NationStates Jolt Archive


PC games vs. console games

New Fubaria
27-10-2004, 06:01
Choose your desiny...flawless victory!
Catholic Germany
27-10-2004, 06:02
Pc Is Better!
Sdaeriji
27-10-2004, 06:04
They both have their merits. PC games generally have better graphics and controls, but you can't knock console games like Super Mario Brothers, Castlevania, The Legend of Zelda, etc. etc.
Cannot think of a name
27-10-2004, 06:15
PC games are for nerds. Only dorks use a spacebar for firing.

Not all console games are brainless, and certainly not button mashing. I play console games because there is this thing, on the otherside of those walls-you can kinda see it through the blinds on your window-the sun. Every now and then I like to be out in it, among other people who don't have text boxes over them telling me how many hitpoints they have and what weapon they carry. But thats just me.

(undeservably harsh, but I hated having to click the unduly harsh console button, so...)
Demostronous
27-10-2004, 06:19
PC
[World of Warcraft :) ]
The Bloody Reaper
27-10-2004, 06:23
BOTH ROCK
The consouls are good for gta and racing games and PCs for online action and stratagy
The Class A Cows
27-10-2004, 06:31
PC games have clunky controls (except for flightsims, and only if you have a joystick) and, even well programmed PC games often have myriads of potential problems due to varying hardware setups. Console games of the current time are dynamic and have sleek controls, they are also far more immersive than PC counterparts. Also, many of their graphics exploit inferior equipment yet still put PC games to shame.

NOTE: RTS and TBS games are no good on consoles.
Kisogo
27-10-2004, 06:34
PC. And GTA is overrated.
Los Banditos
27-10-2004, 06:34
Nothing is greater than playing a multiplayer game and fragging the person sitting next to you. The atomsphere of consoles gets my vote.
Physiognymy
27-10-2004, 06:35
PC gamers are THE hardcore gamers! Why because you can tweak out your computer. Spending 500 dollars on a video card...why? because we love to game. anyone can go out and drop 200 dollars on a console and a game but computer gamers are a devout bunch.
alas...you have a more choices for games on the console. but pc games are all about online gaming. although x-box and ps2 are finally getting that into gear. Now about that bill gates and this dern winders-xp....
Cannot think of a name
27-10-2004, 06:37
PC. And GTA is overrated.
Being overrated is overrated.
(I would have said that about any game, people calling things 'overrated' is a pet peeve)
Demented Hamsters
27-10-2004, 06:43
In console's favour, at least you don't have to worry about spending an hour loading and setting the frigging game up, only to have it crash halfway thru (or during the frigging game when you haven't saved for 40 minutes :mad: ) or find it running wayyyyyy too slow.
In PC's favour, the strategy games are far better.
In console's favour, the screen is much bigger, and if you have a home theatre system, the sounds rock and you can relax and lie on the sofa while playing it. Try doing that with a PC!
In PC's favour, you can get game upgrades and downloads off the 'net which is cool.
Findecano Calaelen
27-10-2004, 08:13
In console's favour, the screen is much bigger, and if you have a home theatre system, the sounds rock and you can relax and lie on the sofa while playing it. Try doing that with a PC!


I do have that set up for my pc, and a projector screen is far from small, although I have my xbox jacked into the same system, so the point is moot I guess
Arcadian Mists
27-10-2004, 08:19
PC here. I actually find a keyboard - mouse configuration smoother than a console controller. I can't stand my brother's XBox version of CS. But aside from that, I like the selection. As far as I'm concerned, PCs have the BEST strategy games, puzzle games, and flight sims. They have the MMO market cornered. Everquest online adventures for PS2 is crap. And even though consoles have better FPS and action games available, many are still available for PC, whereas strategy and puzzle games are really lacking for consoles.

Not to mention, my PC does a hell of a lot more than play games.
Carpage
27-10-2004, 08:33
I'm with ya AM. Mechwarrior 4 Mercenaries is my game of choice and I choose PC gaming and mouse and keyboard over consoles and controllers any day. I have a Super Nintendo somewhere gathering dust, and while it would be easy to go blow a couple hundred on a console, I'd rather spend that on a video card, more RAM or better sound. My PC has better sound than most folks Home Entertainment Centers. If stuff is happening behind me in the game? I hear it in the speakers behind me. PC games go into much more depth than a console ever can, and often times the online gaming part of it is free through places like the MSN Gaming Zone and cyberspot.
Arcadian Mists
27-10-2004, 08:48
I'm with ya AM. Mechwarrior 4 Mercenaries is my game of choice and I choose PC gaming and mouse and keyboard over consoles and controllers any day. I have a Super Nintendo somewhere gathering dust, and while it would be easy to go blow a couple hundred on a console, I'd rather spend that on a video card, more RAM or better sound. My PC has better sound than most folks Home Entertainment Centers. If stuff is happening behind me in the game? I hear it in the speakers behind me. PC games go into much more depth than a console ever can, and often times the online gaming part of it is free through places like the MSN Gaming Zone and cyberspot.

