What does the Xbox have that sets it apart from other gaming platforms? It seems like virtually every halfway decent game that comes out for the system is also released for the PC or the other consoles, whereas those other platforms all have many high-quality, unique games and distinguishing features. So why would I want to drop $150 on one of these? Am I missing something?

It's a more powerful system than the PS2. And many people don't like playing games on their PC. They'd rather get with a group of friends, playing on their couch in front of the big HD TV. You can argue that the PS2 might have more exclusive games (though I'm not sure that's totally accurate), but the Xbox console-exclusives, including Halo, KOTOR, and Ninja Gaiden have been pretty spectacular. And ask anyone with an Xbox, PS2, and GameCube about what console looks the best when playing a multi-platform game like Soul Calibur 2...I think most are going to agree that it's the Xbox.

Xbox Live - the best set up infrastructure for online console gaming.

Hardrive - No need for memory cards, massive storage, capability of custom soundtracks ripped from CD.

Great game support - Good exclusives (Halo, KotOR, Ninja Gaiden, Morrowind) plus plenty of third part support.

Most power.

Well thought out design - easy for developers to program for, little but important things like long controller cords and the quick release, easy to navigate operating system.

It's a PC that runs on a TV with a controller.

The main market for Xbox is 18-24 Males who are angry at the world. That, or people who can't afford a PC or don't know how to run one.

When your console can have the hard drive, dvd drive, ram, cpu and ide cables upgraded, then you know it's a PC.

Ok, I get it. It's for people who don't own a computer, or at least don't have the technical knowhow to connect their computer to an HDTV and install a joystick for some games. Not aimed at people like me.

By the way, Member27, a decent PC beats out the XBox on every one of those points. I will grant you that the new Ninja Gaiden is incredibly badass, but I don't think it's good enough to justify the system cost on top of it.

Yes, a cutting edge PC can do better graphics than xbox. But consider that PC games have to be written to be playable on the lowest-common-denominator machines whereas graphics can be optimized for xbox. Also consider that a cutting-edge gaming PC is about 10 times the cost of xbox at $149. It's not a matter of "can't afford" a PC but why pay extra? Doom 3 on Xbox looks great!

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Originally posted by unless:
By the way, Member27, a decent PC beats out the XBox on every one of those points. I will grant you that the new Ninja Gaiden is incredibly badass, but I don't think it's good enough to justify the system cost on top of it.

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Yea, but can you get a high end PC system for $150.

I'agree most titles seem to be released for all platforms nowadays. It has most certainly been a while since I've seen the "Only For X-Box" sticker on the cover.
The only developers I can think of still releasing titles exclusively for the X-Box are Microsoft Game Studios and that's not enough to seperate the console from both PS2 and GC in my book, even though stuff like say "Top Spin" are still excellent.
However, whenever I have a choice I do tend to purchase the titles for the x-box as opposed to the others. This is mostly because of graphical issues (more often than not, I can't really see the difference though) and the ability so save directly on the HD.

I personally think it is worth owning an Xbox to play Amped 2. Its a very underrated game IMO, especially compared with the SSX series.

Most TECMO (and all Team Ninja) games are only for Xbox. That right there is enough to justify the purchase. They work that machine like no one else.

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Originally posted by unless:
Ok, I get it. It's for people who don't own a computer, or at least don't have the technical knowhow to connect their computer to an HDTV and install a joystick for some games. Not aimed at people like me.

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I own both and having a computer tech-related career should mean I have the "technical knowhow". I know you didn't mean what you said to be insulting, but it kind of comes across that way. No biggie though.

Anyway, I enjoy both. I have each in a separate location of the house. My PC is in a furnished basement and allows me to play games loudly at night. The XBox is in the family room (which my wife would not allow a relatively bulky PC) and hooked up to the HDTV. It stows nicely in my entertainment stand.

You might want to get an XBox for these reasons.

• If you're like me, you may want more than one gaming location in the house.
• If you got an XBox for your second system, then there are a lot of games you could play that don't ever get made for PC. Some of them, you might really enjoy.
• The XBox is the only console capable of true HDTV gaming and DD5.1 audio. (480p is not HDTV, only 720p and higher are). This makes the most of your home theater then you'll ever get with a PS2 or GameCube.
• It has the best online game service of all consoles.

Basically, the XBox is a great second game system for you to own and allows you to play games that you can't otherwise get for the PC.

Justify its existence? While you're at it why not justify the existence of the Gamecube, PS2, or any other console gaming system for that matter? By your logic, you're basically saying that console gaming systems need not exist, as long as we have computers.

K-Dog

Well, let's put it this way.
I don't mind spending cash.
I can walk into a store RIGHT NOW and pick up Splinter Cell 1 and 2, KoToR, Halo, GTA 3/VC for the PC. On my GameCube I already have SC1, PoP and a bunch of other top titles.

The real reasons to get an Xbox are for:
First person shooters without keyboards
Project Gotham Racing 1/2
Mechassualt
Sega / Tecmo buy offs. (Tecmo's website had a poll 2 years ago for what console the next Ninja Gaiden should be on. GameCube won by a landslide, where's that version?)
Early games than everyone else
Online gameplay

If those games don't appeal to you, don't feel guilty. You aren't in their demographic. Although I would't get too attached for exclusive RPGs and Japanese titles, considering True Fantasy Live Online was cancelled and the presence in Japan is hardly successful. Peter Molyneux himself said in IRC chat that he'd like to see a PC version of Fable.

Maddox put it best but I think that about covers it.

In response to those who said that a high-end PC can run anything an Xbox can, I have a laptop with 512 RAM, a GeForce 4200 Go, and a 2.4 Ghz Pentium 4, and Halo still doesn't run as well as it does on the Xbox. A suitable PC would cost, as JCKnife mentioned, about ten times as much as an Xbox.

To add one more point... With most Xbox games, you don't have to worry about patches. I hate the fact that PC games are virtually never "finished" when sent to shelves. Console game developers have to get it right the first time, and that's nice. And no messy installations.

The XBox is Ok (only just). It is massive, the controllers are huge, with hard buttons (A,B), the gtraphics are no better than the PS2 (when it is more expensive). the HDD idea is sick, but remember that Microsoft had a couple of years after the PS2 was released to tweak the XBox to cane the PS2. I think that the PS2 still wins to superior technology. PS2 over XBox any day

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Originally posted by Mondialo2k:
The XBox is Ok (only just). It is massive, the controllers are huge, with hard buttons (A,B), the gtraphics are no better than the PS2 (when it is more expensive). the HDD idea is sick, but remember that Microsoft had a couple of years after the PS2 was released to tweak the XBox to cane the PS2. I think that the PS2 still wins to superior technology. PS2 over XBox any day

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Xbox whoops the PS2 on the technological front. Accept it.

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Originally posted by Mondialo2k:
The XBox is Ok (only just). It is massive, the controllers are huge, with hard buttons (A,B), the gtraphics are no better than the PS2 (when it is more expensive). the HDD idea is sick, but remember that Microsoft had a couple of years after the PS2 was released to tweak the XBox to cane the PS2. I think that the PS2 still wins to superior technology. PS2 over XBox any day

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WHAT!?!?!?! PS2's graphics are only slightly better than new N64 games (Conker). Whereas XBOX kicks some serious arse in the graphics dept. So what if Xbox had time to fine tune! Sony could have held the release of the PS2 if it wanted to and "fine tuned".

Mondialo2k you are really ignoarant when it comes to gaming and you should check your "facts" before you post.

Facts Shmacts, if I wanted superior graphics I would just play my PC, where I don't have to pay for anything. PS2 is more fun in my mind, and as this is an opinion thread, I do not think that I am ignorant for saying what I believe.