Mega Man X Collection: Is the GameCube Version Better Than the PS2 Version?

[TripleSMoon]

So I've been looking for Mega Man X Collection for quite a while, and finally found and bought the PS2 version on GameStop. I was going to get the GameCube version initially, but the PS2 controller is infinitely superior for those kind of games (featuring a much better dpad and digital triggers), plus the GameCube version is much more expensive ($50 is the cheapest I can find it online).

Anyway, I had never played the PS2 phat I got this summer until I bought this game. Much to my dismay, while GameCube games always looked pretty decent on my 37 inch HD, PS2 games, or at least THIS PS2 game, just looks abysmal. It's blurry as heck, the colors are dark and washed out, and the sound quality on the first two games in particular sounds very poor.

So here's my question: Is the GameCube version any better, or was this just a piss-poor port all around, regardless of the version? I understand that the GameCube is capable of a higher resolution, but I have no idea if the GameCube version of Mega Man X Collection takes advantage of that. Also, what about the sound quality? Is that any better?

Any answers are appreciated. I really don't WANT to cough up $50+ for the GameCube version of Mega Man X Collection (and some more for a GCN/SNES controller adapter), but if doing so will get me noticeably higher quality ports of the Mega Man X games, I'll very willingly do it.

 

[Felipe_9595]

You could use DIos Mios/ a back up before buying it. WHen i played it on my CRT it looked just like in my play 1, and sound quality was fine.

 

[TripleSMoon]

You could use DIos Mios/ a back up before buying it. WHen i played it on my CRT it looked just like in my play 1, and sound quality was fine.

I'm playing on an HD, not a CRT, though.

 

[Felipe_9595]

I'm playing on an HD, not a CRT, though.

HMmm yes, true, it might look different. As i said, you could test it first, then buy it (the compressed iso is like 600 Mb), i have done that for some games i did want (Like MGS Twin Snakes)

 

[TripleSMoon]

HMmm yes, true, it might look different. As i said, you could test it first, then buy it (the compressed iso is like 600 Mb), i have done that for some games i did want (Like MGS Twin Snakes)

Eh, maybe. Idk. I kind of gave up pirating a little while ago, and unmodded my Wii and all that, to avoid temptation.

 

[Felipe_9595]

Wrong topic, srry.

 

[Hells Malice]

The disk or your PS2 is fucked. Both versions are identical AFAIR, and neither looks bad. I can't remember exactly but they're either as good looking as the original, or a bit better. Most likely better...
Either way, bot the picture and the sound should be good quality. Something is up with your setup.

 

[Eerpow]

Even if neither d-pad is that good I still prefer the GC controller D-pad since the directions aren't separated. The GC version is identical to the PS version.

 

[TripleSMoon]

The disk or your PS2 is fucked. Both versions are identical AFAIR, and neither looks bad. I can't remember exactly but they're either as good looking as the original, or a bit better. Most likely better...
Either way, bot the picture and the sound should be good quality. Something is up with your setup.

Did you play it on an older CRT, or an HD TV?

Also, any ideas what I could check to see what's wrong? I'm connected with the standard composite cable, nothing fancy. The disc is literally in like-new condition (the guys and gamestop and I all noticed that when they retrieved the disc for me), so I don't think it's the disc. Maybe I'll grab another PS2 game soon and see if it has the same problem.

Even if neither d-pad is that good I still prefer the GC controller D-pad since the directions aren't separated. The GC version is identical to the PS version.

The directions aren't separated on the PS2 controller. Parts of the dpad are beneath a "frame" on the controller, but it's still all one piece and feels like one piece.

 

[Eerpow]

Did you play it on an older CRT, or an HD TV?

Also, any ideas what I could check to see what's wrong? I'm connected with the standard composite cable, nothing fancy. The disc is literally in like-new condition (the guys and gamestop and I all noticed that when they retrieved the disc for me), so I don't think it's the disc. Maybe I'll grab another PS2 game soon and see if it has the same problem.

