Well I'm afraid MGS2 did it for me with the PS2 I'm afraid. That really was the game I brought the console for in the first place and to me it was a real let down.

I've had a good offer for my PS2 and will let it go.

Now - The X Box. Just how good is it exactly? What's the best games to get? What comes in the box? Do I ned to buy another scart cable? is it optical or coaxial output for DD? Is the DVD player any good?

Wow, what a lot of questions!! Antbody help??

[dred]

I only have Halo so can't comment on any other games, but in my opinion Halo is the best FPS out there (in single player, at least).

The leads that are supplied are a standard AV lead (red/white/yellow plugs), you also get a scart adaptor. If you want RGB picture and DD then you need to buy an advanced scart cable, which has an optical output.

Haven't tried the DVD as i've got a stand alone player, sorry.

Hope that helps

[ashearer]

Okay,
In the box you get a composite lead plus one of those little adapters that turn it into a Scart connector (much like the PS2). Bin it and buy the advanced scart pack plus an optical lead if you have those capabilities.

You also get one (very big) controller. You can get a Japanese one which is smaller or a Dual Shock convertor if you don't like the big pad.

My three favourite games are Halo, Amped and Max Payne. Rallisport Challenge is excellent too. DOA3 looks fantastic but didn't think it offered much over DOA2 on the PS2. Wasn't impressed with Project Gotham. I actually prefer MSR on the Dreamcast.

Personally, I think Halo and Amped justify the XBOX on their own. I was very sceptical about the XBOX but have been mightily impressed. I haven't touched my import GC since it arrived and MGS2 and ICO are being looked at infrequently.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions.

[SILVERBACK]

i heard that the jap pads will not work on usa or uk xbox so i would look into it before buying.must admit i had my heart set on an import xbox the the ps2 poisoned my eyes an heart with to classic.gta (does it get any better) 3 and pro evolution soccer mmmmmm so sweet.can anyone tell me how god the 5.1 is on games as i heard it was crap but there you go lol

[ashearer]

I have used the Jap pad on Halo, JSRF, Max Payne, PGR, Amped, Rallisport Challenge and DOA3 on my UK XBOX and no problems so far.

The DD 5.1 on the XBOX is superb and is obviously implemented more than on the PS2. Particularly good in Amped and Halo.

I still think the PS2 has lots to offer. ISS Pro Evolution is the best football game on any system and as for GTA3......

[SILVERBACK]

i stand corrected cheers for the info

[Ono]

Undoubtley the XBox is a powerful console and has a couple of impressive games on release.

But take a look at Edge Magazine this month. Now, I am the first to criticise Edge's crappy reviews but even I was surprised at how low the marks were for the XBox games this month.

Wreckless 4/10
Blood Wake 4/10
Nightcaster 3/10
Rallisport (which many have called a Classic) 6/10
Transworld Surf 3/10
Onmimusha 6/10


There is also a report from Japan about the difficulty XBox is having over there at the moment.


My advice would be to hold out for a month or two to see what games are on the horizon before spending £300.

[Confucius]

I'm waiting for the PS3 before upgrading again

[Ono]

Originally posted by Confucius
I'm waiting for the PS3 before upgrading again

PS3 won't be as good as either XBox 2 or Gamecube 2.

So there.

Thanks for all your help. There is always a stutter on decent games when a new console comes out. I've made up my mind that I am going to get an X Box this weekend. Game are doing a deal - X Box, 2nd official pad and 4 games of your choice for £470. Is this a good deal?

[ashearer]

It sounds a good deal to me. I would get the Advanced Scart as well.

Regarding Edge this month. Those scores look fine to me with the exception of Rallisport. I personally think 6 is harsh even by Edge standards. It's not a classic but deserves a 7 or 8 in Edge - or 9.4 in the official XBOX Magazine

Does the box have an optical output or can you only use optical out via the advanced scart? I've seen an RGB scart for £9.99 from gameplay online. I will be connecting it direct to my amp if it has an optical out.

