I tried searching for a similiar topic to avoid getting yelled at. I found nothing so now I seek(42) your advice.

What console is better and why? I lean towards PS2 myself because I'm a big fan of Sony and I think they have better games. Plus I plan on playing some of the old PSX games. Now I know people will say XBOX because it has Halo 2. But give me other reasons.

I also do plan on getting a mod chip or buying a pre-modded system. I'll go ahead and label myself a conservative when it comes to stuff like this. So I lean towards purchasing a pre-modded system versus installing the chip myself, especially since I have never done anything like that before. I don't want to fuck up a new system ($150) AND void the warranty by opening the case. All of the places that pre-mod the systems give you a 30 day guarantee (or more) to replace the manufacturer warranty. Granted, the pre-modded systems are $100 - $150 bucks more. But its almost worth it to get that guarantee and have no chance of fucking it up.

Of course I could always play it straight. But that is just silly talk. Even if I buy the pre-modded system, I would make that back in the money I save from not buying games.

Give me some input. Thanks.

Also, do you have to have a DVD burner to burn PS2 and/or XBOX games or are MOST of them on just normal CD-R's? Is this like a real in depth process or something?

if you play locally a lot id say go wth xbox, it allows for really good lan play and stuff, if you liek to play on the net id go wiht PS2 because "most" games are free to play online for it, With Halo 2 comming out its a tough call, but dont forget star PS2 titles like SOCOM 2, which is awesome, the FF series, and the HUGE database fo games availible for PS2 (including all PS1 games)

Id say buy some used systems for lke 50$ each (yes those deals are out there), then you could get them both for less then the price of a new one...

EDIT: the PS2, in my experience wont play VCDs either, dunno about xbox...

X-Box uses DVDs
PS2 uses CDs and DVDs, but most games are on DVDs.

Look at the games and pick the console you're most likely to get the most out of. It's pointless to listen to other people when making this decision.

That said, here's my opinion (which you probably shouldn't listen to). From what I've seen Ninja Gaiden is the only worthwhile exclusive the X-Box has. X-Box Live is pure shit, due in part to the "community" and MS' billing department (the bastards charged me for a full year a month after I cancelled my subscription, and are now refusing to refund my money claiming it's my fault). That's not to say I believe the PS2 is much better, but I do believe games like Gradius V and R-Type Final redeem it more than the X-Box.

tl;dr - I prefer the ps2, but you should really look at the games and pick the one with the most you want to play.

Well with that said, I think I would definately go with the PS2. The wide selection of games and the system as a whole appeals to me more.

So most games are on DVD now huh. Man am I way behind on what's going on in the gaming world. I really have no interest in playing games online so that doesn't factor into my decision.

Thanks for the input so far. It is helping. More input please.

And what about more info and input on the modding of a PS2 and whether its better to do it yourself or pay the extra grip and buy a pre-modded console, especially if your're a conservative like me.

With a modded PS2 you have to use a DVD burner to copy the games. An xbox can do that or you can install a harddrive and run the games from the harddrive (which gives the games a speed boost in load times).

Buying a premodded system on the internet may not be what your thinking it is. A premodded system doesn't have the software installed, just the hardware chip. The software is illegal and to remain a internet business they can't give you the software, just install the hardware. Microsoft and Sony both have people who's entire job is to contain the modding scene and if they can take out a internet business who sells thousands of chips by having them sell complete modded systems then they would go after them. That's why you no longer see a few of the big "old business" modchip companies because they did complete mod jobs and were sued by Sony and shut down.

I'm not really biased towards one or the other really... I have/had both at one time.

The PS2 is far more complicated to mod yourself (mainly because it doesn't have a universal modchip. You have to find out what version of PS2 you have and then order the corresponding modchip)

A modded PS2 can pretty much just play burned games and by modding it you'll get far less out of it

A Xbox on the other hand is much easier to mod then a PS2, since it has universal modchips there isn't a huge hassle like the PS2. With a harddrive install the modded Xbox comes as close to a perfect console as you can get in my opinion. (With everything stored on the harddrive) No CD/DVD's everything is self-contained and really easy to transport. (Console and Controllers) Making it the best choice if you plan on moving it or taking it on road trips.

Also the Xbox is a basic computer able to run several types of programs. From home-brew games to old generation consoles (Atari, NES, SNES, GBA, N64, PS1...) Another part is it's Media Players, With Xbox Media Center you can play DivX, Xvid, AVI, ect... from your xbox, CD/DVD's or streaming from your computer. No need for TV-out when you can just use your Xbox, also making it something cool to take on road trips. Besides that it can do things like a basic computer. EX: become a file-server for your computer, a easier to transport computer (for files) or for me... a more secure file-server with restricted access.


