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Rating:  -
The platinum finish is quite nice, and goes with all of my furniture with ease. The indigo gc might have caused a problem.
Nintendo always seems to have the best of games.
This gamecube is the only system you can play games from the Series of:
Pokemon, Mario, Animal Crossing, Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, ect.
The other systems seem to lack the quirkyness of gamecube games.
This system has never failed me yet. And, unlike PS2s, if the lid of the gc comes open while you're playing a game, all you have to do is close it, and your game continues on without a problem.
Gamecubes are small, and are also easy to transport to different rooms of the house, thanks to their handle. The game discs are small, unlike bulky PS2 discs.
This system is also very easy to play multiple player games.
Rating:  -
***The ratings contained in this review are not my own personal ratings but are intended to best aid a beginner or novice in the gaming world***
I am what you may call a gamer aficionado. I have been around since the NES release and have played them all including back dating myself to the Atari 2600. This review is intended to clarify some points for the more casual gamer, and will cover this and last generation of consoles by maker.
Nintendo - The first in my list because this is the first you will recognize.
And we will start off with last generation, the Gamecube. Gamecube was intended for children. And let it be known that it didn't disappoint. Gamecube has released some very solid titles, including Metroid, Mario, Zelda, and Smash Brothers. I know there are going to be comments made about this, but remember, this is for the casual gamer and the casual gamer will enjoy and appreciate the quirkiness of Smash Bros. without noticing the minor flaws. So back to the review. The Gamecube has maintained solid four-player gaming and has re-released a few titles (Zelda: Ocarina of Time) that will make it well worth the purchase. Not to mention the Gameboy Advance interface (Especially for you Pokemon fans) and the price. The Gamecube is by far the cheapest "new" console on market.
But the Wii, in addition to being the cheapest new generation (I refuse to call them next-gen anymore) will also play all the old Gamecube games (A feat X-Box missed the mark on). And for those of you who knew that your parents grew up on NES or just really want to know what 16-bit gaming was all about, the Wii includes an internet feature which will allow you to download all the classics you missed out on (read as They will charge you to play classic Nintendo games). There is a one time fee involved, so don't fret too much (although it's a little high for someone also shelling out around $50 a game for other consoles as well). The Wii is fun and innovative, and if you want to feel more involved in the game, Nintendo nailed it. The new controllers are completely motion sensitive without losing the function of an analog stick. The button systems are intuitive although a little frustrating (i.e. you point the controller just off the screen when trying to aim). Nintendo did a great job growing up.
The Bad - Although the cheapest in the bunch it is also the most difficult to find. I got lucky and bought mine just when it was added online. You'll probably have to ask when a store gets shipments in and trail the truck in from the freeway. Also, although the Wii plays all old titles, you'll still have to purchase "old" controllers to play them. The online is fun as well. Mii's alone are worth it. BUT, the store will frequently freeze unless your wireless internet is set up just right. (There is a connection for wired internet, but what do you need that for if the Wii has a wireless modem built in?)
The verdict - All in all, you'll be incredibly happy with a Wii and for a Casual Gamer you may not need anything else. All things considered: 5 out of 5 for the casual gamer. The joy of playing this fun console, the price and Wii Sports which comes included with the console far out-weigh the inaccuracies and glitches held within the controller and the fact that this little thing only produces picture in regular definition, not High-Definition..
X-Box - Microsoft threw it down when they teamed up with Sega to create what they hoped would be (and may still become) the ultimate gaming console.
The original X-Box was created to be very much a devoted computer: devoted to gaming. There were even computer mod chips readily available to enhance your playing experience and the hard drive was upgradeable. Granted the casual gamer would need a friend to do the changes and probably wouldn't even know the difference (except for the interface) unless that same friend pointed it out. Now this is a new system put out by a "new" company, so there is no backwards compatibility (you can't play any old games). The controller is probably the most comfortable (in my opinion) and the games are mostly nice to look at. There are some moments (Halo) when you'll even find yourself standing still in the game to stare at the scenery. Being a new system make sure you at least get Version 2 (I had a V 1 that heated up very quickly, but I kept the V 1 controller for my own comfort... it's bigger, my hands are big... enough said). But when it came down to it, Microsoft's online play was probably the biggest achievement. For the first time, there was an online community that eased the ability of online console multiplayer. Of course I'm referring to X-Box Live. Which lives and strives in it's updated version.
