Which one to get?
 

Im sure this has been asked a gazillion times, but I am looking to buy a gaming console, and I have no idea which one to get. I prefer action/rpg type games, so Im open for suggestions.

Can we recommend something to him without starting a rampent flameboyism. I personally have an x-box and a gamecube, and the GC doesn't see much use. Its really all about what games you want.

You can't really go wrong with any system.

I personally prefer the Playstation 2 because it has some very great exclusive titles that I enjoy. The Final Fantasy's [RPG], the GTA's [free-form action](well, months before the Xbox or PC versions anyway), and the SOCOM's [third person military shooter]. [EDIT] And Gran Turismo, my favorite racing game series of all time.

The Xbox also has some great exclusives, Knights of the Old Republic [RPG] (a sequel is coming out around Christmas), Jade Empire [RPG] (made by the people that made Knights of the Old Republic, also coming out around Christmas), Fable [RPG] (in the middle of this month), and the Halo's [FPS]

Nintendo also has some nice offerings, but they're looked at as a kiddie system because most of their exclusives don't let you rape, kill, or curse at enemies (with the exception of such games as Eternal Darkness, Metroid Prime, and Resident Evil 4 later this year). That doesn't mean their games are not fun. Viewtiful Joe (which will soon be released on the PS2), Super Mario Sunshine, Pikmin, Animal Crossing, all great games, and almost all are for a cheaper price than a PS2 or Xbox game.

Games released on all platforms will almost every time look best on the Xbox.

The Xbox and PS2 can both play DVD's, while the Xbox requires you buy a remote, I prefer the Xbox because I feel it just reacts faster to the remote input than the PS2 does.

RegulatoR: Could you give a few examples of games you really enjoy? Then I can give a more appropriate recommendation.

However, based solely on "action/rpg," I'd have to say X-Box is your best choice. Look into Knoghts of the Old Republic and the Splinter Cell games. KotOR is just about the best RPG I've ever played, and Splinter Cell is just so BADASS it makes me want to cry. In a manly, I-like-sneaking-up-behind-people-and-strangling-them sort of way.

Of course, each system has its own games in those genres that are very good (look at Final Fantasy games, exclusive to PS2, or the Zelda games, only for GameCube), it's just a matter of what *kind* of those games you like the best.

And how much money you want to spend. I personally recommend GameCube for everyone, first because I think Nintendo games are the most fun to just pick up and play, but also because of its price. You can pick up a GC for half the price of the other consoles, and the same goes for games and accessories. Just a consideration.

To keep my post short...

PS2: Great library of games and there will be a few strong titles coming soon (GTA: San Andreas, MGS: Snake Eater, Gran Turismo 4)

Gamecube: Nintendo games = great and fun games. Not recommended to play sports titles

XBOX: Strongest of the 3. Great titles, awesome graphics.

For action/RPG games, Zelda:Windwaker(GC) is a great choice, but its just one game.
In PS2 syste, there are a few titles under that category that are good.
XBox has some nice titles, Fable is a great choice.

I own a Gamecube, my brother has an X-Box.

For extreme graphics, dvd's, and large title selection, go with the X-box.
The PS2 has the largest title selection(I think), but the graphics aren't on the level of the X-Box.
Gamecube has good games and good graphics, but does not have the title selection that XBox and PS2 have, and it can't play dvds. The only true upside is the fact that you can get a Gamecube for less than half the price of the other two systems, and the games are cheaper(usually). If you get a Gamecube you have to have Zelda Windwaker(the best Zelda yet, even better than Ocarina), Mariokart Double Dash, and LOTR Return of the King is pretty good on Gamecube but is probably better on Xbox.
And if you don't like how the Zelda series has contiually gotten more and more kid oriented with each release, a new Zelda game is coming soon that is more adult oriented(Link is grown up) and it looks more like an action game. :thumbsup:

Hope that helps.

If you dig online gaming you should definitely get an Xbox, as long as you have a broadband internet connection and a credit/debit card to pay for the Xbox Live service ($49.99 a year, or something like $4.99/$5.99 a month, not quite sure on the amount for the monthly charge option.).

PS2 has the most RPGs, but you're pretty much safe with any console out right now. XBox has a few RPGs worth buying the system for, as does Gamecube. PS2 has the most, but any of the three will deliver a fair amount of RPGs with the PS2 having the most. When it comes to action games, all three systems are crammed to the top with them. Oh, and saying a system "is best" or is "better than the rest" is complete crap. Buy the system that suits your needs and has the games you want to play. Neither is better than the other. They're all kick ass systems with kick ass games...it's up to you to decide which is best for ya.

-Lasereth

Jesus. Don't bother just getting one console. Get ALL of them. All have seperate strengths and weaknesses, but you're gonna miss out if you just go with one. It might be a bigger investment, but it's worth it. You get the best of the all worlds.

Honestly at this point I wouldn't dream of buying a NEW system. Get a used one and wait for the next generation ones to come out. A used Gamecube is like 40 bucks in some places.

You'll be waiting for a year or two then.

If you want the best gaming experience then stay with a PC.
But I would recommend the PS2. Just because I don't support Microsoft anymore than I have to. And the system is just a bit better than the Xbox.

PC's don't necessarily give the best gaming experience. Gamers have to deal with freeze-ups, new videocards, more RAM, faster processors, drivers that don't work with the games you want to play, the lack of a controller for the games that need one, lack of multiplayer support on the same PC...the list goes on. PC's do kick ass for gaming, but they don't deliver "the best gaming experience." The only BAD gaming experiences I've had have been on a PC. :(

-Lasereth

I have a PC & a PS2 my neighbor has an X-Box, graphics wise X-Box is the best. I think PS2 has the best selection of games (overall). PC's after a couple years old just become out dated (but if kept up to date (and stable) would be the best) PC's also are the only choice of desent stratagy game. Gamecube I would say is more family oriented there limited selection of games are almost all good but limited. I would get a PS2 because it is the most rounded and best selection of games.

three words: Resident Evil 4(GC). That game will own all. Personally I would take a PS2 and a GC over an XBox. But as of now there are a few games that I really want on the xbox. Particularly, Fable. Hell getting them all is not a bad idea..

