Gather 'round all ye sages.  Ian needs some advice.  After much psychic tribulation and emotional finger-pointing, the missus and I have tentatively agreed to buy a console game system for our two children.  Now, I've also found a good deal on either a Play Station 2 or an Xbox, both for essentially the same price.  Yes, yes, I know that the PS3 just came out -- I assume that's why I found a good deal on the PS2. Yes, I know that the Wii is supercool, but they're plumb sold out all across town (and cost significantly more).

In your personal experience, which is the better system in the long run?  The PS2 or the Xbox?  Bear in mind that this is with a mind toward two small children, so children's/young folk' titles are important.  They're both mad fanatics for Pokemon.

!i!

ps2.  bigger library of titles.

how about a game cube?  that's even more kid-friendly IIRC IMO.

Quote from: beeberps2.  bigger library of titles.

And a bunch of titles that are getting dumped onto the used market along with the introduction of the PS3.

Quotehow about a game cube?

And the predecessor to the Wii, no?  I think I saw a used one for about $30.

!i!

Disclaimer: I write video games for Sony. There's no reason for me to point this out, actually. I just like doing it.

All three current-gen systems (Playstation 2, Xbox, GameCube) have been replaced by next-gen counterparts (PS3, X360, Wii). Consequently, each will feature a large library of games at reasonable prices.

PS2: The weakest of the three systems, and yet the most successful. Boasts the largest game library. Features a few prominent kid-focused brands (Spyro, for example).

Xbox: The most powerful of the three systems. A decent selection of games, but few of them are rated E (suitable for Everyone -- i.e., kid-friendly).

Gamecube: Probably your best bet. A massive quantity of E-rated games, including four Pokémon titles and a dozen Mario/Luigi games. Some well-received E-rated games include:

• Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
• SSX 3
• Super Mario Sunshine
• Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
• Pikmin 2
• Super Monkey Ball
• Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

And when the kids go to bed, there's some great content for the grown-ups, including a bunch of sports games (pick your franchise, it's in there) and a whole lot of horror (Resident Evil series, Eternal Darkness, and so forth).

Hope that helps!

-- Rafael

My choice is also the PS2. I also recomend a Gamecube

The PS2 not only has a larger library, it's still being supported with new software. There's plenty of Kid-Friendly titles.

But none of the E rated ones are as good as Nintendos. Nintendo games are not just good for kids, they do a great job of making them fun for everybody.

PS2 is really the best choice for that generation of consoles.  There are some excellent Gamecube exclusive games, and the Xbox always has the best versions of games that are ported to all three systems, but the PS2 has a massive library covering all genres.

If you're looking for kid friendly titles, the best, and always best option, is to buy the nintendo console, and just buy all their games except for Metroid.  

Nobody else comes close on that front.  The PS2 has some games in that5 arena, but they're dismal in quality compared to Nintendo's gigantism on that front, and the Xbox is largely aimed at the hardcore, PC-replacement crowd with a lineup of largely FPS ports to match.