Gaming Forums => General Gaming => Topic started by: brian577 on August 11, 2010, 10:59:17 PM
Title: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: brian577 on August 11, 2010, 10:59:17 PM
I've come to the realization that I've been limiting myself by relaying only on Nintendo for gaming so I've decided to buy a PS2 or Xbox even a Dreamcast, in the words of Obi Wan I'm taking my first step into a larger world. What system would be the best choice for a guy who has been playing nothing but Nintendo games for the last 20 years. Give me some recommendations too.
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: MegaByte on August 12, 2010, 12:33:46 AM
Unless you want certain games like Halo, get a PS2; it has a much wider selection of games, including PS1 games. Most of the good Dreamcast games were ported to other systems, so you're not missing much there.
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: Morari on August 12, 2010, 11:21:28 AM
No, get a Dreamcast. It's easily the best console ever made. It has a great selection of games, not to mention a lot of really fun homebrew stuff available. The controllers were much more comfortable than anything else that came before it, and the VMU was an awesome (if not underused) device.
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: Ian Sane on August 12, 2010, 07:42:54 PM
The PS2 just has the most variety by sheer numbers alone so I recommend that. I would only pick a Dreamcast or Xbox if there are some exclusives that just really grab your interest.
And while the Dreamcast is a great system a lot of its top games were ported or in the case of something like Soul Calibur, sequels have come out that make the original less of a must own. Is Soul Calibur so great that it's worth owning a Dreamcast for when Soul Calibur II is on the Cube, PS2 and Xbox? If you're to get a Dreamcast you get it because there are some exclusives that you really want that aren't on any other console.
Realistically that is the nature of old consoles. Games get ported to newer systems so an old console just becomes less essential as time goes on. For example at one point Ikaruga, even as an import title, was a feather in the Dreamcast's cap. Then a localized version came out for the Gamecube. Well that became the version to go for since it was easier to obtain. Now Ikaruga is on XLM. That's is by far the easiest and cheapest way to own the game now so I would not recommend Ikaruga as a must-own title that would justify a Gamecube purchase. Of course I wouldn't recommend a Gamecube purchase at all anymore since the Wii's backwards compatibility is so good, unless you wanted the Game Boy Player.
The PS2 is also current enough that you can still find new memory cards and such in stores. Hell you can buy the system brand new.
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: brian577 on August 12, 2010, 09:51:02 PM
OK so far the PS2 is the most popular choice and it's also the system I was leaning towards to begin with. The following titles are what I'm interested in starting with Shadow of the Colossus Psyconauts Ratchet and Clank Series Sly Cooper Series Jak and Daxter series
I'm planning to go to the closest Gamestop week (which is 50 miles away), this is what I plan to buy PS2 Slim Refurbished $60 Memory Card used $10 Ratchet and Clank $7 Sly Cooper $5 Jak and Daxter $5 they don't have any of the other titles I want in stock Good deal or not? Any other titles I should consider?
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: Morari on August 12, 2010, 11:01:45 PM
I thought that the controls felt sloppy when I played Psychonauts back in the day. I went back and played it on my PC about a year ago however, and it was a super fun game.
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: BranDonk Kong on August 13, 2010, 03:16:58 PM
If you're into games, then yes, PS2 is the best choice. If you want homebrew, then the Xbox is the absolute best console you can get for this purpose, period.
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: TJ Spyke on August 13, 2010, 04:08:06 PM
brian, do not play the PS2 port of Psychonauts, it was sloppily done (the PS2 port was handled by Budcat Creations). The controls were worse than the Xbox original, the graphics were a little worse (which was standard among almost all PS2 versions of multiplatform games), the framerate was worse, and the game had frequent reports of crashing. The Xbox original is a great game, one of the best games from last gen.
If you really want a PS2, I would suggest Kingdom Hearts as well.
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: Halbred on August 13, 2010, 04:29:54 PM
Yeah, the PS2 has the most games, no doubt. However, I have a soft spot for the Dreamcast. The games on that system that are good are REALLY good.
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: brian577 on August 13, 2010, 04:36:41 PM
brian, do not play the PS2 port of Psychonauts, it was sloppily done (the PS2 port was handled by Budcat Creations). The controls were worse than the Xbox original, the graphics were a little worse (which was standard among almost all PS2 versions of multiplatform games), the framerate was worse, and the game had frequent reports of crashing. The Xbox original is a great game, one of the best games from last gen.
If you really want a PS2, I would suggest Kingdom Hearts as well.
