Is the XBox worth it?

Oh yes, it's an excellent piece of hardware. Great graphics, amazing sound and a hard-drive that really makes a difference in game features.

There are tons of interesting games coming out during the next year: Halo 2, Fable, BC and Knights of the Old Republic just to name a few. And you lucky bastards get to play LIVE too.

And I think it's a safe bet that you'll get support for many years, at least until Xbox 2 is released. Bill Gates is too proud to pull a Sega and quit and he's thinking long-term here. The Xbox is the first step in his plan to dominate the console market. Anyway, sales have picked up now that the price dropped and they give two (great by the way) games with the system.

I was pondering this a lot lately, and came to this conclusion about consoles: screw it, buy them all. Only all three systems combined have a really great library, because honestly most titles are filler. It's been a big hit to my bank, but it's not worth buying 4 games that you have a lukewarm interest in, when you could just buy another system and get the one game you're dying for.

As far as the Xbox goes, I've enjoyed the hell out of Buffy and Halo. Splinter Cell....impressive game definitely, and I can understand the love for it. I couldn't get into a straight non horror/fantasy/scifi game personally. I'm mostly waiting for Halo 2 and Call of Cthulhu for it. If you're a fan of Lovecraft, that's the main reason there for the Xbox. Being able to play two interlaced Cthulhu stories across the Xbox and PS2. (The Xbox has the Innsmouth story, and the PS2 will be the modern day follow up I believe.)

Mainly though, why limit your options? If you have the chance to have access to any great game released, grab it.

It's good stuff. I own all 3, and have to admit that lately i've been playing the xbox more than anything (well, except for the couple weeks I spent in Vice City)

Mechassault is insanely fun online, you should give it a chance if you get Live. Then you got Halo, Splinter Cell, Deathrow, Jet Set Radio Future. Plus whenever a game comes out for all 3...it usually is better for the box. Hitman 2, Dead to Rights, Metal Gear Solid, Tony Hawk 4....pretty much everything (except Need for Speed- that game owns on PS2) is a little shinier and has more extras.

It'd be hard for me to have to pick just one platform....there's a reason i'm broke as hell, there's just too many good games for each system that makes all of them worth owning.

Well, I could tell you off the boards, but I'd like it documented.

The X-Box gets a serious amount of lovin' from the boards, but I think it's overrated. It's got plenty of good games, but I don't know if you would want to spend the money on it. Sure, the ported games look better and play better on X-Box, but only slightly. The graphics are only slightly better and the gameplay only slight inhanced. I don't think ported games alone warrents a purchase. As you own a PS2 and a Gamecube, I'd say just get something else for Christmas, like more movies (as your movie collection could be VASTLY improved, my friend). Most of the good games on X-Box will be ported eventually (Dead to Rights is just as great on PS2, if not better because many gameplay issues have been corrected). I'm not saying the X-Box is total shit, but I do not think it's the holy console sent from God that others make it out to be. That said, Splinter Cell OWNS! Screw Metal Gear Solid... give me more Splinter Cell action.

If you're going to, though, go ahead and ask for Steel Battalion, as I know there's no way in hell you're paying for that with your own cash, 86. And don't even think about even RENTING Bruce Lee: Quest for the Dragon. It looks good from the box, but Christ, does that game shock Santa's balls.

They're going to make more games for that 800 pound controller... or at least, that's the idea.

Steel Battalion 2's the only one confirmed to use it. It's going to be online...but still...that's a lot of freaking money for two games...

That rumor you're mentioning is the latest one about the infamous Nintendo Megaton announcement, which is supposed to shock the hell outta people and boost GC sales drastically. Seeing that 1 Capcom has created a studio devoted only to creation of games for NGC and 2 they have a ton of games scheduled for PS2, I think it has a degree of credibility of below zero.

And as for the question at hand, nope, not worth it. It's not a bad system but it has too little support from Japanese editors, the truly great games are few and far between and they will either be ported on PC or other consoles. I'd say stick with PS2 and GC. That's what I'm doing.

These debates are starting to get really old. I don't know why so many like to bash the Xbox so much. I love all of my systems, but I know that in order to get things like extra downloadable levels in Splinter Cell I have to own an Xbox. But that doensn't make me hate my PS2 or GC, they have their own unique features.

In the end you should go rent an Xbox and some games and make your own decision. All of us on the boards seem to have too many biases to give you an impartial opinion.

Honestly I see much more people loving it here than I do people bashing it. And if you think that merely saying "well I don't think it's an interesting enough system" is bashing, you should see some gaming forums, cause the venom really flies there.

But you're right, he should see for himself.

I see constantly people bashing the GameCube and hailing the X-Box as the Second Coming (certain Atlanta-crew members... well, you know who you are). The fact is that the X-Box isn't that great, and I have heard very few people come out and say that. Thus, I do not think this is a tired argument. That, and 86 has a legitimate problem that he wanted to address. When a Chewer asks for help, you help out... or someone will break into your house one sunny afternoon and shit on your face with extreme prejudice.

X-Box is a great games console and we should all contribute towards its success.

<img src="http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/images/gallery/execs/web/gates-3.jpg" alt="" />

I have no problem with helping out fellow Chewers. But we have countless other threads that touch on this same topic. I'm not saying he did anything wrong by starting the thread either. It's just that, as you pointed out, many people have pre-existing attitudes towards systems and because of that we end up rehashing the same old arguments.

