I have never really had any friends that had any of the same consoles as me, and even now in 2002, I’ve got my PS2 and Gamecube, while my other friends have the XBox. So, since my dad is horrible at games and still calls my PS2 a Nintendo, I’ve got no one to play multi-player games with. So, whilst I twiddle my thumbs waiting to get my XBox, I’ve found another way to enjoy my PS2 with others.

So, on August 28th, Sony kicked off their online plans with the release of the Network Adapter and the game that was headlining PS2 online, SOCOM: U.S. Navy Seals. The adapter had [had] many release dates scheduled, but none of them were followed through, and finally August 28th was the release date in concrete.

The Network Adapter is forty dollars, and is equipped with a v.90 modem for narrowband (56k and below) and an Ethernet port for broadband (DSL/Cable) users, so there’s no discrimination against one connection or the other. Since XBox Live leaves those with 56k in the dust, a lot of XBox or potential XBox owners won’t be able to enjoy anything online.

So, now that you’ve purchased your Network Adapter what comes with it? Well, you’ll get the Network Adapter, an instruction booklet that will explain how to install and get everything set-up, and a card that you can fill out and send in to receive a free copy of Twisted Metal. Set-up of your Network Adapter is VERY simple. First, you’ll need to switch the power switch on the back of your PS2 off, and then unplug the power cord. On the back of the console again, the left side and pop off the bay cover. Now, with the Network Adapter, line up the ports on the back of it with the ports in the PS2, and firmly push/snap the Adapter in so it fits rather tightly. Using a nickel, screw the screws in, so the Network Adapter fits firmly on the back of the PS2.

If I’ve confused you, I apologize. Don’t worry though, once you see what you’re working with, and also since the instruction booklet is very informative, and so everything I just said will probably be crammed in 6 words, “Oh, that’s what it looks like.” Once you’ve installed the Network Adapter, you can now plug the system back in and turn the power in. Now you can insert the start-up disc in the disc tray, and configure your Adapter with your internet connection.

If you’re running a 56k connection, then all you have to do is plug the telephone cable into the smaller 56k port on the Network Adapter, enter your account information and password at the set-up screen, and you’re now ready to play online. Simple eh? Well, the set-up isn’t as easy if you have a fast broadband connection (DSL/Cable), as things get a little complicated. For DSL/Cable, if you’re just going to connect your modem directly to the Network Adapter, just follow the step-by-step set-up. To configure your Network Adapter to your modem configurations, you’ve got two options, Automatic, which will automatically configure everything for you; or Manual, which you can go in and enter IP addresses, DNS Gateways, and a few more tech numbers.

For those who are completely computer illiterate like I was when I first started messing with my DSL modem, the easiest set-up is to just follow the steps, and choose Automatic so you don’t have to mess with all the numbers and specifics. But depending on what provider a person has, you may have to manually configure. For people who are using a router to split your connection between your PC and PS2/Gamecube/XBox, there may be a few complications present due to firewall problems, etc., however these can easy be fixed.



Games
While some may think that SOCOM: U.S. Navy Seals was the first online game for PS2, since it kicked off its release with the Network Adapter, however it was in fact the third game to be released with online capabilities.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3
Dial-up & Broadband
THPS3 was actually the first game to kick off Sony’s online plan, all though when THPS3 released, the NA got moved back to August 28th, and so the online was pretty much useless for about 10 months unless a USB modem was used. Personally, I never played the game on PS2, nor have I played it online, but it’s only $19.99 right now because it’s a greatest hits, but if you want a newer game, get THPS4.

Madden NFL 2003
Dial-up & Broadband
The latest installment in the Madden series was released near the middle of August, and came fully equipped with online capabilities. PS2 fans better feel loved, because the PS2 version of Madden 2003 is the only one that had online. If you’re starting to get bored with Madden single-player, try going online and a new skill level will have opened up, as you play against players around the world who are so good you’ll feel like dog poo. Watch what plays you use and how careless you get, because your wins, losses, and ties are recorded for all to see.

Twisted Metal Black: Online
Dial-up & Broadband
As to come up with a selling bribe so more people will buy NA’s, a mail-in offer to receive Twisted Metal Black: Online for free is included with each NA. TMB:O has all the levels and vehicles from the regular TM:B, including weapons, a new modifier trick or something (I haven’t messed with the game much), and also the same explosive carnage that the Twisted Metal series has been famous for.

SOCOM: U.S. Navy Seals
Broadband only
SOCOM was released side by side with the NA, and has become my favorite online game, if not favorite game for the whole system. Packaged in with a headset, you can speak to your other teammates, which allows players to devise different plans, and help each other out when needed. Heck, some games we talk about other games and crap as we mutilate the other team. There are two teams, SEALs & Terrorists, with a best out of 11 round; good luck soldier. Also, SOCOM is for broadband (DSL/Cable) only, sorry 56k and below people.

Tribes: Aerial Assault
Dial-up & Broadband
A short time after the NA and SOCOM released, developer Sierra (makers of the well known Half-Life) dealt their hands at a PS2 online game, and so they made Aerial Assault, which is a shoot-em’ up along the lines of Unreal Tournament, only now you have a jetpack to jettison yourself high in the air for an aerial assault (see a connection here?), and also different vehicles. An ok game to play a couple times, but doesn’t hold a candle to SOCOM. Of course, it depends on what kind of genre you may have more interest in, but I found Aerial Assault boring after awhile.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4
Dial-up & Broadband
Although updated with a TON of new features, for online, a majority of players choose THPS3 over this next installment. Lag varies between each different server, and how bad of a connection a 56k user has got (if you find broadband only rooms, there is no lag at all, at least what I could tell).

