The Deciding Factor

Many times in the past two years I've been faced with the question of which version to get when a game is released across all platforms. With the internet it's easier than ever to find out which version is the best to get but lately my decisions haven't been made based on graphics or extras alone.

It's usually the obvious reason to get one version over another, but lately I've been using another factor that has turned the Xbox into a powerhouse in my household. Naturally the PS2 version is always off the list unless the game was created with the dual shock in mind (SSX, Tony Hawk) otherwise it's always between GC and Xbox. Well I've taken a look at my collection lately and noticed that my Xbox collection doubles and triples my other platform collections. How did this happen without me realizing it?

Quite simply, by including the Harddrive MS garanteed their third party developpers more sales from people like me. You see I only have a limited amount of space on each of my memory cards so when a game is almost identical on each platform, hell if it's even not as good on the Xbox I still get it since I never have to worry about saves on the behemoth HD. Sometimes I've got games started from a year ago that I intend to finish and if they were on one of my mem cards I'd have to do some clean up and would hate to have to erase the progress I've achieved in my game.

So there it is the single biggest factor in deciding which platform I buy a game for. Are there any other reasons to consider? Do any of you follow a similar set of rules when deciding which version to get?

D

I consider the facts that I don't want the game to look like shit or use the Z button.

Then I get it on the Xbox.

lately i've been going with xbox first, ps2 second and where ever else i can find it third before going with gamecube 4th. my only exceptions are sports games which i use the ps2 for and anything else where the joystick uses more than 6 buttons regularly. I get games on the cube only when there is no other choice, normally.

I too have noticed that my XBox collection out weighs my other collections. In a way I think that MS has done a really good job of getting solid AAA quality games out on their platform. But, at the same time part of it is that I now have a job and more disposable income which to blow on games.

And when it comes to buying a game... Nintendo has this strange policy of only releasing one Gamecube game a month. Ie, MGS: TTS being pushed back to March so this month the light can shine on Final Fantasy. So it's hard to buy Gamecube games... even when you want to.

I usually go by which controller I think would best suit the game, or if a game has custom soundtrack support.

I really like the wavebird (wireless woo!), and I'd rather support Nintendo than Sony or especially Microsoft...so unless a game is signifigantly better on another system, I buy the port on GC.

*edit*

As others have said - if a game is made with a specific controller in mind (think SSX or THPS) I'll generally get that port.

That's the problem though. Usually the GC gets the short end of the stick on a port. Ie, SSX and Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance.

SSX on ps2 > any other system due to the controller.

I did pick up Beyond Good & Evil for the GC recently though.

I lean towards the Xbox for multiplatform releases as well, but it's mostly due to the fact that everyone in my gaming circle has an Xbox, so it's the most logical choice, as most people are familiar and comfortable with the controller, etc. Plus if someone unlocks a certain feature first, we all get to enjoy it at the same time. We bought a communal memory card for that purpose.

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Originally Posted by BioMechanic

Plus if someone unlocks a certain feature first, we all get to enjoy it at the same time. We bought a communal memory card for that purpose.

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That's a good idea, I'll have to talk to my friends about that one.

D