PS2 Who?
Part I
By Le Chupacabra
Now, many of you may have noticed by now that there’s something different about the RS centrefold. No, it’s not the new ‘Girl Power’ section. It’s that a lot of these game reviews say ‘PS2 Game Review’ instead of ‘PC Game Review’. I’ve been informed that there’s been a significant amount of feedback asking why there are so many PS2 reviews and of course, asking what a PS2 is. So, for every reader that’s going to cringe at this article, whining “What the hell? I know what a bloody PS2 is… sod off with the patronising!” there will be many more who will still be scratching their heads, still in the dark about this mysterious ‘PS2’ thingy. So, for the benefit of all you ‘deshi gamers: here’s an article that explains the What-Why-When-Where-Who-and-maybe-the-How of the Sony PlayStation 2. More importantly, this article is to help you decide whether you would prefer to invest in the PS2 as your gaming machine over a Gaming PC.
Firstly, I’d like to apologise to everyone since this article comes about five years too late. Also, the Xbox 360 has been released and the PS3 is almost there. However, early ‘deshi adopters of the PS3 (and the 360) should be few, if any. Thus, the time is still right for a PS2. Read on.
To make a long and boring history short:
The PlayStation 2 (Oh bloody good job with the naming, Sony) is the successor to the PlayStation gaming console created by the Sony Computer Entertainment, Japan division of the Sony Corporation, Japan. The PS2 was released in Japan (March 4th, 2000) then the USA (October 26th, 2000) and finally in Europe (November 24th, 2000). The PS2 is also the fastest selling console in history, passing the 100-million mark in November 2005. Hurray. The PS2 hardware itself went through many revisions. The currently available model is the ‘PS2 SlimLine’ – a drastically remodelled version where the console is now the size of a slightly-larger-than-usual DVD case. Rejoice!
Now, if you really want to know about all this in more detail, just visit the WikiPedia site.
Okay, now for the important bits.
Now, a PC is an extremely versatile tool – you can watch movies, listen to music, browse the internet, and perform multimedia tasks, blah, blah, yadda, yadda. And of course – you can play games. A truly wondrous device, isn’t it?
The PS2, on the other hand, is a videogame console. Simply put, it’s only task is to play videogames. However therein lays the difference. A PC’s job, yes even a Gaming PC’s, is to be a multipurpose tool whereas a PS2 is a dedicated gaming beast.
Despite its age-old hardware, the PS2 is capable of churning out games with awe-inspiring visuals and immersive aural experiences. And it does so without letting any sort of piddling annoyances get in the way. The concept is simple enough: plug in the PS2 to your TV (and sound system, if you have one), pop in the game disc and without any delays whatsoever become lost in a world of adrenaline-pumped races, nail-bitingly tense spy missions and blood-and-sweat-drenched martial arts battles.
In lieu of a cumbersome keyboard and mouse set-up, you use the intuitive DualShock 2 controller to direct the action and the drama. Every button is where you need it to be and the pressure-sensitive (e.g. hold X harder to accelerate a car faster, tilt the Analog stick farther to run faster, etc.) Analog Sticks give you a level of control that’s unmatched by the WASD PC set-up. Many new PC ‘game-pads’ follow the DualShock 2 configuration. Why? Simply because the DualShock 2 is arguably the perfect controller. The DualShock 2 also has force-feedback, which means the control vibrates in tandem with the onscreen antics. Not only do you see the action when pumping buckshot into someone’s face or when you smash that 40-yarder into the back of the net – you can feel it all! PS2 games are tailor-made such that using a DS2 feels completely natural. A lofty claim indeed, but once you get your hands on one, you’ll see how easily it becomes second-nature like no other.
Now, let’s be more specific about this, shall we? The following points elucidate exactly what makes a PS2 not only a brilliant piece of gaming wizardry but something that your hard-earned money should be spent on.
It’s not just a gaming console! (Well, to a certain extent)
Remember that bit about the PC being a multitasking contraption? Well, the PS2 isn’t just about the games, mind you! The PS2 also doubles as a DVD player and a rather capable one too! Its one thing to watch movies on your PC but it’s an entirely different experience to be able to enjoy your movies courtesy of a nice large flat-screen TV and ground-shaking surround sound! And that’s not all – it can also play your music CDs as well. Talk about a great family device! When you’re done playing games, your sister can listen to her CDs and later at night, mum… dad… heck, the whole family can sit down for a movie session! That’s what you call value for your money.