[ashearer]

You have to get the advanced Scart to get the digital out. This seems like a strange decision on Microsofts part as DD 5.1 has to be one of the main selling points.

[thestorm]

Originally posted by Army Bloke2

Now - The X Box. Just how good is it exactly? What's the best games to get?

if u're not sure what games to get, don't risk it by paying
£35 to £45 on games. Although i'm sure they'll re-sell on, online
auction very well it's not worth the risk.
So try and rent the games from Blockbusters and take it from
there. I rented a game called : Genma Onimusha.
Great presentation 'n all that... but I won't be buying it.
I've been spoilt by the game : HALO
That really is amazing in everyway.

It's hard to recommend games as I'm not sure what genres
you like and don't like, I have a friend that doesn't like
beat 'em ups which i love! Where as I don't like football type of
games.
If you like fighting type games try out "Dead Or Alive 3", it
looks fantastic. Better that Halo in some ways...
eg rivers, streams, oceans on doa3 looks more real compared to
Halo but the two arn't really comparable.
The controls on doa3 seem daunting at first but as you play
against friends its only natural you'll want to try out that
"exclusive" character move that no ones tried out before!
And tottaly deplete your oponents energy level.

The other 2 games i own are RSC and Max Payne
Both are very good! Worth a rental for sure.

Not all xbox games are excellent but one can't afford all of them
or have the time to play them, so pick the BEST!

Play More!

Cya,
Shaz

I have taken the plunge ans am now all xboxed up. I got 4 games with it that were: Halo (of course), DOA3, Rallisport Challenge (which I have since traded for Max Payne) and Munch's oddesye(?).

First impressions are good. The controler seems to fit nicely in the hand and seems more natural to play with than the Sony model. The box itself is a bit of an eye sore. In these days when everything electrical is getting smaller and more compact, Microsoft see fit to release a mega box.

Games wise, I find them different from the PS2 but not really better playability wise. Before my PS2 went, I had started to play ICO and this one game nearly made me change my mind about doing the change. But let's remember, the Xbox is in it's infancy and it will probably take some time for decent games to appear. Saying that, Halo is awesome. And my son has spent hours plaing Munch's.

Before I sign off, let's hope I haven't given the Xbox the kiss of death as this is being written by someone who brought a Saturn, a Jaguar, an Atari Lynx and a Dreamcast!! Sorry guys.

[thestorm]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Army Bloke
I have taken the plunge ans am now all xboxed up. I got 4 games with it that were: Halo (of course), DOA3, Rallisport Challenge (which I have since traded for Max Payne) and Munch's oddesye(?).


Congratulations!


First impressions are good. The controler seems to fit nicely in the hand and seems more natural to play with than the Sony model.


That's what i thought.
I can't see myself buying a smaller controller,
it'll get all fidley.


The box itself is a bit of an eye sore. In these days when everything electrical is getting smaller and more compact, Microsoft see fit to release a mega box.


I guess there must be a reason for its size.
I actually quite like the looks.
Its an Army Bloke! Tuff and ready for action.


Before I sign off, let's hope I haven't given the Xbox the kiss of death as this is being written by someone who brought a Saturn, a Jaguar, an Atari Lynx and a Dreamcast!! Sorry guys.



I doub't it very much.
there's a whole armada of games coming out.
I wonder if i'll have any time for them!
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for : Gunvalkyrie
And I'm sure a whole host of "intelligent" pc type games will
come to xbox.. like eg Allied Assualt \ Operation Flashpoint etc

I was going to suggest to you game swaps...
but u've got all the games i have!!!!

I'll probably rent that "Oddball Much" game from Block Busters

Cya,
Shaz

[thestorm]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Army Bloke
I have taken the plunge ans am now all xboxed up. I got 4 games with it that were: Halo (of course),



Don't forget!

only play it on the hardest difficulty level(Ledgendry Level),
it's more fun.. it'll have u effing and blinding....
...but it'll be great fun in the end.

