Which Next-Gen Console is for Me?
A NBrid Buyer's Guide
*Updated 11/13*

XBox vs. Gamecube vs. PlayStation 2

	Most raw power of the 3 in terms of graphical ability (polygons per second, ect.).
	64megs of memory that can be used any way a developer wants (Vram, ect).
	Built-in 8gig harddrive.
	Built-in ethernet adapter for broadband connections.
	Can play DVD movies with a simple $30 add-on.
	Parental lock-out feature (allows 'M' or 'AO' games to be locked-out).
	Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound ready.
	4 controller ports.
	8MB memory cards.
	Online gaming planned to become a major part in the life of the XBox.
	Direct X should make porting games to XBox a snap (especially PC titles).
	3rd party support from all the big guns: Konami, Capcom, EA, and more.
	Strong support from Sega.
	Won't be as strict as Nintendo in terms of approving games, but also won't be as lenient as Sony.
	Seems to specialize in the arcade, fighting, and racing game genres.
	Questionable controller design. Similar design to DC's which some like, but not as good (round/slippery/hard buttons, bulky feel, ect). Has memory card slots right in controller though, and you can always try a 3rd party controller.
	No 56k dial-up modem at this time. Narrows online to just broadband.
	High cost of $300, and even peripherals are expensive (controllers are $40).
	Will the Microsoft name turn people off? (MS is downplaying the name "Microsoft" in any promotions dealing with XBox.)
	Many still see this as a specialized PC due to the PC parts (PIII) and the MS name. Can game manufactures (especially MS themself) make the distinction between PC and console games to overcome this?
	A number of sources (including Wired) claim Xbox is an attempt by MS to get more developers used to it's development tools (Direct X), and then use this knowledge to make more PC games for the slumping PC market.
	MS in an attempt to stop fears of XBox being a specialized PC are discouraging any plans for a keyboard/mouse or even a webbrowser which could damper the online experience.
	Xbox is VERY questionable in Japan. It will be the last one to launch there, it will be two full years after PS2's launch, plus it's American. This could ripple back to the US.
	Is MS targeting too small of a crowd with XBox? (The fact it's only broadband is testament to the small target audience of XBox.) Fewer systems sold will lead to smaller future potential (ie fewer games).
	Least number of exclusive games as of now (excluding any exclusive remakes like director cuts). Many games right now are just PS2 or PC ports, and its ability to get top quality exclusive games is still in question.
Key Games: Halo, Dead or Alive 3, Oddworld, Gotham Racing, Jet Grind Radio Future, Shenmue
Who should buy? The hardcore gamer (hobbyists). Those that don't have or want a PS2.

	"Nintendo" is one of the most well known and most trusted names in videogames today.
	Nintendo has the best 1st/2nd party developers (Nintendo, Rare, Retro, ect).
	Most well established, exclusive, franchises (Mario, Zelda, Star Fox, Metroid).
	Cheapest console of the 3 ($200 to their $300).
	Its graphical strength over the others is in terms of textures (better texture compression, more simultaneous textures, ect.), and its onboard T&L (texturing and lighting) that frees up space that can be used for other functions.
	What it lacks in raw power it makes up for in elegance of design and elimination of bottlenecks (hardware wise).
	Sould on average have the shortest load times.
	Mini-DVD's should keep piracy to a minimum.
	Intuitive controller that is very comfortable and works very well.
	4 controller ports.
	Direct hook-up with GBA offers new gaming opportunities. (Can be used to transfer data to GBA, used like a VMU ala the Dreamcast, and can even be used as a GC controller itself.)
	Unique system features like its very small size and a handle for portability, and a feature that holds your place if the system's CD lid is accidently opened during gameplay.
	Ease of development. Already a few have been able to port games over to GC in a month's time (like PSO and THPS3).
	Sonic Team support (PSO, SA2), and the Resident Evil series is a GC exclusive now.
	Targeting the widest auidence of gamers.
	Seems to specialize in the adventure and party/multiplayer game genres.
	Sole focus on gaming which is both good and bad.
	Quality over quantity ensures an overall higher standard in games, but also a smaller game library.
	Broadband AND 56K modem available, but neither are built-in.
	Panasonic Digicard (memory card) capable (size up to 1gig), but these cards are still very expensive. IBM will also provide a Microdrive (small harddrive, up to 1gig) to expand memory.
	Small (0.5MB) memory cards even if only $15 each (PS2/XBox have 8MB).
	Mini-DVD's only hold 1.5gigs (normal DVDs hold 4.6).
	No DVD movie play.
	Only 2 memory card slots, and they are no longer on the controller itself.
	No concrete online plans at this time.
	While GC has Konami, EA, and more 3rd parties on board; it is questionable at this point in time exactly to what extent some of them will support the GC.
	Will have the smallest selection of games this year.
Key Games: Smash Bros. Melee, Rogue Leader, Pikmin, StarFox Adventures, Metroid Prime, Perfect Dark Zero, Mario Sunshine, Zelda
Who should buy? Long time fans of Nintendo games. A combination of the casual/hardcore gamer looking for 'fun' games.

	Has a year head start on the other two.
	Strong line-up of games out now and coming in the future.
	Largest library of games. Again, now and continuing in the future.
	Large user base already with no slow down in sight with its 'PlayStation' brand name and mainstream acceptance.
	Built-in DVD movie capabilities.
	Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound ready.
	Ability to play PSone games (and peripherals).
	VERY strong 3rd party support from all the big guns: Konami, Capcom, EA, Midway, Acclaim, ect.
	Strong support from Square.
	Its Dual Shock 2 is an analog button version of one of the best controller designs ever.
	Seems to specialize in the sports and RPG game genres.
	Has a broadband-56k modem combo, but sold separately.
	Will have a 40gig harddrive, but sold separately and might be expensive.
	Designed to be more then just a gaming console. (Download and watch movies, e-commerance, ect.)
	High cost of $300.
	Only 2 controller ports.
	Its huge library of games and Sony approving most anything leads to many poor quality games.
	Many developers complain of the difficulty in development, which increases development time and costs.
	Many developers complain of the small 4meg Vram.
	Anti-aliasing problems that can result in games having 'jaggies'.
Key Games: Gran Turismo 3, Metal Gear Solid 2, Twisted Metal Black, Tony Hawk 3 (online), Ico, Devil May Cry, Grand Theft Auto 3, Final Fantasy X, Soul Reaver 2
Who should buy? Casual (mainstream) gamers. People looking for the largest selection in games.

Sega Dreamcast: Yes we can't forget our dear friend the DC. While the life of the DC is over, it has compiled a nice library of games in its two year lifespan. The DC is to drop to $50 soon and it will be your LAST CHANCE to pick one up! Unless you plan to waste all your cash on one or two of these other consoles this year, I highly suggest you pick up a DC at the price of one game. Then spend a few more dollars on a few cheap yet classic DC games.

Conclusion: You probably can't go wrong with any of these three consoles. It's all really a matter of personal preference. I think most gamers who play a significant number of games would in fact probably want at least two of these console. In which case, I (BoneStormer) might suggest getting a Gamecube and either the PS2 or XBox. Why? Cause I'm a biased fool? (Maybe:) Really though it is because in reality the XBox and PS2 are the most similar consoles. Both aspiring to be more then just a gaming console (DVD movies, ect), and both have a very similar line-up of games. XBox is a big question mark right now how well it will really do in the long term (can it get the games to make it worthwhile?), but it definitely has the most potential out of any of these. Yet then there are those hardcore gamers and hobbyists that will need everything and the kitchen sink to be happy:)

Contributors: BoneStormer, IGN FAQs, GameSpot, NBrid Boards