thaddius' Console Classic 2012 Edition: Round 9

thaddius

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Well, well, well. Nintendo takes the cake once again. For more information look here.

Have you guys noticed that Nintendo has one EVERY poll since the third one? Interesting. Probably won't last, but it's interesting.

We should probably get to the poll. But first, as always, let's recap the rules!

Each week, video game history will be put to the test to see which console or handheld is the greatest. There can only be one!
Vote for your favourite and follow it through to the end as we try to determine GBATemp's favourite console/handheld!

Consoles and handhelds will face off in brackets comprised of their generation. Because there can only be one, in the event of a tie I will cast a tie-breaking vote. Once a winner has been declared for each generation, the console winners and the handheld winners will face off in individual brackets. Once an ultimate console and ultimate handheld have been chosen, they will face off against each other to see who is the greatest!

For a concrete example of the brackets, see the image at the bottom of this post.


So what's next? Chronologically, you guys can probably guess what we're dealing with this week. The sixth generation of consoles. This generation we'll see the fall of a once great company, the struggle of another great company, and an oddball entry into this generation's race. This generation needs no introduction. Most of you were alive for this generation.

Let's get to it, shall we?

This Week's Challengers Are:

The Sega Dreamcast
Sega-dreamcast-set.png

After pissing everyone off during the launch of the Saturn, Sega had some catching up to do. In 1998, Sega launched the Dreamcast to the Japanese public. Because of a graphics chip debacle that led to a shortage, Sega was unable to meet demand initially. Sega took a bit of a PR hit for that, but soon bounced back when the chip shortage stopped. North America's infamous 9/9/99 launch went spectacularly well. So well that most analysts at the time touted that Sega would probably be on top this time around due to their head start (let that be a note to all of you that video game market prognosticators are full of shit).

Soon though, sales began to drop. In response, Sega launched a number of incentive programs to get people to buy the system. By the end of 2000 they were practically giving them away as long as you signed up for a year of their online service, SegaNet.

While Sega had opted to go with the larger-than-CDs format called GD-ROMS, it was quickly discovered that if the games were backed up, they could be burned onto regular CDs and played on the console without modification. Sega soon launched versions of the system that had an added copy protection, but it may have been too late.

Dreamcast sales continued to drop, especially in 2000 as people were hotly anticipating the PlayStation 2. By early 2001, due to anticipation of the Nintendo's Gamecube and Microsoft's Xbox, sales dropped even more, and on January 31st, 2001, Sega announced that it would be stopping production of the Sega Dreamcast. While the system had a minor continued success in Europe, the console faded to cult status.

For a while the Dreamcast was a favourite for homebrew programmers, but since interest has waned. Interestingly enough, games are still being made for the system. One was released just last year.

The Dreamcast had some fantastic games on it. Shenmue, Jet Grind Radio, Sonic Adventure, Skies of Arcadia, House of the Dead 2 (and by extension, my favourite game, Typing of the Dead), ... I could go on. Their online gameplay, while not wholly original, was robust and revolutionary. All in all, if you own(ed) a Dreamcast like I do, you'd be stunned as to why the thing wasn't a success. The controller sucked though. True story.

The Dreamcast sold an estimated 10.6 million units, and it's best-selling game was, of course, Sonic Adventure.

The Sony PlayStation 2
ps2-photo.jpg

The original PlayStation was hugely successful. Hell, it even managed to outsell the Nintendo 64 worldwide. But how do you top that?

With the PlayStation 2, Sony decided to focus on the new medium for movies and turn it into a 'multimedia system', and to that end made it so that your PS2 could double as a DVD player. This proved to be a boon to the console, and even led to people initially claiming that the best selling piece of software for the PS2 was The Matrix DVD. I would verify this rumour, but I can't find confirmation of it. Google searches just turn up info on Enter the Matrix.

The PlayStation 2 was released in 2000 to most territories for $299US. Due to manufacturer delays PS2s were initially very difficult to come by. Consoles started springing up on eBay for 3X their worth. Around this time the trend of duplicitously selling "NEW PLAYSTATION 2 box" on eBay for hundreds of dollars began; something that to this day is still a problem.

