My launch xbox has been pretty good, but now it makes this loud noise when it first starts up. It still works, its just loud. Im hoping it doesnt escalate into more.

Cheating put in? You mean like you can take the paint marks off of yourself? that is lame and definatly not cool with me. Im interested in this game. Maybe when I see some impressions.

Just to be clear here, I already own an xbox with live, and despite LE saying it "sucks" except for sports, I ignored that comment because :
1. I have read LE comments a lot
2. I know the xbox is great, and I dont want this to be a fanboy fight.
3. I know that it has a broad base
4. Lik I said, I already own one.

This isnt about decidein between systems. Its about adding a system in particular to my collection, the PS2.

I have owned a gamecube, I own an Xbox, PS1, and Dreamcast (along with other systems), I am just deciding if the PS2 has anything to offer me.

Also, is there a connector to let me use my s type controller on the PS2? They have the same number of buttons so that shouldt be a problem. I just am not a fan of the PS2 controller.

Well, its not just style, its the whole feel of the game. Call me crazy, but they feel much the same way they play.

Anywho this thread isnt about that, so I will stop derailing it.

Pretty much any kind of shooter. I already have an xbox (which I cant get enough of) and tried a gcn, just not enough games for me. So now it is just the PS2 tempting me. And PS1 games dont tempt me because I have a PS1. Backwards compatability has never been a  big deal with me.

Im in the same boat. Im tempted, but there just istn anything that makes me go wow. All I hear is about the platformers, but im not huge on platformers. Not at all actually. So that is not an insentive for me. GTA:SA is pushing me a little bit, but maybe not enough.

In the realm of RPGs, what is there avaliable more in the style of Morrowind? Or Kotor? Im not into Final Fantasy style games.

Racing and shooting are more then covered for me on the box, as are sports.

Also, what older games are impressive? Part of the temptation is buying games for cheap. Real cheap because they are old. But nothing other then GTA stands out for me just galncing over the list. So why am I still tempted?

Whoops. just saw another thread on the same subject, Sorry about that. I searched real quick and nothing came up. I must be having problems today   .

What?!?!?!?

Kameo and BC are gone?

Kameo wasnt a big deal to me, but what the hell is Rare doing? They have done nothing on the xbox yet. Talk about an odd investment. I hope it pays off for MS, but it doesnt look like it is going to be anytime soon. At least bungie offered a smash hit. What was MS thinking with Rare? The next big hit I could see coming from them is Perfect Dark Zero, and honestly, with Halo (2) firmly in the XBox FPS position, thats going to be hard to sell in mass numbers.

And BC was cancelled?!? That game was looking to be awsome. Of course so was Fable. So, I guess im not surprised actually. Someone should sue lionhead for getting me excited so much and then letting me down all the time. Fable was a fun game, but it was pretty run of the mill. In fact, there was very little if anything revolutionary about it. I guess I should be glad BC was cut, because if it wasnt I would simply have been dissapointed when I could have a clan, but it didnt matter what happened to them, and when the "wide open areas" they promised ended up being just load screens every two steps. Plus my clan would probably just always be saying "we need more (insert need here)".

As to the next generation, Im going to make a statement here which is going to come off as odd to many: I could care less if japanese developers get behind the xbox. The xbox is my haven, because it seems to cater more to american gaming tastes. Im not being fanboyish here, its just that for years consoles have been covered by japanese themes: spikey haired teens with huge eyes, and 13 year old girls with double Ds. This is why for years I was a PC gamer only. I like shooters and I like a lot more realism. The first console to woo me to the console market was the xbox because it wasnt controlled by the japanese  :shock: .

Now yes, since the Xbox I have ventured into other areas. I owned a GCN for a time, but sold it because i didnt do anythign for me, and now I am looking at a PS2. But I still avoid the japanese style games like death.

In the next generation what does MS need to do? Nothing different in my book. I could care less who is on top. As long as they are fighting it out I am happy. As long as I continue to get my more american themed games I am happy. I dont care who it is from. But as soon as those leave again, im back to PC gaming only.

So I keep looking at getting a PS2. Ive been tempted ever since I heard about the new smaller pstwo. Is this avaliable now? And from anyone that has it if it is avaliable, how good is ti. I know the specs will be the same, but what about its layout and the drive etc.?

Also, this may come as a shock, but since Im still on the edge, what games would push me over? I want to play GTA:SA. But im into shooters a lot, and not really japanese RPGs. All I seemt o hear about with the PS2 is GTA and japanese RPGs. And GTA isnt good enough to warrent a system. What other games could push me over (which are not on the XBox as well)?

Thanks for any help.

No problems here either except my little lighting issue. Ive got it worked out now. Im just leaving them on.

I got a little discouraged today when this family ive been working on really hard had its two kids taken away. That was disturbingly sad. The disturbing part was that I was actually sad to see the kids go. Like a part of my family had been taken forever.  

