Choosing a Video Game Console- PS2, Xbox, or GameCube

While new consoles for each of the three most popular brands are slated for release within the next two years, there are still people who aren't sure which system they'd like to buy out of the current choices. I will go over some information to help you make the most appropriate choice amongst the consoles to suit your needs.

The PS2, or Play Station 2, was released in the fall of 2000. It has been redesigned since then to include online gaming capabilities, as well as shaving down the thickness of the system to that of a hardcover book.

The specs:
• No built in hard drive
• 300 MHz processor
• 2 Controller ports, but you can add the optional multi-tap to add four more ports
• Dolby Digital 5.1
The PS2 has an advantage over the GameCube and Xbox in the game franchises that make games for it. It has some exclusive titles and other titles that get published in the PS2 format first. Popular franchises such as Final Fantasy and Grand Theft Auto get released for the PS2 up to a year before some of the other console or PC versions are available.
Online play for the PS2 is a little more versatile than the Xbox, as far as fees go anyway, because the game publishers, not Sony, host the play on their servers. Some charge fees for online play while others don't.
Both CDs and DVDs are playable on the PS2.
Currently PS2s can be purchased new from $149.99. Games cost anywhere from $10-$50.

The Xbox, by Microsoft, was released in the fall of 2001. It is a much larger, bulkier, and heavier system than either the PS2 or GameCube, but it is also more technologically advanced than either of those systems.
The specs:
• 733 MHz processor
• 8 GB hard drive
• 4 Controller ports standard
• Online availability
• Parental control capability built in
Online play for the Xbox is only available via Microsoft's Xbox Live service, which has a monthly fee. There are other services that can circumvent this restriction, but none of them are sanctioned or approved of by Microsoft.
To play DVDs on the Xbox, you need the optional DVD Movie Playback Kit, which costs $29.99 from the Xbox site. Currently an Xbox can be purchased new from $149.99. Games cost anywhere from $19.99-$49.99.

The GameCube, by Nintendo, is a small, appropriately cube-shaped, console. It uses mini disks rather than regular CDs. It was released in the fall of 2001.
The specs:
• 485 MHz processor
• 3" mini disk games
• 4 controller ports standard
• Online availability
Although the GameCube has online game play availability, there is currently only one game that is playable online, which gives the GameCube a disadvantage compared to the Xbox. Nintendo has the strength of its popular game franchises like the Mario Brothers, Zelda, and Star Fox
Currently, the GameCube can be purchased new from $99.99. Games cost anywhere from $10-$50.