This being a Gamecube site, we're all obviously keen Gamecube players. Goes without saying. But we're not so narrow-minded not to recognise that there's quality to be found on other consoles. Or even the dreaded PC.

Are you an exclusive Gamecube gamer, or do play rival platforms?

Matt:

I'm a Nintendo fan, and a die hard at that, but I cannot hide my love of the Xbox.

For me, it's essential to have the GC and at least one other console, just as a kind of guard to mop up for all of Nintendos stubborness. Want online play? Get an XBOX. Want... well, the PS2's got PES3. If you've got any other advantages, please tell me....

Falco Lombardi:

I just recently purchased (or will purchase depending on how you look at it) an Xbox from my friend very cheap. So lately I've just been playing Knights of the Old Republic because it's so good. A week ago I was just an exclusive GameCube gamer, but now I've got my Xbox. I don't know why I didn't buy an Xbox sooner, but I should've. I will probably end up buying the 3rd party games for the Xbox so I can save some memory for my precious GameCube. And for GameCube I'll be getting the Nintendo titles and 2nd party titles. Sounds like a good plan? It sure as hell does to me.

Dennis:

As many people might know, I'm not a GC player myself. Even worse... I'm not a console player. I just can't seem to handle more than 4 buttons, especially when they aren't placed somewhere 'in a block'. However, the GC is the only console I ever play on.

Bas:

I own a PS2 and Xbox and like them both.

I got my PlayStation2 for Pro Evolution Soccer, Jak & Daxter, Colin McRae Rally and the Grand Theft Auto games. Many of those games are also available � with better framerates � on Xbox now, but that doesn't make my PS2 obsolete. Though it has the image of 'mainstream console', I think the PS2 catalogue contains more cult games than Xbox and GC combined. Contra: Shattered Soldier, Ico, Gradius, Rez, EyeToy and Amplitude are some of my favourites. The backward compatibility opens up another library of classics like Vib-Ribbon and Metal Slug X.

There are less must-buys on Xbox, but then again it's got Halo, which is one of the very best games of this generation. Whether in single player, cooperative mode or with LAN multiplayer, it's a truly great game worth getting an Xbox for. Xbox Live is one of the best features of Xbox, especially when playing Midtown Madness 3. I also like the possibility of listening to your own mp3s while playing. And I just love Top Spin.

jayseven:

Ideally I wouldn't have just the one console, but that's the way it is due to lack of funds! I've had the GC since it's launch -- the first console I've ever done that with. Before the GC came out though, I'd wanted an Xbox. In fact, I bought the first 5 issues of the official Xbox magazine so I now have 3 demo discs for a console I don't own! But because I had the N64 and was on these forums, I felt that I really should get the GC as my priority console and to be fair I haven't regretted that choice. Of course, I'd love to have an Xbox too, but that's just not possible at the moment.

I think that if you have the Xbox and GC you've got the best and widest range of games, I feel there's no need for me to buy into the PS2 market. There's very little the PS2 has that I couldn't get on the Xbox or GC, a couple exclusives like the PES series, but to be honest I can live without that, seeing as I've never bought a football game (been given a couple over the years though).

Sam:

Well, my rendezvous' with other consoles aren't exactly tabloid worthy but they are relatively rare. The 'Cube is the only console of this generation that I own and is easily my most played.

Several of my friends also own Gamecube so multiplayer gaming is generally centred around Nintendo as well. However, every week or so I meet up with a few people to play Halo link-up, although I don't regularly have access to an Xbox. If I was going to have a second console, Microsoft's big, black behemoth would certainly be my choice - funds are a little restrictive at present, though, so I can't imagine Master Chief joining me on the sofa quite yet.

The rest of the family? My brother has a PS2 but he's more a fan of MoH than Ico or EyeToy; a pair of Sony exclusives that I would like to see adorning the living room. We also have the 'family' computer which I can use to mop up any multi-format titles that are having a hard time making it onto the GameCube, Ubisoft's Beyond Good & Evil and THQ's Broken Sword 3 being recent examples of this.

In conclusion, I'd say I'm not really a multi-format gamer but it's due to being strapped for cash rather than any random sense of loyalty.

Mark:

I am, as you put it Conor, an 'exclusive' GameCube gamer. I do feel a certain loyalty to Nintendo- and no matter how illogical that may be, it is born not out of love of the company, but love of their games. I feel no compulsion to go out and buy either a PS2 or an Xbox. That said, there's no denying that there are some truly excellent titles on both of these consoles- but, and here's the big but- there just aren't enough exclusive titles on either of these consoles to justify their purchase (speaking personally, of course).

We are living in a 'multi-format' age- one where most of the best games come out on multiple systems. Nintendo, of the three hardware producers, are the only one to have outstanding in-house teams. (And I don't think this is disputed much by anybody in the Xbox or PS2 camps.)

The great advantage Nintendo have is their own first-party titles- and frankly, they are good enough for me. There are enough top-class second-parties (Retro, Silicon Knights) for me to be satisfied, and most of the main third-parties are still on board. The exclusivity deals Sony and Microsoft have done with Ubi Soft for example are irksome, but they only serve to highlight the high quality of their games. In a few months time we will see the wonderful Prince of Persia and Beyond Good and Evil on the GC for example.

To sum up, I recognize that the Xbox (particularly) and the PS2 have something to offer, (particularly Xbox live) but the lack of those magical Nintendo exclusives (Mario, Zelda, Metroid et al) make them inferior. Nintendo's renowned stubborness hasn't put me off them, yet...

Tim:

I am most definitely not an exclusive GameCube gamer. If you are a real gamer you can't miss out on Nintendo's rivals just because they are the competition of your favourite gaming company. The PS2 and Xbox have some quality exclusive games, which are definitely worth looking into. In the end I prefer the GameCube because it has more quality titles and I just love Nintendo. They have been around for many many years bringing us gamers countless many quality products. Nobody can deny that..

So what about the CE readership? Any PS2 or Xbox owners? Comments welcome.