Nintendo GameCube Versus Sony PlayStation 2
Price is always a very important factor to look at when deciding what system you might want to buy. Currently, the Sony PlayStation 2 is priced at $129.99 while the Nintendo GameCube is priced at $99.99. The GameCube, which is also smaller than the original PlayStation 2, clearly wins in that regard, as with the extra $30 you would probably be able to get a game or two.
In terms of graphical power, the two systems are approximately the same. Games on the Nintendo GameCube, such as Resident Evil 4, push the limits of the hardware and it looks amazing. However, the Sony PlayStation 2 has its share of beautiful games as well, with games like Gran Turismo 3. There are no losers when it comes to today’s graphics. However, the GameCube does have an advantage with its quick load times. While it varies by game, the PlayStation 2 generally takes longer to load games than the GameCube.
Durability of a product is also quite important, as defects and problems with a system can become troublesome and very annoying. The GameCube was designed to be a very simple machine, and that has been the case as I have never had any problems with it. The Sony PlayStation 2, however, has been prone to quite a number of problems. The dreaded and infamous “Disc Read Error” has plagued my system. I often have trouble playing games on CD-ROMs, such as early releases like Midnight Club and ICO. Fortunately, I have been able to get them to play by putting the system in a vertical position. Unfortunately, for many other people, this technique doesn’t really work.
Features of a system are also pretty vital, even though some users might not use all of them. The GameCube and the PlayStation 2 both offer online play, but the GameCube essentially only has one game available online. While the PlayStation 2’s online system is far behind the Xbox’s system, it is still light-years ahead of the GameCube’s one. The PlayStation 2 has some great exclusive titles to play online like SOCOM and Metal Gear Solid 3. Another feature the PlayStation 2 has is the ability to play DVD movies, which is a huge plus for me. I didn’t have a DVD player until I got my PlayStation 2. The GameCube is essentially a gaming system, and due to piracy concerns, Nintendo decided to put the games on smaller discs. This even prevents it from playing music CDs, which the PlayStation 2 is able to play. In fact, the PlayStation 2 can even play games that were released on the original PlayStation. However, the GameCube has 4 controller ports which allows makes it great for parties. The PlayStation 2 only has 2 controller ports, and although an add-on with more ports exists, most games for it are not made with multiplayer in mind. The PlayStation 2 was developed to be more of a single-player experience with multiplayer interaction online, while the GameCube was designed to be fun with family or friends.
However, the most crucial thing to look at when buying a videogame system is, of course, its games. The main reason I got a Nintendo GameCube was because of its exclusive first-party titles, such as games from the Mario and Legend of Zelda series. While most of the exclusive titles are great, there are just not enough of them. Other fantastic exclusive titles that I enjoyed on the GameCube, like Resident Evil 4 and Viewtiful Joe, ended up coming out on the PlayStation 2 several months later. The PlayStation 2 has a much larger selection of games to choose from and also has its fair of great exclusives, like Katamari Damacy, Shadow of the Colossus, and Metal Gear Solid 3. Usually Nintendo’s systems win in terms of exclusivity, but in this case I would call it a tie. The PlayStation 2 would have the advantage in gaming selection overall though, as practically all games that come out on other systems come out on it as well. The GameCube even sometimes misses out on games that the PlayStation 2 and the Xbox both get, such as the game Psychonauts. I imagine it being quite frustrating for people who only own a GameCube.
When comparing the two systems, they both have their successes and faults. The PlayStation 2’s disadvantages come in terms of its size, load times, durability, and lack of four controller ports. The GameCube essentially has no faults, excluding its lack of features like true online play… but it just doesn’t have enough quality titles coming out. The last GameCube game I was truly excited about was Resident Evil 4, which came out over a year and a half ago. Of course, that game ended up coming out on the PlayStation 2 less than a year later with some new content. They both are great systems, but I was far more impressed with the PlayStation 2’s gaming library. Every once in a while a game comes out for the GameCube that I might like, but with the PlayStation 2, I feel like there’s always a fun game to play.