X-Box Live is a must if you want the X-Box 360. How else can you boast about your achievements? Which brings me to "Gamerscore". On the X-Box 360, Microsoft introduced Gamerscore as a method of getting gamers addicted to playing. And it worked. I can't tell you how many times PacMan ate three of the powerpellets and died making it to the fourth. But about the 360. The console sends picture in High-Definition. That's 720p HD by the way, not the 1080p Sony and Blueray are pushing. What does that mean? That means better, more realistic picture. But not perfect or "super-real" which is a term that has been used to describe Gran-Tourismo HD for the PS3. It means seeing your car splash through puddles, seeing skin stretch with joints bending and muscles flexing. And speaking of HDTV, The 360 will play HDDVD's, but only with a $150 driver. Otherwise, you'll be limited to the same old 480p. The 360 has focused primarily on the First-Person-Shooters, it seems, gaining some ground in Role-Playing-Games. Which leads me to say, for the casual gamer, This console could become a little expensive. X-Box Live has built an arcade in which (once again) you pay a one-time fee to play old games (as well as some new ones) off your console. Also, unless you're going to spend $35 every three to five games for memory cards, you'll have to pay at least $100 for a hardrive. The 360 plays "most" of the old X-Box games, and they are working on updating their software continually to try to add more. Another annoyance is that every game you play will download an update for it's online play, achievements and sometimes even patch an in-game glitch. This I am classifying as an annoyance because it 1) takes up memory and 2) isn't a one-time deal. Some games will have three or four updates the first time you play. But I have nothing to complain about as far as the interface, playability, and mid- to high- level games for casual and hardcore gamers. Did I mention the computer sync which will allow you to operate your computer from your X-Box?
The Bad - Although X-Box 360 is nothing to scoff at (unless you are a die-hard PS fan that refusing to acknowledge the PS3 is/will be a failure) it may be a little daunting for the casual gamer who wants a quiet, quirky, fun platformer. There are a few out there, and they do seem to be increasing in number (what with now trying to compete with the Wii) but the 360 doesn't seem to have anything mainstream that isn't full of glitches. Thank you Sonic The Hedgehog. The casual gamer will find him/herself in the arcade more often than playing a real game. The console heats up (still) quickly which means (once again) make sure you get at least a Version 2, and even so you may want a cooling unit (NOT NYKON). The console sounds like a jet engine. And I don't exaggerate. There is not doubt about when it is on or off. Everything is expensive (Thank you Microsoft). Games are $55 or more, controllers are $40, memory is $35 a pop, even arcade games are no less than $6 and most run $12 or $18. Microsoft even went so far as to maximize profits by ceasing production of X-Box games to focus on the 360.
The Verdict - This console is my second choice for Casuals. The 360 is certainly more grown up and you'll be able to grow up faster on the 360 than on a Wii, but unless you know someone who you trust to recommend games to you, you'll end up getting difficult games and miss out on the fun. Don't worry, you'll get your chance to be pwned! But if you jump out to Gears of War online Versus Match too soon, you'll just get slaughterer and frustrated and crawl up with BeJeweled in the Arcade. After all is said and done, the 360 gets a 4 out of 5 for the casual gamer. Make a friend at your local game store - someone who won't try to sell you a $60 game because it's `pretty' - and go out and get your game on.
Playstation - since it was introduced, it was Sega's only competition, N64 was old and Gamecube didn't bring back the following they had hoped. After Sega CD, Sega Saturn and finally Sega Dreamcast (probably the most under valued console of gaming history) Sega threw in the towel and sided with Microsoft to aid with the X-Box. Playstation has been loyal to fans and works backwards compatibility all the way back to the PSone.