It’s convenient!
That’s right! Not set-up hassles (unless you’re a totally brainless git), no upgrade worries, no nothing. This is the pure definition of ‘plug and play’! You don’t have to worry about insipid things like system requirements or compatibility issues (unless, of course, you try to put in a PC or Xbox game in the PS2 – in which case, you should just go and end yourself) or anything like that at all! Nor do you have to bother about installing the game since the concept of a gaming console is to allow you to just pop in the game disc and start playing immediately! Unlike a PC, where your PC has to be made for the games you play, for a PS2, the games are made for it! If you’ve ever gone ballistic simply because you need 200 more MBs of HD space or if your graphics card (despite being only six months old) just doesn’t cut it anymore, well, a PS2 is what you need. It’s a given that no matter how much money you spend on keeping your Gaming PC at the top, it takes little time for all that labour to be belittled. Not a very pleasant thing, is it? The PS2 knows no such difficulty. The PS2 is also backwards-compatible with all PS1 games and hardware – so if you still have all that stuff lying around… rejoice!
1 PS2 + 1 TV + Multitap + 4 controllers + bunch of mates = PARTAAAAAAY!
Okay, so calling a PS2 a proper multiplayer console is a wee bit of a misnomer. It only has two controller ports as opposed to four for the GameCube, Xbox and Xbox 360 (the PS3 purportedly supports seven). But that can be fixed by buying a PS2 Multitap – you plug in the Multitap to the controller port and plug in the controllers (a max. of 4 per Multitap) to the Multitap – voila and really intense multiplayer gaming ensues (two player gaming is still damn fun, mind you!). For some games you can combine two Multitaps and eight controllers for really insane multiplayer sessions. Another great bit about PS2 multiplayer is that you only need one console and one TV! Thus, Multiplayer and Co-operative games are far more emotional affairs since your comrades are sitting right next you to take part in all the celebrations, arguments and general insanity.
Jump up! Punch right! Jam on the guitar! … without a controller!
At first people were happy with just the conventional controllers. However, as games become far more immersive, in order to get that extra bit of wow factor, one can opt to use a controller that isn’t a controller at all. Thus you have devices like the ‘EyeToy’ USB camera for the PS2. If you yourself ever wanted to be the star of a game here’s your chance! Thanks to the motion detection technology, you directly interact with the game with body language. While few games (in form of compilations) support this, there are more interesting applications. For example, EyeToy Kinetic is an exercising game that is based completely on the EyeToy. Other mainstream games also support mini-games that take advantage of the EyeToy. And that’s not the only thing; many music-based games support other peripherals like the Dance Mat for Konami’s DDR games and most recently, the awesome Guitar controller for the bloody brilliant Guitar Hero. While these things are for the enthusiast crowds, atleast the PS2 has them (and damn, the multiplayer potential of these games is too bloody awesome!) Taking on your mates in two-player sessions of games like Guitar Hero, SingStar or DDR Extreme – it’s mind-blowing!
