Which system should I buy?

This is a question I get asked regulary. Sadly, there is no easy answer to it, because it depends on the individual. The following set of questions may help you to make up your mind:

How big is the software library of the system? Does it have the games you want to play right now? What use is the best system if there´s no software for it? Counting on future releases for a particular system isn't a wise move when you consider the reliability of the industry. Announcements are cheap, and hype is the way to talk about software that isn´t released yet.
Is there a way to get RGB output from the system? If you want the sharpest graphics possible, you don´t use RF or S-Video - you want an RGB signal that can be fed to a monitor or a TV´s SCART (Euro A/V) input. RGB output is also a prerequisite if you want to be able to use a 50/60Hz switch (see below).
Is there an easy way to switch the display mode? Does the software allow the display mode to be changed? Systems destined for the european market use the PAL video standard which offers a higher resolution, but a lower refresh frequency than the NTSC standard that is used in the US and Japan. Since most games are developed to run on NTSC displays, you´ll get letterboxed game screens on PAL systems - even when the game is a domestic release. With 2D games like shooters, there is the added drawback what the games will run slower, since the animation is tied to the screen refresh. A 50/60Hz switch will enable you to play even domestic software at the intended speed - or slow an import down a bit to make it easier.
How is the territorial lockout handled? Is there an easy way around it? Judging from my experience there comes a time when you want to play a game that isn´t released domestically yet. The distributors often decide that there are games that "we will not like" and thus such software is only available as import. I wouldn´t consider buying a system that can´t play japanese imports.
How expensive is the software? Is there already a good market for second-hand games? What use is a console if you can´t afford to buy software for it? If it's a well established system, the chances are good that you can pick up good sofware used at great prices.

Things that I don´t deem relevant are technical specs like a system´s "bit-ness", MIPS ratings for the CPU(s) used and other technobabble. Why? Because it isn´t the hardware that makes the difference, it´s the software. Fancy hardware may enable designers to produce startling eye candy, but if they screw up the game design, their product will flop nevertheless.

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Thomas Bätzler, Thomas@Baetzler.de

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