The Microsoft Xbox versus Sony PlayStation feud has now spanned multiple decades. Though the PlayStation 1 originally competed with the Sega Dreamcast, the original Xbox was the direct competitor for Sony’s follow-up console.
While both consoles offered similar features on the surface, many differences set the two systems apart. This led to the fierce loyalty of fans and subsequent feud over which console producer was better.
Both consoles ran at 128-bits — double the bit rate of fifth-generation consoles — and cost $300. Despite the higher cost, users got incredible graphics for the time and much more processing power than ever before. It also opened the door for many new types of video games from Dance Dance Revolution to RPGs with impressive open worlds. But which console was better: the original Xbox or the PS2?
10 PS2: Launched First
Fans might not remember, but the PS2 launched before the Xbox in March of 2000. The Xbox would not come out until more than a year later, launching in November 2001. This might not mean much anymore, but gaming, consoles, and pricing have all changed dramatically. If one console launched before another, it could leverage its established reputation to gain an edge over an unproven product.
Though it outsold the PS2 in its first month after lunch, the Xbox posted poor numbers outside North America. The PS2, on the other hand, reached about 100 million units sold by 2005. It would go on to sell another 55 million units and remained the fastest-selling console in the world until the PS4 released.
9 Xbox: Had 2x Memory & Processing Power
Of the sixth-generation consoles, the Xbox was unequivocally the most powerful. It had an internal hard drive instead of memory cards with 8 – 10 GB of memory. Not only did this reduce load times for games, but it also allowed for custom game soundtracks to be played too.
The custom 733 Mhz Intel processor was actually capable of displaying up to 1080i. The system also used an Nvidia GeForce 3-based NV2A GPU, as well. Microsoft also got Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to talk up the console’s processing prowess, so…there’s that.
8 PS2: Backwards Compatibility
By simple virtue of having had a release before it, the PS2 had a naturally longer list of game titles than the Xbox. This meant that people who upgraded from the PS1 to the PS2 could still play their PS1 games on their new system. Not only did this work well for Sony as the console producer, but also for game developers.
They were already familiar with how the PlayStation worked with the Emotion Engine. This meant that they would need updates rather than totally different workflows or technology for new games. Developers could also better create games in an already established world with better continuity.
7 Xbox: Halo
This might have been the Xbox’s number one advantage over anything Sony could produce (and may still be). The Halo series originated with Halo: Combat Evolved, a hard sci-fi first-person shooter from developer Bungie. The launch title featured a 3D environment, vehicles, a HUD, a motion tracker, a unique campaign, and more.
However, what really attracted people to the title was the split-screen co-op mode. It offered five competitive modes for two to 16 players utilizing a “System Link” and a LAN connection. Mario Kart and similar games finally had serious competition for party games.
6 PS2: Grand Theft Auto
The PS2 carried dozens of unique and original titles that the Xbox did not carry. Shadow of the Colossus, Jak and Daxter, God of War, and Devil May Cry were just a few of the console’s heavy hitters. However, nothing defined the PS2 quite like Rockstar’s now-infamous game series Grand Theft Auto. Though the first game might be a bit rough by today’s standards, GTA III and GTA: Vice City stand out as some of the best games ever made.
The franchise showcased good graphics, destructible items, engaging stories with realistic characters, and amazing soundtracks. The fictionalized cities also felt extra alive since they resembled cities in the real world like Miami, New York, and Los Angeles.
5 Xbox: Easily Hacked
One of the biggest changes the PS2 made after its initial launch was the addition of the PS2 Network Adaptor package. This allowed PS2 owners to play games that required online connections such as SOCOM. Xbox launched its own hardware pack for online gaming, but plenty of players saw fit to alter their own consoles to suit their various needs.
Modders could “softmod” the console to gain access to the entire power of the Xbox. They could even install separate operating systems onto the console. This allowed players to keep backups for their games, but some modders were banned from Xbox Live as a result of their activities.
4 PS2: Final Fantasy
On the opposite spectrum of GTA lay the long-time franchise associated with Sony: Final Fantasy. Though the first games in the series released on Nintendo systems, later entries became PlayStation exclusives. The PS2 could play all of the industry-changing games from the PS1 like Final Fantasy VII, but it debuted its own titles in the series that blew fans away.
Final Fantasy X featured graphics like never before, higher fidelity environments, a better soundtrack, and tons of voice acting. Square Enix also launched its first MMORPG in the form of Final Fantasy XI, but it was Final Fantasy XII that would show what the developers could really do.
It looked fantastic on the PS2 but had been developed with High-Definition (HD) graphics in mind. This explains why remastered versions of Final Fantasy XII look better in comparison to other games from the same era.
3 Xbox: Spiritual Successor To The Sega Dreamcast
This designation is by no means an official one, but many fans regard it as an accepted myth. After all, even if the Dreamcast was its last console, Sega was technically a competitor in the video game space. The reason why some Xbox fans connect the two consoles is two-fold.
Firstly, Shenmue II, a game originally found on the Dreamcast, released on the original Xbox and not the PS2. Microsoft also had plans for Xbox Live which echoed the fact that the Dreamcast was the first console to have online capabilities.
2 PS2: Better Quality DVD Playback
This generation really marked the transition from strictly game consoles to entertainment centers. On top of offering an extensive library of games, the PS2 could also play all of a person’s favorite DVDs. This alleviated the added cost of DVD players for some families, as well, since the PS2 could serve a dual function.
In contrast, the Xbox had DVD playback capabilities natively but did not allow it at launch. Users needed to buy a separate “DVD Movie Playback Kit” to unlock the feature.
1 Xbox: Xbox Live
Though it did not originally ship with online support, Microsoft changed the video games experience forever with the Xbox Live release in 2002. The subscription-based service delivered an all-in-one social tool for friends lists, voice chat, and more.
It enabled online gaming and downloadable content, as well. No other console of this generation could stake the same claim. This gave rise to revolutionary online games like Halo 2 and Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory.
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