Video Games and Game Consoles Information raquo;

Which Game System?

PlayStation 2. GameCube. Xbox. Gameboy Advance. These are the names of the newest and most popular video game systems. But, which is the best? Which one should you get? Purchasing a new gaming system is like an investment; you want to get a good return on the money you spend. So making a decision on buying a next-gen video game console can be a tough one. Keep in mind that having the latest hardware is great, but truly it is all about the games you like to play.

The Big Four

GameCube
Price - CAN $229.95 (US $149.95)
Includes: GameCube, controller, AC adapter, and AV cables.

The Nintendo GameCube is a very compact system in your colour choice of indigo or black. This is Nintendo's first CD-based system; all of their previous systems were cartridge-based. Games come on mini compact discs which have 1.5 GB of storage and can transfer data very quickly, lessening load times.

GameCube has four controller ports plus expansion ports for add-ons like a broadband adapter or 56k modem. A Game Boy Advance can be used as a controller with a private screen on it, for games that support this capability, using an optional adapter. The system uses memory cards to save games which are sold separately.

Target Audience
Nintendo is known for their game franchises that are targeted towards younger audiences with series like Pokemon, Mario Bros., and Zelda. With the GameCube, Nintendo will be targeting the same age group in addition to older audiences with games like Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader, Eternal Darkness and the exclusive Resident Evil series.

Game Info
The GameCube is the only place that you will find Nintendo characters like Mario, Donkey Kong, Zelda, and Samus (Metroid). Nintendo also offers games from 3rd-party publishers like Activision, Electronic Arts, UbiSoft and Sega to name a few. Some of the featured 3rd-party games are Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, NFL 2002, Batman Vengeance, Crazy Taxi, and Super Monkey Ball .

The Resident Evil series, best known on the PlayStation, will be exclusive to the GameCube from now on. Capcom will be completely remaking the first Resident Evil for the GameCube and will port the rest of the series over as well.

Must Buy Games: Luigi's Mansion , Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, Super Monkey Ball and Pikmin .

Value
At CAN $229.95 (US $149.95), GameCube graphics come close to PlayStation 2 or Xbox with a $70 lower price. The GameCube doesn't have DVD playback, like the other next-gen consoles do, but you can connect it to a Game Boy Advance. Nintendo already has tremendous developer support for GameCube with plenty of great games that are destined to become classics.

Future
The future of the GameCube looks bright. With titles like Mario Sunshine, The Legend of Zelda and Resident Evil making their way to the system in 2002, the GameCube is a good place to spend your gaming buck, particularly for younger players.

PlayStation 2 (PS2)
Price - CAN $299.99 (US $199.99)
Includes PS2, dual shock 2 controller, power cord, and AV cables.

The PlayStation 2 hit the market in October 2000 and caused a frenzy with people trying to buy up systems because of an unexpected shortage at launch. But now that systems are widely available, the PlayStation 2 is in the sights of many shoppers. PlayStation 2 has DVD playback and plays both PSone (the original PlayStation) and PS2 games. You can also use your old memory cards to play PSone games and even use PSone controllers in the system.

Target Audience
PlayStation 2 is popular with older gamers, because of its advanced features and most of its games have been designed for teens and adults. Younger players will enjoy games like Jak & Daxter and Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex, but mainly PS2 is geared towards players - age 10 and up.

Game Info
Sony has shipped tens of millions of PlayStation 2s worldwide, giving it a huge installed base and awesome support from developers with plenty of PS2 titles available. As well, Sony has some great first-party games under their belt with Gran Turismo 3 and Ico. Like other systems, the PlayStation 2 has some exclusive titles that will draw gamers to their system, the most popular ones being Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and Final Fantasy X.

Must Buy Games: Gran Turismo 3 , Devil May Cry, Grand Theft Auto 3, Metal Gear Solid 2, and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3

Value
At $299.99 Canadian (US $199.99), the PlayStation 2 is good value for the gaming dollar. You get to play all the new PlayStation 2 games along with an established 300+ game library of PSone titles plus you get a low-end DVD player that plays movies as well as games.

Future
Sony will be releasing a hard drive and modem add-on for the PlayStation 2 in 2002 to support online gaming and to compete with Xbox's built-in hard drive and broadband connectivity. You can also purchase off-the-shelf USB modems & network adapters to allow your PlayStation 2 to play online games. The first game to support this is Tony Hawk's Pro

Xbox
Price - CAN $299.99 (US $199.99)
Includes Xbox, controller, power cord, and AV cables

Xbox is Microsoft's first attempt at the console hardware market. The PC giant is backing the Xbox with a huge marketing campaign to inform you of their product and create heaps of 'buzz'. The good thing about Microsoft putting so much money into the Xbox is that it will encourage developers to make games for Xbox, ensuring a good supply of new titles.

The Xbox features a built-in 8 GB hard drive, GeForce 3 graphics from Nvidia, an Intel PIII 733 MHz CPU, DVD drive, and a broadband adapter to hook it up to your network for online play. Out of all the next-gen consoles, the Xbox is the most powerful on paper.

Target Audience
Xbox is targeted towards gamers of all ages, but mainly older gamers who are willing to spend the money to get the best gear. Xbox has caught the attention of many PC users who normally would steer clear of consoles. But with all of the great hardware found in the Xbox the system appeals to both techies and game lovers.