Thanks for the advice, I'll get it off Steam instead, it's only $10.00
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: TJ Spyke on August 13, 2010, 05:23:35 PM
Good idea, the PC and Xbox 360 versions are practically the same. You also don't have to worry about a used version not running well (and Double Fine Productions will make at least a little bit of money from the Steam version too).
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: vudu on August 13, 2010, 05:41:14 PM
If you're not in a big rush, I'd recommend waiting on Psychonauts until it goes on sale again. I picked it up for $2 on Steam back in January.
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: brian577 on August 14, 2010, 01:18:30 AM
Any other titles I should consider?
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: vudu on August 14, 2010, 02:39:21 PM
Okami (if you didn't play it on Wii) Dragon Quest VIII Silent Hill 2
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: BranDonk Kong on August 14, 2010, 10:44:00 PM
Resident Evil 4...unless you've played the GameCube/Wii versions. And of course, God of War.
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: NWR_insanolord on August 14, 2010, 10:50:03 PM
There is absolutely no reason to play RE4 on the PS2. If you haven't played it, play it on the Wii. It controls like it was designed for the Wii; I was unable to play RE5 because I was used to the much better Wii controls.
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: brian577 on August 15, 2010, 12:03:23 AM
I've already played RE:4 and Okami on the Wii, how about some platformers I haven't considered or Zelda style games?
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: KnowsNothing on August 15, 2010, 12:21:13 AM
I'm just going to list every game I own for the PS2 and what I think of them...I don't really have too many. My experience with the PS2 has honestly been underwhelming and for all the praise it got I had over 9000 times more fun with my gamecube...
Shadow of the Colossus: definitely my favorite PS2 game, though to me it didn't QUITE live up to the hype that surrounded it. The terrible controls/textures/camera/framerate detract from what could have been a really amazing experience. Plus I personally found the barren wasteland more lazy than artistic, although maybe it was simply due to technical limitations...
Ico: Very atmospheric puzzle/platformer by the same guys as SotC and to me just as good. Check it out.
Final Fantasy X: Couldn't get past the future-pop atmosphere and boy band characters. Only played the introduction!
Final Fantasy XII: Got about 14 hours into this one before putting it away. Interesting but ultimately kind of boring battle system and pretty bad plot/characters.
Dragon Quest VII: Never played it. I don't have it in me to play this game.
Burnout 3: AWESOME GAME. The best of the entire series.
Gran Turismo 4: Self-proclaimed driving simulator that paradoxically has no vehicle damage whatsoever. Someday I'll learn how to steer those damn cars...
Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal: Reasonably satisfying third person shooter/platformer. I never played any of the other games in the series and I'm not particularly interested in ever getting around to them but I would recommend trying the series out.
Katamari Damacy: Biggest WTF game ever. Pretty funny, awesome music, really fun for a while...but I never really got comfortable with the controls and eventually the repetition got to me. I bust this game out every once in a while but never for too long.
Metal Gear Solid 3: I don't understand how anyone can like this series but to each their own.
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: brian577 on August 17, 2010, 03:02:49 AM
2 days till I buy the system, any other titles?
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: DAaaMan64 on August 17, 2010, 05:31:35 AM
Burnout: Revenge is better than 3. Do that.
Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2. Almost with out argument, the best version is on the PS2. The GC/Xbox version was developed by someone else, and for some reason, their version sucked.
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: TJ Spyke on August 17, 2010, 07:26:59 PM
The Xbox version is much better, but I would still suggest the PS2 version of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. GTA III is almost impossible to play now because the controls feel so archaic an the graphics are so-so, Vice City is a little better. San Andreas is the best of the last gen trilogy (I am aware that Take-Two ported the two PSP games to the PS2, but I never played either one).
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: jrlibrarian on August 18, 2010, 11:51:55 AM
If you want a last gen system you could get a wii but only if you like dancing games and party game shovelware.
Could we please refrain from bashing Nintendo in a thread that has absolutely nothing to do with the Wii? Thank you.
I'm not much of a shooter fan, so while I had the Xbox, I wasn't able to find many games I wanted to play there. Therefore, I would go for a PS2, especially for the backwards-compatibility. Now that I look back, I see that KnowsNothing pretty much posted almost every game I was going to recommend. Hope you have a great time with your new system.
