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View Full Version : NFL2k3 HAS TOPPLED EAs MADDEN, AND XBOX HAS THE BEST VERSION!!!!!!



faceoff508
08-22-2002, 09:46 AM
READ THIS, compares all the versions of NFL 2k3 and Xbox version is the best:


NFL 2K3 (PS2, GCN, Xbox)
NFL 2K3 has finally succeeded in doing what no other sports (except possibly EA's own NCAA Football ) game could... it has toppled Madden. For football purists, there's nothing better than 2K3's realistic gameplay, stingy AI, and mega-deep Franchise mode.

But perhaps you own more than system and don't know which is the best. That's where we come in. This head-to-head is designed to help you sort out which controls the best, which game has the best picture and sound, and what versions can get online (if you're into that sort of thing). Bear in mind that all three versions are great. If you roll with one system, you'll be happy with whatever version you buy. But if you're in a pinch, we'll help you make one of the toughest decisions of your life.

Control
The PS2 has the best sports controller around, period, and it's especially good for football. One advantage it has is that the paddle has basically been around since the PSX launched, so there's been a lot of tweaking to make it the sweetest controller around. It's the best for playing 2K3, too, although Xbox comes in a close second.

Luckily, on both Xbox and Cube, the trigger buttons are assigned to passing, so you don't have to try to find the bean buttons on the Cube or the small black and white buttons on the Xbox. Still, passing with a trigger is not as nice as passing with the shoulder buttons. In addition, both the Xbox and PS2 have analog buttons which makes passing and juking a lot easier.





I feel like I'm harping on this each time I do a head-to-head, but the GameCube simply is not a good sports controller. That said, this is one of the least offensive set-ups for playing football on the Cube. It almost approaches intuitive. The other thing about the Cube is that it supports a wireless controller (the Wavebird) which makes the Cube an attractive option for rowdy four-player games. However, I still have to give the overall edge to the PS2.


Graphics
The animations in NFL 2K3 are some of the best around, and look great on all three systems. In fact, most things look very similar on all three--player models, face textures, and stadiums. However, on the Xbox, everything is a little crisper, and a lot more textured. Take a look at the jerseys on the Xbox version, and you'll see what I'm talking about.
The main difference between the versions lies in the field texture department. The textures in 2K3 have never been stunning, but they look pretty good on the Xbox version. Some of the textures--especially up-close views of dome turf--look good on the PS2 and GameCube, but there are others that are plain awful. Some grass textures, for instance, look mottled and bitmappy, and, well, not much like grass. On a couple of fields we saw on the Cube, the texture actually seemed to "stop" at the bottom of the screen, pixelling out into blackness at the border of the picture. This won't concern you unless you're a big time graphics connoisseur. The same problem exists somewhat on the PS2 as well.



Some of the textures can be pretty muddy on the GameCube and PS2.


The Xbox handles textures the best throughout. In addition, this version adds detail to everything. The stadia look a little more realistic and filled-out, the uniforms look great (check out the mesh) even close up, and weather effects look great throughout.

One more thing to note. We saw a weird blurring effect during some of the action on the Cube version. Again, this will only bother you if you are seriously concerned about graphical matters. The bottom line is that all three versions look good, but Xbox looks great at times.

Winner: Xbox

Sound
NFL 2K3 has some of the best sound we've heard thus far in a football title. The cacading noise of the crowd is great, the field jabber is well done (and not over-done) and the commentary is tight. Of course, if you have a great home audio system, you'll want to show it off. And you want to know which version does that the best.

The audio component of NFL 2K3, in terms of quality, can be broken down pretty easily. A huge part of the experience is hearing the crowds, the announcers, and the unsettling crunches of two teams colliding. Between the three different consoles, the breakdown is very much like it usually is for multi-platform releases.

Starting at the bottom and working our way up, the GameCube version comes packaged with the most compressed, and muddled sound. You'll be able to hear all the same effects, but the separation is very minimal. The announcer is centered, but the crowd and on-field effects start to overpower him, and it doesn't help that it's somewhat compressed. Overall, it's actually fairly disappointing once you've heard all three versions.

Moving on, the PlayStation 2 version is very similar to the GameCube. However, it benefits from a larger media size, DVD, and an optical audio output, so the compression on commentary and effects isn't nearly as detectable. It's definitely a cut above the GameCube version in that regard.

As usual, though, the ruler in the audio department is the Xbox. In the side-by-side comparison, the Xbox would be like listening to a CD where the GameCube and PS2 iterations of NFL 2K3 are more akin to tape cassettes. Also, the separate between the front channels is immediately apparent. As you plow through the lines you'll be able to hear your attackers to the right and left. Meanwhile, the commentary is clean and uncontaminated by the crowds and peripheral effects.

Oddly, all three feature surround support -- the crowds fill all five speakers -- but it doesn't appear to be Dolby certified. This much is a real shame, because with enough work we could have seen much-improved audio, and ultimately immersion, with the implementation of Dolby Pro Logic II and Dolby Digital 5.1. Titles like Halo, Star Wars Rogue Squadron II, and Metal Gear Solid 2 have proven this much.

So, indeed, the Xbox version is the clear winner. Don't laugh all at once kids, it's a clever play on words that you'll no doubt hear again. Now, break from this huddle and move on...

