Hobbies And Interests
Basics
Of the original giant Xbox, the slick Playstation 2, and the baby Gamecube, which console can truly be crowned King of their generation? Released within a year of each other, the trio of gaming systems launched the current console war. While all three were enormous successes, each with their own followings, they were also relatively unique in regards to what they had to offer.
Performance
In terms of processing power, the Xbox stands triumphantly over the crippled bodies of the Gamecube and PS2. At 733 megahertz, it more than doubles the PS2's 295 megahertz and easily outshines the Gamecube's 485 megahertz. Graphics-wise, it also dominates, though more subtly. Xbox graphical elements are noted for being smoother, faster and more detailed. The Gamecube, presumably because of its nearly concurrent release with the Xbox, is just a step or two behind, with nothing the untrained eye can really detect. The PS2, while revolutionary at the turn of the century, struggles behind its competitors, with choppier modeling, cruder animation and less detailed textures.
Gameplay
There really isn't a way to determine which console has the best gameplay; all three vary in their styles, and all three appeal to different preferences. Xbox games tend to be more mature, focusing on shooters, sports and simulation, with a tendency towards realism and graphical prowess. Gamecube games, however, like "Mario Sunshine" and "Pikmin", reach for a demographic encompassing children or the more casual gamer, with an assortment of family-friendly titles. PS2 takes a little bit of both, from explosive shooters such as "Red Faction" to colorful platformers like "Ratchet and Clank."
Cost and Availability
Costs and availability, at this point in time, have essentially become non issues. Each console can be found, readily available, at local used game stores (like GameStop or FuncoLand), usually for under $50. Games have also drastically fallen in price, with titles ranging from about $20 all the way down to $2.
Other Features
Both the Xbox and Playstation 2 have the ability to play DVDs and CDs, though a specialized remote control (which can be purchased for as little as $10) is required for the Xbox. The Gamecube, because of its smaller-sized discs, is incapable of playing any other medium. It's simply a gaming machine and nothing more. PS2 and Gamecube also lack a hard drive; therefore saving games requires a memory card with limited space. The Xbox has an internal hard drive, which is capable of saving an almost unlimited amount of games, so chances are you'll never have to deal with the inconvenience of a memory card.
Future
Though all three systems have literally hundreds of games to choose from, the PS2 is the only console to have games still currently in production. Gamecube and Xbox users must rely on preexisting material for their gaming needs, while PS2, because of its inherent popularity, will continue to have new games available for at least the next few years.