Any Console Fans Here?

Something many people forget it, it don't matter how good the hardware is inside a console (or, by extension, how good a particular graphics card is inside a PC); if no-one writes decent games for it, it's dead in the water. Look at the N64; hard to program, technically way behind the times, but when people like Rare and that blokey what writes the Mario games get their hands on it, look what it can do. Remember the Atari Jaguar anyone? Brilliant console, but no-one, aside from Jeff Minter (chorus of "Who???") wrote games for it.

This is the major advantage of the PC - anyone can learn C++, get a small team together and write something. Would Serious Sam happen on a console? No, it wouldn't, and it probably never will. You will always get the most innovation from the PC, but that doesn't mean you will get the best games. What we do get (and this is why I have a PC rather than a Playstation or N64) is far more involved games, like SS2 and Deus Ex. And odd games, like Grim Fandango.

Saying that, I might just get a cheap N64 to play GoldenEye and Perfect Dark...

I've owned every major console to come out since the Sega Master System (and 4 systems well before it) except the Playstation (I've been burnt by Sony's crappy consumer electronics 1 too many times, and besides, my brother has one so I borrow his). That makes Sega Master, SNES, Sega Genesis (with 32X and Sega CD), 3DO (some of the best games ever), Jaguar, Sega Saturn, N64, and now Dreamcast. I've always felt that with hardware so cheap (the only unit I spent more than $200 on was the 3DO/$300) it was better to own as many systems as possible and only play the top games instead of owning 1 system and buying alot of so-so games.

The PC is still my favorite platform for many of the same reasons listed in this forum, and will remain to be for the forseeable future. With the Dreamcast looking and playing so good I think we've reached a point where a console can stay viable for along time. Even if the P2 looks better than the DC, so what. The DC games will continue to look good for years to come regardless of what are systems look like (unlike the Playstation games which are really starting to look sluggish and blocky in comparison). Now, appearance isn't everything (I know there are still some GREAT Playstation & N64 games coming out), but it's important to me. I think we're really entering the golden age of games.

[This message has been edited by CTMorseJr (edited September 15, 2000).]

Actually. I already have PS2.. I was never really much a fan of DC. So I hope X-Box doesn't buy out SquareSoft.

I like playing on both platforms. Console or PC. I believe that some genres of games are much better on a console and some are much better on a pc. Has anyone ever seen a decent fighting game on the PC? That said has anyone seen a real good fps on a console (apart from goldeneye and Perfect dark they are GREAT). See my point, that's why I have both a PC and a host of consoles (even an old snes). If i want to play Tekken i'll fire up the playstation but if I want to play diablo 2 or Unreal tournament I'll fire up the PC.

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Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.

I am surprised noone has mentioned Game Boy Advance. With it's 32-bits risc processor it wont quite reach up to Playstation standard, but it will go a long way. And remember this little beauty is portable! That means gaming everywhere. To bad about the nasty iMac-look though. The GB Advance will also hook up to your Mobile phone for multiplayer gaming...

Check out one of the cool games, Ougon no Taiyou: http://www.nintendo.com/spaceworld/gba_ougon.html

Wait a minute! I'm not a Console or a PC fan! I'm a pure gamer baby! I don't buy everthing because most of it's BS. But let me tell you MY point of view. I will buy a Playstation 2 because the graphics are GOOD enough for me. And, it's backward compatiable with old psx games. Most of which, I havn't played. But, this is the main reason: Sony allows the software industry to express themselves any way they like. I want my "Adult" titles(Resident Evil, Metal Gear Solid)which Nintendo and Sega either like to water down or not allow at all. Yes, there are some exceptions but, I want a company that is just concerned with making the hardware! Sony has "f@#$ you money" and they're not worried about the Tipper Gore wannabes writing letters telling them to stop corrupting the youth! F Al Gore too!