The Games
The daddy. The nuts. The daddy’s nuts! This is what the PS2 is all about. The PS2 is about gaming, and it’s safe to say that gaming is about the PS2. The PS2 game collection, on an average, is just bloody brilliant and recent years have seen some of the greatest games of all time being released on the PS2. The genres are but limitless! Looking for an Adventure-RPG-Platformer or an Action-Racing-Strategy (yep, you read that right) title? Chances are that you’ll find it on PS2. This is what really gives it a huge edge over PC games – PS2 games are a meld of many different genres that offer multicultural and engaging experiences unlike any other. The PS2 caters to all tastes – age and gender are not issues here! If you’ve ever thought things like music, exercising, anime, art, et al could never work as games – the PS2 is there to prove you dead wrong and moreso than a (Gaming) PC. There are titles on the PS2 that are capable of presenting gaming adventures that are beyond the norm. Play games like Katamari or ICO and see if anything on the PC can even compare (apart from the brilliant Half-Life 2 of course – but what’s one amazing game compared to hundreds of amazing games, eh)! Another great thing is that once a PS2 game is developed, it’s a final decision. Unlike PC games that often need to be patched up, fixed (and in the case, of pirated games – cracked); PS2 games are the final product. Since you can’t update them, developers go that extra distance to make sure the game actually works. This extra bit of attention goes a long way to ensuring a quality product – something that PC games can’t always boast about. Yes, there are stinkers in every gaming library and the PS2 has its fair share of the mediocre, poor and abysmal (but less in proportion to PC and Xbox, mind you). However, the sheer quality and quantity offered by the PS2’s top tier titles (and trust me, the PS2 has a lot of those!) easily offsets that fact. Remember that ‘PS2 Games of Winter 2005’ list I wrote up? That was just for one month (they came out in November) of releases and I originally started with a list of 36, by the way! Once again, I’ll also admit that the PS2 is a less-than stellar machine for playing your First Person Shooters – you can’t beat a mouse/keyboard combo for an FPS. While there are few quality FPSs on the PS2, it’s the whole multiplayer set-up that once again makes it somewhat superior to the PC. Sadly, if you’re looking for Real-Time Strategy games, the PS2 won’t help. While not offering the exact same gameplay as the PC RTS, the strategy and RPG-strategy games of the PC are extremely addictive, fun and more importantly, far more diverse than the rather stale PC RTSs. Need I continue?
And last, but not least… The Price
The PS2 (with one DualShock 2 controller) is a mere 15,000 Tk. here. Imagine, just 15,000Tk. for all that yummy gaming goodness described above. Infact, it’s possible to get PS2s in Malaysia and Thailand that cost about 10,000 – 12,000Tk. at most – and you get about 15 to 25 free (lovely word, innit?) games with your purchase. A 15,000Tk investment on a PC? Well, sure you can get a really good graphics card but aren’t we forgetting something like, oh say, oodles of RAM, a large HDD, a good motherboard and a gaming-worthy processor? An upgrade is pretty expensive as it is… and a brand new Gaming PC at 15,000Tk – if that bit makes any sense whatsoever then please book a room at the local asylum. Fact is, since it’s the games we’re concerned about, a PS2 turns out to be quite an economical choice. So once again: 15,000Tk and a PS2 or a PC? The PS2 seems to be a no-brainer here.
Part II
Now, if you’ve decided that a PS2 is the thing for you, then you have one last hurdle in front of you, how are you going to get one and from where.
Before this, I need to clear up some things, namely regional coding and Mod-Chips.
An unmodified PS2 console will only play games pertaining to the regional coding of the PS2. For US consoles the format is NTSC U/C, for EU and Australian consoles it is PAL and for Japan it is NTSC J. So a NTSC J game won’t play on a PAL console, natch. This is annoying isn’t it? Well there’s a way around it thankfully!
It’s known as a Mod-Chip. The technical aspect is simple: PS2 DVDs come with a boot sector that only the PS2 can read (it’s essentially a security measure). The boot sector contains a code that lets the PS2 ‘boot’ up the game. Import games (like playing NTSC games on a PAL console for example) show a foreign code whereas pirated PS2 Games don’t even have a code. What a mod-chip does is assess the game (to see whether it’s an import or a pirated one) and then it inputs a generic code that is acceptable to the PS2 thus allowing the game to boot up.
In layman terms, a mod-chip lets your PS2 play PS2 games from other countries as well as pirated games – just like magic!
There is one problem however with movie DVDs. The mod-chip won’t allow your PS2 to play original film DVDs that have a different regional coding from your PS2. However, pirated movie DVDs work perfectly, so it’s not a real problem.
Now, you have quite a few options when considering the purchase of a PS2.
Firstly the PS2 comes in two flavours: the somewhat portly original model and the new, slim model. In Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Malaysia, etc – you can get both models.
However, in other countries like the UK, the US, Australia and EU countries – you can only get the new PS2 SlimLine model. The same holds for the U.A.E (Dubai being a great place to get game consoles).
