Quote Originally Posted by IronZOGZ View Post
So the peripherals don't bug me - I have a monitor, mouse, keyboard, case, and power supply.

The heavy cost items for me are: video card, processor, motherboard, storage. I refer to this place: [url]http://www.logicalincrements.com/[/url]

With cost as the major issue, the lack of local multiplayer is a close second. Anything I can do to get my wife to game with me is money well spent.
Ignore that use the link I posted and the part picker on there that gets you the cheapest deal.
Most console games dont have local multiplayer anymore, and I'm sure its possible to play local multiplayer on PC, especially if you find a decent emulator and start on the retro back catalogue.
Also I think 360 pads are directly compatible with windows PCs, and with minor adaptors or software just about any pad is probably usable. I still use a snes pad.