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: broodwars on August 18, 2010, 01:18:28 PM
I'd recommend some games for you, but I'm into RPGs and it doesn't look like you are. Still, if you want to get your feet wet in the genre, I'd recommend Shin Megami Tensei Personas 3 or 4 (especially 4). They tend to appeal to people who don't usually like JRPGs (which is hilarious considering how Japanese they are). Similarly, Wild Arms 5 is a blast. If you find yourself liking those games, check out Final Fantasy X.
Also, if you're into Survival Horror, Fatal Frames 2 and (supposedly, I haven't played it) 3 are pretty good if unusual.
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: Morari on August 18, 2010, 01:36:44 PM
The Xbox version is much better, but I would still suggest the PS2 version of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. GTA III is almost impossible to play now because the controls feel so archaic an the graphics are so-so, Vice City is a little better. San Andreas is the best of the last gen trilogy (I am aware that Take-Two ported the two PSP games to the PS2, but I never played either one).
The PC version is much, much better. :P
I agree though, GTA3 felt terribly archaic the moment it was released. All of the 3D games in the series have though. I imagine it has a lot to do with them being built around gamepads, which wasn't as big of a downfall with the 2D top down perspective of before.
If you just have to play a 3D GTA though, make sure it is San Andreas. Gang banger plot aside, it's the best.
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: TJ Spyke on August 18, 2010, 03:20:21 PM
I hated that they took out plane controls and parachuting in GTA IV. I loved taking a plane and flying it high above Las Venturas, then jumping out of a plane and parachuting down. I also loved riding a ATV through through Back O Beyond. I didn't like the dating aspect though as it just happened way too much, same with eating.
I have to disagree on the controls for the later games though. The controls are fine in SA and IV.
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: Morari on August 18, 2010, 03:36:03 PM
I played GTA4 for about two or three hours before uninstalling it. The vehicles all handled like bathtubs. :P
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: TJ Spyke on August 18, 2010, 03:43:49 PM
Should have played the console versions as it was designed as a console game. The vehicles felt great to me. To each his own I guess.
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: vudu on August 18, 2010, 04:03:44 PM
I played GTA4 for about two or three hours before uninstalling it. The vehicles all handled like bathtubs. :P
I suppose you can afford to do that when you don't pay for games.
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: Morari on August 18, 2010, 06:25:43 PM
Excuse me?
I had bought it for some stupidly cheap price off of Steam. The sale was actually the only reason I picked it up. The fact that I can't resale to someone that might enjoy it it has only further depreciated my tolerance of Steam.
Also, let's not forget the fact that even though it was running through Steam DRM, I also had to install SecuROM and the dumb Rockstar Online Club. Good move there, Rockstar.
I wish I hadn't paid for it.
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: brian577 on August 18, 2010, 11:16:48 PM
If you want a last gen system you could get a wii but only if you like dancing games and party game shovelware.
Cute, but I already have a Wii with plenty of titles that fit neither of those descriptions, but thank you for your concern. Any thing other titles, 12 hours till I buy the system
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: broodwars on August 18, 2010, 11:20:49 PM
I might caution you against getting the Sly Cooper games. Don't get me wrong, they're great platforming action games. But if there is any chance that you might get a PS3 later, you might just want to hold off and get the PS3 collection when you get a PS3.
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: brian577 on August 19, 2010, 11:17:44 PM
Well everything went well, except Ratchet and Clank required a wipe down to get working and Sly Cooper loads about 30% of the time (hopefully a cleaning at the local video rental will fix that). If I've learned anything it's never buy used from Gamestop, EVER. I also managed to knock my Wii over and break the controller port cover.
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: Morari on August 20, 2010, 11:05:04 AM
I've only ever purchased a few used games online. At least at GameStop you have the ability to look at the back of the disc first. After seeing the way some of my friends and family take care of their discs (music, movies, games, whatever), I'm more concerned than ever ability getting stuff second hand. Of course, NetFlix rentals are just as bad. It's not often that I get an particularly popular film, but when I do, I'm almost guaranteed that it won't play 100% correctly.
If cleaning them doesn't help, you might consider getting your a disc doctor. It'll actually shave a thin layer off the underside of the disc. It removes the scratches quickly and leaves the lower data intact. Of course, you wouldn't want to do it more than one or twice to any particular disc... lest you destroy it. :)
Title: Re: What last gen system should I buy?
Post by: brian577 on August 25, 2010, 01:15:37 PM
Took a week but I finally got around to getting the disc cleaned, runs fine now. I'm actually surprised it works at all, the device the video store used to clean it left circular lines all around the disc.