Games targeted to the younger gamer include Shrek, The Simpsons Road Rage, and Batman Vengeance. But, like the PlayStation 2, Xbox is geared mainly towards the older gamer - with plenty of sports, action, adventure, fighting and shooting games.

Game Info
The Xbox features a handful of 1st-party games (developed by Microsoft) and many more 3rd-party games with a constant stream of new releases. Almost every developer that is on the PlayStation 2, except for Square (makers of Final Fantasy X), will be making games for the Xbox.

Like all of the next-gen consoles, Xbox has exclusive titles that will draw gamers in. Some of these include Unreal Championship, Shenmue II, Gunvalkyrie, Jet Grind Radio Future, WWF Raw is War, Dead or Alive 3, Project Gotham Racing, Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee , and Halo.

Must Buy Games: Halo, Dead or Alive 3, Project Gotham Racing, Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee , and Max Payne.

Value
For $299.99 Canadian (US $199.99) the Xbox will be considered a bargain by many. You get an 8 GB hard drive, broadband adapter, DVD playback (requires optional DVD controller) and GeForce 3 graphics as standard equipment. This is technically the most feature-rich console on the market today.

Future
While still early, Xbox likely has a bright future. Microsoft is backing the console with millions of dollars in marketing and to assist developers in producing new games. PC game makers will find it easy to develop for the Xbox because the architecture of the two platforms is similar. Expect to see ports of popular PC games like Return To Castle Wolfenstein, Doom 3, Max Payne and many more.

Game Boy Advance (GBA)
Price - CAN $109.99 (US $69.99)
Includes GBA, and batteries.

Game Boy Advance (GBA) is the latest handheld from Nintendo. It has a 32-bit processor and features a full color LCD screen. In addition to new GBA games, it also plays your old Gameboy Color and Gameboy games. Powered by 2 AA batteries, Game Boy Advance will run for 13 hours or more before you need to change batteries. The hardware itself is powerful and can handle ports of Super Nintendo games. Four systems can be linked together using the Game Boy Advance Link Cable to allow multiplayer gameplay using one game cartridge (must be supported by the game).

Target Audience
GBA's portability and gameplay appeals to gamers of all ages. Younger audiences can enjoy games like Pokemon, Rayman Advance and Wario Land 4, while older audiences will be challenged by games like Doom, Super Street Fighter II: Turbo Revival, and Golden Sun.

Game Info
Nintendo has a ton of first-party games available for Game Boy Advance, with titles like Advance Wars, Mario Advance, Mario Kart Super Circuit and FZero: Maximum Velocity . Game Boy Advance has huge support from 3rd party developers like THQ, Activision, Ubi Soft, Infogrames, Namco, Konami, Sega and others.

Must Buy Games: Castlevania: Circle Of The Moon, Advance Wars, Mario Kart Super Circuit , Mario Advance, and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2.

Value
For $109.99 Canadian (US $69) you might think that it is a little pricey for a handheld, but the Game Boy Advance packs a lot of gameplay for the price. You get to play all of the original Gameboy and Gameboy Color games and the next-gen Game Boy Advance games on one handheld. With a 32bit processor, 4 buttons, 2.9" screen and the ability to display 32,000 colours simultaneously, the GBA is much more powerful than its predecessors.

Right now some of the games aren't cheap, at $49-59 Canadian (US $34-45). So when shopping for your new GBA games, make sure you check out the reviews to see what the good games are.

Future
The Gameboy has been around for over 10 years and is the best selling console ever. GBA will soon be able to interact with the GameCube, used as a controller with games that support it. You will also be able to transfer game data from the GBA to GameCube games. One of the first games that supports this feature is Sonic Adventure 2 (GameCube) and Sonic The Hedgehog (GBA). Also, we will see popular Super Nintendo games ported over to the GBA, one of the first being Super Mario World.

Bargains - But Still Great Systems

Nintendo 64 (N64)
CAN $99.99 system only (US $79)
Includes N64, controller, power cord, and AV cables

The Nintendo 64 is a 64-bit system that is cartridge-based. It is best known for it's games like Pokemon Stadium, Mario 64, Goldeneye, Perfect Dark, and Zelda titles. The Nintendo 64 is a great console for younger audiences with the exception of a few adult titles.

Must Buy Games: Mario 64, Goldeneye, Perfect Dark , Zelda Ocarina of Time/ Majora's Mask , Paper Mario

PSone
Price CAN $79.99 (US $49)
Includes PSone, controller, power cord, and AV cables.

The original Sony PlayStation is one of the most popular and best selling consoles ever. The system has been around for five years now and has over 300 games in its library. The newly redesigned PSone is very compact and can be made portable with the PSone mobile monitor (sold separately).

Must Buy Games: Final Fantasy IX, Metal Gear Solid, Gran Turismo 2, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Spiderman.

The PSone has games for gamers of all ages. So you can't go wrong getting a PSone for a gamer of any age.


PC
Price (varies)
PC gaming has been around for decades now. Advancing in technology every year, PC gaming always has the latest hardware technology. But with all the next-gen consoles hitting the market, there is a fine line of performance between PC gaming and consoles. PC gaming has always required that your PC be up to a certain standard to play the latest games, which is great but can become very expensive.

The latest hardware geared towards the PC gamer includes the GeForce 3, Pentium IV and Athlon XP CPUs, Windows XP, and the Sound Blaster Live Audigy.

Must Buy Games: Max Payne, Half-life, Escape From Monkey Island, Diablo 2, NHL 2002.

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