Winner: Xbox



The Xbox boasts the best graphics, sound and also has online play.



Feature
PlayStation 2
Xbox
GameCube

Media/Size 1 DVD 1 DVD 1 GVD
Resolution 640 X 480 640 X 480 640 X 480
Progressive Scan No Yes Yes
Sound Dolby Surround Dolby Digital (5.1) Dolby Surround
Memory Size 1 Memory Card Unlimited 1 Memory Card (251)
No. Players 1-8 (With Multitap) 1-4 1-4
Online Yes Yes No
Analog Passing Yes Yes No

Final Verdict
There is one last thing to consider, and that's online play. Xbox and PS2 have it, and GameCube doesn't. While this may or may not matter to you, we think it's pretty huge. We got an opportunity to play the Xbox Live version at Visual Concepts, and it's great. There's virtually no lag, the communication is fast and furious, and it's plain fun. Just the ability to play a console football game with a buddy across the country has us itching for Novemeber. We can't speak to the effectiveness of online play on the PS2, but the mere fact that the feature exists is itself a plus. The PS2 online service launches next week, so be sure to check the PS2 site for a rundown of how everything plays.

In the end, this one comes down to graphics, and ease of saving (no fumbling for memory cards is a huge plus), both areas where the Xbox excels. Add the best audio and slick online gaming to the package, and what do you have? Xbox emerging victorious again. What are you waiting for? Buy an Xbox today, not tomorrow, because this trend doesn't seem to be letting up.

Overall Winner: Xbox

redrum237
08-22-2002, 09:51 AM
Is there anyplace that will tell us the sales of the 2 games, im really hoping for SEGA to outsel EA, just becasue EA said nobody will ever beat them in the sports genre.

faceoff508
08-22-2002, 09:53 AM
Originally posted by redrum237
Is there anyplace that will tell us the sales of the 2 games, im really hoping for SEGA to outsel EA, just becasue EA said nobody will ever beat them in the sports genre.

I dont know about sales but I am betting that no one will buy NFL Fever 2003, and NFL 2k3 will be the best selling football game for Xbox. Cause it has online play and it beat Madden.

redrum237
08-22-2002, 09:54 AM
Sweeet, i cant wait to hear what EA says after they lose.



Wooooooooo 200 post. :cool:

faceoff508
08-22-2002, 09:58 AM
Originally posted by redrum237
Sweeet, i cant wait to hear what EA says after they lose.



Wooooooooo 200 post. :cool:

Here are my predictions (sales):

Football games for xbox(sales):

1.NFL 2k3
2. Nfl Fever 2003
3. Madden


PS2:
1. Madden
2.Nfl 2k3


Gamecube:
I have no clue

TegSkywalker
08-22-2002, 10:45 AM
Do you know what I hate about reading these comparison reviews? They always say the PS2 controller is the best. Call me silly, but that controller is a tad over rated in my eyes.

I once owned a PS1 from 1995 until 2001 and I knew the controllers. I knew how the original and the Dual Shock had their advantages/disadvantes and how it compared to the competion. After owning an XBOX and playing my games on a Controller S, the Dual Shock feels cheap, plasticy, and most of all *gasp* the dual analog sticks feel awkward and out of place.

Maybe the person who wrote that review is biased.. who knows. But I do know that the days of the Dual Shock being claimed to be the "best controller" are limited.

faceoff508
08-22-2002, 03:45 PM
Originally posted by TegSkywalker
Do you know what I hate about reading these comparison reviews? They always say the PS2 controller is the best. Call me silly, but that controller is a tad over rated in my eyes.

I once owned a PS1 from 1995 until 2001 and I knew the controllers. I knew how the original and the Dual Shock had their advantages/disadvantes and how it compared to the competion. After owning an XBOX and playing my games on a Controller S, the Dual Shock feels cheap, plasticy, and most of all *gasp* the dual analog sticks feel awkward and out of place.

Maybe the person who wrote that review is biased.. who knows. But I do know that the days of the Dual Shock being claimed to be the "best controller" are limited.

I dont realy care about the controls!

AlBoogy
08-22-2002, 04:38 PM
Link? Where is this comparison from?

Marc
08-22-2002, 08:20 PM
the best controller ever created is the Microsoft S controller.

faceoff508
08-23-2002, 02:01 PM
Originally posted by AlBoogy
Link? Where is this comparison from?

From IGN, its locked, and Insider just copied it, and gave it to me!!

KingAvi2k3
08-31-2002, 12:02 PM
Sega is the leader in sport video games. Better verison are on Xbox! No answer asked. Open and closed case.:p

melon
09-11-2002, 01:37 AM
Go out and buy NFL 2K3!!


Sega Sports games are so much more fun then EA Sports games. I wish the EA Sports fans would just try them, and they will see ;)

CrazyCougar
09-13-2002, 10:48 AM
I play 2k3 and Madden. 2k3 is the best NFL game this year thats no doubt. But I like Madden too, especially since I have NCAA 2003 and can import my seniors into that. Sega's NCAA 2k3 does not compare to EA's College game at all. Maybe next year I will buy 2k4 and ncaa 2k4 but Sega has a lot of work on hteir college version before I do. Otherwise I will buy Madden ad NCAA again next year and I will have 2k3 as my main NFL title.