Versus
GAMECUBE vs XBOX
The Playstation 2 undoubtedly won this generation of console wars leaving Nintendo's recovery attempt and Microsoft's debut to battle for second place using very different approaches. In each RetroWar we'll pit two titans of rivalry against one another as many school kids would do back in the day, weighing up the strengths and weaknesses of each side, arguing in favour of your childhood 'top dog' and sharing your modern day hindsight view on who truly was the greatest.
GAMECUBE
The Purple Cube saw Nintendo produce a powerful console handcuffed by restrictive media format choice once again, all tied up in a little box with a handle on the back. With a strong focus on Nintendo IP but an initial cross section of genres the system was fast out the gate at a still unbelievable launch price of £130. The system delivered stunning looking games like Rogue Squadron II at launch but stumbled a little due to the controversy of Zelda's art style, Mario Kart's first real disappointing entry and a mixed reaction to the mainline Mario missing launch and not being entirely up to scratch either in the end.
XBOX
Microsofts console performed in inverted fashion to the Gamecube. Here the system hit the ground with its face at launch and beset by several issues including having to give buyers free games as compensation MS had its work cut out but pulling games like Splinter Cell to the system proved a turning point as they showcased the advantages the hardware had over its rivals. Microsoft made hard pushes to address each area of concern and mostly managed it seeing the systems fortunes turn around during its short life.
THE DEBATE
Two consoles battling for their corner of the market and ending fairly close to one another in terms of eventual sales but with very different legacies:
-Which of the two systems was the better hardware experience?
-Which had the best software lineup in hindsight?
-What are your defining memories of each?
Defend Your Favourite - Defeat Your Rival
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