AboutOctane Expertise I can Answer Video Game Compatability Problems (PAL, NTSC, JAP) for Atari 2600, 5200, NES, Super Nintendo/SFC, N64, Gamecube, Wii, Gameboy, GBA, DS, Sega Master System, Sega Mega Drive/Genisis, Game Gear, Mega CD, Nomad, Saturn, Dreamcast, Lynx, Jagura, Philips CDI, 3DO, Playstation, PS2, PSP and Xbox. Plus Ways around them to play wrong regions games on most consoles.
I also have an extensive knowledge of service and repair with most home consoles as well as arcade/pinball machines.
I have a reasonable general knowledge of most new to older games (I personally own about 1000 games and almost every console known to man.)
Experience Playstation, SNES, SATURN, Genisis/MD, NES, MS conversions. Controler conversions SNES to NES. Game conversion. Multi Carts. Remix and re-wire. PSP repair. Arcade building and customising. Video Game repair
Question Hello. I am a bit perplexed at the moment regarding which game system to purchase, and I was wondering if you had any advice. Finances are quite restricted, so unfortunately, this is definitely limiting. The trouble is, I can only really afford a portable system. However, ultimately, I prefer the experience of the “regular” systems (I don’t know specific terminology for distinguishing the ones that are not portable). Especially for someone who did not get into video games that intensely, to start out, it seems it would be more beneficial to play games in which I am better engaged in what I am playing (with the sound and the visual breadth of the experience, especially). Way back when the GameBoy Pocket came out (yes, I know, that's ages away now), I never did play it as often as I would have liked because it was too difficult to concentrate on what I was doing, especially with the screen size and graphic limitations (granted, I do realize graphics have improved enormously since then). I can see how a portable system could be fun and useful when out and about (on trips, waiting in a doctor’s office, etc.) but for more engaged playing, especially for the types of games I would like to play, and how I tend to interpret audio/visual stimuli personally, I think one of the other systems would be best for me. I am wondering about several options. - If I should get a used Playstation 2 (I really like many of the games it offers), even though it is now becoming obsolete. - If I should get a used XBox 360, - Or if I should simply just stick it out with a portable system.
I prefer games that are interesting, thought-provoking, and sometimes even unique. I don’t care for incredibly graphic gore and violence. From what I have played, I enjoy a variety of different genres, but some of the ones I really enjoy are fighting games (like TEKKEN and Street Fighter), racing games, and role-playing games.
What do you suggest I do?
Answer Gday Dominik,
I think with your criteria layed down for me was narrowed down the pick to 2.
A console based system would be the PS2. For the price you can buy a new system for under $100. (Heck it been outselling the PS3 lately) It has a huge library of the games you want like fighting, racing and roleplaying. Its a fairly proven system without some of the problems the Xbox systems have. Admittedly it is getting long in the tooth and support/games may stop around the end of 2010 but if you don't want to get technology just for technology sake I don't see you major stores dropping game support for it until a year after Sony stops making the thing. It a good system.
The handheld would be the Nintendo DS. Admittedly things have changed a fair bit since the gameboy pocket. Which where a pain to play because of size and the fact of no backlighting, but technology has changed since them, the DS is everything the Gameboy pocket was not. The DS fits into your budget. Compatible with both DS, DSi and GBA games so you have a fairly huge library of games. Admittedly it has a smaller range of racing and fighting games. But has a huge amount of role-playing and a high number of interesting, thought-provoking, and unique games. Battery life is good, durability if excellent, its quite friendly to use, fits nicely in you hands. My Girlfriend has one and she is not a traditional gamer but loves the thing. (Most if not all games she has she plays with the touch screen only with the stylus and never uses the D-pad or buttons)
My suggest is trial both at a game store. Have a look at the selection of games available. Trial a couple of them. Factor you budget into big picture. Then decide if you will get more use playing on the go or playing at a fixed location. Then choose the gaming system based on that.
Hope this helps you in picking the perfect gaming system for you.