The directions aren't separated on the PS2 controller. Parts of the dpad are beneath a "frame" on the controller, but it's still all one piece and feels like one piece.

I know, it just feels wrong and diagonals are just..., luckily not many PS2 or GC games used the D-pad anyway. Ugh now I'm remembering playing SOTN on the PSX...
Tried a vita d-pad, so much nicer without the separation haha.

 

[the_randomizer]

I should note that most LCD HDTVs don't display this game properly due to the 240p resolution.

 

[TripleSMoon]

I should note that most LCD HDTVs don't display this game properly due to the 240p resolution.

Thanks for the info. Would this affect sound quality as well? I actually have no idea what the specs of my TV are... it came with the apartment. All I know is that it's a roughly 37 inch Sansui with 1080p capability.

 

[NightsOwl]

Well, actually as far as I know. The only difference is the gamecube version cut the Japanese voices from X6s Cut-scenes. I may be wrong though. But I'm 90% Sure.

 

[the_randomizer]

Thanks for the info. Would this affect sound quality as well? I actually have no idea what the specs of my TV are... it came with the apartment. All I know is that it's a roughly 37 inch Sansui with 1080p capability.

No, sound is unaffected.

 

[taydor_b]

Did you play it on an older CRT, or an HD TV?

Also, any ideas what I could check to see what's wrong? I'm connected with the standard composite cable, nothing fancy. The disc is literally in like-new condition (the guys and gamestop and I all noticed that when they retrieved the disc for me), so I don't think it's the disc. Maybe I'll grab another PS2 game soon and see if it has the same problem.

The directions aren't separated on the PS2 controller. Parts of the dpad are beneath a "frame" on the controller, but it's still all one piece and feels like one piece.

I think this may be your problem. Get yourself a cheap set of component cables from Amazon (like these) and your games will look better than if you were playing them on a CRT. HD TVs have trouble downscaling to 480p, so just replace your composite cables with components and you should be all set. I have the cables linked previously, and they work great besides the snug fit in the back of the PS2, so there you shouldn't have to worry about the quality.

 

[TripleSMoon]

I think this may be your problem. Get yourself a cheap set of component cables from Amazon (like these) and your games will look better than if you were playing them on a CRT. HD TVs have trouble downscaling to 480p, so just replace your composite cables with components and you should be all set. I have the cables linked previously, and they work great besides the snug fit in the back of the PS2, so there you shouldn't have to worry about the quality.

Oh, thanks. That's weird, because the first thing I was gonna do was get component cables, but a GameStop employee told me the PS2 wasn't 480p capable, so no component cables. Guess he was wrong.

 

[taydor_b]

Oh, thanks. That's weird, because the first thing I was gonna do was get component cables, but a GameStop employee told me the PS2 wasn't 480p capable, so no component cables. Guess he was wrong.

Yeah, he is definitely wrong. I think early PS2 games only ran in 480i, but the majority run in 480p. Gran Turismo 4 can even run in 1080i, I believe.

 

[TripleSMoon]

Well according to this list, Mega Man X Collection doesn't have 480p support. So I don't think this will fix my issue.

 

[taydor_b]

Well according to this list, Mega Man X Collection doesn't have 480p support. So I don't think this will fix my issue.

Hmmm, that's odd. Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI isn't on that list and it looks great on my TV. However, I found another forum talking about the same issue, and they stated that Capcom didn't change the resolution from 240p so if you're paying on an HDTV, then if won't display at all. Others said they had no problem. I would give it a try though. It's only $5 and you can use it for other PS2 you may want to play.

 

[TripleSMoon]

Hmmm, that's odd. Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI isn't on that list and it looks great on my TV. However, I found another forum talking about the same issue, and they stated that Capcom didn't change the resolution from 240p so if you're paying on an HDTV, then if won't display at all. Others said they had no problem. I would give it a try though. It's only $5 and you can use it for other PS2 you may want to play.

Well I've been meaning to grab a CRT for my old systems, anyway. So we'll see how that goes.