XBox vs. PS2: Which was more reliable / easier to live with?

[courtesi96]

I apologize in advance if these consoles shouldn't be in in the Classic section however if you read the systems for the Modern forum they are not in there either.

 

Anyway, after digging up some old Computer War games I've kind of got sucked into this genre so of course I want to try out the Daisenryaku series.

 

There was a version for the Xbox and PS2 - and so that is where I'm at.

 

I'd like to get one of these consoles but prefer to stick with the one that will A) Give me the least amount of problems and B) If it does develop problems it will be easy to fix.

 

Any input would be appreciated!

 

Please note if I should stick with a specific model #/type within each console if I need to know that.

Edited June 17, 2017 by courtesi96

[keepdreamin]

well, Panzer Dragoon Orta isn't on PS2. so.... yeah

[courtesi96]

well, Panzer Dragoon Orta isn't on PS2. so.... yeah

 

Right now I want to stick to console hardware quality - game availability 2nd.

[Eltigro]

I haven't had any trouble with either my PS2 or my XBox. I don't know specifically about any issues with hardware, but it seems to me that if something happens to your system, it's much easier to replace a PS2 than an XBox. Just seems to be so many more of them available.

[HoshiChiri]

By my experience, you'd want a PS2.

 

-Both systems can be drone to drive/laser issues (especially with older units.) BUT- when an Xbox drive dies, the tray often quits ejecting. PS2s just stop reading discs. So you're less likely to lose a game to a stuck disc tray.

-PS2s seems easier to repair. With a PS2 you usually just need a new laser. Xboxes often need to whole drive swapped out.

-Secondhand Xboxes have often been modded at some point, making it harder to pinpoint issues.

-As stated, used PS2s seem more common. In my area, they're really about even, but I'm deep in Microsoft country. Plus the PS2s are usually cheaper.

-PS2 controllers are cheaper/easier to find in complete working condition.

[SignGuy81]

If you get a PS2 I recommend getting a fat PS2, a network adapter(needed for the hard drive) and a hard drive, and get free mcboot on a memory card and get HD Loader. This will help prevent extra wear and tear on the disc drive/discs.

[Flojomojo]

If you want the value and diversity of old games but not so old as to be truly classic (especially since you don't seem set on one or the other), I would just get a PS3 or Xbox 360. Many of the same genres, except with generally superior sequels, with better availability and technical specs.

[Rick Dangerous]

Much more into the Xbox at the time, but never got a XB360 or Xbone, and still play my PS2 fat a bunch so..... Xbox for me, but much more respect for sony as a company overall.

[courtesi96]

If you want the value and diversity of old games but not so old as to be truly classic (especially since you don't seem set on one or the other), I would just get a PS3 or Xbox 360. Many of the same genres, except with generally superior sequels, with better availability and technical specs.

 

While it's true Daisenryaku Perfect HD came out on the PS3 it's not in physical format which means it can be pulled whenever Sony wants to and/or die when the console dies.

 

Also some fans feel that Daisenryaku VII is superior in some ways.

 

I know it sounds wrong to own a console for just one game but oh well.

 

Does anyone know of a business or individual that provides "fat" PS2 restoration units with the HD mod?

[Osgeld]

personal experiance, my xbox far outlasted my ps2, but the xbox has a lot more that can go wrong with it, ie if you dont know your lock/unlock code and the hard drive takes a dump you are pretty much SOL without a mod chip

[SignGuy81]

 

While it's true Daisenryaku Perfect HD came out on the PS3 it's not in physical format which means it can be pulled whenever Sony wants to and/or die when the console dies.

 

Also some fans feel that Daisenryaku VII is superior in some ways.

 

I know it sounds wrong to own a console for just one game but oh well.

 

Does anyone know of a business or individual that provides "fat" PS2 restoration units with the HD mod?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-Playstation-PS2-Hard-Drive-SATA-Adapter-No-Network-with-Free-McBoot-Memory-/192213529909?hash=item2cc0d1b535:g:RF4AAOSwls5Y6m-y

 

Just found this I guess you don't need a network adapter.

