GameCube Advantages
* None
PlayStation 2 Advantages
* None
Xbox Advantages
* Online Modes -- Extended gameplay; compete in time attack/score-based stages; top score leaderboard.
PC Advantage
* None
Winner Ranking:
1. Xbox
2. GameCube/PlayStation 2/PC (tie)
Control
GameCube Disdvantages
* "Missing" Reset Camera -- Instead of pressing one button, you have to tap D-pad down twice, toggling in and then back out of landscape camera
PC Disdvantages
* Less Intuitive -- Requires more setup for an analog controller and combo list may not function properly
Winner Ranking:
1. GameCube/PlayStation 2/Xbox/PC (tie)
Sound
GameCube Advantages
* Dolby Pro Logic II
GameCube Disadvantages
* Lesser Quality (Versus PC/Xbox)
PlayStation 2 Advantages
* Dolby Pro Logic II
PlayStation 2 Disadvantages
* Lesser Quality(Versus GCN/Xbox/PC)
Xbox Advantages
* Dolby Digital -- More discrete, true bass output.
Xbox Disadvantages
* None
PC Advantages
* Dolby Digital
PC Disadvantages
* Less Discreet -- Three-channel FMV audio, rear surrounds "off"
and "on" in-game.
The Breakdown: All of the versions seem to suffer from stutters now and then, but Xbox maintains the most high quality output with the most surround discretion of the bunch. The PC sampling is clear, but the rear surrounds are not consistently in action and cut-scenes don't seem to use the rears at all. GameCube and PS2 sound very similar with Dolby Pro Logic II, but likely due to GameCube's larger sound memory capacity the sampling is slightly higher quality.
Winner Ranking:
1. Xbox
2. PC
3. GameCube
4. PlayStation 2
Graphics
GameCube Advantages
* Framerate -- Mostly 30. Better than PS2.
* Bright/Vivid
* Filtered -- Cleaner display than PS2.
* Progressive Scan (480p)
GameCube Disadvantages
* Weaker Textures (vs. PC/Xbox)
* No Widescreen
PlayStation 2 Advantages
* Texture Effects -- Heat warps nearby visuals.
* Progressive Scan (480p)
PlayStation 2 Disadvantages
* Lacks Filtering -- More jagged, shimmers.
* Framerate -- Drops below 30 most often.
* No Widescreen
Xbox Advantages
* High-Res Textures (Versus GCN/PS2)
* Texture Effects -- Light reflects, specular sheen.
* Richer Color (vs. GCN/PS2)
* Softer, More "Real" Shadows
* Progressive Scan (480p)
* Widescreen
Xbox Disadvantages
* No 1080i/720p -- Can't compete with PC's higher resolution.
* Weaker Textures (vs. PC)
PC Advantages
* Highest-Res Textures
* Higher Resolutions (Progressive) -- Top graphics cards will pull off 1600x1200 at 30 frames per second.
* Softer, More "Real" Shadows
* Sharpest, Cleanest Display
* Fastest Framerate
PC Disadvantages
* No Widescreen
Winner Ranking:
1. PC
2. Xbox
3. GameCube
4. PlayStation 2
Presentation
GameCube Advantages
* None
GameCube Disadvantages
* Compressed FMV -- More pixelated, washed out.
PlayStation 2 Advantages
* Best FMV Quality
PlayStation 2 Disadvantages
* Load Times -- Longer level loads.
Xbox Advantages
* None
Xbox Disadvantages
* None
PC Advantages
* None
PC Disadvantages
* None
Winner Ranking:
1. Xbox/PC (tie)
2 GameCube/PlayStation 2 (tie)
Final Verdict
Overall GameCube Advantages
* Better Visuals Than PS2
* Better Sound Than PS2
Overall PlayStation 2 Advantages
* Best FMV Quality
Overall Xbox Advantages
* Online Leaderboards/Extra Modes
* Better Visuals Than PS2/GCN
* Widescreen Support
* Best Sound
Overall PC Advantages
* Best Visuals
* Better Sound Than PS2/GCN
Overall Winner: Xbox
Winner Ranking:
1. Xbox
2. PC
3. GameCube
4. PlayStation 2