You get a gold star for coolness. I love all of Mechwarrior 4! The first was just cool because of the plot, and mercenaries had a superior element of strategy. But they both had great gameplay!
CSAB
27-10-2004, 09:06
I wouldn't be able to play this site on my X-Box......

PC rules all else.

X-Box, PS, sure they are fun sometimes, but no comparison to mah PC....
Stoners-Paradise
27-10-2004, 09:16
PC because u can do more than just play games with ur computer, plus if u dont want to us space bar u can get joystick or a game type controler.
One advantage consoe has is it is harder to cheat/hack online
BackwoodsSquatches
27-10-2004, 09:19
Everquest II

In Stores Nov. 9th.
Greater Alvashi
27-10-2004, 09:21
BOTH ROCK
The consouls are good for gta and racing games and PCs for online action and stratagy

Actually GTA 3/Vice City came out for PC. And it had improved graphics, skin support, mouse look (Thank god), and many more features. Also, a third party has released several successful attempts to make both multiplayer.
Patoxia
27-10-2004, 09:21
I can't stand my brother's XBox version of CS.

Same here I wish they would have made an other PC version. Crimson Skies PC Rocked. I can't stand not having a throttle and a cockpit, and it just isn't the same without a joystick.

~Former Member Black Sheep Squadron Clan on The Old Gaming Zone.

But anyways on topic...

PC games are usually better in my opinion because you can get new content (and the games themselves often are more customisable) and people can create mods of many games giving them new life.

However Consoles have their place, who doesn't like HALO?
Arcadian Mists
27-10-2004, 09:23
Same here I wish they would have made an other PC version. Crimson Skies PC Rocked.

~Former Member Black Sheep Squadron Clan on The Old Gaming Zone.

But anyways on topic...

PC games are usualy better in my opinion because you can get new content and people can create mods of many games giving them new life.

However Consoles have their place, who doesn't like HALO?

To be fair, Crimson Skies rocks regardless of its form. Even the table top game was cool.
Patoxia
27-10-2004, 09:28
To be fair, Crimson Skies rocks regardless of its form. Even the table top game was cool.

Yeah, your right but I still would perfer to have a Joystick and Throttle when playing a video game version.
Shigoda
27-10-2004, 09:51
The mouse and W-A-S-D i have always found to be better for FPS's than consoles. Much better, aiming using two analog sticks? Uh!
Zhaid
27-10-2004, 10:20
It really all depends on the kind of games you like and the sort of money you want to be spending.

On the money thing :
PC's quite obviously cost a lot more than consoles but on the other hand, the games are sometimes up to 50% cheaper, with gold editions going for as low as 5% of the same game on console, IF it is still being sold. Depending on how often you upgrade your computer and how much games you buy, one or the other will turn out cheaper. Also, do we really have to count in the cost of a computer? Most people have a computer anyway, I think there's a lot more people with ONLY a computer than there are with ONLY a console.

On the game type thin, I personally think PCs are better for :
- Strategy. I don't actually have a PS2 strategy game, but I can't even begin imagining how you're going to manage all those units with a controller.
- D&D-based Roleplaying (BG, IWD, Torment, NWN). Again, too many options to cover with a controller
- FPS. Mouses just work that much smoother than tiny joysticks.

And PS2 for :
- Beat-em-up (there's really no point playing Tekken on the PC)
- FF-based "Roleplaying" (I personally don't call that kind of game roleplaying, but that's another discussion)
- Action Games. I'm not sure how to call them, but here I mean games like Devil May Cry.

Mind, I only covered the kind of games that I play. I know there are much more types, but I shut up about what I don't know. But overall, I think I can conclude that consoles seem to be better for games that have either relatively few basic controls (I'm not talking combo's here).


On a final note, let's not forget that console games are limited in size, and PC games are much less so. Consoles are limited to what they can cram on one disk, whereas computer games often come in boxes with 3,4 or more game data disks. Plus, as many people before me have pointed out, you can download extras, patches and whatnot from the good old net. So PC games are really only bounded by the amount of harddisk space you have. Often, console ports of PC-games miss out on a lot of "extra" stuff this way. Just compare PC-Sims and PS2-Sims if you need an illustration : it has less of everything, except character skins.


Overall, for me, the balance is in the favor of PC games, but I can't agree with the poll's harsh statement. I still enjoy my PS2 a lot, just for totally different types of games.
Kanabia
27-10-2004, 10:29
Only dorks use a spacebar for firing.

Thats true. Theres a thing called a mouse :p

I prefer PC...It's superior in Strategy, Flight Sims, FPS and (most, not all) RPGs. And racing games. Consoles are good for...well, I haven't left much, have I? :p
E B Guvegrra
27-10-2004, 12:18
Each to their own. I prefer PC, but I wouldn't say its better except when it comes to being able to upgrade, mod the game when you've finished it, better controls (can't get the hang of analogue pads, keyboard and mouse and proper full-on joystick work for me), better resolution (compairing regular analogue TV with any decent monitor, though modern plasmas/projecters can usually run both) and the fact that you can claim it's mainly for "home office" use... :)
The console is more stable, less/no OS overhead, controllers/peripherals are more standard, games are guaranteed to work unless you really mess about with the box and (annoyingly, but understandably) they seem to get the games months before the PC version is shipped (if ever), albeit without the later-improvements seen on the PC version.

