Gamecube vs. PS2

[j_factor]

The Wii and PS2 support Component, but the PS2 has many games that don't support progressive scan. The Wii will run GC games, but I don't know enough about the system and how it sets up progressive scan for GC titles.

You have to hold down the B button while the game boots. And the Wii itself has quite a few games that don't support progressive scan (though not nearly as bad as PS2), which I think is seriously lame.

[Guntz]

TimeSplitters 2 doesn't support Progressive Scan on GC. Boo!

[QuickSciFi]

I know I'm starting a lot of threads lately
I'm soon to be doing a bunch of shopping.

I'm looking at the catalogs for these two Console systems and I wanted to ask you guys: if I see a game for both, should I just go with the PS2 version or the Gamecube version? Is either version automatically the definitive version?

For the Gamecube, I wasn't planning on getting more than say, the Zelda games and ?? what else. Came across some remake of Ocarina for Gamecube that has an extra quest Am I going to be ok with the original N64 versions (haven't started collecting N64 yet) or should I go with this 'collectors' pack that has Zelda 1/2 and the two N64 games?

This shit is getting confusing for me.


With PC, it's one version.. with Consoles, I'm having to try to figure out which one is going to be the best purchase.

As always, your thoughts and experiences are GREATLY appreciated as I have zero experience with these consoles.

Honestly, why not get both? This is the same type of question that has risen since, say, the NES vs. the SMS. To get a straight answer, it's not 1987-89 anymore. You can afford a GC for about 15 bucks complete and a couple of games, and a PS2 for 30-40 (just because they're still selling them). I hear lots of great things about the GC, but the honest truth is, it is the software that matters. The GC had great games, but most of which you still can play on a Wii or simply weren't exclussives at all. At the same time, I find that the GC is a must have, simply because you can add the Game Boy Player and pretty much expand on the awesome 2D library that all Game Boys brought us. That's basically why I bought my GC in the first place.

As for the PS2. No question about it, it is one of the greatest video game systems ever made. It's backwards compatibility with the PS1 is too awesome, and the library it holds currently is even greater. Why not get it too? I think that in a matter of minutes, you can log onto eBay and purchase both consoles for less than $50, including S&H.

[OldSchool]

In most cases, the multiplatform games got best version on non PS2 platforms (CG, Xbox, or PC in some cases), there are exceptions to this though, or some where the PS2 versions in the middle and one of the others is worse while the other is the best of the 3.

Of course, many multiplatform games only came out on 2 of the consoles, or 2 plus PC (or just 1 and PC)

007 Agent under fire is better on PS2 (graphically) than GC, not sure about Xbox though.

Neat thing about the xbox is it supports progressive for everything (or almost everything) and should be able to be set as such in the xbox bios/menu, very important for any using VGA monitors for gaming (I've got a YUV-VGA adapter), not sure if PS2 does that, but I know GC doesn't, which sucks. (DC does, with the special adapter/cable)
Not only does GC not feature a boot in 480p setting (unless I'm mistaken), but games have to be set individually to progressive scan too, so you might as well play the GC on a SDTV with anamorphic support... (an HDTV with excellent deinterlacing would be great though, especially one that doesn't need to be reset when switching video modes)

Of course, only some GCs even have the digital out for YUV. (and 480p)

On top of that, it means gamecube games supporting only 480i will likely not work on a Wii hooked up via VGA either. (definitely not on a VGA monitor, perhaps some HDTVs -as even HDMI supports interlace modes)

Thanks a lot for all the info. Well feckin shitbeans.. that doesn't sound cool at all.

The more and more I dig into the o so 'compatible' world of Console Gaming, the more and more discrepancies I see in regards to "ease of use" and "total easy plug and play and solid compatibility".

You know... setting up the PCs' hardware was one thing, but at least I didn't have to worry about games running on the system I built except for games pre '00. (not startin anything, just saying)

It all depends on what kind of television you're going to use. If you're using a standard definition Wega, with component cables, the difference between S-Video and Component won't be that big. If you're hooking it up to a Wega HD, it's going to look a lot worse with the interlaced S-Video.

When I first got my PS2, I had it hooked up to a 27" Trinitron with S-video. I later bought a 27" Wega and moved the PS2 to component. It wasn't until I'd bought a 32" Wega that supported 480p/720p/1080i, that I'd noticed a monumental difference between the S-video and progressive scan. It was even more noticeable when the first Guitar Hero didn't support progressive scan and GH2 did.



The Wii and PS2 support Component, but the PS2 has many games that don't support progressive scan. The Wii will run GC games, but I don't know enough about the system and how it sets up progressive scan for GC titles.

Sound. Thanks for your input, it's greatly appreciated.

With the exception of same EA titles, GameCube had the edge in almost every other 3rd party game.

Also, If you have a GameCube you should try some other titles, besides Zelda, as well.
Metroid Prime is a must and F-Zero GX is one of the best arcade racers ever created. If you are into arcade racing, you have to get this, as it’s the closest thing to perfection. SEGA at its best.

Most definitely will be getting F-Zero GX and also the one for N64... I love the original on SNES.

Shouldn't I be getting the latest compilation on Wii that has all 3 games, and has redone the original 2 games with higher resolution textures and other goodies?

You have to hold down the B button while the game boots. And the Wii itself has quite a few games that don't support progressive scan (though not nearly as bad as PS2), which I think is seriously lame.

interesting..

TimeSplitters 2 doesn't support Progressive Scan on GC. Boo!

I'm going to pass on that one... looks like a 'soso/meh' shooter to me... I've got over 150 FPSs on PC so I'm going to be 'very' selective as to which shooters I try out in the Console world... ESPECIALLY since I'm going to have to bite my lip and attempt to play them with a bloody controller.

Honestly, why not get both? This is the same type of question that has risen since, say, the NES vs. the SMS. To get a straight answer, it's not 1987-89 anymore. You can afford a GC for about 15 bucks complete and a couple of games, and a PS2 for 30-40 (just because they're still selling them). I hear lots of great things about the GC, but the honest truth is, it is the software that matters. The GC had great games, but most of which you still can play on a Wii or simply weren't exclussives at all. At the same time, I find that the GC is a must have, simply because you can add the Game Boy Player and pretty much expand on the awesome 2D library that all Game Boys brought us. That's basically why I bought my GC in the first place.

As for the PS2. No question about it, it is one of the greatest video game systems ever made. It's backwards compatibility with the PS1 is too awesome, and the library it holds currently is even greater. Why not get it too? I think that in a matter of minutes, you can log onto eBay and purchase both consoles for less than $50, including S&H.

I plan on getting a PS2 and a Wii (for Gamecube compatibility)... no reason for me to get a Gamecube though, I don't own 'any' Gameboy hardware of any sort. thks for your post



thks, guys - y'all have been mooooost helpful

[InternalPrimate]

Connecting a console to a tv is the easiest thing in the world. If you go with a Wii, get the component cables. Anything that doesn't run in progressive scan will still display, you don't have to worry about "games running on the system". It's plug and play. My 8 year old sister could set it up in five minutes

And in response to an earlier question: as far as I know, all GC software is compatible with the Wii since the hardware is basically the same. It doesn't use software emulation like the Xbox 360. And all controllers work as well.

[OldSchool]

Connecting a console to a tv is the easiest thing in the world. If you go with a Wii, get the component cables. Anything that doesn't run in progressive scan will still display, you don't have to worry about "games running on the system". It's plug and play. My 8 year old sister could set it up in five minutes

And in response to an earlier question: as far as I know, all GC software is compatible with the Wii since the hardware is basically the same. It doesn't use software emulation like the Xbox 360. And all controllers work as well.

Thank you sir, I will sleep better tonight.

[PimpUigi]

It makes no sense to me why a PC Gamer wouldn't take the emulation route for

NES, SNES, N64

As those emulators can do everything exactly the same as a console...or better than the console.

ZSNES can disable the muddy sound filter, making everything sound better...

NES Topia has tons of customizable graphical filters, so you can make the games look however much like the TV version you want.

You hook your PC up to your TV...get yourself a NES/SNES/Genesis/GameCube/64 controller to USB adapter, and you're in magic land.
You won't be able to tell the difference. I have my console, and my PC hooked up to my TV, and switching between the two inputs, I notice no difference if I've set everything up right.

I admit the Genesis emulator Fusion is a bit off from perfect, and that the 64 emulator goes on a "by game" basis...but Mario 64, and the Zelda games, and Goldeneye all play perfect.

I'm pretty sure PSX and Genesis emulators are really close enough.

Gameboy Advance emulators on the other hand, they kind of suck.

Regular Gameboy is emulated wonderfully though - with exception to the built into the GBC bios color pallets that are in Metroid 2, Tetris, Zelda, etc.

[kool kitty89]

It all depends on what kind of television you're going to use. If you're using a standard definition Wega, with component cables, the difference between S-Video and Component won't be that big. If you're hooking it up to a Wega HD, it's going to look a lot worse with the interlaced S-Video.

Comparing interlaced component to interlaced s-video, or 480p component?
Oh and there is a noticeable difference from component and s-video on a SDTV, mainly the color resolution; not as big of a leap from comp to s-video though. Unless of course, you're not really using S-video, but split composite video from one of those crap 3rd party nintendo cables. (which is worse than plain composite video as there's no comb filtering -so horrible full-screen dot crawl)

The Wii and PS2 support Component, but the PS2 has many games that don't support progressive scan. The Wii will run GC games, but I don't know enough about the system and how it sets up progressive scan for GC titles.