[thestorm]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ono
Undoubtley the XBox is a powerful console and has a couple of impressive games on release.

But take a look at Edge Magazine this month. Now, I am the first to criticise Edge's crappy reviews but even I was surprised at how low the marks were for the XBox games this month.

Wreckless 4/10
Blood Wake 4/10
Nightcaster 3/10
Rallisport (which many have called a Classic) 6/10
Transworld Surf 3/10
Onmimusha 6/10



I think Edge Magazine is quite accurate in their reviews.
unlike the american mags which seems to give ratings of 8,9,10s!

Edge Magazine gave halo 10/10, which makes sense.
And they gave doa3 7/10 (i think).
I would give it a 8/10 but they gave it a 7 cuz it wasn't anything
innovative compared to doa 2. But i never played the doa series
in my entire life so it was all new to me. I consider doa3 to be the
best nex-gen fighting game..... there will be new beat 'em ups
coming out this year... and they'll only complient each
other.


The above games except RSC are crap.
I won't pay £40 for the above games (or mgs2 for that matter!)
just to seee a fancy movie intro and mindless \ brainless \ iq less
hacking slashing blasting. Games are getting smarter..I've played
mgs2 and i think it's immature, u have u're character slipping on
seagul poo and if u look up in the sky u get seagul poo on ure
goggles. come on... please!!
So it's understandable those games got those marks if you take
halo as reference (only for this instance).



There is also a report from Japan about the difficulty XBox is having over there at the moment.


Reports and Stats will proove whatever people want them to
proove. Be it Microsoft or Sony etc.



My advice would be to hold out for a month or two to see what games are on the horizon before spending £300.

My advice is if you can afford to buy a new console, buy one NOW!
select the best games(eg halo)... have loads and loads of fun and
when u feel u got u're money's worth... SELL IT(whislt it still has good value)! And get xbox 2
I'm sure Microsoft will allow for xbox 1 games to work on xbox 2
or if you feel for a total change there's ps3, but one isn't getting any younger and time doesn't wait for anyone.
So enjoy..... the last few weeks of halo \ doa3 have been
priceless for me.


Cya,
Shaz

It's such a well rounded, competent console. I've been very pleasantly suprised so far. Halo is absolutly fantastic: best game i've played in ages. Project Gotham racing is also superb, and JEt set radio future is equally so.

The hard drive is a blessing too. 4 controller ports etc. What ps2 SHOULD have been in the hardware department. Hopefully sales in europe will pick up soon...Not great so far. But i price cut is essential.

I can't reccomend it enough though. Best console since DC.

[Mr.D]

Halo best game ever : just finished on normal going back on legendary and man is it tough!

Originally posted by Mr.D
Halo best game ever : just finished on normal going back on legendary and man is it tough!

I'm starting to agree with you. I was sick and tired of the endless crap games on ps2, still stuck in the last generation in the gameplay department. But halo has re-invented my faith in games. It's truly stunning. And i've yet to experience it's whole scope.

Originally posted by thestorm
[

Don't forget!

only play it on the hardest difficulty level(Ledgendry Level),

[/B]

You're kidding aren't you!! I'm having enough trouble on normal.

[thestorm]

Originally posted by Army Bloke
You're kidding aren't you!! I'm having enough trouble on normal.

aaawww come on.. don't be a girl!

ledgendry is MUCH more fun.
Its hard sure... but u'll get used to it... i would give u hints...
..but it'll spoil the game.
... use EVERYTHNIG you got and by any means necessary!

Stick plasma granades on them and run..and watch 'em fly, i use
both stealth and fire fights. Like hiding in a corner and picking
them out one by one. Or flushig them out with granades
and fire fights and swapping out guns when i need them.

i've joined http://xbox.ign.com so i check out their hints there.

Cya,
Shaz