If you're at a conflict every time a game debuts on multiple platforms, this feature is for you. The Head-to-Head series of articles cuts through all the different takes the editors have on games, compares the facts, and presents you with one uniform opinion on all the versions.
About Our Head-to-Head Comparison
The following comparisons were drawn assuming the highest level of available equipment. To be completely fair, we examine all versions with the notion that everyone has HDTVs, surround sound setups, wireless controllers, etc.
- Example One: The PC version of a game features poor mouse and keyboard control, but supports controllers. We do not fault it for its substandard mouse and keyboard control.
Example Two: The PlayStation 2 version of a game supports four-player, but it requires the use of a multitap. The functionality is still there. We do not fault it for it.
Example Three: The GameCube and Xbox versions of a game support progressive scan, but the PS2 does not. The games all look graphically identical, barring the benefits of progressive scan. The result: an even tie between the GameCube and Xbox.
As a special benefit for our Insiders, we'll also be offering the occasional Video Head-to-Head. As it is often hard to imagine the differences between games -- especially the visual kind -- we thought it would be extremely beneficial for you to see the games you're interested in presented to you in a side-by-side video comparison.
Be sure to check out the awesome side-by-side video supplement here.
Enter the Matrix (GCN, PS2, Xbox, and PC)
Enter the Matrix is the first we've ever seen of the extremely popular sci-fi movie franchise in videogame form. It's developed by Shiny Entertainment, best known for titles like Earthworm Jim, MDK, and Sacrifice, and gives gamers a chance to play as Ghost and Niobe. It's a side story to the action feature in Enter the Matrix: Reloaded the movie.
Features
What began as a PlayStation 2-only title has become an all-encompassing multiplatform title. Enter the Matrix is available for the Nintendo GameCube, Sony PlayStation 2, Microsoft Xbox, and the PC. All of them launched on May 15, 2003 alongside the debut of the silver screen sequel Enter the Matrix: Reloaded, and because of this they all share the same features set.
Each of them have nearly one full hour of never-before-seen Matrix footage, shot specifically for the videogame. They all let you play as Ghost and Niobe. You'll experience all of the same weapons and ass-kicking moves.
The one thing that differs is that the PC version does not let you unlock the dojo multiplayer mode that the console versions do. However, since this mode is only a minor addition -- it's not exactly polished and deep -- it's not a huge loss.
Winner: GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox (Tie)
Control
Shiny's interactive version of The Matrix comes with an interesting control scheme. Camera control issues are avoided in that you really have no control, there is a punch button, kick button, focus button for slowing time, action button for context sensitive situations, and a button to whip out your guns. All of the versions accommodate these various needs with few problems.
Let's start with the PlayStation 2, as it has the most buttons. You'll notice its most distinguishing features are the separate R2 and L2 strafe features as well as pressing and holding Triangle for secondary fire.
Function | PlayStation 2 |
Action/Context Sensitive | Square |
Punch | Triangle |
Kick | Circle |
Jump | Circle |
Throw | Circle + Triangle |
Weapon | R1 |
Focus | L1 |
Strafe | L2 (left)/R1 (right) |
Secondary Weapon | Triangle (Hold) |
Now take a look at the GameCube. Since it has less buttons, strafing is dedicated to only the R-trigger, using the Left Analog Stick to move left or right, while secondary weapons are tied to holding the A-button.
Function | GameCube |
Action/Context Sensitive | Z |
Punch | A |
Kick | X |
Jump | B |
Throw | A + X |
Weapon | Y |
Focus | L |
Strafe | R + Left Analog |
Secondary Weapon | A (Hold) |
Moving on, let's examine the Xbox version. This actually has the same number of buttons as the PlayStation 2, but things are handled differently. Strafe is tied only to the R-trigger, while secondary weapons are used via the White button.
Function | Xbox |
Action/Context Sensitive | X |
Punch | Y |
Kick | B |
Jump | A |
Throw | Y + B |
Weapon | Black |
Focus | L |
Strafe | R + Left Analog |
Secondary Weapon | Black |
For the PC version, you can use controllers (such as the PS2 Dual Analog if you have the right adapters), but it naturally comes with default mouse and keyboard controls. Surprisingly, the mouse and keyboard control system does not mesh well with Enter the Matrix. Numerous camera problems arise and it simply feels more awkward.
Function | Xbox |
Move Forward | W |
Move Backward | S |
Action/Context Sensitive | F |
Punch | Left Mouse Button |
Kick | Right Mouse Button |
Jump | Spacebar |
Throw | Left + Right Mouse Button |
Weapon | E (use Left Mouse to fire) |
Focus | Shift |
Strafe | A (left)/D (right) |
Secondary Weapon | Q |
Overall, it's a tough choice to say any controller is clearly better than the other. They have all made sacrifices in one way or another, whether it's a hidden secondary weapon button or less strafe buttons, all of them have been managed to cram in the same functionality. The PC mouse and keyboard is useless, but since it supports controllers, this isn't an issue.
It could be argued that the separate L2 and R2 strafing on PS2 both makes navigating more friendly and combat more complicated. Meanwhile, some may dislike the placement of the Action button on GameCube or the Weapons on Xbox.
