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I thought this might help.
Whether considering GameCube, PlayStation 2 or Xbox, parents have lots of good deals to consider
By Victor Godinez
Dallas Morning News
Parents shopping for the best deal on a video game console for Christmas have several options right now.
All three of the major consoles -- Nintendo's GameCube, Sony's PlayStation 2 and Microsoft's Xbox -- have dropped in price over the last year.
Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft are also offering official bundle deals, giving purchasers free games and hardware along with the console.
Here's a rundown on each system so that parents can decide which best suits their household.
GameCube
Right now, the GameCube is the cheapest of the systems, selling for $99.
It's also the system best suited for younger gamers, with such kid-friendly fare as the Mario titles, including the much-anticipated racing game Mario Kart: Double Dash.
Note to parents: The official GameCube bundle and Double Dash both debut Nov. 17.
Older gamers will likely be thrilled with either an Xbox or a PlayStation 2, which each have different selling points.
Xbox
The Xbox's big attraction is the Xbox Live online service.
The service allows users to play games online against other real, live people, chat using a special headset and download tunes for Microsoft's new karaoke title, Xbox Music Mixer.
But you have to pay to play online with Microsoft.
For new gamers, an Xbox Live starter kit costs $69, including a one-year subscription, the Xbox Communicator headset and an online game, Mech Assault.
The Xbox also comes with an 8-gigabyte hard disk.
Another consideration: Xbox Live is broadband only.
The Xbox can also double as a DVD movie player, providing you buy the separate DVD playback kit for $29.
PS2
The PS2, though not quite as technologically sophisticated as the 'Cube or the Xbox, has some great games and is backward-compatible, meaning that all the titles for the original PlayStation work with it.
The PS2 can play DVD movies right out of the box, but you'll probably want to buy a separate PS2 DVD remote control if you plan to watch a lot of movies.
The PS2 also has online play for some games.
To play online, you need the Network Adapter, which is included in Sony's current bundle.
Currently, there are no online subscription fees for the PS2.
Next March, Sony is expected to release a $99 40-gigabyte hard drive, which will come in handy for downloading and saving game content.
Although all three manufacturers have official bundles, most retailers offer their own specialized bundles, with extra games, controllers, cables and online components.
So be sure to shop around.
December 2, 2003
The Free Press corrects all errors of fact. If you know of an error, please call John X. Miller, public editor, at 313-222-2441 or 800-678-7771 anytime, or write him at 600 W. Fort, Detroit 48226, or send e-mail to miller@freepress.com.
In the Consumer Guide and Game On! in Sunday's Choices section, conflicting information was given on the price of the Xbox Live online gaming service. A starter kit that includes one year of service costs $70. Renewal fees are $50 a year.
Whether considering GameCube, PlayStation 2 or Xbox, parents have lots of good deals to consider
By Victor Godinez
Dallas Morning News
Parents shopping for the best deal on a video game console for Christmas have several options right now.
All three of the major consoles -- Nintendo's GameCube, Sony's PlayStation 2 and Microsoft's Xbox -- have dropped in price over the last year.
Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft are also offering official bundle deals, giving purchasers free games and hardware along with the console.
Here's a rundown on each system so that parents can decide which best suits their household.
GameCube
Right now, the GameCube is the cheapest of the systems, selling for $99.
It's also the system best suited for younger gamers, with such kid-friendly fare as the Mario titles, including the much-anticipated racing game Mario Kart: Double Dash.
Note to parents: The official GameCube bundle and Double Dash both debut Nov. 17.
Older gamers will likely be thrilled with either an Xbox or a PlayStation 2, which each have different selling points.
Xbox
The Xbox's big attraction is the Xbox Live online service.
The service allows users to play games online against other real, live people, chat using a special headset and download tunes for Microsoft's new karaoke title, Xbox Music Mixer.
But you have to pay to play online with Microsoft.
For new gamers, an Xbox Live starter kit costs $69, including a one-year subscription, the Xbox Communicator headset and an online game, Mech Assault.
The Xbox also comes with an 8-gigabyte hard disk.
Another consideration: Xbox Live is broadband only.
The Xbox can also double as a DVD movie player, providing you buy the separate DVD playback kit for $29.
PS2
The PS2, though not quite as technologically sophisticated as the 'Cube or the Xbox, has some great games and is backward-compatible, meaning that all the titles for the original PlayStation work with it.
The PS2 can play DVD movies right out of the box, but you'll probably want to buy a separate PS2 DVD remote control if you plan to watch a lot of movies.
The PS2 also has online play for some games.
To play online, you need the Network Adapter, which is included in Sony's current bundle.
Currently, there are no online subscription fees for the PS2.
Next March, Sony is expected to release a $99 40-gigabyte hard drive, which will come in handy for downloading and saving game content.
Although all three manufacturers have official bundles, most retailers offer their own specialized bundles, with extra games, controllers, cables and online components.
So be sure to shop around.
December 2, 2003
The Free Press corrects all errors of fact. If you know of an error, please call John X. Miller, public editor, at 313-222-2441 or 800-678-7771 anytime, or write him at 600 W. Fort, Detroit 48226, or send e-mail to miller@freepress.com.
In the Consumer Guide and Game On! in Sunday's Choices section, conflicting information was given on the price of the Xbox Live online gaming service. A starter kit that includes one year of service costs $70. Renewal fees are $50 a year.
