Last Friday when I was in Bakersfield, Pi bought a Gamecube and a DVD player from WalMart for less than the cost of a PS2 or an Xbox. Admittedly, the DVD player was on sale for $75, but his total with sales tax was still only $294.22.
Let's do a quick comparison of each of the three contenders for equivalent configurations, shall we? We'll assume a non-sale price of $100 for an external DVD player, and I'll be nice to the PS2 and allow the Gran Turismo 3 bundle to be its entry, and we'll assume 7.5% sales tax as a compromise between Bakersfield's 7% and the Bay Area's BART subsidizing 8ish%.
Gamecube:
- Gamecube console: $199
- Extra controller: $34.99
- Game: $49.99
- Memory Card 59: $14.99
- External DVD Player: $99.99
- Total: $398.96 ($428.88 with tax)
PS2:
- PS2 Gran Turismo 3 bundle: $329.99
- Extra Controller: $34.99
- Memory Card: $34.99
- DVD Remote: $19.99
- Total: $419.96 ($451.457 with tax)
Xbox:
- Xbox console: $299.99
- Extra Controller: $39.99
- Game: $49.99
- DVD Remote: $29.99
- Total: $419.96 ($451.457 with tax)
Um, other fudge work in these numbers: Admittedly, the Xbox has a hard drive and network adapter, but at the moment all the Hard Drive is good for is storing custom music sound tracks and I'm assuming that it can store saved games. And on the assumption that the Xbox's hard drive can store saved games, I didn't add in the price of a memory card on the Xbox.
The Gamecube memory card is smaller than the PS2 memory card, so I probably should have added two Memory Card 59's to my Gamecube total to be more equitable.
I think I recall seeing that the Sony Hard Drive/Network Adapter Bundle will be $150 when it comes out this spring, so that puts the final price of the PS2 (even with the bundled GT3) way up above the Xbox.
I expect that the Gamecube Modem and Ethernet adapters will be $50 each when they come out. And a nice portable removable Gamecube Hard Drive is also a possibility.
But, for now, I'd argue that games aren't really taking advantage of the Xbox's network and hard drive features enough to really count them into the overall equation.
Oh, and as long as I'm on the subject, you can get a Dreamcast for $50, and find most of the games and accessories for $10 to $20. If you're really cheap.
If you bought every possible accessory for the Gamecube as they come out, you'd probably end up spending more on the Gamecube than the Xbox in the long run. But most people won't buy all the Gamecube accessories, and most probably already have a DVD player, and most people with an Xbox probably won't ever use the Hard Drive or Network Adapter, so I still say the Gamecube wins the price game.
Besides which, I think being able to pick and choose with the Gamecube is better than Microsoft's Model-TX.
Oh, and for the record, we ran some comparisons, and his $75 DVD player was compatible with more DVDs, easier to use, and provided a better picture than the PS2. We didn’t have an Xbox on hand to test with.
But I still like the option of being able to buy whatever DVD player (el cheapo or uber-quality) I want instead of being stuck with whatever Microsoft happens to give me.
And I’m still biased, but I hope I made that clear and was maybe even a little fair to the other players.
hmm, price is a major factor. but there’s also this quick quiz that supposedly helps helps narrow down your choices. The link is in the lower right called “game plan.” it picked ps2 for me, but hmm, for some reason, it’s left me even more clueless than before. i think it’s because i finally learned about the various features in each console. i want them all!
You know what? That quick quiz is bunk!
The first time I took it, it told me I should get a PS2, and when I took it *trying* to get it to tell me I should get a Gamecube or Xbox, it still told me I should get a PS2.
Bunk! Bunk I say!
You should take the interactive Benjy quiz. It’s not as biased as the bizarrely ps2 biased msnbc quiz. ;-)
Some running commentary:
Xbox has fighting game potential my ass.
“Do you have large hands?” LOL. Is it asking me what I’m wearing next?
I found it interesting that I had to answer with consious thought of my currently lifestyle. Multiplayer? No. Swap with friends? No.
It recommended a PS2 for me too… but I knew that already.
And as for the quiz-within-a-quiz it was the sixth question before I found out I could skip the audio commenary.
Oh, not only that, but the Interactive Benjy Quiz has a hands on portion for the Gamecube and PS2 segments for Berkeley denizens. ;-)
I stopped reading your reply after “Benjy” and “hands on.”
Console price wars – questionnaire Cost of
Console Machines..
Ok guys,
I am a student at school on a study assignment.
I decided to do mine on Console Price wars,(between PS2, Xbox, and GameCube)
I am a new to all this tecnology, in terms of knowledge on all the technical stuff about the PS2,xBox and GameCube..
All i am asking is for ALL OF you people out there what you feel about the prices, and if the console’s are worth it..
Part of the assignment is to do a questionnaire,
well i am wonding if you lot could help me produce it,
by telling me what questions to add, one obviously being “What do you think of all these consoles?” and another one being “What do you think of the prices of al these consoles?2 etc..
PLease help me, and also give me infomation on prices, what people think etc..
Thanks
Please e-mail me at rvn_arny@hotmail.com
or ICQ messgage me at 92919451
Thanks
- by Matthew
Xbox Sucks,Sucks,sucks and if you guys like it well screw you im writing this cause xbox sucks Ill keep saying this you are ones that are the ball lickers xbox will eat ps2 and gamecubes shit and when you shit out your shit you will eat that that is made up of our shit.
Love,
Jay and Silent Bob
Xbox sucks big ass big time. It runs win 2000 for starters. Now how many out there know of the blue screen of death on PC? Xbox has the green screen of death. Besides I have a PC why the hell would I need another one for (Xbox)? Also for those with PS2 the DVD player on that has major Marcomedia issues. Now I’m off to spend $A245 to get me a Gamecube.
Yo,
Could anyone tell me what’s best to buy now – I’ve got enough money to buy me most of the equipment for any of the consoles. How are the movies to watch on’em? I’ve never had a console before, I’m a PC guy, but today with so little support from those greedy PC manufacturers, it’s a bit expensive to be able to play the newest games in full details etc. Could anyone help me, please??
all i have to say is xbox OWNS
And tom sux caus he has a lil purple gamecube *chuckles
ps2 rules :)
i like puple gamecubes they are sexy and smell great
silver gamecubes rule like luigi!!!!!!!