PS2 Game Consoles

[piasabird]

Hey my daughter wants a PS2 Game Console. I tried to tell her that the console is kind of out of date and maybe an X-Box would be better, but she does not like the X-Box Games. She is more into the Adventure Role Playing thing like Baldurs Gate and Final Fantasy ??.

So what she wants I pretty much have to get. She has made very few demands for stuff, and I guess she deserves it. So I looked at the newer PS2 Game Consoles. There is one on sale for like $197 that is the stripped down console. There is also a newer model that comes with the Network Pack and the game ATV Off Road Fury. I figure a game is like $20.00 for a mediocre one that is old, so if it costs $199.00 that isnt breaking the bank.

I was wondering if there is a technical improvement between the two consoles. I have heard people have had some complaints about the original PS2 game consoles. So I was wondering if both consoles are exactly the same or if there was a techincal improvement with this new package Sony is trying to sell?

Give me any feedback you can think of.

I had another question I have seen something about using the newer console to chat, How does that work???

Do you plug in a keyboard or what??????

[ToyotaSupra]

Theres 2 USB slots on a PS2, you can use a keyboard to talk with and stuff online with the network adapter. One good thing PS2 has over XBox is that online play is free if the game isn't pay to play.
I have one of the original PS2's and haven't had any problems with it at all.

[piasabird]

So is the PS2 network pack strictly a Modem or can it do broadband???

[boxcarracer767]

The network pack includes a broadband adaptor. I would too perfer ps2 over xbox, due to the more selection and better games

[kstatefan40]

I know i will prolly get flamed for this, but I have seen both consoles running side by side, and the xbox has a very noticable edge in graphics. The PS2 has more games and varity, but i believe the xbox is a better deal. With xbox, you dont have to buy memory cards all the time, like on the ps2. That is very important for rpg lovers because you are unlikely to run out of space on the onboard hard drive, which is over 5 gb. You can record music onto it, and various other things. If you do decide with xbox, beware of the trick controllers, they are CRAP. HTH

[piasabird]

I aready offerred to buy an X-BOX, but my daughter says she does not want one. She does not like most X-BOX Games.

[40below]

The ps2 memory cards hold more than the ps1 cards did. I have a ps2 and would say its better because of the game selection. It has lots of good games for younger kids. The X-Box does seem to have better graphics, as was stated above. But if your going for graphics then just use a computer, right? Anyway, I wouldnt let the memory card be a concern. I cant think of exactly how much the ps2 cards hold but we have 3 basketball seasons on it with no problems.

[boxcarracer767]

ps2 memory cards hold 8mb, u can easly get an upgraded 16mb or 32mb version, I have alot of games saved on my 8mb and still have alot off space left. So i wouldnt worry about memory card selection

[avx]

Originally posted by kstatefan40 I know i will prolly get flamed for this, but I have seen both consoles running side by side, and the xbox has a very noticable edge in graphics. The PS2 has more games and varity, but i believe the xbox is a better deal. With xbox, you dont have to buy memory cards all the time, like on the ps2. That is very important for rpg lovers because you are unlikely to run out of space on the onboard hard drive, which is over 5 gb. You can record music onto it, and various other things. If you do decide with xbox, beware of the trick controllers, they are CRAP. HTH

I have to agree with your daughter, PS2 is the way to go. Kstate is right, x-box is powerful and everything, but their games are lame...and there are so few.

I dont know what he means about buying memory cards all the time, it aint like their batteries...How many games can she actually play at once, to fill up a memory card? You can erase old entries...1 memory card will do anything you need.

That recording the music stuff is just a parlor trick to keep you from thinking about their poor selection of games.... I mean honestly how mnay times can you listen to a song before it just gets annoying...Maybe for some of those HARDCORE RPG lovers who have the Lunar saga symphony collection on CD thats like 4 and a half hrs long, it would be cool, but other wise, its really just useless.