The point is, because the controls are so diverse, and the functionality is not really missing from any scheme, it's an even tie.
Winner: GameCube/PlayStation/Xbox/PC (Tie)
Sound
This one is very easy to decide on. The Xbox comes with in-game Dolby Digital support. We certainly wouldn't call it the most accurate and well-separated of what we've heard from Microsoft's system, but the clarity and surroundscape is more advanced than what the other versions offer.
Meanwhile the PC is pretty close to Xbox if you have the correct setup. The game recommends a 24-bit Sound Blaster Advanced HD, and it uses Miles Sound System for the surround mapping.
Finally, the GameCube and PlayStation 2 support Dolby Pro Logic II. They both sound excellent -- not as good as the aforementioned, but good. Too close to choose a winner.
Winner: Xbox
Runner-up: PC
Graphics
If you're out looking for the version that comes closest to looking like the movie, you should succumb to the fact that none of them do. Enter the Matrix is far from visually stunning, but there is definitely a best version out of the four platforms.
Let's examine. And, please remember that the PC version benefits from direct captures, while the other versions were taken via component capture, which is converted into a digital signal on the PC. The latter type of capture -- called analog to DV -- causes some loss in detail.
Enter the Matrix is a very dark game, which certainly didn't help our capture efforts. But, as you can see, the three console versions don't come with the same detail scene on the PC. However, what you do not see here is the framerate for each version.
The PS2 is very unstable, and consistently unwilling to process the action at 60 frames per second. Meanwhile the GameCube and Xbox run surprisingly well at 60. Most shockingly, though, is that the PC version in 640x480 with basic texture filtering runs at an absolutely horrendous framerate, even with the latest 1.52 patch.
Xbox has the most texture detail of the three console versions.
The effect used when you focus is different on all four versions. On GameCube and Xbox, it's particularly green, offering up a hazy overlay more advanced motion trails. The PC is similar. However, the PlayStation 2 merely uses a blur filter -- no green overlay -- and you can't even tell you've activated focus unless you're moving.
All four versions pretty much share the same models; only textures and lighting differ. The PlayStation 2 version is particularly jagged. GameCube benefits from anti-aliasing and progressive scan support. More impressive is that the Xbox version supports widescreen 480p in addition to 1080i (a resolution of 1920x1080). The latter high resolution looks awesome if your HDTV supports it. There are more framerate stutters, but it's probably worth it. Neither the GCN, PS2, or PC supports widescreen, perhaps due to framerate issues.
It's hard to tell from our screenshots, but the Xbox version does look best -- especially in 1080i. The PC version, due to its terribly unfriendly framerate, even with high performance systems, is best described as evil. It just doesn't run remotely well.
If you don't have the HDTV to support Xbox's 1080i and are looking for another version, definitely go with GameCube, which performs about as well with slightly blurrier textures. PS2 and PC are in the same boat due to the poor performance.
Winner: Xbox
Runner-up: GameCube
Presentation
The first thing that probably pops into your worrying little mind is, "Which version has the best quality movie sequences?" After all, this has nearly one hour of footage that you can't get anywhere else. Surprisingly, every version has great quality cut-scenes. Yes, even GameCube features two discs and DIVX compressed video to ensure quality is upheld. By a small margin the Xbox and PC seem to be clearer, naturally benefiting from the hardware they output on.
Have a look at a snapshot of the FMV.
Then there is the issue of load times. Because the PC lets you full install and use a "Play Disc" to run Enter the Matrix, most load times are very fast. It's the fastest of all versions.
For Xbox, the initial load to the main menu from boot-up takes about 12 seconds. Loading the first level takes about 12 seconds. GameCube, for these loads, takes about 21 seconds from boot-up to main menu. Once in the game, it's around 12 seconds for the first level loading -- pretty similar to Xbox. It's the PS2 that suffers most with nearly 45 seconds for loading up from boot-up to the main menu. The first level takes about 23 seconds.
So, thanks to the ability to load your PC hard drive with about 4.3GB of data, loading is quickest on the PC with crisp FMVs. For the consoles, Xbox is the best, with GameCube following very closely behind.
Also, there have been numerous reports of crashing and even unfinished texture implementation in some versions. However, from what we have seen, all the versions are unstable. It doesn't seem you can escape the possibility of a hard crash on any version.
Of final note, and this ties in with graphics, the PC version has clearly received less attention. It's going to take numerous patches to bring it up to speed. This definitely outweighs any benefits it may have had in loading.
Winner: Xbox
Runner-up: GameCube
Final Verdict
No matter how many of these Head-to-Head features we do, the way multiplatform releases are handled always surprises us. In this case we were shocked to see the lack of attention Shiny gave to the PC version.
With the console versions, we were pleased to see Xbox with its 1080i support, widescreen, and quick load times. Just behind it, GameCube, on its two discs, runs surprisingly well with progressive scan support. The PS2, which was originally the lead platform for development, falls in last place with a more unrefined display and poor framerate.
For our final decision, we consider that all versions are relatively unstable and Xbox seems the most polished technically of the bunch. GameCube follows closely behind it.
Overall Winner: Xbox
Runner-up: GameCube