Question for Video gamers

[adamred]

I don't what hit me the weekend but I have the sudden urget need to buy a video game system for home...Just have to get one now kind of things...

So which to buy? I want to play some kill games, sports (specifically football) and I want a cool driving game where you pick your car and course and work your way up to better cars and better courses...

Help me out here fellas, X-box or PS2 and why? Also are either getting some kind of update soon that I should be waiting for?

Thanks.
Adam

[Z-man]

I have a PS2. Got it back in January of this year. Biggest reason I got it was to be able to play "Grand Turismo 3" (aka GT3). It is a good driving sim game. Not the best -there are some areas where the game is really not realistic. (Skidpad trainig, for one), but there are license tests, driving series, and the type of progress you mention.

The thing that made me get the PS2 vs. the X-Box is the fact that GT4 is coming out soon. It is supposed to be a better driving sim than GT3 is.

I also have a Need for Speed game for the PS2 (Hot Pursuit 2) and it's more of an arcade type game, but fun nonetheless.

I recently got into a new game : Ace Combat 4 "Shattered Skies". It is a jet fighter sim - lots of fun - it is more than a 'shoot them out of the sky' game - there is strategy and different missions to run. And I just saw that Ace Combat 5 is coming out with more of this type of gaming.

Adam: you're in NJ - (are you the Adam I know from autox?) You are always welcome to borrow my PS2 for a week or so and determine if a PS2 is for you.
-Zoltan.

[adamred]

Thanks Z-man-
Nope I'm not the autox Adam, I'm a member of NNJR PCA but haven't gone to any events....I did however pull together the NY/NJ/CT Pelican fun run...BTW I'm in Scotch Plains.

Thanks for the offer to borrow, I appreciate it but I think I know someone local who has it. My gut says to go with PS2. I forgot about flight sims, those definintely interest me as well...

Adam

[}{arlequin]

what Z-man said... you can get GT3 for change at this time, plus, you can always get someone's memory card that has all the cars already in there... fun for you to quickly get a feel for what's possible... spend some money and build up whatever car you like.

the real pleasure, though, is in doing the license tests, seeing real-time improvements in your line and cornering speed, and spending what precious little cash you have on whatever mods you think are most important at that time.

Plus, GT4 (coming this winter) will have online capability. X-box has that now w/ Project Gotham Racing 2, and it's a great dimension to have in a racing game, but if you have only one console and want to drive, go for PS2.

[Z-man]

dave:
So what car have you built up as your favorite?

Altough I'm only about 1/2 way through the beginner level events, I often use my trustworthy Miata which I've turbo-charged and beefed up the suspension. Altough I've raced a few events with an RX-7 I recently 'won' and like it too...

Too bad I can't fit in one in real life!

Sorry for the hijack,
-Z.

[}{arlequin]

LOL, if I remember correctly, w/ the $ they give you to start the game, you have a choice of only 2 or 3 cars to purchase in the beginning. I went for the Miata b/c it was the only one that was RWD.

as for my favorites, it varies w/ mood and track selection, but here are some:

Integra
(used to own one which I used in DE's, put on just the parts that my real car had... have eerie flashbacks due to car's behavior when driving it)

S2000 (one of the tuner cars. sublime RWD feel)

RX-7 (2nd gen w/ 400hp, 3rd gen RZ stock. same reason as S2000)

Elise (more power, more twitchy. Challenges my patience w/ the gas)

Mazda 787, GT40 (vintage LeMans winners, 'nuff said)

RUF ctr2 (it's a 993 therefore a no-brainer)

Tommy Kaira ZZ II
(have to win it, but take a close look, other than the 4wd configuration, the look is a dead-ringer for the McLaren. I suspect it's the same story as w/ Porsche, no license, so they found a loophole. Although Tommy Kaira is a real manufacturer, I've never seen even a single photo of that car. It's real fast too.)

As you can see, I'm not all crazy about the high hp cars. I rather like basic cars. When I want to go for a record or just have some silly fun, I take either Toyota GT-One, Escudo, or especially, one of the F1 cars and see what can be done.

Occasionally I torture myself trying to "qualify" w/ an F1 car on the Monaco track and see if my lap times match the real F1 car lap times. I'm w/in 3 seconds, but that's an eternity...

[adamred]

don't apologize Z...

When I look online to purchase a system they all seem to be about $149, but with only one controller, are there retail outlets that sell them with 2?

Also for GT3 and 4 do you need to buy some sort of separate memory card or does that come with the system? any other add ons that I should just get out of the way and buy up front?

