132 replies to this topic

[CJ]

I'd say the game I'm most looking forward to is Half-Life 2 for PC. Then probably followed by Dues EX.


For consoles, to me, Nintendo won...because I'm looking forward to Viewtiful Joe, Mario Kart, and F-Zero X...i just hope these games end up being great.


I'll have to admit for XBox that Halo 2 looks and will most likely be awesome, just like the first game was...but I don't see the game being released until possibly christmas 2004. Then again, it may not get delayed...
I also wonder if Fable will be all that it is cracked up to be. I remember Morrowind getting alot of hype about being one of the best games ever, and it turned out to be a game that I absolutely had no fun playing.

PS2 I liked GT4 and it will probably be one of the best racing games ever. I'm not the biggest Jak fan, but Jak 2 looks like and improvement over the 1st game. I'm not going to hype up for FFX2 until I see some reviews for the game. I have a mixed reaction to that game. Plus the only SquareSoft game, which I was a huge fan of their games for ps1 and snes, have only really impressed me with FFX this generation so far. Although FFX is one of my favorite games I've played this generation.

Either way, they all had their ups and downs. I'd say the PC line-up impressed me the most...simply because of half-life 2!

[kisrael]

jjessop said:

Quote

And does the PS2 supposedly have "analog" buttons? Because they aren't very good if so; the shoulder buttons on the GC have much better feedback and range of motion...

The Dualshock 2 has 255 levels of pressure sensitivity per button or d-pad direction. The L3/R3 and start/select buttons do not have this feature. It must be enabled in software and the controller properly configured (again in software) for these buttons to properly work. 4 pressure ranges can be configured. It's a very complex low level protocol.

Electrically the buttons are very responsive and linear. Most games don't use them to their max capability and hence what some consider poor performance.

Thanks for the clear technical details.

Is it always easy to tell an original dual shock from a dual shock 2, by looking at it?

Anyway, I don't think the buttons are very well implemented. There's just not enough room for the button to move, so an attempt to press lightly might not trigger anything, an attempt to mash down might hurt your hand. And it makes the buttons a bit harder to fully hold down, I think contributing to fatigue in games like GTA:VC.

My opinion of this controller has gone down. It's the most unergonomic thing out there, its only redeeming feature is in games that need side by side joysticks of equal importance, ala Robotron....

[devils advocate]

1. PS2- I bought this console on launch day. It has lived up to what I expected when I made the initial purchase. I like the controllers, they seem to have a nice fit to my hands. There is no arguing about the impressive line up of games for this machine.
I dislike the often long load times of games, and often do the "fiddlesticks" thing mentioned by someone else! The Dvd player can be quirky, but I honestly never use it anyway. Sony has done a great job supporting the machine as well. I also love the backwards compatibility.

2. Gamecube: Awesome machine. Very "Nintendo" , and all you would expect from them. Innovative, yet unpractical controller! Controller is fantastic for Nintendo brand games, but kind of poor for most third party titles. At least Nintendo tries to push the boundaries for their controllers! Love the small discs. 4 controller ports, making it the standard for all other companies except Sony. Absolutely the best first party programmers of any console!! I have every Nintendo console, and this is certainly as good, if not better than any of the others.

3. Xbox: I've only had this a while. Fantastic graphics. Great controller.....HARD DRIVE!! The storage space on this is great!! No stinkin' memory cards!! The console itself is too big. Very American, in that bigger is better!! (Think cars of the 60's/70's here) . The S controller is great, perhaps the most comfortable of the bunch..BUT, it feels a little cheaper than the others...I'm addicted to Halo. Best shooter i've played in a long time. Software support is a little lacking. Which, is why I waited a while to buy one. Things are getting better lately though. Microsoft proved that when the next consoles come out, that they will still be in the running. While some say they need the support of more third parties, I believe they just need to develop THE BEST first party material in order to stay in the running!!! Better start working on it!!



All three systems are great. MUCH better than only having 2 to choose from. Anyone who says differently is just a poor consumer.
All three have pluses and minuses. Each one has abilities and titles that the others do not.

Some idiots here seem to care more about Sony's stranglehold on the market, Their disdain for Bill Gates, or their thoughts that the Nintendo is for kids, or dwell on the non existent Dreamcast, as being the best!!!!

This is one of the best times ever in gaming!!! There is so much competetion that they are FORCED to sell hardware at a loss! (others have done it, but not by market demand!). Piles of titles come out all the time, so the big three can compete!!


To all of you fanboys/girls on this thread:

DO THESE COMPANIES PAY YOUR MORTGAGE FOR YOUR SEEMINGLY BLIND SUPPORT??????????? HOW ABOUT SHARES??????????

[kisrael]

You're right that all the systems are good. Don't agree about the PS2 vs. GC controller tho; the PS2 never feels ergonomic and has too many similar buttons, and the analog push buttons suck, though it's nice and symmetric. The GC I find super comfortable, w/ well differentiated buttons to boot. Plus there are for slots w/o a multitap, which means more multiplayer gaming. Don't know what 3rd party games you find the GC lacking for though, any examples come to mind?

[devils advocate]

kisrael said:

You're right that all the systems are good. Don't agree about the PS2 vs. GC controller tho; the PS2 never feels ergonomic and has too many similar buttons, and the analog push buttons suck, though it's nice and symmetric.  The GC I find super comfortable, w/ well differentiated buttons to boot. Plus there are for slots w/o a multitap, which means more multiplayer gaming.  Don't know what 3rd party games you find the GC lacking for though, any examples come to mind?

Not the games. The GC controller, I find poor for use WITH the third party games.
Some EA NHL Hockey on the Gamecube anyone?

[kisrael]

devils advocate said:

   Not the games. The GC controller, I find poor for use WITH the third party games.  
     Some EA NHL Hockey on the Gamecube anyone?

Yeah, that's what I meant, what games is the GC controller bad for.
Sports games in general or just that one?