X-Box
Some hail this as a non-upgradeable PC others as a way for Microsoft to further monopolise the computer market were as I just sit and drool at the pretty looking games it can put on my screen. The first group of people does have a point though the X-box is powered similar technology as a lot a PC have in them such as an Intel CPU and a nVIDA graphics Processor. Is this a bad thing? I think not seeing as what it can do with it. Just looking games such as Halo, Oddworld and jetset radio future make me feel all tingly inside. Unfortunately though there are some things that put a damperner on this feeling such as the controller which seems to have been designed only for people with gigantism and looks a lot like some of joy pads made for the PC and also like these joy pads don't feel as nice to use as the joypads for the other systems. Another thing about the x-box is it's massive unlike the sleek PS2 and tiny GC and although I haven't weighed it my self it is apparently extremely heavy. (So don't go putting it on top of your VCR unless you want a VCR shaped Frisbee.) You may think that those bad points my diminish that tingly feeling altogether but you would be wrong as there is a reason it can produce such pretty graphics as it the most console out of the three with a 733 MHz CPU (it not the only reason its fast but if you wanna them just look at the specs page.) More plus points though are that its only machine (not including the DC which don't count) that's internet ready so no need to buy a seperate modem and has hard drive. Whether this we'll be used just as an excuse to make patches for console games is yet to be seen. But it's nice all the same.
Right that enough about the hardware what about the game I hear you cry. Well Microsoft have managed to gain a lot of developers (and poached a lot from Sony) to make games for the X-box and they seem to have quite a close relationship with Sega as they helped with the DC so expect quite few of Sega titles on the x-box (although they will still be developing for the other consoles I think the x-box might get quite a lot of the game made) such as the aforementioned jet set radio future. Microsoft also acquired Bungie developer of the amazing looking Halo (if this will stay x-box only or get a PC release as it was meant to originally I dunno) other hopefully good games include Oddworld, (which moved to the x-box after the devs got pissed of making it in the PS2) Dead or Alive 3 and Project Gothem.
All of this adds up to a nice little? hmm maybe not little but a nice machine all the same which should do well with Microsoft's monetary might as long as they can get there way into the Nintendo and Sony dominated Asian market.
Intro - PS2 - X-Box - GC - Conclusion |