The older console vs newer console thing you were talking about, the newer version plays blue disks, I have just recently run into that problem, apparently the first few orders of the system, were not made to be able to play these blue disk games, like "The Thing" and "Midnight Club 2", I dont know why, all I know is that if you take your old system to eb, trade it in, and pay an extra 50 bucks, you get a new PS2 that can play the blue disk, which I had to do.

One thing Kstate was right on about ...those mangled keyboards they call x box controllers...they are horrible

Get a PS2 with a good classic like Metal Gear Solid 2 or Devil May Cry...How old is your daughter? What kind of games does she like. The 2 I mentioned are great games, but are really for the 15 and older male crowd, maybe she would be more into a game like the Tomb Raider Chronicles if she likes hard games, or Dr. Muto, or Jak and Daxter the precursor legacy...great games for kids.

[Colonel Sanders]

Originally posted by kstatefan40 I know i will prolly get flamed for this, but I have seen both consoles running side by side, and the xbox has a very noticable edge in graphics. The PS2 has more games and varity, but i believe the xbox is a better deal. With xbox, you dont have to buy memory cards all the time, like on the ps2. That is very important for rpg lovers because you are unlikely to run out of space on the onboard hard drive, which is over 5 gb. You can record music onto it, and various other things. If you do decide with xbox, beware of the trick controllers, they are CRAP. HTH

The XBox outpreforming the PS2 is the biggest lie I've ever heard. A 733MHz crippeled Coppermine shouldn't even be compared to the two 64-bit integer units (IU) with a 128-bit SIMD multi-media command unit, two independent floating point vector calculation units (VU0, VU1), an MPEG 2 decoder circuit (Image Processing Unit/IPU) and high performance DMA controllers all on the amazing Emotion Engine. Consider this, the EE can preform 6.2GFLOPS, the XBox CPU is stuck at a little over the 3GFLOPS.

Lets talk graphics. The PS2 can truely do 75 million polygons/sec, the XBox cant quite match that or even think about doing 125 million polygons/sec. Why? The XBox claims it has a fillrate of 4000 million pixels/sec, but each pixel is counted 4 times because the XBox GPU is hardwired in 4x AA. Want proof? A Pc GeForce 3 with a 350MHz RAMDAC and 64MB of *dedicated* RAM can only push 800 M pixels/s, but the XBox GPU with a 250MHz RAMDAC and 64MB of shared RAM, and an extra vertex shader can preform 4000 M pixels/sec?!? Wow, those vertex shaders must be awesome!

Quite honestly the only thing the XBox has over the PS2 is that it has interactive sound, which no one will notice as they are busy sniping... Really if the PS2 wanted interactive sound, the EE could emulate it with ease.

Gee, that just makes me want to trade my PS2 for another MS product.

L J

[muTe]

I'm not sure if it's true, but I heard that the newer versions of the ps2 needs a special controler to play dvds (like the xbox, another way to make $$$). the first versions of the ps2 does play dvds with the ps2 controler. I really don't know if it's true though... I would personally buy a ps2 for the games (madden 2004, final fantasy, just to mention these!) and I prefer the ps2 controler over any other, it's one of the best ever made.

muTe

I won't buy another console though... PCs DO own consoles just kidding, some consoles games are much better the way they are (again-> final fantasy and the sports games...)

[mattg2k4]

Game Cube all the way for me, I love all the nintendo games like zelda, smash brothers, and f-zero.

The power of the console isn't terribly important when all three of the top ones are all pretty dang powerful. The games should be the deciding factor. The fact that both the GC and PS2 controllers are better than the xbox ones just sweetens the deal.

[Colonel Sanders]

Originally posted by muTe I'm not sure if it's true, but I heard that the newer versions of the ps2 needs a special controler to play dvds (like the xbox, another way to make $$$). the first versions of the ps2 does play dvds with the ps2 controler. I really don't know if it's true though... I would personally buy a ps2 for the games (madden 2004, final fantasy, just to mention these!) and I prefer the ps2 controler over any other, it's one of the best ever made.