I have ceiling light for the entire house, but still there is a lighting issue. How do I keep these lights on during the day? Mine are on only at night. It is just irritating how dark it is. I have windows up and down the walls everywhere, and yet still it is dark during the day.

Allright, I searched the forum thinking there would be some kind of sims 2 faq thread, but I couldnt find one. I have one fairly stupid question though. When you built a house in sims 1, the inside was dark until you put windows in the house. In the sims 2, it seems to be dark even after you put windows in, and only seems to turn light when the lights finally turn on. So, is there something I am doing wrong, or does it always have to be so damn dark in my house?

What I didnt like is that the game was slow to pick up, and then just when it strtd getting heated and good, it ended. Just like that. The game was just getting good! That was one of the first levels Iwas getting excited about. And then I was really excited for the next level to load, but it was over! What? This cant be, I just started getting ready for it!

I agree with all the games being named, but dont forget Full Spectrum Warrior! Its out on the PC too, but a lot of the games are. My games worht owning the xbox for are:

Halo (even with Halo 2 out)
Halo 2
Morrowind
Fable (short but still an awsome run, rent it)
Ninja Gaiden (wow this game has sucked weeks out of my life)
Full Spectrum Warrior
Links 2004 (I just love this golf game)
Ghost Recon (not exclusive, but still great)


I could go on and on. But it wouldg et redundant. Point is, get an xbox. After you realizehow amazing the sound is, custom sound tracks, the hard drive in general, and great support from ms, you will be happy with your purchase. But of course, the best reason to get an xbox:

Xbox live. An amazing online service. Definatly worth the money. Combined with the great live enabled games above, and it will just zap your time.

Hmm, interesting. I have been looking for a vietnam era fps to play, but I almost always assume they are crap. I may have to check this one out. Sounds interesting. What kind of multiplayer options are there? Is it xbox live?

TML, that was pretty awsome tonight. The three of us were unbeatable. Sorry I had to leave in such a rush though. Something came up, I was planning on playing longer, especially since we were on such a roll. Any time you are on send me an invite. The three of us kicked ass tonight .

Just make up a name for the meantime. Lets get started!  

Is the clan forming soon? Any name is fine with me as long as we have a clan.

IN! I have a guest with me too, so I have to play with friends as well.

Im on all the time tonight, so send me an invite if you would like. Id love to join.

So is this on for tonight? I played a couple of games tonight with some gg people real quick, takin a break from playin for a little while, but ill be on later. Any new word on the clan tonight?

cool, im ready to play!

Im in with the weekenders idea for now. Then join the official when it gets going, unless it could be today. Is there a limit to clan numbers? Would it be smart to have mroe then 1?

IN!

Just finished the single player and I am now ready to play MP again. I played Halo 1 to death back in the day, but ive been out of practice for about the past year. Hopefully I can do something. Gamertag is same as my name. Im in whenever I am on.

Well, I just finished the single player, and to be honest, I feel it is a mixed bag. Comparing it to Halo 1 is hard becuase Halo was my first true love on a console, and it feels like cheating to compare it to this spawn of it  :wink: .

Single player story was immense and all, and I liked the broader storyline, but it felt rushed and abrupt at the end.

I havnt played multiplayer all that much. The online play for me was a little odd. It takes forever to find a game. I must be doing it wrong, and there seems to be no way to stay with a group. Maybe I am just not understanding how it is working.

The graphics could be downright beautiful, and then sometimes just horrible. Kind of odd.

I would love to join you guys online, if you see me, send an invite. Same gamertag as my name here.

Thanks for the help everyone. I purchased the NES gba with Final Fantasy Tactics, and then borrowed about 10 games from some friends. Hopefully  will be busy and wont be playing it too much, but you never know.

Thanks for the info on the power as well. I sahould be mostly in western europe, and if I remember right the GBA battery seems to last quite a long time anyways.

Thanks for the help all.

Of course, but we are talking about now, before it is released in the states.

It will be pirated shortly, its just a matter of if it is after the release or before it.

But for now, the foreign language is not moot before the english release.

I took mine to Europe in May.  I didn't end up using it as much as I thought but it is GREAT for those first couple sleepless jetlagged nights.  On trains I find that I like meeting people from the surrounding area when possible.

For recharging, I bought an EU converter/transformer at Brookstone right before I left and brought it along.  I saved the box so I was able to return for a full refund on my return.  I won't be going back over there for at leats a year. This method should work well for you.  If you try to buy the converter over there you will probably get taken advantage of by the tourism industry.

Hope that helps.  Be sure to visit Amsterdam.

EDIT: just thought i'd mention that the best thing I did this trip was to not bring ANY toiletries except a toothbrush and toothpaste.  Those products may all be purchased in any city at reasonable prices, and you can throw them all away before returning home.  No risk of mess in your bags, and more room for toys and souvenirs.