The differences between the two models are somewhat inconsequential here. The fat PS2 has a HDD and Network Adapter expansion bay while the slim PS2 doesn’t have the HDD bay (and that’s one major reason why it’s slim); the Network Adapter is built-in so it’s Online-enabled from the get go. Also, while all original PS2 peripherals work with the slim model only the Multitap faces a bit of a conundrum. Given the reworked design, the old Multitap doesn’t fit so Sony has brought out a new sleek Multitap exclusively for the PS2 SlimLine. My Multitap is a 3rd party (made by any company other than Sony) one which has an extra attachment that allows one to plug it into both the fat and the slim PS2. And it’s cheaper than the Sony one. Handy, that.
So basically, the battle between the original fat PS2 and the new PS2 SlimLine boils down to preference since both are the same when it comes to gaming. The reasons one might have for buying a SlimLine are:
- It looks rather fantastic.
- It has an integrated network port so you can immediately start playing Online-enabled games if you have your Internet properly set-up. However, that reason doesn’t work in Bangladesh since the connections are so slow. If you’re about to go abroad and are going to buy a PS2 for the first time, then the SlimLine is the obvious choice because you can play online without needing to buy a separate Network Adapter.
- It’s extremely portable and light.
As you can see, all these are about preference. The pricing of both models is similar. If you’re looking to save on the price differential, then the fat PS2 is the more economical of the two, but not by much. Hardware peripherals for both cost the same. However, if you are buying the PS2 for the first time, the PS2 SlimLine is a rather pleasing choice, but remember: it is slightly more expensive.
Now after you decide what kind of PS2 you want, the hierarchy of choices continues.
Two other factors are the location from which you wish to buy the PS2 and the condition (i.e. mod-chipped/’modded’, unmodified, second-hand or refurbished) of your PS2.
Regarding location, it’s a matter of convenience and preference. If you wish to buy the PS2 from Europe, the USA, Australia and the U.A.E: the PS2 SlimLine is your only choice. The prices are dependent on the relative strengths of their currencies. Thus the PS2 SlimLine is more expensive in Australia, less so in the EU countries, while it’s relatively the cheapest in America. The price at U.A.E tends to fluctuate between the UK and US one. Now, all these PS2s will be unmodified. If you back through the article, you’ll see that this means that the PS2 only supports its corresponding region. If you wish to purchase original games, then you should buy your PS2 from these places without a second thought.
You can still buy unmodified PS2s in B’desh and Malaysia, however that’s a waste of money if you live here since pirated games are absolutely dirt cheap compared to original games. Speaking of which, in B’desh, Malaysia, India, Pakistan and Thailand – you get both PS2 models (SlimLine and original) and in both conditions (modified and unmodified). The modified ones cost more due to the addition of the price of the mod-chip obviously.
If you live here, then you should definitely buy the modified version without question since in our case we are trying to make the most of this investment by saving money through buying pirated games.
And if you (a) already have an unmodified PS2, or (b) feel uncomfortable about buying a PS2 from the Asian countries – then you can have your PS2 modified at most PS2 game stores now. As in, you can modify your existing PS2 or buy a PS2 from abroad (ask someone to bring it for you, buy it when you’re on holiday, etc.) and then have it modified here.
PS2 Mod-chips here cost roughly 4,000 Tk. and it takes about an hour to get the modification done. Thus going back to Part I, the price of a modified PS2 (whether you got an original, unmodified one and had it modified OR bought a modified one in the first place) comes to roughly 15,000 Tk. here. Since the price of the mod-chip is relatively constant, you can really save a lot of money by buying your PS2 from abroad (thus the combination of an American PS2 + Mod-chip comes to about $120 + 4,000 Tk. = 12,000 Tk.! Brilliant!). The price of a modified PS2 here is 15,000 Tk. since they are the modified versions of the UK PAL PS2 (which is marginally more expensive). If you want to get the cheapest deal on a PS2, modified or unmodified, Malaysia is the best place. A modified PS2 comes to about 10,000 – 12,000 Tk. (and that was about a year and a half back, so it’s even cheaper now) and the cost of getting your PS2 modified there comes to 1,500Tk. The difference in prices (between B’desh and Malaysia) is simply there because it costs the retailers extra to have them shipped here. So even if you have to buy them from here, it’s not too great a difference. However one thing must be said: pirated PS2 games in Malaysia are bloody cheap. They are 3 Ringitt each which comes to 45 Tk. a pop. Compare this to the 120 Tk. ~ 150 Tk. price range here – highway robbery, innit? So yeah, if ever find yourself in Malaysia:
- If you have an unmodified PS2, take it with you and have it modified.