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Tech GOD

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Originally posted by Rick_James9:
Wait a minute! I'm not a Console or a PC fan! I'm a pure gamer baby! I don't buy everthing because most of it's BS. But let me tell you MY point of view. I will buy a Playstation 2 because the graphics are GOOD enough for me. And, it's backward compatiable with old psx games. Most of which, I havn't played. But, this is the main reason: Sony allows the software industry to express themselves any way they like. I want my "Adult" titles(Resident Evil, Metal Gear Solid)which Nintendo and Sega either like to water down or not allow at all. Yes, there are some exceptions but, I want a company that is just concerned with making the hardware! Sony has "f@#$ you money" and they're not worried about the Tipper Gore wannabes writing letters telling them to stop corrupting the youth! F Al Gore too!

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Those are some great titles! So what else do you like? Have you played Resident Evil for the Dreamcast yet? Personally, I didn't think it was as scary as Resident Evil 3 for PSX, but the gfx were amazing... by far the best graphics I've seen in a video game. I like to go for the racing titles, too. Sega GT is great, but I hear Gran Turismo 2000 will be better... I'd like to see that. My other favorite genre is RPG, so I'm waiting for Grandia II. Of course PS2 will have Final Fantasy X, but that won't be out for a long time. Sigh, I guess I'm going to need both systems. I think Sega has gotten MUCH better with making adult games, but what's your opinion?

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Originally posted by Arcadian:
Those are some great titles! So what else do you like? Have you played Resident Evil for the Dreamcast yet? Personally, I didn't think it was as scary as Resident Evil 3 for PSX, but the gfx were amazing... by far the best graphics I've seen in a video game. I like to go for the racing titles, too. Sega GT is great, but I hear Gran Turismo 2000 will be better... I'd like to see that. My other favorite genre is RPG, so I'm waiting for Grandia II. Of course PS2 will have Final Fantasy X, but that won't be out for a long time. Sigh, I guess I'm going to need both systems. I think Sega has gotten MUCH better with making adult games, but what's your opinion?

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I agree. Sega use to be real P-C about games because they just followed whatever Nintendo did. But, the seemed to have their own identity now. Although, I still don't understand why they let that Space 5 game out with the chick dancing with the ray-gun? Kinda gay? But, I have to say I was a LITTLE turned on by her. Yes, its sick but what can you do? The GameCube looks like it will destroy everything(including the X-box)as far as graphics. But, I'm not 12 nor do I like the gay James Bond games(sorry). Hey, don't get mad at me! I'll buy my nephew a gamecube because his mom doesn't like those bad and evil games.


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Tech GOD

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Originally posted by Rick_James9:
I agree. Sega use to be real P-C about games because they just followed whatever Nintendo did. But, the seemed to have their own identity now. Although, I still don't understand why they let that Space 5 game out with the chick dancing with the ray-gun? Kinda gay? But, I have to say I was a LITTLE turned on by her. Yes, its sick but what can you do? The GameCube looks like it will destroy everything(including the X-box)as far as graphics. But, I'm not 12 nor do I like the gay James Bond games(sorry). Hey, don't get mad at me! I'll buy my nephew a gamecube because his mom doesn't like those bad and evil games.

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Yeah I have no idea why Space Channel 5 ended up being so popular. I guess the Japanese culture is into that more. But it does give you a good idea of the graphics that next generation consoles are capable of. Makes me excited about the future of gaming, no matter what platform will be on top.

Even Gamecube looks like it has possibilities. I hated N64 because of the childish graphics, but maybe part of the reason was that the hardware was better at creating cartoon like characters. I'd have to see a brand new Zelda or Metroid before I buy one though. I refuse to be lulled by Nintendo's marketing, which is in a pretty consistant state of denial, if you ask me.

I think I'll milk my Dreamcast for all it's worth (probably another year at the rate things are going), and then probably buy a Playstation 2, once the games have a chance to mature.

I have the best of both worlds.

Console is the best place for RPG's and Adventure games. I'd take Final Fantasy over Balder's Gate anyday. The only RPGs on the PC which I found really worthwhile was Fallout 1 and 2.

As for FPS, no console will ever beat a PC. Pure gold. Quake 2, 3, UT, Solider of Fortune, Half-Life . . . too many to count and all sweet, plus multiplayer is right there.

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Havoc

[This message has been edited by havoc144 (edited September 26, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by havoc144 (edited September 26, 2000).]

