A Comparison

The following is my answer to the commenter's question on my previous post. It was originally answered in a private email.

If you prefer hard-core RPGs, Nintendo may not be your best bet. There are some awesome RPGs on Nintendo systems, but few of them are along the long, highly customizable lines of Morrowind. A PS2 or X-box may be better choices for those sorts of games.

That said, here are some advantages to Console gaming (as opposed to PC):

Load times: Unless you have some supercomputer, you've encountered these. I've seen some load time issues with the PS2, but loading games on Nintendo(Gamecube) or Microsoft(X-box) systems take (from what I've seen) hardly any time at all.

Screen size/Sound quality: Many/Most people have larger screens/higher quality speakers for their TV than PC, right? Case in point.

Controls: I've never really been a PC gamer, so what I say now may just be my inexperience talking, but I honestly think that a game controller provides a MUCH more intuitive gaming experiance than a keyboard. And the joystick gives more freedom of movement.

Multiplayer(Gamecube and X-box only): Some games allow for up to 4 players playing on one system at once, making them great for having friends over. (The PS2 only supports up to two players. While you can buy an attachment that allows up to four, not enough games take advantage of it to be worth it)

And some disadvantages:

Online: The PS2 has a few online games(not sure if they charge you for it), X-box has a decent number (but monthly charges), and Gamecube basically has nothing. Not the robust lineup a PC gamer would be used to.

Memory Cards(PS2 and Gamecube only): In order to save game data, you must purchase and insert a Memory Card into your console(X-box uses internal memory).

Additional Cost: Obviously, if you're going to play games on a console, you need that console. Here is a list of all the big consoles, both current and next generation and links to the Amazon.com pages for them all:

Name -------------------------------------- Cost ------- Release Date
Sony PlayStation 2 (PS2)----------$130----------- Released
Nintendo Gamecube (GCN)-------- $100 -------- Released
Microsoft X-box (X-box) --------- $100 ----------- Released
Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3)------ $500-$600 -------- 11/17/06
Nintendo Wii (Wii)----------------- $250 ------------ 11/19/06
Microsoft X-box 360 (X360) ----- $400--------- Released

Overall, the PS2, despite being the weakest of the systems, has the most robust lineup when it comes to RPGs.

It really boils down to your tastes and budget.

-SB, who will take a Nintendo console over the competition anyday.