(In fact, did Driver 2 ever come out on PC? And will DRIV3R ever do so? D2 is old now, but given how the PC version of Driver had superior graphics to its console-buddy I was amazed that they didn't follow-through with the next in the series.)
Cannot think of a name
27-10-2004, 12:23
Thats true. Theres a thing called a mouse :p

I prefer PC...It's superior in Strategy, Flight Sims, FPS and (most, not all) RPGs. And racing games. Consoles are good for...well, I haven't left much, have I? :p
This just points out how bad I am at flamebaiting. I tried to insult you all and you didn't even care.....

Ah, well. I guess that just means I'm a nice guy.....



nerds....
Planta Genestae
27-10-2004, 12:25
Consoles are the best for quick games before a night out i.e. a match on Pro Evolution Soccer 4, a quick race around on F1 etc.

But for really detailed and long term gaming the PC wins hands down every time.
Weybl
27-10-2004, 12:28
Anyone spot a slight bias in the options there? I play a bit of both and i'm by no means a gamer, but i know what i like. I don't like mindless pointless boring first person shooters like Halo, or Counter-Strike. But at the same time i don't like games that take you 3 days to work out the story of. Both PC and Consoles have their fair share of shitty games, although Xbox does have a fair bit more than it's fair share, i sold mine and got a ps2.
TPLAC
27-10-2004, 12:50
They do both have their own merits. Consoles become more completely obsolete, with PCs at least it's only the internal workings that become rubbish. Remember that Atari sitting in your cupboard that was the height of technological advancement?

Consoles are more fun when you've got some friends round - take the gamecube with it's four ports, for instance. It's a complete pain in the arse to lug four PCs including monitors round to one house for a LAN party. On the other hand, people using consoles for FPS games are going to be at a bit of a handicap compared to people playing on PC, especially since you can now link consoles up to the intermaweb. Somebody trying to play Halo with a pad stands no chance against somebody with a mouse and speedpad.
Bayorta
27-10-2004, 13:07
PC Gets my vote. Stupid Console kids stopping REAL technological and game play progress on the PC!!!!!
New Fubaria
28-10-2004, 01:19
Everyone has raised good points.

For me though, I'm PC through and through - I'll tell you my personal reasons:

1.) Nearly every game I love has been designed for the PC. Just about the only exception is the WWE/WWF wrestling games, which seem to be exclusively for consoles.

2.) I don't much like the genres that consoles are "best" for (driving games, arena-type fight games)

3.) Almost anything that can be done on a console can be done on a PC. You can even get adapters that allow you to use PS/X-Box controllers on a PC.

4.) PCs are much more upgradable and personalizable for us tech-heads

5.) Online/LAN gaming - consoles are SADLY lacking in this area

...and yes, I did show some bias in the way I worded the options in the poll, but there's always the "Other" option for those who don't agree with the other choices. ;)
Gaposis
28-10-2004, 03:29
Spending 500 dollars on a video card...why? because we love to game.
....
this is why consoles rock. all you have to do is pay your $150 and you can play every single game that is made for that console. to play most good pc games you have to get the best computer and the best hardware just to play the game. the console comes with everything you need and that is why consoles are better than pc games
Shotagon
28-10-2004, 04:28
PC is better. Mods, patches, actual usefulness besides games, and variety.
Gurnee
28-10-2004, 04:32
i voted PC. They are better overall, minus a few exceptions. Spots, racing, and fighting are better on consoles. Strategy, RTS, and all the rest are better on PC. And besides, fighting games don't count becuase they suck, and most sport and racing games aren't great either. Only a select few are good, whereas most of the RTS and strategy games are quite good. As for 1st person shooters, I could go with either.
New Fubaria
28-10-2004, 06:08
PC is better. Mods, patches, actual usefulness besides games, and variety.
Good call - that's another reason why I love PC games.

With console games, what you get in the box is it...no user made addons, no downloadable missions, no mods...if you want anything more, you have to go out and buy an exapansion pack that sometimes costs as much as the original game.

Maybe when "X-Box Live" gets it's sh*t together, things may be a little different...
Chomo
28-10-2004, 06:20
It is our opinion that the PC is the superior gaming system. Many years ago, this would not have been the case. However, as PCs become faster, and games become larger and more complex, the Consoles are being left in the dust.

The next generation XBOX has commited suicide by not using a HDD.
Playstation3? Who cares anymore? All the good PS2 games are better on a PC, and about half the price!
All the other "also-rans," well, you're "also-rans!"

Though we will admit to an occasional fondness for hooking up the ol' Atari 2600 ( ALL games; ALL controllers! ) to the big screen for parties. What an old-school blast! :D