- If want to buy a modified PS2, buy it from there. Many stores give you about 15 to 25 FREE games when you buy a PS2
- If you have a modified PS2, then buy as many PS2 games as you can, from there.
If you’re going the ‘buy unmodified PS2 from abroad and then have it modified later’ route, read on.
If you are buying a PS2 from the UK or USA, then you might want to consider two options: new or refurbished PS2s.
A new PS2 is just that – console, controller… everything is all brand new. A refurbished PS2 is a bit more complicated. When people abroad get their console replaced (when it falls under the warranty period), they get a new console. What happens to the one they sent in? Well, that one goes to the factory and gets repaired. However since it was used in the first place, they are not repackaged. Instead, they are sent back to retailers as ‘refurbished’ models to be sold at much cheaper prices. So you can get a refurbished PS2 and have it modified – this comes to a very small grand total depending on the price of the refurbished PS2. So yeah, 6,000 – 8,000Tk. for a modified PS2 is not a dream anymore. However, you may want to know that a refurbished PS2 is often only the console sans wires and controller. This varies from store to store, so make sure you know what you’re doing.
A second-hand PS2 is a good option only if:
- You’re severely strapped for cash.
- You have an unmodified PS2, but don’t want to modify it and you want to play pirated games at the same time (trust me, there are people like that).
- You are willing to balance the cost with the risk that the PS2 might not work to its full capabilities.
Know your priorities with all these options.
Part III
The last part of “PS2 Who?” covers the peripherals of the PS2 and a games list to get you started.
Here’s a brief primer regarding the basic peripherals available for the PS2.
DualShock 2 controller – Standard PS2 controller with pressure-sensitive Dual Analog sticks and 10 buttons. Face buttons are the famous Triangle, Square, X/Cross and Circle buttons. The shoulder buttons are R1, R2, L1 and L2. Start and Select round off the list. This is compatible with all PS2 and PS1 games. A Sony one costs about but 3rd party ones are cheaper. Unfortunately 3rd party controllers usually suck. Stick with the Sony ones.
DualShock 1 controller – This is for the PS1/PSOne but is compatible with the PS2. The only difference is the colour and the fact that it is not pressure-sensitive. It’s compatible with all PS1 games but some PS2 games requiring pressure-dependent input will not recognize it.
Memory Card (8MB) (for PS2) – Standard storage device for the PS2. It has slightly less than 8Mb once formatted. Suffice to say, you can’t save progress, replays, settings without this. It’s possible to get larger 3rd party Memory Cards at 16Mb by GameShark and Datel. Unlike 3rd party controllers, these ones are as good and reliable as Sony Memory Cards.
Multitap for PS2 (fat)/PS2 SlimLine – Allows for multiplayer gaming upto 4 to 8 players depending on set-up and the game. Most available Multitaps in Asian countries are for the fat PS2 while those abroad are for the slim. The Multitap has slots for Memory Cards as well.
EyeToy – USB Camera peripheral for the PS2. There are party game compilations designed to let you control the game using your body language (physical movement like punching, waving, etc.) Some games offer a more serious approach like exercising, etc. Some games, usually sports titles, allow you to use it to take a picture of yourself so the game avatar has your face.
Other peripherals are usually exclusive to particular titles like the Dance Mats for the Dance Dance Revolution series, the microphones for the SingStar and Karaoke Revolution series, the Guitar controller for Guitar Hero, the USB Headset for the SOCOM series, etc.
Some problems regarding the PS2 are:
- Disc Read Errors: Are usually the result of trying to play dirty/damaged discs. If your PS2 is kept in an unclean and dusty environment, like any optical device, the laser lens will become dirty rendering it unusable. The only way to stop this from happening is by keeping your PS2 and your game discs clean. PS2 game discs should be handled with care to prevent scratching. If your PS2 laser lens is dirty you can use a lens cleaner and if that doesn’t work, you can take it to a store where they will disassemble the PS2 and clean the lens.