I'd say PS2, because it has some of the best rpgs (if you want kotor, well, why would you ever get it for console when you have a computer?) and some decent action games.

But if I had the moolah, I'd get all 3 systems =P.

This is a fantastic statement, no fanboyism and true appreciation for each platforms strenghts and weaknesses. It's people like you that make the TFP a good place.

If I bought a console, it would be to play dvds and sports games more than anything else. I have a PC, so I can get strategy games, FPS games, GTA games, and games like Knights of the Old Republic there. So, for those two things, I'd say the ps2 and the xbox are pretty close. I'd have to go up to best buy and look at what games I might want to buy, and look at price.

But that's just me.

It might be possible to buy two systems at a pawn shop for cheaper than a new one. Just make sure they gives you a couple days warranty so you can make sure they work :)

Let's compare Exclusive titles.

Gamecube: Metriod Prime, Zelda Windwaker, Tales of Symphonia, Metal Gear Twin snakes, Resident Evil 0, Super Smash Bro melee, Mario Kart
Upcoming GC exclusives: Resident Evil 4, Metroid Prime 2, Baten Kaitos Metal Gear Solid 3 New Zelda...

Xbox: Halo, Ninja Gaiden, Knights of the Old Republic, Morrowind
Upcoming Xbox exclusives: Halo 2, Doom3, Fable, Knights of the Old Republic 2, Jade Empire...

Playstation: StarOcean, Final Fantasy X, XenoSaga, Kingdom Hearts, Gran Turismo 3, Jak and Daxter 1 & 2, Rachet and Clank 1 & 2, ICO, Onimusha 1-3, WWE Smackdown series, ATV Offroad Fury and many other great ATV and Dirtbike games, Soul Reaver 2, and it plays every PS1 game...
Upcoming PS2 exclusives: Gran Turismo 4, Final Fantasy 12, Kingdom Hearts 2, Rachet and Clank 3, That's about it... Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas will be out on PS2 first but it's not totally exclusive.

Non Exclusive games include: Splinter cell1 & 2, Spiderman 2, Tony Hawk Underground, Need for Speed Undergound, Silent Hill 4, Prince of Persia, Grand Theft Auto(PS2 and Xbox) and more.

Most(ok EVERY) Non exclusive games look better(alot) on the Xbox. I personally like PS2 because of the overall selection of games and if you're willing to go back and play games from Sony's endless library then you may enjoy it more, but if you only plan on picking up recent releases and upcoming releases I'd say get an Xbox. The gamecube only has a few games but they are all excellent, It's hard to pass them up, plus you can pick up a gameboy player and play Gameboy advance games like Final Fantasy Tatics advance, Golden sun 1 & 2, all the classic mario games and more.

I hope this helped. I've always been a PS2 fan and It pains me to recommend an Xbox over it.

*edit: I know a few games I listed are also PC titles, but let's just pretend they're exclusive ok...

If you disclude PC titles, though, the X-Box exclusives are shot back a heap =) That leaves the many PS2 exclusives, about half of which are good, and the not so many GameCube exclusives, most of which are amazing =) You can't go wrong with any console, really. On that note, BUY A GAMECUBE!!@!21two1one@shift

cybermike, that is a good list of games but metal gear solid 3 will be a ps2 exclusive not gamecube. And the new star Ocean looks simply amazing.

too many choices these days for this poor old college student.

XBox has the best images, but is weak on RPGs. Playstation 2 dominates the RPG scene, but has the weakest images. Gamecube is kind of in the middle, but doesn't have very good game support (except for little kids games), IMO.

My advice is to see if you can rent one, and try before you buy.

Hmm, How'd that get there... My brain wasn't really working, I'm suprised I didn't mess any more up. I remembered it at the last second, I have no clue what I was thinkin when I put it in the GC exclusives. :)

XBOX, but thats just me!

Gotta say go with the GC. I dont think you will get much out of it in the RPG department, but it has its fair share of action games. Besides, you cant go wrong with the exclusives either. Killer system, for $99, why not?

LOL I got one when they first caem out and it has sat under the TV fro months but my bro might crack it out again because there is a new Metroid game out, but I bought NFS - Underground for XBOX and have been playing that for months now and will play it untill Undergrousn 2 comes out :thumbsup: I shoudl go take a picture of the dust on the GC and N64 :D

LOL I got one when they first came out and it has sat under the TV for months(approx. 6 months) but my bro might crack it out again because there is a new Metroid game out, but I bought NFS - Underground for XBOX and have been playing that for months now and will play it until Underground 2 comes out :thumbsup: I should go take a picture of the dust on the GC and N64 :D

Well, for one thing, with GC you have to buy cards to save your games. With XBox you don't... so the price difference isn't as big as it looks.

So what? You can buy a 1019 block card for 30$ and save tons of games on it. Most games I have hold no more than 3-10 blocks, except Madden of course.

Of the three I prefer PS2, I find the games for it are generally more enjoyable. Grand Theft Auto games are mighty fine, as are the final fantasy games, most of em' came out for the PS so you'd be able to play those too. All three have great games but PS2 also has the entire previous PS version stock too, and seeing as how I go for enjoyability of games whilst being rather easy to please with simple quality, that sold me on my PS2.