Thanks for the advice

One question which may come off as stupid, but I know there are two different types of converters for plugs, what kind do I need with a GBA?

Yeah, Ive been thinking about getting FF: TA. It should be cheaper now anyways right? I think im going to pick up a GBA today. Classic nintendo version!

Wow guys, thanks for all the help. I think im going to pick it up before I go. I like all kinds of games so its hard for me to say what kind. Any good game is worth checking out for me.

Well, im heading off to europe on wensday, and I wanted to have a GBA SP for the trip, sinc I will be spending lots of time on trains. What is the cost difference in europe as compared to the US? Will it still work with the US games? Im wondering about these questions because I might be purchasing it when I get to europe.

The other option was getting it before I leave. I have a 15 hour plane flight before I go, so I wouldnt mind it for that either. But, although Im not sure this fits here, what would my options be for power when I get to europe? How would I be able to recharge it? Is there somewhere I can get a european charger that works the same once I get there? Or an adaptor of some sort?

And a third question: I havnt been following the GBA market lately, what are some good games out for it recently? I had one a year ago, but I havnt kept up since then.

Thanks for any help.

I love the lettuce wrap! It is really good. We have a PF Chang's where I go to school in Utah. The lettuce wrap is my favorite part. But, its probably not for everyone.

Whoa, GBA games have batteries too? Thats a shame, I thought they had a different way now.

So, whens the next one coming along?

Well, I played FPS games on the PC for years before I bought a console. I even played at many LAN parties. The thing is, there is something special about Halo. It was amazing. And it is nothing like a LAN party with PCs. Whenever I do one of those I feel like we are all isolated in our own little worlds, while with Halo it doesnt feel that way. No PC lan party can compare to 16 people all playing capture the flag in one little room. Sitting on couches comfortably, with much less hassle then getting 15 people together for a LAN party. That is what sold me, and Im not just a newbie to LAN parties. It is not a comparable experience to a lan party. For one thing, it is much more social. And I mean much more social.

As for co-op, it was a thing of beauty. I had never seen such great co-op. Sure, it was pretty easy since you never died, but it always was fun still.

Vehicles. I still havnt seen a game implement vehicles as well. Even games like BF1942 and UT2004 dont implement them near as well as in Halo. They fit so well.

And the story line. I actually got caught up in it, unlike with most other FPS games, where I simply needed to kill everyone in the game. The same is true for Halo, you shoot everything, but for some reason the story line fit.

The flood were great. Talk about a surprise. Sure they got a little redundant. Instead of a lot of strategy like you needed against the Coveneant, with the flood you simply lobbed frag granades and pumped your shotgun. But it was a rush when you felt overwhelmed.

The last level. Funnest level Ive played in a long long time. I still play that level all the time. I cant count the number of times ive done it in Co-op and simply tried to see who could go the fastes in seperate warthogs.

Overall, it was just a great game. Not for everyone, but I think a lot of people were sour for reasons besides the actual game: MS buying bungie, it being for Xbox only, and whenever there is a craze in video games, many people will be against it just to be against it.

Some people im sure dont like it for legit reasons, but a lot of times it feels more like one of the above reasons. One of my friends who is an avid PS2 fan said he hated halo. I caught him one day playing it in his room on an xbox he had purchased and tried to hide from anyone. He couldnt fess up to it at all. One of the funniest things I have ever seen was him trying to come up with an excuse while we laughed. He just couldnt fess up with buying an xbox and loving halo.

Halo was by no means perfect. Level design, different playable characters, more options, more levels and live supported were needed. As well as custom music. Hopefully Halo 2 will bring mroe of this. The videos look amazing. It looks like Halo on steroids.

Count me in to play it too, but not until december 8th . I head to europe on wendsday and dont come back till the 8th. Oh well, I will just get worked on Live for the first little while.

Yeah, I really doubt this will affect it much. The people who have it must have a mod chip which means they are pirates (generalization I know). So they would have just pirated it when it came out. They just og it early.

And also, as someone said, what american (Halo's largest market) is going to want french?

No matter what the pirates are going to steal it.

MS anf bungie are still going to rake in the dough on this one.

I thought it was great. I dont like crossfire, and I think what he said was true. And the bowtie guy was being a dick.

Understandable. I will miss reading some parts of it as I did in R&P, but I respect the decision. Maybe someday we can be civil enough to start one. r perhaps after the election, when things have calmed down again. But whatever the choice, I respect it. I stopped going into R&P. After the mave, it wasnt the same, and some sane voices were lost. So basically I respect your choice.  :idea: End with a cat butt.

Whoa, what happened? I leave town for two weeks, come back, and gonegold is gone? Wow. Oh well, good thing I registered her a while ago, so technically im not a refugee. Actually, the old consolegold website got me into gonegold.

Chrisoc13