Hi, I’m planning to replay SOT,WW,TT. Should I play them on GameCube ,Xbox or PS2? Back in the day I played all of them on PC.But I want to try other versions. I’m looking for the best graphics and feel, Please advise Cheers.
I’d just like to point out, for the record, that that isn’t the original trilogy. Sands of Time is the fifth Prince of Persia game.
That’s not the original trilogy. The first Prince of Persia was 1989. But all I can tell you is that Sands of Time was awesome on the PS2. I don’t imagine it would’ve felt as satisfying without a controller if you didn’t have one on the PC back in the day. The combat mechanics seemed made for it.
For the best graphics, you’ll likely want to go with the PC version and a hi-res mod such as this
https://www.nexusmods.com/princeofpersiathesandsoftime/mods/9
But if you plan on playing on console, the OG Xbox had a slightly better CPU and more RAM than the PS2 and the GCN.
Faster hardware doesn’t always translate to better graphics. The PS2 is the second-slowest system of its generation, just ahead of the Dreamcast, but it’s capable of unique graphical effects that other systems and even the PC cannot easily replicate due to the PS2’s unique ability to quickly process huge numbers of transparent textures; only recent PC hardware can replicate this through shaders; it was impossible at the time. That’s why all ports of GTA San Andreas look dull and lack the complex effects of the PS2 original, even if they are better in some regards (like shadows). Mods can replicate this sometimes, but in case of San Andreas, this was only achieved in recent years - and I’m not aware of any other game having received the same treatment by modders.
This also applies to the Sands of Time trilogy. PS2 versions are better looking than other console versions and the PC ports. The best experience with it is through emulation. You get the high frame rates and resolution of the PC version, but the unique atmospheric effects that are only present on Sony’s system. Higher-res textures alone can not make up for this, let alone the ones you linked to, which just deliver ugly AI upscaling noise instead of actual detail.
Do you want emulate the games or play on real hardware?
I can’t tell you which version is the best for you (and your hardware). The first thing I would lookup if the particular version for the emulator is working well (have in mind, the reports are not always up to date): Dolphin for GameCube, PCSX2 for Playstation 2 and Xemu for Xbox.
Xemu is by far the least desirable option. Immense hardware requirements and relatively limited compatibility. It’s a miracle it’s functional at all. I would only use it for games that you cannot play through any other means - so the small number of Xbox exclusives that were never ported to other systems and don’t work through backwards compatibility on newer Xbox consoles. Midtown Madness 3 comes to mind. I’m glad I finally got to experience this forgotten game by the Battlefield developers - but it was barely playable at 640x480 on a Ryzen 5 5600. The experience reminded me of very early PS2 emulation and not in a good way.
PCSX2 is usually decent and has made immense strides in recent months, but it usually runs multiplatform games worse than Dolphin, which is the gold standard for console emulation. However, not all ports of games are better on Gamecube. While the console is more powerful than the PS2, the limited amount of storage on the system’s proprietary discs resulted in quite a few compromised ports (edit: and the PS2 has a few hardware tricks up its sleeve that no other system of the time can replicate, particularly in the effects department). Still, it’s usually the best course of action to try Gamecube/Wii emulation first and resort to PS2 emulation only if you’re noticing downgrades. There’s also the little issue with PS2 games that some rely on the controller’s analog face buttons for certain mechanics (e.g. short jumps, long jumps, throttle/brake, certain attacks), which are not present on newer controllers most people are likely to be using. Sometimes this can be rebound reasonably well, e.g. to a modern controller’s triggers, but not always.
All of the above also applies to AetherSX2/NetherSX2 and the Android port of Dolphin, by the way. On mobile devices in particular, the lower hardware requirements of Dolphin are worth keeping in mind - although lower-end devices are likely to struggle with Gamecube and Wii games anyway. This is not an issue on PC anymore; even basic PCs from over a decade ago will run Dolphin flawlessly, whereas PCSX2 can be punishing even on modern CPUs with certain games at higher resolutions. The original PS2 version of Shadow of the Colossus for example is so demanding that it’s actually a better idea to emulating the slightly enhanced PS3 port through RPCS3 instead.
For a good overview over current emulators, I highly recommend this wiki: https://emulation.gametechwiki.com/index.php/Main_Page
