Welcome to the world of Sony, and the ever so decorated PS2. For $299 dollars you could be the proud owner of a game council a single memory card and a single controller. What - is that all it comes with? For $299 dollars that is exactly all you receive, not even the blessing of one cheesy title to simply occupy your time to you purchase more. However for slightly more around $320 to $350 you can get a bundled package that at least gives you the 2nd controller and a few games. Although recently retailers have been allowing a “create your own bundle” scenario that varies greatly in price.

Now with that little bit of frustration out of the way, its time to get down and dirty about the PS2. The PS2 boasts new possibilities that make it fart superior to the original PS. The new version of Sony’s gaming council includes the expanded memory storage of 8mb, 128 – bit CPU, and the possibility of DVD playback. Basically folks we are looking at a small compacted computer here with limited possibilities, compared to a full-blown computer. However under that pretent it makes for a relatively good gaming machine for that reason alone.

The PS2 boasts powerful graphics and promises more and more tiles will be available for its 2nd generation gaming platform. As of this moment Sony has delivered on its promises. More and more titles are becoming available to the system at almost as fast a pace as its computer world counterparts. In reality most of the game publishers are writing software for both arenas. And the other eye candy that is given with the PS2 is the DVD feature, allowing for DVD titles to be played on the council.

So far Sony has once again managed to keep me an avid PS fan regardless of its generation. The amount of games available and the price have always been when of Sony’s high points. The graphics so far have been an impressive boost to the original PS, and in some cases almost movie like in appearance. However the PS2 cannot always be blamed for the lack of graphics in cases where it exists. The software developers also play a major role in the outcome of the game and its possibilities. In most cases the PS2 delivers high quality images and video playback with minimal screen jitter (once again also attributed to game developers).

The controls are very similar to the original PS, and actually are basically the same controllers. However Sony just as with the rest of the PS2 has once again upgraded them to make for a more enjoyable gaming experience. The addition of joystick like controls as well as the old style game pad configuration allow for multiple methods of controlling your gaming. The other biggest addition to the controls is the addition of “dual shock” to the controllers. Dual shock is basically a vibration that is activated during certain situations of game play such as gunfire, bumps, heartbeats, or car crashes. When these events occur on a game that has this option available the controller will vibrate accordingly, thus immersing you further into the gaming world.

PS2’s movie DVD playback works rather well I might say. The quality does not compare to a good straight DVD player with component video for example, but is defiantly watch able and still beats VHS. The controls for DVD operation are a little clumsy when trying to use the supplied controllers to navigate a DVD menu. However there are remote control units available that claim to make this less cumbersome. So far I have not found a DVD yet that the PS2 would not play, as a matte of fact I have had DVD’s not work in my normal DVD player that did in fact play in the PS2. The quality here is not as good as a standalone unit, but is defiantly useful. The fact that there is a DVD player also allows for games to be written on DVD media and full length DVD animation clips can be shown in games with almost no flaws what so ever. No matter how you look at it, the DVD function is priceless.

PS2 also has a few other additions that the original did not offer. Sony has graced us with USB (universal serial bus) interfaces, 3.5 bay for an alternate hard drive (memory), Upgrade setup for possible future networking characteristics, and from what I have heard possibly a modem setup to allow for internet access. From all the additions especially the 3.5 bay for the hard drive and the USB interface the growth of this council seems almost unending at this time. The fact that a hard drive will be available to allow for almost unlimited storage possibilities and the USB allowing for about the same scenario with peripherals like steering wheels etc. It seems that Sony designed this system to be in it for the long haul and to be able to make upgrades sporadically to keep yourself and system up to the day if funding is available.

Ps2 was recently threatened by the X-box – Microsoft’s shot at entering the council market. However the last I heard there were various stability issues with the X-box, so it is possible that Sony will keep its stronghold on the council war zone. Sony has done this many times in the past as it holds in strong against contenders such as Nintendo , Sega , X-box , and even yes the old Turbo Graphix16t a flop that was). Regardless the fact is that Sony PS’s have held strong and proven dependable throughout their life span.

My overall judgment on the PS2 is that it is a great and so far stable gaming platform. I have had mine for over a year know and have seen no technical glitches or shortcomings from this unit. The benefit to the council system is that it allows you to use a larger display being your home TV regardless of size 13 – 60 inches for example. The comfort option is my personal favorite. Set the system up on a TV in the bedroom for example and you can play your games right from the comfort of your own bed, or in front of your 55 inch TV in the lazy boy (lol). Sony’s generation of consistently good titles in mass quantities at affordable prices is also another great aspect of the PS2. This system is great and I would recommend it to anyone in the market for a council gaming platform. It’s stability and expansion possibilities also give the PS2 another edge. Great machine and I wouldn’t trade it in for anything less the PS3.


Recommended: Yes