But we will ignore the PSone and skip straight to the PS2. The PS2 has focused, it seems, in RPG (Role-Playing-Games). Try saying "Final Fantasy sucks" in a crowded room* without invoking both applause and anger. *I don't actually recommend this, and I assume no responsibility for those that do try and get beat up.* These RPG's span from the quirky and fun to the Dark and Brooding. So there is no sense in talking about finding something you'll enjoy (as long as you like RPG's). There are plenty of platformers as well. Although the PS2 has probably the best selection for the casual gamer as well as more of the mainstream titles, it's controller is the most uncomfortable and possibly the least functional. There are four "triggers" that are not pressure sensitive. This makes racing very difficult. I went so far as to change the settings to make the throttle the second analog stick. The PS2 is a horse. You can play for hours without fatiguing the console. Of course, most of the games are meant to be played for hours at a time. There are wireless capabilities, but it requires buying separate wireless controllers (the wired controllers are only about 6' long) which will have you connect a receiver into the front of your console. Memory is fairly cheap, especially if you find a sale (which happens frequently) and you don't mind buying third party (Not Sony). Sony is a name drop and you should expect to pay the price for it. Playstation has also included online play, but it is through ISP's (casuals should have their friends set them up to begin with), not through a community.
You'll notice I'm speaking about the PS2 like I have the new-generations of the other companies even though there is a PS3. That's because the PS3 is NOT for casual gamers. PS3 ended up in a "anything you can do I can do better" kick and offered up specs that far surpassed any console that has preceeded. But they paid the price. Or rather, you'll pay the price. The console has a base price of $600. Although it is the only console to offer 1080p High Definition picture, it is very difficult to find good games because, 1) There aren't that many games - it is very difficult to program for the PS3 - and 2) The games that do exist never live up to the hype. Sony has simply made it too difficult to publish a "good" game (read a game free of MAJOR glitches) on their new console. Leave the PS3 for the Playstation devouts. It is NOT for the casual gamer. So I return to the PS2.
The Bad - The PS2 controllers are slightly uncomfortable. You may want to get third party controllers and accept the fact that you'll have to sit no further than six feet from the console. The triggers (although there are four of them) don't have enough play to be effectively pressure sensitive. The online play is through ISP, which can make it difficult for a casual to get involved (I recommend inviting a friend over to help you out). Because it is last-generation, it produces picture in regular definition. There are upgrade wires (component and S-video) to improve picture quality, but it's still not high-definition.
The Verdict - The PS2 gets a 4 out of 5 for casual gamers (the PS3 gets a 2 out of 5). There is nothing that can be said that I haven't already. The PS2 is a great console, but lacks a few creature comforts that in this day and age, a console needs. No surprise as it is last gen. This console is going to be the cheapest, seeing as it is older. But with several updated models (Slim, Silver) and the capability to play DVD's without a remote, it will fit your entertainment area nicely. Although this console received the same score as the 360, I feel the PS2 will rank 3rd simply because the price simply doesn't make up for it's age.
Rating: -
exccelent system for does who are fans of the super nintendo series as well mario and stuff like that . The shipping was great quick and safe as expectec . I recomemend anyone to get this system
Rating: -
Prouduct arived on time. Thats a plus. The only thing i found wrong was the fact that there was a little scuff on the front of the concole. But hay i bought it used so that is to be expected. Everything works great and i love it!
Rating: -
I HAVE THE GAME CUBE AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT IS ONE OF THE BEST'S NINTENDO CONSOLES.
I HAVE THIS PRODUCT FOR ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO AND IT WORKS FINE ALSO I RECOMEND THE GAME BOY PLAYER IF YOU HAVE THIS PRODUCT AND THE GAME BOY ADVANCE SP.
ALSO ITS PORTABLE AND IT REACHES TO FOUR PLAYERS
IN A CONCLUSION: THE BEST
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