- Mod-chip-Network-Adapter conundrum: This is only applicable for those who wish to play Online with a modified PS2. If your Mod-chip is detected by the Online network for your game then your account will be suspended and possibly barred permanently. One way around this is to use an unmodified PS2. Some mod-chips can be disabled/enabled at will. If you know how to do this, then this shouldn’t be a problem.
- Voltage/Power regional discrepancies (only for the fat PS2) – If your PS2 is the fat one, make sure you know the power/voltage rating for it. The voltage output of Bangladesh is 220-240V. This is standard for all PAL (EU, Australia) PS2 hardware. However, a US PS2 has a rating of 110V. If you plug that in directly here… well, I’d rather not describe the carnage. Suffice to say, you risk losing your PS2 and in the case of an explosion, a limb or two… or more. So make sure you have a Step-Down Transformer for the US fat PS2. The SlimLine (all regions) already has an adapter that’s compatible with the range 110V-240 which makes it compatible in any country.
I guess that covers the major problems.
Now lastly, I’d like to mention some excellent (and a lot of them being absolutely brilliant) PS2 games to whet your appetite and to get you started off once you get your gaming machine.
Now given the fact that most PS2 games are multi-genre titles it’s hard to sort them out in absolute divisions. However, I’ll still sort them by the most dominant genre in the game.
Action: God of War, Devil May Cry, Devil May Cry 3, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Jak III, Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal, Resident Evil 4, Onimusha 3: Demon Siege, SOCOM 3: US Navy Seals, TimeSplitters: Future Perfect, Zone of the Enders 2: The 2nd Runner, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Viewtiful Joe, Alien Hominid, Peter Jackson’s King Kong, Killer 7, Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, Manhunt.
Adventure: ICO, Shadow of the Colossus, Fahrenheit, Jak and Daxter in the Precursor Legacy, Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly, Fatal Frame III: The Tormented, Forbidden Siren, The Mark of Kri, The Rise of the Kasai, Sly 3: Honour Among Thieves, PsychoNauts, Maximo vs. the Army of Zin, Escape from Monkey Island, Ape Escape 3, Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil, Rygar: The Legendary Adventure, Sky Odyssey, Silent Hill 3, Beyond Good and Evil.
Sports: Pro Evolution Soccer 5, Winning Eleven 9 International, FIFA 06, WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2006, ESPN NBA 2K6, Brian Lara Cricket International, Top Spin Tennis, NBA Street V3, SSX 3, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4, Virtua Tennis 2.
Cars: Gran Turismo 4, Burnout 3: Takedown, Burnout: Revenge, Colin McRae Rally 2005, Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition, WRC 4, TOCA Race Driver 2, Auto Modellista, Need for Speed: Underground.
Fighting: Tekken 5, Soul Calibur III, Soul Calibur II, Guilty Gear X2, DragonBall Z Budokai 3, Hyper Street Fighter II Anniversary Edition, Fight Night Round 2, Virtua Fighter 4, King of Fighters: Maximum Impact.
RPG: Final Fantasy X, Kingdom Hearts, Dark Cloud 2/Dark Chronicle, Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, Makai Kingdom, Star Ocean: Till the End of Time, DragonQuest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King, Shin Megami Tensai: Digital Devil Saga, Shadow Hearts: Covenant, Drakengard, Dues Ex: The Conspiracy, Kessen III, Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance, Champions of Norrath: Realms of EverQuest, Wild ARMs 4,
Don’t really fall into any category but brilliant all the same: Katamari Damacy, We Love Katamari, Gradius V, Guitar Hero, REZ, FreQuency, Amplitude, EyeToy Play 2, SingStar.
Well, we finally come to the end of this trio of articles. I hope they helped! And remember – you need a PS2. Now!
Even though the Xbox 360 is released and the PS3 is coming up by the end of the year, the current generation is far from over. Here are some upcoming games that should give you enough reasons to hold onto your hard-earned cash:
