Online Dilema

[ukplumber]

I'm going to take the plunge and go for online gaming. The thing is i only have a Panasonic Q at the moment. I intend to sell it, buy a normal modded GC and with the rest either buy a PS2 or a Xbox for online gaming. I like the look of Fight Night 2004 by EA but that is PS2 online only . I'm not an expert on the whole online thing but isn't there some disagreement between EA and Microsoft regarding online fees? Hence the Xbox version of FN 2004 not being on live. But i'm also salvating at the prospect of PES3 online (if in fact it is live enabled) . By reading these pages it seems Xbox live is the better setup and has more choice, but am i wrong? I'm looking for a bit of advice but i know ultimately it's my choice.

cheers.
P.S i have a Mac, BB conection with Zen and a 4 port router.

*edit* also i've heard if you have your Xbox chipped you cannot use Live?
I would like it chipped for the emulation of old arcade games.

[g-funk]

Personally I think your better off with an Xbox, bigger choice of games and a more secure network. The PS2 DNAS system has just been cracked meaning people can now play backups online, this will lead to a lot of cheating.

Of course if its mainly EA games your interested in then PS2 is your only choice.

Oh and most Xbox chips can be switched off, so your ok with getting a chipped one.

[ukplumber]

Personally I think your better off with an Xbox, bigger choice of games and a more secure network. The PS2 DNAS system has just been cracked meaning people can now play backups online, this will lead to a lot of cheating.

Of course if its mainly EA games your interested in then PS2 is your only choice.

Oh and most Xbox chips can be switched off, so your ok with getting a chipped one.

Cheers G-Funk,

I thought that chipped Xbox machines can now be detected even if the chip is switched off. I read about it in this thread

http://ntsc-uk.domino.org/viewtopic.php?t=17734

[g-funk]

Nah, total rumours mate.

Most people on here who use live have a chipped machine

[ukplumber]

Excellent! That was my only concern.

Now, which machine do i get? Those Crystal babies look nice. Or do i go for a standard black with a few games thrown in????

[g-funk]

I can do you either mate, I could get you a modded "dark green" or a modded crystal one.

Unless you can mod it yourself you'll save yourself some money by buying a premodded one.

[Beelzebot]

I thought that chipped Xbox machines can now be detected even if the chip is switched off. I read about it in this thread

http://ntsc-uk.domino.org/viewtopic.php?t=17734

I think the people who have been detected are those who have alterered the hardware by adding larger hard drives and so on. You'll likely be fine as long as you just get the chip and remember to switch it off when the network cable's connected.

[Brats]

My thoughts on the current online situation:

PS2:

Pros: A few incredibly popular games like FFXI and Socom. Lower costs. EA games available online. Some great games on the horizon like GT4.

Cons: Although a few games are very popular, the others are practically dead. I went online to play Amplitude not so long ago and there were five people playing the game in the whole of Europe . Also, not everyone has headsets, which can make it a bit dull. EA games sound good until you realise most are only 1 vs 1. Some games are not online in Europe.

XBox:

Pros: A much better cross game community, helped by the friends lists and wider selection of games. Voice comms on all games improves the experience 100%. Always loads of people online, even on the older games. Live scoreboards on games like Midway Arcade Treasures, CMR4 and Burnout 2. Some great games on the horizon like Halo 2.

Cons. It costs a bit more. No EA games which means no Burnout 3 . Servers are needed for bigger matches (e.g. 16 player RS3) and they can be a bit scarce.

Gamecube:

Pros: Erm.......PSO 3?

Cons: Nintendo's failure to bring their gorgeous franchises online.

[Beelzebot]

Gamecube:

Cons: Nintendo's failure to bring their gorgeous franchises online.

Can you imagine how good it could've been to have the likes of Wave Race: BS, Mario Kart, Animal Crossing and the rest online. Damn you Nintendo. ft: