Need for Speed Underground - Any word on what version is best?

[Will]

they're wrong..
the three versions look exactly the same..
100% identical..

yes, i have spent some time with all 3.

I'm still iffy on that, Gamespy said this

There can be little doubt that NFSU looks nothing short of stellar in motion. EA's GameCube rendition of NFSU looks excellent. It's not quite up to the high standards of the Xbox visuals, and it's doesn't quite nail the visual trickery pulled off by the PS2, but it appears superb nonetheless. Effective lighting and a decent framerate form an amazing sense of speed wrapped up in a highly believable set of course environments. A few gamers here at GameSpy insist that the PS2 game has superior aesthetics to the GameCube and Xbox versions, but whatever your take might be, there's no denying that this kind of eye-candy works incredibly well.

Alot of people say that the PS2 version has better effects and stuff so I'll probably go with that one for a GC vs PS2 version thing.

[Cheebs]

Again, I remember being highly impressed with the PS2 graphics at the in-store kiosk, and the Xbox visuals on the game I own are pretty far from impressive.

None of that stopped me from playing 'til 2:00 in the morning however.

[johnk_]

ok, ok, i'll admit, there was one thing i noticed in the PS2 version that i didn't notice in the xbox or GC versions..
but it had nothing to do with the visuals..

the sounds from the car were a bit better in the PS2 version..

but i maintain that the visuals in all 3 are identical.

c'mon, now.. who you gonna trust.. me or gamespy?

[Master]

Pulled this quote from a gamespot interview with NFS:U's producer:

"Although all the platforms have their strengths and weaknesses, the team wanted to make sure that no platform was shortchanged because we couldn't create a specific technique on a console due to hardware limitations. I know what you're thinking--"Sure, sure, you just don't want to tell us which of your 'kids' is the ugliest." It's really not the case. Sit all four platforms side by side and you'd have a hard time telling me which is which. In our game theaters in the office, where we have all the platforms set up, you oftentimes have to try multiple controllers before you figure out which platform is showing. It's a big win for the consumer, since you usually have to sacrifice something on each platform. The first time we showed the game at E3, we were asked if it was running on an Xbox. It was actually on the PS2."

I hate this shit. Because people want to develop for the lowest common denominator, everything is developed for the PS2 with "minor" graphical improvements for the Gamecube and Xbox. I hate that. Usually the games, when ported to the "other two" systems look slightly better or slightly worse than the PS2 version. This guy thinks his team has accomplished something by making them all look the same? BULLSHIT! People don't buy a game on Xbox or Gamecube for it to be exactly the same as the PS2 version. There should be 3 distinct versions of the game that define the console they are on with their specific strengths and features.

This stuff is shit and it slows progress in so many ways. I hope all of this guys stupid kids turn out ugly. So much for innovation.

"We crippled the other 2 just the right amount so they look EXACTLY like the one running on PS2. HOOORRRAAAAYYYYY!"

I haven't seen all the versions but the guys at the local Gamestop say the GC version looks quite a bit better than the XBox rev, which makes since.

Ummm. Is today opposite day? Nobody told me.

[Roufuss]

I hate this shit. Because people want to develop for the lowest common denominator, everything is developed for the PS2 with "minor" graphical improvements for the Gamecube and Xbox. I hate that. Usually the games, when ported to the "other two" systems look slightly better or slightly worse than the PS2 version. This guy thinks his team has accomplished something by making them all look the same? BULLSHIT! People don't buy a game on Xbox or Gamecube for it to be exactly the same as the PS2 version. There should be 3 distinct versions of the game that define the console they are on with their specific strengths and features.

This stuff is shit and it slows progress in so many ways. I hope all of this guys stupid kids turn out ugly. So much for innovation.

"We crippled the other 2 just the right amount so they look EXACTLY like the one running on PS2. HOOORRRAAAAYYYYY!"
.

You also have to remember EA's prime target is the PS2. They know they'll get the most sales there, it has online play, of course they want to try to make that version the best it can be. Plus EA loves Sony the best, it would seem... every review i've read on any of their multiplatform games has put the ps2 one ahead.

[Cheebs]

I have to agree with Master, but it is even worse than dragging the other two down to PS2 level.

Although all the platforms have their strengths and weaknesses, the team wanted to make sure that no platform was shortchanged because we couldn't create a specific technique on a console due to hardware limitations.

If you read into that, it means they didn't even play to the PS2's strengths..... So it just flat out could have looked better all around. I'm sure they could have gotten the framerate up at least if they tapped into the strengths of each system. I'll take maximizing the visual potential over homogenious-ness accross all three any day. Low res textures and 30 FPS on the Xbox? Sign me up! Still isn't as bad as the Hot Pursuit 2 fiasco, but it's still pretty bad.

At the end of the day I'd be 90 X happier if every game was made as a system exclusive with no intention of porting. Even PS2 exclusives would look better.



And still NFS Underground is a ton of fun. Damn!

[Will]

You also have to remember EA's prime target is the PS2. They know they'll get the most sales there, it has online play, of course they want to try to make that version the best it can be. Plus EA loves Sony the best, it would seem... every review i've read on any of their multiplatform games has put the ps2 one ahead.

Well Freekstyle, NBA Street and MOH Frontline on Gamecube are pretty much the better versions compared to their PS2 versions.

SSX3, SSX Tricky, NFSU, NFS HP2 seem to be all best on PS2 for various reasons so EA's focus on the PS2 versions since they usually sell the best isn't unwarranted.

[Tracer]

I'm going to say, "any but the Xbox version."

PS2 is far and away the better, as with most all EA games.

[Diff-chan]

I haven't seen all the versions but the guys at the local Gamestop say the GC version looks quite a bit better than the XBox rev, which makes since.

Dude quit smoking crack. I realize youre the SUPER NINTENDO FANBOY!!!!!!! but just stop being stupid.

[Cheebs]

I'm going to say, "any but the Xbox version."

PS2 is far and away the better, as with most all EA games.

What does the Cube version have over the Xbox?

As I was playing today I realized one advantage the Xbox has over the other two versions: The controler is 9 times better for racing games. I'm sorry, but you need analogue sholder triggers for racing games ever since the Saturn introduced the concept. While the Cube does have analogue sholder triggers, the "click" is really annoying when trying to slightly ease off the gas.

And yeah, I know you can buy a wheel controller, but as far as stock pads go, I'll take Xbox.