Quake III Comparison (Dreamcast vs PS2)

Channel:

The 2.5D Gamer

Subscribers:

18,600

Published on February 20, 2011 11:43:08 AM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2OkYu-AXXQ

Game:

Quake III Arena (1999)

Duration: 16:41

46,059 views

174

This is a comparison vid of Quake III running on the Sega Dreamcast and the Sony Playstation 2. This is running under the assumption that we all know the PC version is the best version of the game, and I'm comparing the other two versions.

The first half of the vid shows single player bot matches, while the second half shows two player split screen action. I'm playing both with the default controller, because I do not actually own a Dreamcast mouse (so excuse my crappy playing, I didn't get a hang of it till the second half of the vid), and the PS2 version has no mouse support anyway. I'd also like to note that the Dreamcast version also supports the VGA box which would not doubt improve the picture quality more, but I also do not have the VGA box. I'm just going with the setup I've got.

As you can see, in typical fashion, the Dreamcast textures shine in Quake III. The DC had and still has some awesome texturing abilities. That being said, the PS2 version allows for two more bots than the DC version allowing 6 player rounds as opposed tot he DC's 4-player rounds.

Overall, the DC version has it's trademark crisp textures, and looks great, but I'm not really sure if I'd say it looks better than the PS2 version. The PS2 version has other effects that sort of even out the field in my view. I love the bright vibrant look of the DC version, but I also dig the darker, moody lighting of the PS2 version. The DC wins in texture detail hands down, but the PS2 version wins when it comes having more stuff going on due to it's two extra bots. As for which one wins overall graphically, it really depends on detail vs smoothness.

Speaking of smoothness, the second half of the vid shows two player split screen vs Bots. Again, the PS2 version allows more bots, and can handle the bots, plus split screen with little noticeable loss of detail. The Dreamcast version, however, is another story. There were some very noticeable cuts made. The guns models are simplified, everything on the maps turn to icons, animations get cut, and it overall looks noticeably lower rez. There is even some slowdown. So though the DC version looks great when playing alone, it doesn't fair too well with two or more players.

In the default controls, the lack of a second analog stick really hurts the DC, the PS2 wins hands down. However, the DC version does support the DC Keyboard and mouse, and if you have the setup, that probably puts it ahead of the PS2 version in controls. In music, the DC wins, because it has some. The DC load times and also way way way faster then the PS2 load times.

Also noted by DC fans was the fact that the DC version supported online play. I think there may still be dedicated server software floating around somewhere allowing the DC version to still be played online, but the would require a lot of work in setting up games, and finding other people to play with, and that's if it's still supported of which I'm not sure. However, though it's nice to be able to do, if you're worried about online play with Quake III it's easiest to just get the PC version. Online play if you can pull it off does make the DC version the more attractive version for those with an online focus.

So in considering which one is better, it really depends on what you're looking for. If you're looking to play alone for some bot-deathmatch, and possibly online, then the DC version is a good buy. However, since most DC/PS2 era console gamers looking for a fun multiplayer game will be looking for split screen to play with their buds, the PS2 version is the one to go with (especially when you consider how hard it will be to get your friends to get used to playing on a controller without two analog sticks if you get the DC version). Not that it's the best for local MP for either system, but it's definitely good if you're looking for a change of pace.

NOTE: If you're still interested in playing Quake III online on the DC follow this link to the dedicated server software:

http://dreamcast.onlineconsoles.com/phpBB2/guides_q3_serversetup.php

I'm not sure how it all works, or if you can use the dial-up modem on the DC to find these servers or if long distance rates will apply.

Other Statistics