Gary Nunn wrote:
At this moment I am evenly divided. The games that the kids would play are available for both.
There's little in it - games that use the HDD are few, and even then they don't use it well (as a PC game might) - it becomes just a BIG memory card.
Differentiators:
- Online gaming - if this is likely to be a big factor, Microsoft have a better system than Sony, at least here - YMMV in the US
- Accessories - there are more wheels, microphones, dance pads, cameras etc etc for the PS2, and even some games that make good use of them.
- DVD playback - here it is common for the XBox to come with a remote but it is usual for the PS2 remote to be an extra cost item, which is only an issue if you want to use it as a secondary DVD and you don't like using controllers. Again, the US practice may be different.
- The big one - range of games. Sony still has the lead here by a significant margin, even if you don't include the PS1 games, and some of those are great value, especially for younger children.
One thing I don't know about is multiplayer expansion - PS2 has the multitap system which allows extra controllers to be used concurrently - I don't know if XBox has this.
Another factor may be a matter of timing. Sony are about to release a new slimmed down version of the PS2 (same stuff, new case), which should drive down the price of the traditional format units in stores.
A third thing is that PS2s have been around for longer, so there are more on the 2nd hand market, if that's of any interest to you. They've proven pretty reliable,so the risk is not great. You also tend to get the games for a steal when buying this way.
The short answer, of course, is that either will make you happy...
Cheers Russell C.
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