ATV: Off-road Fury 2
Dial-up & Broadband
If you liked the first off-road fury, then chances are you’ll most likely enjoy this second one, and may be even more enjoyable now that it’s been fitted with full online capabilities to take your racing skills online and across the net to match up with other skilled (and not so killed) racers.

Auto Modellista
Dial-up & Broadband
Thank God that AM wasn't 56k only here in the states like it was in Japan, because this game is awesome to play online. It's got a steep learning curve on the control, however once those are passed, the game is really fun to play online.

My Street
Dial-up & Broadband
A wacky game with different types of kids games where you'd see them playing on the street, such as dodgeball. A real wacky title like I said, though I don't think it merits a purchase. A rental would probably be nice though.

Midnight Club: Street Racing 2
Dial-up & Broadband
Street racing online? Hell yeah. MC:SR2 is much more fun online than Auto Modellista is, and the controls don't take forever to learn.

Upcoming Games

Resident Evil Outbreak

Gran Turismo 4

Star Wars Galaxies

SOCOM 2: U.S. Navy Seals

Madden 2004

Ea Sports Titles

Overall
The network adapter is one fine piece of hardware, and if you're anxious to get online with any of the available or upcoming titles, then it is great to have. Sony’s step into online gaming on consoles was only a baby-step into online gaming, as Microsoft has taken a giant’s leap by releasing XBox Live, their broadband only service. Personally, I like both PS2 and XBox, however right now the PS2 online is kind of dulling, as I look for some freshness when I get an XBox and XBox Live. Servers are left up to each individual developer to decide, and this will often lead to varying times where a game will work good or bad. The lag actually isn’t all that bad, even with dial-up players, however there are certain times where lag will be absolutely horrible.

PS2
SOCOM: U.S. Navy Seals

vs.

XBox
Unreal Championship
Ghost Recon
Mech Assault

Right now, SOCOM: U.S. Navy Seals is the only game that is keeping me from selling the system for extra cash to get an XBox, however until I get bored of SOCOM, my PS2 shall stay in my entertainment center, right next to the Gamecube and it’s permanent foundation.

Now for those with questions:

Is DSL/Cable worth it?
Most definitely. Getting a DSL or Cable modem hooked up can be a little bit expensive, most ISP's ranging in the 30-40 dollar area, but just think of the type of quality in your internet service you're getting. You may be paying two or three times as more than you were paying for a 56k connection, but you're also getting an internet speed that's nearly 100 times faster than 56k, which allows you to enjoy your time online more, not having to wait almost an hour just for one page to load up, and the best is that DSL/Cable is its own line, so you don't have to worry about tying up the phone lines.


What ISP's will work?
Most of the main internet service providers will provide support for the Network adapter, a few being Earthlink, AT&T, Comcast, and MSN. With 56k, it's as easy as plugging the phone cord into the Network Adapter and dialing up, but for Broadband users, it might be a bit more difficult. Broadband users may have to tinker with their modem settings and have a little talk with that ISP's tech service to finally get the stuff up and running, but other than that it's easy as pie.

Which ISP is the best?
I've only used one ISP, and that's MSN, so I wouldn't know which ISP really has the better service and quality, but one for ISP for sure that's probably the worst is MSN Broadband. There are so many stupid things that I had to do in order to get my network adapter and crap set-up, and the techy's at the tech service acted like I was a freak that didn't know what he was doing. MSN definitely isn't user friendly, so try to stray AWAY from MSN at all costs.

As far as I can tell, most of the ISP's are pretty good quality, but the only service that I've heard hasn't had any problems getting set-up with the network adapter, is Earthlink DSL.


Do you have to pay a fee to play games online?
This is kind of neutral question, as a majority of the games are free to play online, but there are a few that will cost a monthly fee to play. The only games that will have a monthly fee that's seperate from your internet fee and what you paid for [for] the Network Adapter when you first got it, is Everquest Online Adventures, Final Fantasy XI, and the yet to be confirmed Star Wars Galaxies. Basically the games that cost a fee will be the Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPG).

Otherwise, aside from the original 40 dollar cost of the Network Adapter, you will not have to pay a fee for any other games.


How do I get the SOCOM headset to work if I've got MSN Broadband?
Oh this is an easy one. First of all, I better not hear anyone tell me that MSN is not compatible with the headset, because I've got MSN and I got mine to work fine, after a few adjustments that is. The reason the headset won't work with the adapter is because of a firewall in the MSN Modem (I've got an Arescom) that blocks the channel that the voice recognition runs through, and so that's what you need to open up.

To open this port up, you'll have to scroll back the Macros date on the modem to October of 2000, and to do this there is an IP address that was given to me where I can "update" to October 2000 (it would actually be "down-date"), and also the port that you have to open has a number, so you'll have to open that up, but you'll have to give the number to a techy at tech service for them to open that up.

If that wasn't helpful, then call the tech service, ask them to scroll back the Macros date to October of 2000, give them the port number for them to open, and if they have any kind of intelligence, they should know what to do, and/or they'll transfer you to the Advanced Tech Team, which is where I finally reached a guy that knew what to do.

happy gaming

Recommended: Yes