With the unveiling of the Xbox and the Gamecube this week, many people are wondering exactly what benefits there are in each system. Both are offering a realistic price, maintaining the same $200-$300 price range of predecessors like Playstation 2 and Dreamcast. Microsoft’s Xbox is hefty compared to the Gamecube, establishing itself a main component in home entertainment centers, while the Gamecube is perfect for toting over to a buddy’s house for some after school Mario Bros action. The Xbox offers more functions, like DVD and Internet, but additional accessories not included with the basic unit are required. Nintendo’s Gamecube has the family-oriented, younger market cornered. With twenty years of proven franchising success, Nintendo has created games that begat cartoons, T-shirts, and breakfast cereals. Xbox has a different approach, appealing to an older market with games catering to older teens and adults. As the new gaming contender, Microsoft is coming out of the corner swinging, offering bigger, better, faster and more. Television sets have a limited capability to really showcase improved graphics and definition, so the real test will ultimately be in the content and quality of the games offered for each system.
Cost
Xbox- $299 for basic unit plus one controller
Gamecube- $199 for basic unit plus one controller
Size
Xbox- 3.5×12.7×10.25 inches, 8 pounds
Gamecube-4.3×5.9×6.3 inches, 3 pounds
Extras
Xbox- Plays DVDs, with purchase of extra accessory
Internet access, through DSL and cable modem only
Gamecube- Internet access, 56K modem only, planned for 2002
Games
Xbox- NFL Fever 2002, Nightcaster, Profect Gotham Racing, Halo
Gamecube- NFL QB Club 2002, Super Monkey Ball, Luigi’s Mansion, Pikim
Memory
Xbox-
Hard drive- 64 MB
Portable Storage- 8 MB memory card
Processor- 733 MHz
Gamecube-
Hard drive- 43 MB
Portable storage- 4MB digicard
Processor- 405 MHz