Adam

[Z-man]

Adam:
You need a memory card to save your progress.

There are some places that have a '2 controller' package. Some stores also have an online package where you get the cable modem adapter for a little more $$.

The only add-on I have considered is a steering wheel joystick. That said, the little hand held controllers, with practise work well in the car sim games.

Dave: as you can see, I'm also not a big fan of high hp cars - my 'modded' Miata only have 240hp! And I'm able to keep up with the other cars thrown at me!
-Z.

[Saintly]

I Have an X-Box and think is quite good..
I'm hanging out for Halo 2 that comes out on the 9th.. should be very good.
I also play most of my games on the PC. None of the current crop of consols can compeat with the graphics that a PC pumps out.. a TV can not reach the resolution either.
It all depends on the sort of games that you want to play.. In an ideal world, have a PC, PS2 and X-Box.
PCs allways need to be updated, PS3 and X-Box2 are on their way.

[yellow911turbo]

I went for the xbox and here is why. Halo is the best game of it's kind in my opinion and if you want a multi-player first-person-shooter then Halo is the best hands-down. As far as driving games go, I have Project Gotham Racing 2 and I think it is a very good sim. And besides... there's the Nurburgring! I've played GT-#something and I didn't like it too much. I found it too cheesy. I also had plans to mod the XBOX (as i recently did) then you can watch region-free DVDs, add a larger hdd, etc. It's not exactly legal, though, especially if you will be copying games. You can rent games and systems from Blockbuster and other movie/game rental places. Try it for the weekend if none of your friends will lend it out. Hope this helps.

Serge

[}{arlequin]

I disagree about the level of realism between Project Gotham vs. Gran Turismo. You can't change a single thing on the cars on the Xbox so I'm not sure I see where it's a better sim. It has the 'Ring for now, but Gran Turismo 4 will also have the 'Ring...

as far as Halo, it is a good game and the next one will be even better. It warrants owning an xbox if you're into shooting, but if we're comparing just driving games then I'm not so sure.

[stomachmonkey]

I spent the last 12 years of my life as the creative director at a major video game publisher. Who went CH 7 on me, stiffed me for my last paycheck, 100 vacation days, as well as some other stuff that has left me, the wife, 2 kids and 600 of my co-workers royaly f'd.

The xbox is a far superior piece of hardware, easier to program for and capable of more than the PS2.

Still i'd buy a PS2. The back catalog of games is second to none and the PS3 will be backwards compatible with PS2 games. The Xbox2 will be backwards compatible as well but Sony know how to do this right.

Sony have much stricter controls and hold publishers/developers to a higher standard than Microsoft does.

Whichever platform you buy get your hands on a copy of Juiced when it comes out after the holiday season. One of the last games that I worked on. It's been picked up by THQ.

[adamred]

Thanks guys, great advice...With new baby coming this spring I'm going to need an activity that keeps me in the house and sane that I can fit in-between pacing, feeding, pacifying, etc,

hopefully I can teach my little man (big brother to baby#3 on the way) how to play so I have a built in playmate...

[adamred]

Oh and Scott sorry to hear about work, is this a recent event? That royally sux....I lived through the implosion of a company including stiffed on last check and vacation, that was a horrible time for me...best of luck

Adam

[stomachmonkey]

Adam,

A recent event that was years in the making.

It's OK, may well be the best thing that's happened to me.

I've got a couple of projects in the works and one of them will be funded by the end of next week.

Scott

[CJFusco]

three simple letters:

NES

best games of all time

[alf]

Scott
Sorry to hear about Acclaim, it is good that Juiced will be published.

Adam
Get an Xbox. Forza, Microsoft's GT Killer will be out early next year. http://www.xbox.com/en-us/forza/default.htm

Not to mention Halo 2 is coming out this November, which should tide you over till Forza hits the shelves

alf

[stomachmonkey]

Alf,

Seattle? You in the business?

Scott

[alf]

Originally posted by stomachmonkey
Alf,

Seattle? You in the business?

Scott

Scott
I was a biz dev guy at Microsoft Games for 4 years. Gotham, Midtown, Counter Strike, RalliSport were some of the titles that i worked on. Now working with the Windows team back at the mother ship.

alf

[K. Roman]

Gotham City 2 on the XBox. Best driving game I've ever played. Puls you could choose '73 911RS, 993, 996TT, GT2, GT3, GT1,959 and the new Carrera GT.

Anyone play?