Console FPS Quandry

[Phantom of Krankor]

I know this site is well known and respected for its knowledge of retro games, but I have landed myself in a predicament. I love retro games but my colleagues are more “with it” and will rarely play them. Every once and a while I can get them involved in games like Gauntlet II, Goldeneye, or Mario Kart, but often they only want to play the more modern FPS’s and racing games – Forza 2 is the current game amongst them. Now the easy way to fix this would be to obtain a new set of friends, however that is much easier said than done. This is a compounded way of stating that I am in a bind if I want to play multiplayer games.

I am fine with console FPS games, however I discovered that very few host the two options I hold dear to the genre. This is where I am hoping that the combine knowledge of the board may be of help to me. I still view Goldeneye as the standard in console FPS’s and have adapted my controls as such since its release. This is a problem when most of the modern games will not allow me to change my controls in any way. The Goldeneye control scheme entitles the player the option of Z and X axis on the main joystick, while your Y axis and strafing are controlled by the secondary joystick (or buttons in the N64 case).

I have also noticed that four player split screen gaming on most FPS games is going the way of the dodo.

My question to you is this, are there any modern console FPS games that allow me to change my controls and have four player split screen? I have discovered two on the Xbox 360 – Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4, one on the Wii – Red Steel, and a handful on the last generation systems but have not had any luck finding others. Can you please assist me with this dilemma?

Most games are played on the Xbox 360, we do not use the Live gaming system. However there are Wiis and a PS3 available. I must admit my knowledge of the PS3 is very low. Thank you for reading this.

[fastbilly1]

The control scheme is called Legacy and it is true, us legacy players get shafted on most new console shooters. Ive found a few sites that may help with that:
http://southpawlegacy.com/
http://www.alt-controls.com/category/ps3/
As for fourplayer splitscreen I have no idea. This is why I am buying an original xbox (or two) instead of a 360 soon. Well that and a used xbox is the cost of a new 360 wireless controller...

Good luck, and please let us know what you find out. I am about to replace the joysticks in my N64 so I can play a console FPS with some of my friends who abhor pc shooters. But I know that it can only last for so long before I have to upgrade to a 360 or PS3.

[fastbilly1]

I dont know if PoK or anyone else is reading this or cares but on the xbox you can get a host of great used games for $3 at Gamestop. Over the past week I have picked up:
Hunter the Reckoning - Modern beatemup based on the pnp RPG series of the same name.
Timesplitters 2 - The best console FPS of last generation.
Crimson Skies - Propeller Arena with a playable helicopter
Bloodwake - Battletanx/Twisted Metal on the water.
Metal of Honor: Frontline - Decent WWII FPS, multiplayer is well worth the $3.

I did grab Halo, $18, and if I can get the sequel and Gauntlet Dark Legacy I may have completed my collection of must haves. Just a headsup for anyone who has an xbox or is thinking about one just for a handful of games. Like the PS2, there are some really good games for dirt cheap right now.

[executioner]

I have also noticed that four player split screen gaming on most FPS games is going the way of the dodo.

My question to you is this, are there any modern console FPS games that allow me to change my controls and have four player split screen? I have discovered two on the Xbox 360 – Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4, one on the Wii – Red Steel, and a handful on the last generation systems but have not had any luck finding others. Can you please assist me with this dilemma?

From what I've read splitscreen is becoming even more rare now a days with more online gaming oriented game developing. For FPS games recommend the old xbox which to this day I still play regularly multiplayer on system link throught xlink kai software or on weekends with friends. Xbox has more co-op or splitscreen games than PS2 and easy setup of system link games with 2 or more consoles. My usual setup is for halo 2 with 4 playing splistcreen while online or on ocasions two TVs playing 4 vs 4.

My recommended FPS list for you:
Halo 2 - great controls almost feels like a PC FPS... play this last or you won't play anything else
Ghost Recon series
Rainbow Six series
XIII
Timesplitters
Close combat first to fight
Darkwatch (was not fun when we tried it)
Star Wars Battlefront (not sure about this one)
Unreal Championship

Non FPS for four:
Crimson Skies
X-men legends
Top Spin
Winning Eleven
Madden NFL
FIFA Street
Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance

[Phantom of Krankor]

Thank you both for your suggestions and feedback, I will look into an original xbox this evening and see what I can find. I do wish more game studios supported these options. Though my wallet will be more enthused at the prospect of three dollar games.

Thank you again, though I will be purchasing an older system I will join the Southpaw Legacy in hopes to own a more modern console in the future.