The PS2 had a cakewalk for most of it's life-cycle. With the Dreamcast effectively out of the way, the PS2 managed to outsell the Xbox and Gamecube during their shared lifespans, and went on to be the best selling console of all time. After the launch of the Wii, the PS2 was rebranded as a cheap Wii competitor, and focussed on selling games in the Guitar Hero series, quiz show games like Buzz, and the like.

The PlayStation 2 sold an estimated 154 million units worldwide and it's best-selling game was Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

The Nintendo Gamecube
NGC_Gamecube.jpg

The Nintendo Gamecube was released in 2001 and for the first time was not accompanied by their mascot, Mario. Instead Luigi's Mansion made it's debut as a rather poorly received tech demo of what the Gamecube was capable of.

One of the major complaints about the Nintendo 64 cost Nintendo the Final Fantasy series and, arguably, the lead in the fifth generation. To fix that error, Nintendo opted to abandon their cartridge based medium (for consoles anyway) and instead chose the mini-DVD for their newest console. While Nintendo chose the mini-DVD to combat piracy (as at the time blank mini-DVDs were hard to find until Sony released a camcorder that used them) their choice in medium once again shot them in the foot. The maximum amount of data the DVDs could hold was 1.8GB, compared to the 4+GB that regular DVDs could store. Because third parties thrived on the ability to port their games to different consoles, this led to some rather poor quality ports to the system that had lower resolution textures, or poorer quality audio than the Xbox or PS2 versions of the same game.

The Gamecube featured a handle for no detectable reason (I remember someone in high school saying it made it easier to smash one against the ground), and it had a controller that was once described by EGM as what it would look like if a robot threw up on a boomerang.

The Gamecube is noted for trying to shove connectivity down our throats, but was deemed unruly due to the total cost (a Gamecube, x number of GBAs, x number of cables). Despite that, there are an inordinate number of games that support that feature.

It didn't sell as well as the Xbox or the PS2, but the Gamcube still managed to sell an estimated 22 milliion units worldwide, and it's best-selling game was Super Smash Bros. Melee.


The Microsoft Xbox
xbox.jpg

Initially named the 'Direct X Box', for obvious reasons, Microsoft surprised a few people with the announcement of their beefy console. The development of the console was in hopes to create competition for the newly announced PS2 that was allegedly stealing a number of Windows developers away from them.

After a few delays, the system was launched first in North America in 2001, and later in Japan and Europe in 2002. In a surprising move, Microsoft roped the previously Mac-only developer, Bungie, into making a launch title for the system. Initially panned for it's repetitive levels and lacklustre gameplay, Halo: Combat Evolved eventually became a system seller for the Xbox.

Building on the relative success of Sega's online infrastructure, SegaNet, Microsoft eventually launched Xbox LIVE, a subscription-based online service that would allow for online multiplayer. The most notable game to use this feature was, of course, Halo 2.

Due to the system's similarity to PCs at the time, the Xbox was very easily modified, and after doing so would play backups, as well as a myrid of homebrew applications and emulators. The Xbox could be used as a very versatile all-in-one media centre, whose only drawback was it's inability to display video in higher HD resolutions (as it pre-dated the so-called 'HD boom').

The Xbox enjoyed steady sales throughout it's lifespan amid slander about the size of it's first controller, and the quality of it's games. Despite all this it managed to round out the generation by selling more than the Gamecube. The Xbox sold an estimated 24 million units, and it's best selling game was, no surprises here, Halo: Combat Evolved.

Housekeeping!!!

So there you have it! Possibly one of the greatest generations of consoles. It was definitely the last one to have developers working on games for all three systems at the same time.

Don't forget to share an anecdote or two about your favourite console before you vote. And yeah, don'r forget to vote! I'll be reminding you to do so for the rest of the week. :P

Here's how the brackets currently stand:
ConsoleClassic-round08bracket.jpg

Who will win? It could be you!*

*note: it can't be you.

The poll will be closed on March 20th, so vote while you can!

EDIT: The poll is now closed! I'll be posting the results soon.
 

Smuff

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Dreamcast in every way, except commercial success due to the Sony sheep and their shovelware :)

Online gaming, Broadband capability, Interactive controllers (via VMU), AAA arcade titles GALORE, Shenmue 1 (&2) - Ground breaking cinematic adventure RPGs as never before seen, fishing rods, maracas - you name it, the DC had it first.

More to the point, no SPYRO or BANDICOOT SHITE!

If only they had gone for DVD instead of that GD-R shit..........
Never mind.

Before all the Fony Fanboys get involved, how many DC games have been or are being re-released on xboxlive for example, compared to PS2 games ? Quality always shows it's pedigree eventually, even if it was unappreciated at the time.
 
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DinohScene

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Xbox 1 is capable of displaying 720i and 1080i iirc.

Anyway my vote goes for the Xbox 1.
Simply because I still use it for a lot of stuff on this very day.
Besides it makes a great mediaplayer.
 

thaddius

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Xbox 1 is capable of displaying 720i and 1080i iirc.
Wikipedia says it can do 480i, 480p, 576i, 576p, 720p, and 1080i, but my Xbox has a bitch of a time running at 1080i; it just chugs. 720p still has some slowdown too. Basically, it's not much of an HD experience if that is what you're going for.
[b said:
SmuffTheMagicDragon][/b]Shenmue 1 (&2)

I smell a pirate!

EDIT: By the way, this is my FAVOURITE generation of consoles. All four systems are just fantastic. It's too bad that their games look like shite on a newer TV. Great games though. All around. I wouldn't be surprised if this was a 4-way tie.
 
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Elrinth

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PS2 or Gamecube. As I never owned a PS2 I selected Gamecube. Super Smash Brothers Mayleeeee was awesome and me and a friend played it like crazies.
Dreamcast was doomed the day it was released here in europe, so it basically shot itself in the foot.
 

BoxmanWTF

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Dreamcast was freaking awesome, every game it had was amazing. Even the NAME is soothing, I miss Sega's creative names, they always had me proud to say whenever I went to a pawnshop to buy a game.
PS2 was even more amazing, with awesome hits and brand new series.
Never had a gamecube, or xbox.

DC got my vote though, with reliable online, awesome 4-way multiplayer games, and the greatest start up theme ever (that was totally stolen by nintendo) it was a system that should have thrived for decades >:C
PS2 would be my second choice, I loved all the games it had but since I never got to play them much (older brother hogging the PS2) Dreamcast was always my escape.
 

DinohScene

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Xbox 1 is capable of displaying 720i and 1080i iirc.
Wikipedia says it can do 480i, 480p, 576i, 576p, 720p, and 1080i, but my Xbox has a bitch of a time running at 1080i; it just chugs. 720p still has some slowdown too. Basically, it's not much of an HD experience if that is what you're going for.

You could always opt for a 1.0-1.5 xbox and install a 64 MB RAM upgrade and a 1.4 Ghz Tualatin CPU.

The 64 MB of RAM is pretty simple but the CPU is a whole different story.

The Xbox 1 isn't perfect for HD playback indeed but it can be done at least (with some modifications)
 
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thaddius

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Xbox 1 is capable of displaying 720i and 1080i iirc.
Wikipedia says it can do 480i, 480p, 576i, 576p, 720p, and 1080i, but my Xbox has a bitch of a time running at 1080i; it just chugs. 720p still has some slowdown too. Basically, it's not much of an HD experience if that is what you're going for.

You could always opt for a 1.0-1.5 xbox and install a 64 MB RAM upgrade and a 1.4 Ghz Tualatin CPU.

The 64 MB of RAM is pretty simple but the CPU is a whole different story.

The Xbox 1 isn't perfect for HD playback indeed but it can be done at least (with some modifications)
While I'm not willing to amend my post, I will concede to you on the matter. I only know of what my stock-plus-modchip Xbox can do.
 

PolloDiablo

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this was the time were I was like "gaming it's too expensive for me" (my country was in a really shitty place at the moment), so I never owned any of those consoles

I guess I will go with the ps2 for the library of games (really good), but it has the same problems as the first one (bad controller, and slow as hell read speeds)
the gamecube is the worst home console nintendo has ever made... poor library of games and the controll sucks.
the xbox controller sucks for the same reason as the gamecube one (go figure)

LOL at 2011
 

Foxi4

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As much as I'd like to say Dreamcast, I really gotta vote PS2 - it's a no-brainer to me. Most popular, longest live cycle, best sales, biggest library of titles, USB ports, HDD port add-on, modem add-on, full DVD support... what's not to like?

It's too bad that their games look like shite on a newer TV.
This is why every gamer should have at least one CRT TV at home.
 

Guild McCommunist

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PS2. MegaTen and MGS says hi.

Correction: Almost every goddamn game says hi.


Before all the Fony Fanboys get involved, how many DC games have been or are being re-released on xboxlive for example, compared to PS2 games ? Quality always shows it's pedigree eventually, even if it was unappreciated at the time.
  • God of War Collection (2 games)
  • Jak and Daxter Collection (3 games)
  • Metal Gear Solid HD Collection (2 games)
  • God Hand (pretty sure it got a PSN re-release) (1 game)
  • Team Ico Collection (2 games)
  • Resident Evil 4 (the Wii version is basically the PS2 version with Wii stuff on it and I'm pretty sure the HD version is too) (1 game)
  • Devil May Cry Collection (3 games)
  • Silent Hill Collection (2 games)
  • Tomb Raider Collection (right?) (3 games)
  • Final Fantasy X HD (1 game)
Total: 20 re-releases
  • Crazy Taxi
  • Space Channel 5 Pt 2
  • Sonic Adventure
  • Sonic Adventure 2
  • Jet Set Radio
  • Skies of Arcadia
  • Resident Evil: Code Veronica
  • Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 2
Total: 8

There are a fuckload more PS2 games re-released than Dreamcast games.

Also, BECAUSE SONY FANS ARE TOTALLY BIASED AND YOU'RE TOTALLY NOT.
 

Foxi4

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PS2. MegaTen and MGS says hi.

Correction: Almost every goddamn game says hi.
Pretty much. All my friends at the time owned a PS2 while I waited patiently for the Cube. Finally I bought it and I was like "whoa" playing Sonic Adventure 2: Battle and some other rad titles... and then it died and I was like "whaaa? I want my gaemz!". Since then all the good games were out for PS2 and the Box only. I was really disappointed with its short life-cycle.
 

xist

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Just wondering how many people today use a GC as their main console compared to a PS2. I'd almost bet on the fact that there are far more PS2's being actively used as a primary machine than GC's.
 

Foxi4

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Just wondering how many people today use a GC as their main console compared to a PS2. I'd almost bet on the fact that there are far more PS2's being actively used as a primary machine than GC's.
Well, d'uh. DVD support, USB support, HDD support.

To properly use a Gamecube as a primary gaming machine you either need an IDE connector, an expensive miniDVD-to-DVD mod, have a Panasonic Q rather then a normal Cube or buy a Gecko.
 

prowler

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I pick PS2, it has a wide range of games to play from and just the best of the generation and it's still not been dropped by Sony.

also i love the dreamcast and all but it had like what 10 good titles, stop kidding yourselves
Xbox 1 is capable of displaying 720i and 1080i iirc.
PS2 could also do 1080i. Gran Turismo 4, Tourist Trophy, Valkyria Profile 2 and Jackass say hi. Even though it's only four, it could be done.
 

Guild McCommunist

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Pretty much. All my friends at the time owned a PS2 while I waited patiently for the Cube. Finally I bought it and I was like "whoa" playing Sonic Adventure 2: Battle and some other rad titles... and then it died and I was like "whaaa? I want my gaemz!". Since then all the good games were out for PS2 and the Box only. I was really disappointed with its short life-cycle.

I only bought a PS2 after I got a Xbox 360 but it was still one of the best investments ever. The console was $60. The games are all under $10. Almost every game is amazing. I had a Gamecube as my last gen console pretty much and I still would never take it over a PS2. Only thing it had over the PS2 were exclusives that were no where near as good as the PS2's exclusives.

Also, "rad titles" is the greatest summary of Sega since... forever.
 

xist

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Well, d'uh. DVD support, USB support, HDD support.

You know that. I know that. Most sensible people know that. In fact the PS2 is still my main console (i'm yet to go current Gen)

I just want to get valid points made for future readers when the vote (inevitably?) goes South for the PS2, and people wonder whether we were all nuts.
 

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