 

EDIT:

 

This wasn't available back when I did my ps2, and had to use network adapter and an ide drive, this one lets you use sata drives, and comes with free mcboot mem card.

Edited June 18, 2017 by SignGuy81

[juansolo]

 

Right now I want to stick to console hardware quality - game availability 2nd.

 

 

You can pick both up for buttons, same goes for the games on both platforms. They're at the point currently where I'm buying them in batches of 10 for less than a tenner. Also both are soft-moddable which makes life easy for us in the UK that missed out on a load of US and Jap stuff.

 

Both awesome systems each with it's own exclusives that are worth the tiny current price of admission.

Edited June 18, 2017 by juansolo

[Metal Jesus]

The ability to put the XBMC interface on the original Xbox with a 500GB hard drive and then copy all your games to it, is pretty freakin awesome! Also most games support 480i which still look great on a modern HDTV

[SignGuy81]

I just looked to see if the series you wanted had a 480p option for ps2 and couldn't find it, but there is a list here

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_PlayStation_2_games_with_alternate_display_modes

 

of games with 480p mode on the PS2, some even 1080i

 

It doesn't have Daisenryaku listed.

 

Tomb Raider Legend for PS2 looks amazing in 480p on a new TV.

 

If you are in to emulators as well for other systems I believe also that you will be more happy with Xbox, although there are some for PS2.

 

EDIT:

 

I also found Dai Senryaku VII: Modern Military Tactics

 

on a list for Xbox with alternate display modes and that one on Xbox has a 480p alternate mode,

list found here

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Xbox_games_with_alternate_display_modes

 

so if that game is one of main games you want to play I would do Xbox just to be able to play that game in its absolute best resolution

Edited June 18, 2017 by SignGuy81

[Osgeld]

If you are in to emulators as well for other systems I believe also that you will be more happy with Xbox

 

 

That's what I do with mine, though the games only support modes of progressive scan, almost all the emulators will go up to 720p or 1080i, which is nice for a machine of its age, though its less of a ohh ahh nowday's

 

edit: ps: what MJ said is nice with a modded machine it is rather handy having your games loaded on the hard drive

Edited June 18, 2017 by Osgeld

[Gamemoose]

Xbox drive sticking I discovered is an easy fix if you aren't afraid to open the DVD drive. Once apart, tray open (there's a latch or some mechanism to open the drive) and you can see the drive belt, spritz some belt dressing on it. Move the tray back and forth to work the spray into the rubber and there you go.

 

That was the only issue I ever had woth Xboxes but learned that trick way too late.

[Austin]

Generally speaking, the PS2 (fat model) had a much higher failure rate than the original XBOX, although failures were still a thing there too.

[NE146]

I have 11 Xboxes.. (snagged a whole bunch for quick softmodding when they were $25 or so ) and one single PS2. The PS2 still works fine.. although the hard drive i put in it went to heaven some time ago. The thing about the Xboxes.. they seem rock solid as well, except on many of my devices the DVD ROM started malfunctioning and would do things like refuse to open up, etc, although it isn't a problem since I barely use it that way.

[SignGuy81]

It really can be an issue, but I have gotten two PS2s before on different occasions and was told the laser was bad/failing, wouldn't read PS1 discs. I took the things apart, cleaned the lens with q-tip and alcohol, and tried and they worked perfect and still using one to this day. I would imagine a lot of PS2s(especially fat PS2s because the lens isn't right there easy to clean) that have been determined to have a bad laser was only because of that.

[RodLightning]

Isn't there a battery backup capacitor in the original Xbox that can leak and needs to be removed? I have been wanting to open up the ones I have stored away to see if there is any damage. Otherwise, the Xbox is great fun and my first preference, especially with a hard or soft mod.

