Help/opinions: PS1 to PS2? Or another game system?

[JerseyJanice]

Currently, we have a Playstation One system in our house along with a fair number of games (over 20) for it.

DS (7 years old) has his heart set on getting a new system, and we promised him he could buy one with some of his First Communion gift money.

So, which system to buy?

We are leaning toward PS2 since the system can use his PS1 games and doubles as a DVD. My big hesitation with it is this: Is it very similar to PS1? Or is PS2 advanced enough to make an upgrade worthwhile?

Next question: I was in Costco today and saw a bundle pack for PS2 for $209. It contains the system, two controllers, two games and one memory card. From the prices I've seen at Toys R Us, this sounds like a fabulous deal, BUT it's not as great deal for us if our PS1 controllers and memory cards are usuable in PS2.

Should I be considering X-Box? (There was a sign in Costco for it next to the PS2 display, but there weren't any actually there. I can't tell you what its bundle pack contained.)

What about Game Cube? How good and flexible is that system?

Something else to consider--Costco has many titles for PS2 and X-Box at great prices. They don't seem to carry Game Cube games. What's the pricing like on those games?

 

[VampHeartless]

Well, the PS2 I think is the best deal, because you can use your old games, play DVD's, and such.

The PS2 is MUCH, much better than the PS1, graphics wise, games wise. It even makes some of your PS1 games look better.

Gamecube is better for youngsters often though. It's a less complicated system. Games are about the same price.

X-box is made by Bill Gates, and he's already rich enough.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I suggest the PS2 since you already have a PS1 and the games will play in it. PS2 is definitely advanced enough for the upgrade. We have all 3 systems, PS2, X-box and Gamecube - I love them all. My favorite would have to be the PS2.

 

[faithinkarma]

Gamecube is better for youngsters often though. It's a less complicated system. Games are about the same price.

ROFL That must be why I like it so much. I swear, I get into a game, and I am lost for hours....just like the kids. I am already looking forward to 2005 and the release of the new Zelda...even though I know full well they will probably not release it unti Dec. GRRRRRRR

I have never played the other systems so cannot really comment.

 

[mrsmom]

My kids play their gamecube all the time and they have had it for 2 yrs, my younger kids are 11,10,6 and like it better than other other game systems.
Kim

 

[wendyl]

We are a GameCube addicted family. My son loves all the Mario games--and those are only for Gamecube. I do notice the there is always less of a selection for Gamecube games than PS2 or XBox, however.

 

[snoopy]

We have Play Station I, and we decided to go with Game Cube rather than Play Station II. SInce at that time when I bought it my boys were 7 and 4, I thought the games more appropriate for the younger set. I'm happy we did, they both enjoy it and there seems to be a wide variety of games to play that are age appropriate. I know the big selling point of Play Station II is it also serves as a DVD player - but it seems like those games are geared more toward older kids.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Get a PS2.
Of course we have all 3 systems. Our XBOX controller is already broken. grrrr...

 

[DSNY FN]

X box is by far the best console going. The graphics on the PS2 are at their peak with the current games and Sony is not releasing a new console tillafter this season the new Sony handheld unit is this season big release for them. The X box is designed with an NVidia graphics controller in it and is still relatively unused as far as putting a strain n the graphics chipset. You can also mod the X box really easily and install a larger hard drive thus not having to use the cd's to play the games you can store them drectly on the hard drive. You also do not need a memory card to save games unlike the PS2.

 

[ErikdaRed]

Pragmatic answer, look at the library of games and find the ones you want to play. Buy that system.

 

[piratesmate]

Just a note about the memory card for the PS1/2...while the PS1 card fits in the PS2 slots, you still need a PS2 card to hold saved PS2 games.

We went with the PS2 for many reasons, but the biggest ones were Kingdom Hearts, Kingdom Hearts & Kingdom Hearts. But Muppet Party Cruise is pretty cool too & with a multi-tap you can play 4 at once!

 

[HollyJoy]

We have an X-Box and LOVE it. There aren't too many kids games though, but we limit the amount of time our girls are allowed to play with it, so they don't need a ton of games anyway.

 

[faithinkarma]

Originally posted by ErikdaRed
Pragmatic answer, look at the library of games and find the ones you want to play. Buy that system.

actually, a very intelligent answer. It is certainly the reason I chose game cube.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I bought a GameCube mostly to play Zelda and some of the other Mario games (ie. Mario Party) ... It's a great system but it doesn't have the same variety of games as the XBOX or the PS2 does. When the price drops a little more, I'm probably going to get a PS2 so I can play Kingdom Hearts

The XBOX doesn't work as well for me because I find the controllers too big

 

[DSNY FN]

bunnyfoo you can get smaller controlers for the X box. They made them so younger kids can use them. Mind you the X box was really targeted towards DAD not the kids thus the game library they have is more and adult oriented set. This was explained to us by our friends at Microsoft my mother works for a company that creates games for the X box and for EA so I get all my games free hehehe.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I do think the XBOX graphics are way better. In fact we are playing the xbox the most. But I like them ALL.

Midtown Madness, very fun.
DH (who NEVER plays games) got this game (and the xbox system) for Christmas. He was doing good and then 13yodd HAD to pass him up and beat him. In all fairness she does feel bad.

I thought the memory card was in the controller????? Isn't it?

 

[DSNY FN]

Nope you can put one into the X box controllers but the X box doesn't need one it had a hard drive built into the console.

 

[JerseyJanice]

What about the PS controllers? Can PS1 controllers be used for the PS2 system? Or are the PS2 controllers somehow different or more advanced?

We love Crash and Spyro games. Do they make them for Game Cube?

How much do games for Game Cube generally cost? Can you find good deals on them? We love Mario games; we have a couple for GameBoy Advance. Which brings up another point--isn't there something you can add to Game Cube that allows you to play your GameBoy Advance games on it?

It's between PS2 and Game Cube. I don't see any advantage in getting X-Box.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Yes there is a cable but that is only for some games, and really only newer games. I have the cables and just never used them.

I believe you have to PS2 controllers, not sure though. Sorry it has been awhile. Our PS1 bit the dust.

PS2 has more game selection, fyi. Go to Blockbuster/WalMart and check what is available for rent/buy.

There are all good systems and that is why I have them all.

Oh and OUCH, the memory cards are not cheap. So if you see them on sale, grab them.

edited to add:

OK just asked my 13yodd, and she said yes you can use the controllers & the PS1 memory cards. The PS1 memory cards can only be used for PS1 games in the PS2 system.