It comes down to what you like really. A xbox does more then a PS2, that's why I got rid of mine for the Xbox. If your wanting a PS2 only for playing PS1 games then that really does't matter because a modded Xbox can play PS1 games (PS1 images)

I'd have to say PS2 personally, I am a fan of the FF series big time,

If I was to choose again it would be based solely on the games at which you would be playing.

For the matter of Halo 2, I would not base the purchase of a system of one game, thats not the purpose of a system for one game but to play many.

I'd have to say that PS2 has a larger database of games when compared to XBOX but its also been out on the market for a shorter time.

Not true Worseley. I'd say I'm about as involved in the PS2 scene as you are in the Xbox, so I like to pretend I know what I am talking about.

You can load PS2 games into a HD without ever having the need for a burner. Take a standard IDE HD, hook it up to your computer, run a few programs, and you've got a few games on the HD. Plop the HD in your PS2, and buy something like HDAdvance or HDLoader, and you can load games off the HD. If you've got the know how, you can actually load one of those programs onto the memory card, and it will boot from that.

Like you said though, PS2 piracy is alot more involved. But you can do some things that Xbox can't. With enough know how, and a few tools, you can edit an image of a game, burn it, and get around Sony's network checker (DNAS), and play burned games online on sony's network. If Sony bans your console, some intelligent people have developed a console ID changer that will let you get back on their networks. PS2 also has ALOT of homebrew developers, all veterans from older days of the console 'scene'...that console ID changer was developed by PDX. It seems that Xbox has a bunch of groups that are new to the scene.


That said and done, I'm not going to advocate which console you should pick, somebody already echoed my thoughts in that respect. Get the one with the games you like.

Personally, I'd take the PS2 even though I hate sony's business policy more so than microsoft #gasp#. Sony won't publish games that deviate from the norm. Viewtiful Joe was originally supposed to be on the PS2, but sony canned it because they think all the gaming population cares about is blood and guns. So they move it over to the gamecube, it does PHENOMANALLY well, and sony comes crawling back. Now they get an outdated game, just in time for a sequel.

Xbox does have a few exclusives, but nothing to really write home about. Ninja Gaiden was good, Panzer Dragoon Orta is probably the best game on the system, Metal Slug 3 is kind of an exclusive unless you've got $1000 to spare, or an import ps2. Regardless its a great game.

Pick what you want.

I had a modded PS2 a while ago... then they didn't have a program capable of booting games off of the harddrive.

If your going to want your system modded you'll have to at least do some of it yourself. Midgey looks like he can help you with the PS2 since my info seems to be dated (assuming your wanting a harddrive).

yeah, the PS2 dev scene has really taken off in the past few months. The functionality of a modded PS2 is now almost equivalent to that of an Xbox. But its more of a challenge.

Personally, I got sick of the PS2 after they started releasing peripheral after peripheral that I would have to buy in order to: play online/new games(hdd)/watch movies/play more then 2 players. Not only that, every PS2 I owned died in under a year and a half, along with every person I knew that had one. I'm not saying Xbox is way better, I hardly play it either, but it's got more for your dollar IMO. Seems like FF is the main game to play for PS2 but that’s not any better then buying the Xbox because of Halo. As far as shooters go like Socom, Xbox has way more FPS then PS2, at least quality ones. If anyone doesn’t think one of the systems doesn’t have good games to play then you need to actually look at going to a rental/online place to see what they actually have. Not to mention the better graphics... if you like that sort of thing.

I don't know why but I never cared for the FF series of games, the earlier ones were great but just couldn't get into the newer ones, I found Morrowind a lot more challenging and fun then FF.

If nothing else, stop bitching and just buy them both, they are pretty cheap now.

There are other good exclusives on Xbox. Halo (I know its not exclusive, but its not on PS2), Halo 2, Crimson Skies, KOTOR, Morrowind, Fable..the list goes on.

And xbox live can suck, but the PS2 networking can be just as bad. Socom 2 had so many cheaters, i stopped playing it after a week and a half. Its not a deciding factor, really. both have LAN capabilities, about equal, but its a reason the gamecube isnt even up for consideration...

Well I might get yelled at for this one too, but after hearing what a pain in the ass modding a PS2 is, I might just decide to play it straight. It's hella lot more money and/or pain in the ass to mod the console and burn games. It might be worth it to keep it stock. You can get games for like $20 or less if you just wait a while to get them. Thanks for all the input people.

eb sells some ps2 games for <5$ in jeff i think...