 

As for the PS2, I got a slim model not long ago and it works great after thorough cleaning and disassembly. The rear door switch was not closing properly to let discs spin up. It's working 100% now and I'm pleased with it. Very little space is needed for the slim model and I have started building a small collection of games. It's a good time price-wise to buy PS2 games and accessories. I'm sure that will change soon enough.

[Mulletino]

If you get a PS2 I recommend getting a fat PS2, a network adapter(needed for the hard drive) and a hard drive, and get free mcboot on a memory card and get HD Loader. This will help prevent extra wear and tear on the disc drive/discs.

 

This.

 

My original (phat) PS2 is still going strong with a HDD inside. It got heaps of use and even made the journey from the UK to Australia in my hand luggage with no issues.

Edited June 19, 2017 by Mulletino

[Silverfleet]

My original fat PS2 died a couple years after I bought it. It was an early one, and had the dreaded "Disc Read Error" thing going on. That sucked. Then, I bought a Slim, and I've had that ever since and it's been great.

 

I was a late adopter to the OG Xbox. Originally, I thought it was dumb and wanted no part of it, and chose a GameCube over it to go with my PS2. I actually won mine in a contest back when I was slinging auto parts at an AutoZone in college. Our store won some contest for selling the most spark plugs, and we had a choice of a Bosch tool kit or a Xbox with Project Gotham Racing 2, Rallisport Challenge 2, and the Xbox Live kit with Crimson Skies. That was a no brainer! Turns out that I loved the damn thing, and I still do. I recently set it back up in my game room and have been playing it a lot. Mine was a later build, and has never had any issues. I have a pile of them as well, and I find that the earlier ones can have issues with the disc drives. I have one that I recently acquired that works, except the drive tray has trouble opening.

 

As far as the games go... I feel that the PS2 library is not only bigger, but it's better AND is backwards compatible. That said, anything that is on both consoles is usually better on the Xbox. And the Xbox has a great library of it's own.

 

It's a tough call. If you could do both, do that! Either version of the PS2 fits nicely right on top of the giant that is the OG Xbox. You can't go wrong with either one.

[xenomorpher]

-PS2s seems easier to repair. With a PS2 you usually just need a new laser. Xboxes often need to whole drive swapped out.

 

Swapping a drive is much easier than installing a new laser. Plus opening the Xbox is very easy and not crowded. You'll need a torx screwdriver though.

 

 

 

If you mod the Xbox and install a bigger hard drive, you rarely even need to use the dvd drive. You can also mod the original PS2 and run games off a hard drive. PS2 systems seem to be less reliable, though I've had no problems with mine for 15 plus years. One of my Xbox systems had a bad dvd drive, Philips brand, but it's an easy fix if it happens. Like my 360, my one Xbox dvd drive sticks and sometimes won't open. Tapping the door helps but leaving a disc in the drive makes it work all the time for me. Never had any issues like this for my PS2 though but judging from what I've read online, I'm pretty lucky. Eventually you should get both, but I'd trust a used Xbox over a used PS2. Plus you can do a lot more with it if you mod it. Make sure the system is dust free inside and works before buying either.

Edited June 19, 2017 by xenomorpher

[Austin]

Isn't there a battery backup capacitor in the original Xbox that can leak and needs to be removed? I have been wanting to open up the ones I have stored away to see if there is any damage. Otherwise, the Xbox is great fun and my first preference, especially with a hard or soft mod.

 

Certain models have this cap, yes, but not all. Thanks for the reminder--I need to check to see if my model is one of the affected ones, and if so I need to go in and replace it.

[Video]

Ive got both and while my ps2 sounds like crap its still kicking. My day one Xbox still works but the DVD is going out and I never can get a straight answer as to weather I can just replace it or not. Then again, I played ps2 way less, and mostly cause it was more reliable than a psx, while my Xbox got about 8 hours a day for a solid 5 years, I literally wore it out.

 

I've heard ps2 fat is unreliable, but mine still works. Of the two I can tell you which one feels more fragile.