The PS2, with it's extensive library, and online play is a good deal at $200, and if someone that doesn't have wants to know if it's a good purchase I would tell them yes.

The Cube has the great Nintendo titles, some good looking Capcom stuff coming, online capapbilities, and is a great buy at $150, and if someone that doesn't have wants to know if it's a good purchase I would tell them yes.

The Xbox, has the hard drive for downloading content, the online play, a handful of really good games with at least that many more coming, and at $200 with two games it is a great buy, and if someone that doesn't have wants to know if it's a good purchase I would tell them yes.

Now, there's some fairly impartial advice, should he run out and buy one?

All I was trying to say was that other people's opinions can only take you so far. Read reviews, and get your hands on one to be absolutely sure. And if it will be a present anyway, what is there to lose.

For once we agree, and I wasn't even referring to your comments this time.

And that venom you referred to is what I'd like to avoid here. I like to think that this forum is populated with more informed and level headed folks that just enjoy games no matter what the platform.

Except for any of you that were in the Intellivision camp, you guys are freaks.

To be honest, I can't say I'm excited by the XBOX at all. Most games just don't appeal to me at all. There's just no killer applications there that make me want to buy one (except Halo, and with console prices the way they are over here, I'm not planning on buying a machine for just one game).

Gonna have to throw my opinion behind the XBox. After getting it, I gave my PS2 and my library of games to a friend. I have since told him it's his to keep. Each system has it's own personality and that personality must fit yours if you're to enjoy it. For me, I play my xbox alot more than I did my PS2.

I just discovered Ghost Recon on Live. This makes gives you the real feeling of hunting men down unlike most first person shooters in which you just go guns blazing. In Ghost, you need patience. The action is slower, but far more intense than even Halo in my opinion.

What exactly is "X-Box Live"??

The catchy name Microsoft applied to the Xbox online service.

Hey, now! There were some great games for that thing. Beauty and the Beast RULED!

LOVE my XBOX, despite the fact that I don't ever get to play it with my busy schedule. That's why my holiday break is looking good. Only 4 more days until a 2-week break.

If I were you, go to <a href="http://www.xbox.com" target="_blank">http://www.xbox.com</a>, watch some of the previews of the games, read up on the system and then make a conscious decision.

Yes, the PS2 has more games and the GameCube has Mario and Zelda, but since my last videogame system was a N64, I went for the new system in the gaming wars and am completely happy with my decision.

i have nothing but love for my xbox and s-controllers. nothing but love. i'd love to have all three systems, but i don't have the cash. the love xbox gets is deserved. get one, love one.

My Christmas break also starts arround that time, which will hopefully lead me to finishing Vice City and Burn Out 2, and a bit of replay of Ico.

Honestly, I hated the XBOX for its first year, then a my buddies got a couple, and it rocks.

The only reason to get it is HALO. Splinter Cell(in my opinion) is kind of weak, but using HALO with the <a href="http://www.xbconnect.com" target="_blank">www.xbconnect.com</a> rocks. XBOX Live is too much cash, as this service is free.

The mod chip is also very cool, as it allows you to play VCDs, DIVX, and a host of other things, as well as SNES and N64 emulators.

Yeah, but HALO comes to PC next year... and FPS games are better with keyboard/mouse, anyway.

Hence, no interest in XBox from Gray.

yeah, but Halo 2 comes to xbox next year.

Exactly.

I don't think Halo for Pc will be as good as the Xbox version, simply because it was made for it, and a keyboard/mouse combo won't work as well as the Xbox controller.

And Halo 2 is currently scheduled to come out before Halo for the pc (July 1 apparently), so we may be seeing kind of a Halo 1.5. I can't wait for either.

XBConnect is basically XBOX Live, but free and it works with Halo. It supports voice and the speed depends on your connection, but its incredibly fast for us.

If you install the current mod chip, you can't get Xbox Live, but that problem is solved by the above. Other than that, you can copy XBox games directly to your hard drive or copy directly and it will work. Your Xbox also becomes a FTP server, and it will become a VCD/DIVX/MP3 player as well. For 60 bucks, its worth it.

And Halo for Pc? It will be compared with Doom III, indeed, but I think that the release of Halo 2 will render it useless.

I just bought my XBOX for $119, so I am happy no matter what.

My 3cents

I have a GC and a PS2.. a good friend has an Xbox.

of the 3 I dislike my PS2 the most. Technically it is inferior to the other 2 systems, and the games already look dated, espeically on my big screen. Whereas games on my GC and the Xbox come in amazing well on the same TV. I've tried different wires, but alas, its the progressive scan output that does it.

At some point I may find myself trading in my ps2 for a Xbox, since whenever I'm playing a game on it I only wish I was playing it on my GC.

But as a recommendation to someone looking to buy an Xbox, ask yourself what type of games you like to play, then look at what games are out there and what games are coming out.

Sadly it looks like the GC may go the way of the Dreamcast in the next year or so. moment of silence.

I'd take it if it was free, of course. No regrets.

I guess I should have answered the original question posted. I like my X-Box a lot. Mine was also free, which enhances my enjoyment of the system a little.