There’s a huge buzz surrounding online console games, and the talk usually concerns what games are available and how much it’s going to cost to play them.
The first purchase a gamer needs to make is a modem. Then, before deciding to buy an online game, find out if there are monthly fees and if you can play the game offline. Many titles offer free online play, but some require monthly subscription fees.
Here’s what else you’ll need to get started, and the 411 on some of the most popular games:
PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2 Network Adaptor ($40) It offers dial-up and broadband connection. Some games for the PS2 are free, some require a subscription.
EverQuest Online Adventures ($40 plus $10 per month subscription fee) A fun game, but not a good choice for casual players who don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to online gaming. EOA can only be played online.
ATV Offroad Fury 2 ($40) A solid, off-road racing game that is even more fun when played online. There are only two tracks available online and two mini-games.
Madden NFL 2003 ($30) and SEGA Sports NFL 2K3 ($30) The two best football games are setting the standard for how good online sports games can be. (Also available for the Xbox.)
My Street ($45) A cool, cartoonish-looking game that actually is a collection of mini-games. The online version allows gamers to compete head-to-head against other players. A surprisingly fun game with silly looking “animation.”
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4 ($40) The best skateboarding game is even better when you go online. Up to eight players can participate in multi-player matches, such as Capture the Flag, Score Attack and Goal Attack.
Tribes Aerial Assault ($30) An excellent futuristic combat game that puts players on a 40th Century battlefield. Should only be used with a broadband connection. (Narrowband connection has a lot of problem with lag.) Can also be played offline.
Xbox
Xbox Live ($50) The broadband-only modem comes with a microphone with earpiece and one year of unlimited online play for any Xbox game.
MechAssault ($50) Great multi-player action pits your Mech against up to seven competitors.
Whacked! ($30) A weird action game combined with a goofy game show. It has a few cool weapons and missions, but there isn’t enough to this game to make it worth owning.
Capcom vs. SNK 2 EO ($49) A great fighting game that is even better when played online. It is available on all platforms, but can only be played online on the Xbox.
GameCube
GameCube adapter ($35) Adapter for broadband and dial-up connection sold separately.
Phantasy Star Online: Episode I and II ($50 plus $8.95 a month subscription fee) Currently the only game available for the GameCube. Can be played offline or online. In this excellent role-playing adventure, players fight monsters and robots. The offline version of the game gets old quickly, but this is a must-buy for role-playing-game fans who want to take it online.