The newer consoles(up to 1 month old, as far as I know) can play DVDs without software, but it sure is hard to control with the D-Pad, the remote is nice.

L J

[juppy]

Another thing you may be hearing about the newer versions of the PS2 is this. Some of the original version (and I mean THE very first version to come out) had an overheating problem. This was one of the things they fixed in the revision. My PS2 is the "fixed" version, but I have heard they came out with other upgrades since then too. One being they decreased the size of the main board. Not that that makes any difference in gameplay really. And I also heard the newest versions don't have the Digital Out (Optical) jack on the back by the power cord anymore either. Don't quote me on that last thing though as I haven't actually witnessed that myself.

Oh BTW, ATV Offroad Fury is a pretty cool game too (in case you wanted an opinion on that). Much better than the sequel to it; ATV Offroad Fury 2. #2 has a better soundtrack and more options as far as ATV's and outfits for your rider, but the original was just way more fun. And you are right, it's on the Greatest Hits list so it only sells for $20 anyway.

[piasabird]

Thanks for all your replys.

I think I may try buying the New network pack version. I am kind of a network junky. I have 3 computers at home plugged into a broadband network at home so it only makes sense. It is only a little over $20.00 dollars more and they throw in a game with the deal.

[TechSupport420]

I'm not to sure about the differences between "models" but I can tell you one thing, I bought my PS2 from a friend and use it all the time with no problems. My other friend however has gone through about 4 PS2's. Some just break, and I have taken them apart before which is no fun. PS2's games are better then XBOX's as far as I'm concerned. PS2's graphics are a little out dated and soon 64bit game consoles will be out but I'm someone who still has the Classic Nintendo still hooked up tho..... Thats just me

[Colonel Sanders]

Anyone know how I can find details on my PS2 based on the model number? The number is SCPH 3001, it's an old one and still runing great.

Tech Support, I hate to say but the PS2 graphics are deffinatley not out of date, read my previous posts in this thread for more details. The only thing the XBox has over the PS2 is hardwired 4x AA.

L J

[SonicVanguard]

Originally posted by mattg2k4 Game Cube all the way for me, I love all the nintendo games like zelda, smash brothers, and f-zero. The power of the console isn't terribly important when all three of the top ones are all pretty dang powerful. The games should be the deciding factor. The fact that both the GC and PS2 controllers are better than the xbox ones just sweetens the deal.

Then you'll be happy when October 7th rolls around considering this WalMart ad copy.

[coolcps]

I have all three and ps2 has the best variety of games by far, nintendo is nintendo(nuf said) and xbox had halo exclusively for awhile. Lots of xbox games you can get on the pc.

[tigstah]

if she has her mind made up and she wants a ps2 thats easier for you. i would say check the sunday paper for deals. october is approaching and some stores will have bundles....you may get an extra controller and a game or two, or the broadband adapter and a free game...you just have to shop around.

oh lord another xbox vs ps2 debate......

[juppy]

Originally posted by Colonel Sanders Anyone know how I can find details on my PS2 based on the model number? The number is SCPH 3001, it's an old one and still runing great.

I did some searching and ran across this site. You might try it; it seems to be pretty helpful for figuring out what version you've got anyway. Doesn't tell much of anything about the features of each one, but knowing the version might help you find it.
http://www.modchipshop.com/ps2/v5v6v7.htm

[Colonel Sanders]

BTW, found out my PS2 is a version 4.

L J

[cobra]

I got a PS2 for me and my daughter about 5-6 months ago, when the price dropped...
bought her a few kids games, and me socom, vice city, and rally3.
But what I REALLY love about it is:
www.qcast.com
I can use it to play mp3's, view pictures, and play divx/xvid from my pc, over my network, through my ps2, into my TV OR home stereo system...
w00t!

Well worth it to me, if just for that....