When it comes to RPG's, I'm the opposite. I'll take a good PC RPG to a console one anyday of the week. BG2 is probably the best RPG on the market. Japanese RPG's tend to bother me because they get bogged down in preachiness (same with the overly-hyped Metal Gear Solid games). Also, I like making my own character from scratch. Aside from BG2, Planescape Torment is one of the coolest RPG's ever made, along with the Fallout games. On the console side, Xenogears is probably my favorite still.

FPS have been a real mixed bag on consoles, although, rather ironically, the N64 has the best ones in the console realm--Goldeneye, Perfect Dark and also Turok 3, which is surprisingly good. Short of House of the Dead 2, which doesn't really count, there hasn't been any especially interesting games of this sort on the DC, although the PSX has had a few very decent ones--Medal of Honor, Disrupter, and if you want retro, the Doom Collection...

The XBox will support VERY high resolutions (something like 1900x1028 or something weird) and from what I've read, you should be able to connect it to your monitor. Will it be solid? Most likely. The interviews seem to suggest the guys making it are gamers. They want something that will kick ***, and I think that will be the XBox. Because of the potential with the XBox, and the fact that I don't have money flowing out of my butt, I'll probably wait until it comes out, then either buy it, or upgrade my PC. I don't see any other console out there that interests me enough to buy it.

And yes, it is sad that a Keyboard and Mouse won't be included with the XBox, but the developers have said they want whatever makes the XBox work, on the XBox. So you may actually see it released later, which would be a great idea, IMO.

I refuse to upgrade my existing pc any further, until I see what the XBox will do for me (when it comes out and I see some good sharkyextreme reviews on it). I have a celeron 566@850, 128MB and a GTS.

I own a modified playstation and never play it. I also still have a super nintendo, and never play it. I had a N64, never played it.

I'm seeing a pattern here. That damn computer steals the thunder every time!

I have a playstation, N64, and a super nintendo. I live with five other people and the N64 gets the most work. Any multiplayer game on that system is the cause of all the work. The only one that every uses the playstation is me, because I love Gran Turismo, Gran Turismo 2, and the final fantasy series. As for the super nintendo, it is a classic!

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Originally posted by Arcadian:
Actually, I don't believe the PC is the perfect gaming platform. I was just trying to get the topic rolling. I actually agree with you 100%. Consoles make much better gaming machines, with the small exception of not yet having keyboard and mouse type gameplay available (which I think might change). The thing with computers, though, is that (in the near future, at least) there will be far more PCs in the world than gaming consoles. It's far too easy (and cheap) for a developer to create a PC game, so I think (for the near future, at least) PC gaming will continue strong.

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You are way off base. The game console will never take over PC Gaming. Ever try to play UT with a PSX-style pad? Its virtually impossible. A console must remain the same for at least 2 years for the technology to be profitable. Look at PS 1 games compared to the latest PC games.
You did mention that it is very easy to create a pc game, since anyone with a PC and a will can do it. This creates a very healthy competition within the market. Pc games are the most engrossing, more challenging, most well-written games that have ever been released.
Every game console must be plugged into a TV. A tv has a 640x480 resolution, any decent 17" monitor can hit double that, 1280x1024 with a much higher color depth. I know we've all played Diablo 2 with its crappy 640x480x256 resolution, we know that the bigger the monitor is, the worse it gets. That how ALL console games look next to their PC bethren.
Also, isn't the PS2 supposed to use Rambus memory, like the N64? Thats a major strike against the thing right their. Of course the final say will be reserved until we get shipping, final games. Until then, i will bide my tongue.


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When Can I overclock a terahertz cpu?

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Originally posted by Arcadian:
So who owns a Dreamcast here? How about who is interested in Playstation 2 or Game Cube? Is anyone actually planning on getting X-Box out there? Or is the PC still the perfect gaming platform?

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If u like low resolutions and wanna play with a gamepad which got the size and handiness of a kidney instead of a keyboard and a mouse, then a whatsoever-box, CreamCast or a Paystation 2 are a must-buy. :-))))

greetinX from the PC-Planet
[metabaron]