but I also love my PC. I would also love a GC and PS2 if I had one but all for very different reasons. They all have very strong titles and they also have a grip of crap. So what. Debating on what is best is like debating on what the best marshmallow is in a box of Lucky Charms.
Shutting up now.

Really dumb question time. How do you listen to your cd's that are ripped, during gametime? And what games can you do it on?

The only games I've done it on is Project Gotham Racing and Amped, though I know you can listen to the music on more games than that.

but how do you do it, does it have an option in game?

Depends on the game. Usually it should be under the options area. Like in Project Gotham, you can select what radio station you want to listen to... There is an option to customize your own radio station by adding or subtracting songs from a songlist.

I think its safe to assume that most racing games would have the feature to play downloadable songs. I cant recall any specific games aside from Project Gotham, though. I dont normally like music/radio when I race but I did mess with it a tad when I first got it just to see what it was like.

I know Sega GT 2002 let you listen to your own songs. You can pick from your list of soundtracks or the games soundtrack. I think that all sports games should implement where you can listent to your own soundtrack during the game.

Agreed, GunslingerCold, agreed. Also, wrestling games ("sports-entertainment") should...I mean, who doesn't want to choose a good song for their entrance music (besides people who don't like wrestling games, but let's forget about that)?!?

Proud owner of a PS2, not going any other way.

Both of the game systems have their pros and cons, to me, it seems like it depends on what games you like and which controller feels better to ya

Thanks for the soundtrack stuff :)

Your better off buying all the systems if you play alot of console games.


I have all 3,and I play all 3~

XboX,GameCube,and PS2 ( I think PS2 Has the most hours,Xbox comes in close second with GC lagging far behind )