Pros: Low cost, huge game library, small size, ease of use, reliability.
Cons: Poor online support, isn't exactly the big kid on the block anymore.
The Bottom Line: A perfect console for those looking to play classic and new video games on a budget, or the casual gamer who doesn't need the "newest, biggest thing."
crypticv24's Full Review: Sony PlayStation® 2 Console
The PS2 was introduced in 2000. Simple enough statement, right? Well, there's more to it. With Sony's announcement that they will continue releasing new titles on the PS2 through 2010, that marks a full decade the PS2 has been relevant. What other console can really say that? Even the early consoles like the Nintendo Entertainment System (better known as NES) only lasted seven or eight years. The Nintendo 64 and Playstation 1 didn't last any longer. And what about the current generation of consoles? Sony's already hinted at releasing the PS4 in the 2010-2012 range, and it's hard to think the PS3 would live through that period given the high price tag and low sales compared to its' competitors. The Xbox 720 is also scheduled to come out around the same time, and given how well the Xbox 360 has drawn original Xbox owners in (as well as new purchasers like myself), there's no reason to think the 360 will stick around too long to compete with its' big brother. Maybe the Wii has the best chance given the insane hype it's received and how quickly it erased the somewhat lackluster GameCube from memory, but then, the Wii 2 will probably have plenty of ways to steal the thunder from the Wii, so we'll see.
So again - why is the PS2 so different?
Well, one reason could be that Sony really bombed their PS3 marketing. The thing was so expensive when it came out ($500 or $600 depending on which model you bought - and that was with Sony selling them at a $250 loss per console) that they probably scared off plenty of would-be Sony loyalists looking to upgrade and instead stuck with the PS2 or went a different route. The difficulty in finding one due to a small initial distribution couldn't have helped, either.
But really, that doesn't explain why so many have stuck with the PS2 rather than just buy an Xbox and be done with it. The real answer is that the PS2 is probably the best console ever built (with respect to available technology). It's definitely the most popular - fastest to 100 million units shipped, most units sold ever, a game library fast approaching a staggering 2000 titles. But what really sticks out is the affordability and reliability of the console, and its' ability to deliver a consistent and enjoyable gaming experience.
I've owned two PS2 consoles at this point. The first one I bought was the original version, back in 2002 - you know, the one that looks awkwardly big now that they have the teeny little slim-line version that came out in 2004. That $299 investment lasted almost four years before it died, most likely because I kept it standing on end with the included console stand for most of the time, something I later found out can put unneeded or unwanted stress on critical system components. I bought a slim-line version for $130 in 2005, and it's worked beautifully day in and day out since then, and it's looked pretty damn good the whole time as well - I still can't believe how they took the old PS2, made it more robust and technically proficient, and then shrunk it down to something so small. I'm pretty sure even the GameCube isn't as small, and size was a farily main marketing point for a while. The reliability and consistency of gaming experience the PS2 delivers is something I really value from a console, especially after having to deal with a recently broken Xbox 360. It's nice to know what you're going to get when you turn the power button on.
Note that from here on out, I'll write the review based on the later slim-line version, since it's the only version you can buy in stores now, rather than constantly reference both versions of the PS2.
Right out of the box, the console was very easy to set up - two cables for power and TV hook-up, plus a controller, and you were pretty much good to go after a short console configuration (date and time, little things like that). The PS2 has a simple little menu system in which you can adjust system settings, manage saved game files, and start games up, though if you start up the console with a game already inside it just goes straight into that. If you want to change a system setting or something first, you have to pop open the CD tray to do so. Games are stored on propriety versions of CDs, and as long as you don't toss them around or leave them on the floor to get stepped on they've proved to be fairly durable - my Madden 2003 copy still works just fine. The controller didn't really change much from the PS1, which was fine considering it may be the most comfortable controller on the market - even the PS3 still uses the same basic shape. The only real difference was that dual-analog joysticks were now standard rather than an option. There are two ports for controllers, but you can buy a Multitap extension that allows you to plug three controllers into one port. There are also two memory card slots for saving games. I would recommend shopping around for a larger memory card than the standard Sony brand 8mb size - I filled that up rather quickly. I ended up getting a 32mb one from an outside brand, while my brother got a 64mb one from the same company. It should be noted that occasionally a data file can get corrupted on these third-party cards. I've had to delete a Guitar Hero save three or four times because of that, but oddly I've never needed to do it with another game. Just something to consider.
While the original PS2 required you to buy a network adapter to play online, the slim version had the network adapter built in, simply requiring an ethernet cable to hook up. Online gaming was so-so - it was mainly a panic addition since the Xbox really introduced this feature, and as such PS2 game servers weren't centralized and could sometimes feel haphazard. Each game had it's own server, and functionality or quality could vary at times. Companies could also shut down the server to entice you to buy a sequel - a very common practice in sports games that came out yearly.
The PS2 also plays DVDs and CDs, which was a big addition for that generation of consoles - technology consolidation has become a big draw for video game companies, and this was the first real evidence of it. If you did watch a DVD, you can use the controller to navigate through menus and such, though some may find this awkward enough to buy a seperate remote that comes with a sensor that plugs into a controller port. The remote's probably worth it, as figuring out what buttons on a regular controller do what to a DVD is a hassle.
In terms of raw power, the PS2 does fairly well. Obviously any new games that come out are going to tax the system to the limits. Even in 2006, the PS2 was showing its' age, with seemingly somewhat simpler games like Madden occasionally causing the PS2 to struggle with providing adequate framerates and load things quickly. Other games, particularly the newer first-person-shooter games like Black, will demonstrate the PS2's age even more. If you're the destructively impatient type you may want to look into something newer simply so your controller doesn't end up in pieces, but for most this shouldn't be too much of an issue.
The biggest thing that drew me to the PS2 was the affordability, especially when they dropped the price tag to $129 (and now easily found for below $100). At this point, the console is a GREAT value for those who want to play newer games but don't want to swallow the sometimes hefty cost of a next-gen console only to worry about it breaking (which was surprisingly and disappointingly common in early runs of the PS3 and Xbox 360 and can still be an issue today).
And those new game releases are a huge plus - make no mistake. While they may not look as good as the games for the PS3 or something, you can still buy Madden 2010, all the new Guitar Hero and Rock Band games, and many more for the PS2, plus be able to play old classics like God Of War or any of the Metal Gear Solid games for only $20, because games are generally cheaper for the PS2 as well. (Do be warned that not EVERY new game is coming out for the PS2 - I believe doing so may be an option game developers can opt for if they want, and not all choose to spend the time necessary. So if you really want to play _____, and really prefer to buy a PS2 if you can, double check to make sure those two desires are going to coincide.)
So while you can't get HDTV support, Blu-Ray playback, cutting-edge graphics, or really exceptional online support from a PS2, you CAN get what it's always offered - affordability, reliability, and a whole lot of fun. And especially in today's economy, isn't that all you really need?
Note: I didn't include any specific technical information, but if you're the type that likes to dig into that, I recommend simply visiting Wikipedia and searching "Playstation 2", as they have more of that stuff there than I will ever be able to wrap my head around.
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