From my experience the wii drops to native resolution settings in GC mode, so any games without 480p support will display in 480i. (or not at all, in the case of my VGA monitor)

[Waterfaller]

The Wii and PS2 support Component, but the PS2 has many games that don't support progressive scan. The Wii will run GC games, but I don't know enough about the system and how it sets up progressive scan for GC titles.

If the game has a progressive scan feature, then you'll be prompted whether you wanna enable it upon booting the game up every time. Mildly annoying, but I think it's well worth it

[gamevet]

Comparing interlaced component to interlaced s-video, or 480p component?

A standard definition television, like the Wega that supports Component.

Oh and there is a noticeable difference from component and s-video on a SDTV, mainly the color resolution; not as big of a leap from comp to s-video though. Unless of course, you're not really using S-video, but split composite video from one of those crap 3rd party nintendo cables. (which is worse than plain composite video as there's no comb filtering -so horrible full-screen dot crawl)

Yeah, the colors are going to appear a little crisper, but it's not quite as stunning as going from interlaced to progressive scan.

[Guntz]

I'm going to pass on that one... looks like a 'soso/meh' shooter to me... I've got over 150 FPSs on PC so I'm going to be 'very' selective as to which shooters I try out in the Console world... ESPECIALLY since I'm going to have to bite my lip and attempt to play them with a bloody controller. ;

Well I was more or less directing it to anybody in this thread, not just you. I forgot this was your thread.

Also, TimeSplitters 2 was developed by Free Radical Design, a bunch of ex-Rare employees who worked on GoldenEye 007 and Perfect Dark on N64. Both of those games were highly acclaimed for being ahead of their time and being extremely innovative. TimeSplitters 2 in fact got very good praise when it was released.

Simply put you would be a fool to not at the very least check out TS2. If you can't stand the GameCube controller for FPS games, I recommend the Xbox version. As others have said try not to get multi-platform games on PS2. They are almost always better on GC or Xbox.

[OldSchool]

It makes no sense to me why a PC Gamer wouldn't take the emulation route for

NES, SNES, N64

As those emulators can do everything exactly the same as a console...or better than the console.

ZSNES can disable the muddy sound filter, making everything sound better...

NES Topia has tons of customizable graphical filters, so you can make the games look however much like the TV version you want.

You hook your PC up to your TV...get yourself a NES/SNES/Genesis/GameCube/64 controller to USB adapter, and you're in magic land.
You won't be able to tell the difference. I have my console, and my PC hooked up to my TV, and switching between the two inputs, I notice no difference if I've set everything up right.

I admit the Genesis emulator Fusion is a bit off from perfect, and that the 64 emulator goes on a "by game" basis...but Mario 64, and the Zelda games, and Goldeneye all play perfect.

I'm pretty sure PSX and Genesis emulators are really close enough.

Gameboy Advance emulators on the other hand, they kind of suck.

Regular Gameboy is emulated wonderfully though - with exception to the built into the GBC bios color pallets that are in Metroid 2, Tetris, Zelda, etc.

Sorry it doesn't make sense to you... I don't believe in emulation.

That sounds retarded to me, I want the exact sound of the hardware, not some emulation.


Trust me, I know what the options presented by PC are... they interest me not.

[Guntz]

So does OldSchool play any old consoles? If not, that's just ridiculous. Won't play on original hardware OR emulation.

[kool kitty89]

You have to hold down the B button while the game boots. And the Wii itself has quite a few games that don't support progressive scan (though not nearly as bad as PS2), which I think is seriously lame.

Oh, wow, that's not good... that means the Dreamcast, Xbox, PS3, and Xbox 360 are the only consoles usable on VGA monitors and HD sets that don't like SD signals passing through VGA. (sucks for Wii users with VGA)

Is it that the games aren't rendered in 480p, or that the consoles were designed to not output the standard render resolution. (ie DC renders in 480p or upscales any lower res stuff, then converts that to 480i -disadvantage is for stuff that could have been 240p/60 fps, but I think those cases are rare)

[PimpUigi]

Sorry it doesn't make sense to you... I don't believe in emulation.

That sounds retarded to me, I want the exact sound of the hardware, not some emulation.


Trust me, I know what the options presented by PC are... they interest me not.

NES Topia, ZSNES, and Project 64 all sound the same as the actual hardware.
Out of the box no less...
I'm sorry!!!

Fusion (Genesis) has issues with sound, especially if you disable HQ by accident...also has issues with some Sega CD games, and other small stuff.

Sometimes emulation is the only option, like mame, the arcade emulator.
Because where else would you play awesome old arcade games like Robocop (2) and Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom???