I bought my PS2 at the original launch, well not exactly RIGHT then, unfortunately, due to the fact that all the stores did not recieve enough shipments for them. But I had it preordered and within a week or two of the launch date, while everyone who hadnt preordered sat without the possibility of getting a PS2 for a month or so. I got mine, and I was happy. Even with the information going around that 1 out of 10 PS2's were faulty then. Thankfully, mine worked just fine.
And.. untill FFXI came out, trust me, I played the hell out of my PS2. It still works quite well even now. My controllers analog stick is getting kinda worn off on the rubber padding. But other than that and the once in a while disc read error. (hasn't happened since I used compressed air and cleaned out the disc section and stuff)
I also own a Game Cube, I love it. I got it soon as it was released and Oh Noes! ... I bought it myself too. <.< gee that must make me some kind of freak according to Marajade. I played the heck out of that too (till I got FFXI) (sensing a pattern here?) and ya know what, it's in tip top condition. The only controller I ever had screw up on me was a MadCatz (suprise suprise) which kinda sucks because I liked it (was big controller, easier on my hands) I've since gotten a WaveBird wireless controller and it's the best thing in the world.
I still have my NES (unfortunately it doesn't work so great, but.. it does work.. sometimes). If I had some controllers for my SNES I bet it would still work great too and lord knows that thing got so much use its a wonder it didnt explode. The controllers unfortnately got thier wires chewed up by my cat..... *sigh* and I just can't find any. (im sure I could if I checked EBay, maybe, but its not that big a priority). Also have my N64, though I dont play it anymore, it runs in great condition. Unfortunately the N64 controllers really did suck, that analog stick is worn out (and in some cases worn off) on all my controllers, even non Nintendo brands. Also on some controllers the B and A buttons are worn down to where they get stuck without touching them, kinda like how my original NES controllers are. ><
Both systems are great, however the GC is far superior to the PS2 in preformance. If you don't believe so, then you are quite frankly stupid not to realize this.
As far as durability goes, the PS2 actually has the worst of all 3 current consoles. X-Play actaully did a pretty interesting durrabilty test on the 3. Starting by dropping each system like 5-10 from the ground, onto a solid floor. (it's extreme but think about how much abuse your system could take were you to accidentally knock it around a lot). The PS2 failed this first test when it completely didnt come on at all after the fall, I think some parts flew off and everything, it was broken. The gamecube however took the fall, flipped around a bit and broke the locking mechanizim in the top for the games, but still turned on and functioned normally. Tough little box.
The X-box took the drop and well, it barely got any damage at all and worked just fine. (the damn things armored) Fooking Mircosoft.
I think the GC held up on their second test too, its been a while since I watched that episode so I dont remember what they did, but the last test they did the GC was finally broken, meanwhile the X-Box still functioned properly surviving the same tests. (Like I said, the damn things armor plated) I think in the third test they took a sledghammer to the two.. if im not mistaken. I think they whacked each a few times.
I'm no X-Box fan, and I don't own one, nor will I ever. But its a damn tough system, ill give it that much. My friend/roomate does however own an X-Box and ive watched him play several games on it, and ive played a few games on it as well.
Visually however I'd say both the GC and the X-Box are the same. I've seen nothing on the X-Box that I wasn't 100% sure the GC could handle either. If anything ive seen games with far better graphics on the Game Cube. Though I know the X-Box could probably handle those as well, so as far as that's concerned their even in my book and I've yet to see anything on the X-Box leave me to believe it's better in any way. It's just not.
However, the PS2 is highly showing it's age. It just cannot run as smoothly and fluidly as the other two systems. And games that do have decent to good graphics ofcourse suffer long ass load times. Load times that if the same game were on X-box or GC would be barely noticable. It's just fact, and those of you who are Playstation fanboys just need to realize that.
Lets take a game, make that two games. All released for each 3 systems. Game A: Soul Caliber II. Ever see all three versions? I have. Since I own the GC version, and my roomate owns the X-Box version. Ive seen and played both, and on those two systems, their virtually identical, save Spawn and Link. Play the PS2 version and (even though I <3 PS2 controller design. Best for fighting games.) the game itself doesn't even compare to the other two, visually and performance wise, it's horrible, not to mention it got the worst of the 3 "special" characters, no wonder.
Game B: Blood Rayne. Initially came out for the PS2, and my roomate (who also owns a PS2) got it then. I played it some, it was fine, looked decent and ran okay. A little bit later it gets released for both X-Box and Game Cube, nothing special, same game. However, it runs a lot smoother on the other two systems and since I own the GC version I can tell you for a fact it does, not to mention.. loading times are lessened. Same graphics, since they didnt really change anything at all. Like I said, same game, just the latter two systems could run it better than the former.
I personally can't wait for the Revolution to come out. I also can't wait for the PS3 to come out. Both systems look amazing at what they can do. The Revolution has its added bonus that I'll be able to play tons of older games that I love on the new system, and if it is backwards compatable with GC games, that will be a first for Nintendo's home console market, not to mention backwards compatability rocks. It's Nintendo, dispite the wierd look off the controller I know it will be good. (look at N64, it had a wierd ass controller but it worked really well for the system)
The PS3 just looks freaking amazing and I can't wait for the games that will come out on it. The "batarang controllers" really dont look all that bad to me, its pretty much the same old playstation controller design, just a bit more round and curvy, hopefully that will make them just more comfortable to grip.
X-Box 360 meh, well.. it will have FFXI atleast. XD That's all I have to say about it. I'm not really an X-Box person I guess.
And I'm turning 24 next month, so It's not really an age thing.
Sorry for the huge post.. I just had to put my 2 cents up there.
