Complete Guide to Gaming -- Playstation 2, XBox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, PC Gaming and more

Playstation 2

PlayStation2 marches on. Undaunted by the competition of the Xbox and GameCube, PS2 continues to sell at a steady clip, and PS2 games still dominate bestseller lists. Especially popular with older gamers, PS2 is equipped with a 128-bit Emotion Engine processor that enables lightning-fast gameplay and impressive graphics power. The console builds on its home-entertainment value by doubling as a DVD player and by accommodating most of the original PlayStation's vast library of games.

Pros:

  • Huge selection of games
  • Backward-compatible with PlayStation
  • Lots of titles for the older gamer
  • Supports both broadband and dial-up online gaming connections (with separately sold network adapter)

Cons:

  • Not as powerful as the Xbox
  • 4-player support requires additional accessory

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Playstation 2

Microsoft X-Box

The Xbox offers a truly jaw-dropping experience. Its Darth Vader-like housing is supercharged with features such as an Ethernet port (for LAN parties and broadband Internet games), an 8 GB hard drive (for saved games, downloaded enhancements, and characters), and four controller ports (for accessories such as a microphone headset or additional game controllers). The optional DVD kit even lets you use your Xbox as a DVD player, making it a complete entertainment system.

Pros:

  • More raw power than any other console
  • Built-in hard drive
  • Supports broadband online gaming connections (subscription fee to Xbox Live required)
  • Plays DVDs (with separately sold DVD playback kit)

Cons:

  • No dial-up capability
  • Fewer games than established systems

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XBox

Nintendo GameCube

GameCube is Nintendo's entry into the next-generation console wars, and an impressive entry it is. The pleasingly compact GameCube is packed with cutting-edge features like a 400 MHz processor and 4 MB of flash memory, giving it graphics of astonishing quality and speed. The console also offers interaction with the Game Boy Advance. Among other functions (many yet to be revealed), the GBA acts as an additional controller for some GameCube games. Nintendo continues to excel in the kid-friendly arena by offering a wide variety of great youth-oriented titles, while also releasing plenty of edgy games for the older gamer.

Pros:

  • The home of great Nintendo characters, like Mario and Link from The Legend of Zelda
  • Less expensive than Xbox and PlayStation2
  • Dial-up and broadband capability (with separately sold adapters)
  • Size and design sets it apart from other game systems

Cons:

  • Fewer sports and action games than established systems
  • Won't play DVDs or other media formats

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GameCube

Game Boy Advance

The Game Boy Advance offers a huge leap over its Game Boy Color predecessor in both quality of graphics and depth of gameplay. Extra processing muscle also means you can network up to four Game Boy Advance units with the Game Link cable and play most games from one cartridge. In addition to its own line of games, it supports all the monochrome and color games already released for the previous Game Boy systems (nearly 1,000 in all). Game Boy Advance also interacts with the GameCube. Among other functions (many yet to be revealed), the GBA acts as an additional controller for some GameCube games.

Pros:

  • Backward-compatible with Game Boy titles
  • Resilient design stands up to extraordinary wear and tear
  • Graphics and sound quality unprecedented for a handheld
  • GameCube functionality (with separately sold cable)

Cons:

  • Display is difficult to see without good lighting
  • Lots of its games are more mediocre than great

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Game Boy Advance

PC Gaming

If you're reading this paragraph, chances are you own a PC--home to some of the best games around. And unlike consoles, PCs are expandable: as long as you have the money and know-how, your PC can always be the best game machine on the block. The PC excels at strategy games, complex role-playing games, first-person shooters, detailed adventure games, simulations, and online multiplayer games. It also offers a huge number of educational and family titles. But the complexity and flexibility of PCs also mean you will have to learn something about computers. Unlike consoles, PCs don't let you simply pop in a disc and play.

Pros:

  • Huge library of games
  • Online gaming
  • State-of-the-art gameplay

Cons:

  • System requirements and other technical junk
  • Some games may not be compatible with your PC
  • Higher initial cost than consoles
  • Usually means sitting at a desk to play

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PC Games


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