Naked Snake
Member
The feature is 6 pages long, I'm just quoting a bit from a couple of paragraphs and the bullets.
http://insider.ign.com/articles/662/662302p1.html
Features
GameCube Advantages
* None
PlayStation 2 Advantages
* Ada's "Seperate Ways" mission
* Alternate costumes for Leon & Ashley
* Plaga-removal Laser
Control
GameCube Advantages
* Quicker / more responsive movement & aiming
PlayStation 2 Advantages
* Alternate controller layout (optional)
Graphics
GameCube Advantages
* Stronger framerate-- Only during boss battles and areas within the frozen lab.
* Higher resolution for environmental textures
* Stronger lighting effects
GameCube Disadvantages
* No true widescreen--Letterboxed
PlayStation 2 Advantages
* True 16:9 Widescreen-- though not much is added to what you see on screen
PlayStation 2 Disadvantages
* Less detail in textures-- On environments and characters
* Minor Aliasing
* Framerate--Minor slowdown during boss battles and tight-spaces
* Weaker visual atmosphere--less contrast between light and dark
* Less polygons
* Subdued or completely missing particle effects
There are two side-by-side videos on the page available for download.
Sound
GameCube Advantages
* Dolby Pro Logic II
GameCube Disadvantages
* None
PlayStation 2 Advantages
* Dolby Pro Logic II
PlayStation 2 Disadvantages
* Compressed Sound Effects
Presentation
GameCube Advantages
* Faster loading between areas
GameCube Disadvantages
* None
PlayStation 2 Advantages
* None
PlayStation 2 Disadvantages
* Pre-rendered cutscenes
* Longer load times-- 4-7 sec. between areas
* Less immersive atmosphere-- Due to graphical shortcommings
Final Verdict
I didn't know you could play the PS2 version in 4:3 without black bars, how is that going to work?
http://insider.ign.com/articles/662/662302p1.html
Features
GameCube Advantages
* None
PlayStation 2 Advantages
* Ada's "Seperate Ways" mission
* Alternate costumes for Leon & Ashley
* Plaga-removal Laser
Control
GameCube Advantages
* Quicker / more responsive movement & aiming
PlayStation 2 Advantages
* Alternate controller layout (optional)
Graphics
GameCube Advantages
* Stronger framerate-- Only during boss battles and areas within the frozen lab.
* Higher resolution for environmental textures
* Stronger lighting effects
GameCube Disadvantages
* No true widescreen--Letterboxed
PlayStation 2 Advantages
* True 16:9 Widescreen-- though not much is added to what you see on screen
PlayStation 2 Disadvantages
* Less detail in textures-- On environments and characters
* Minor Aliasing
* Framerate--Minor slowdown during boss battles and tight-spaces
* Weaker visual atmosphere--less contrast between light and dark
* Less polygons
* Subdued or completely missing particle effects
There are two side-by-side videos on the page available for download.
Sound
GameCube Advantages
* Dolby Pro Logic II
GameCube Disadvantages
* None
PlayStation 2 Advantages
* Dolby Pro Logic II
PlayStation 2 Disadvantages
* Compressed Sound Effects
The SFX library is significantly compressed on the PS2 installment, making everything from dynamite explosions to cutting-open boxes sound squashed, and that overall loss of dynamics weakens the oh-so important level of suck-you-in immersion that separates RE4 from so many other games. Certain pre-recorded effects sound bland and lack the range of frequencies decibal range of the identical sounds on the GCN. A prime example is the shattering of porcelain vases in the second and third chapters of the main story. The high end frequencies you're supposed to be hearing when the shards break apart are missing, and it leaves this muddy artificial sound in its place. Whether or not this is a porting issue I can't say, but if I had to guess; the drop in overall sound quality on PS2 was likely due to the memory constraints of the PS2 hardware.
Presentation
GameCube Advantages
* Faster loading between areas
GameCube Disadvantages
* None
PlayStation 2 Advantages
* None
PlayStation 2 Disadvantages
* Pre-rendered cutscenes
* Longer load times-- 4-7 sec. between areas
* Less immersive atmosphere-- Due to graphical shortcommings
By being pre-rendered, all the cutscenes on PS2 that you'll see during the central story adventure will feature Leon and Ashley in their original costumes, despite if you've chosen one of the two unlockable alternate outfits. True widescreen format was installed in the PS2 copy but doesn't provide a much wider view of the action than the letterboxed faux-widescreen GCN setup which adds the black bars on the top and bottom of the screen even if you played on a widescreen TV. If you prefer to play games in 4:3 (full screen) than the 16:9 PS2 setting can be turned off, unlike the unchangeable letterbox viewing format on the GCN.
Final Verdict
Summing Up: If you desire greater level of options, and a more versatile experience with successive playthroughs; go with the PS2 version for all it's bonus features.
If you prefer greater level of graphical detail, more dynamic sound, and a more intense and immersive atmosphere; pick up the original GameCube version.
I didn't know you could play the PS2 version in 4:3 without black bars, how is that going to work?