Cheap Playstation 2 (Video Games) (PlayStation2) Price

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Customer Reviews of Playstation 2

Best games, most portable game system currently available
I'll admit it, yep I own an xbox. What do I think of it? It has its strengths and weakenesses but my aversion to contributing to the microsoft monopoly finally forced me to run out and buy a ps2 just to have some of the games that apparently won't ever be available on the xbox. I've only had the unit for about two days but so far I have to say I think the games just work a bit better on the ps2 even though it does lack a hard disk which really makes several things (like game saves)easier on the xbox. <
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>The lack of a hard disk could be seen as a mixed blessing, if you move your system around a lot or go to a lot of gaming parties with it, then you're probably better off with a machine without a hard drive because hard drives don't like hard knocks very much at all and generally have only a 3-4 year lifespan if used heavily. My most important observations about the difference in the two systems boils down to two things: 1) Xbox has a LOT more multiplayer games (4 plus players) 2) PS2 lacks the networking capabilities available to the Xbox (16 players can be in one halo game on 4 stations with their own television). <
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>I have to say, for what the PS2 is (300 mhz cpu, a small amount of sytem RAM and a basic video chip by today's standards) that this machine is truly a marvel--was for its hey day and really still is for the most part. If you haven't seen the really new game "Dawn of the Colossus" you need to check it out, the graphics are just unbelievable (it's also hard as heck but still fun). <
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>There are three versions of the ps2 unit, the first one had a firewire(IEE1394A) port that supposedly was going to allow networking of units (like the xbox can) but since no one ever took advantage of it, that port has been taken off the two later units. The second unit was more compact and the third (current) model is the size of a paperback book (but lacks support for an internal hard drive). The PS3 is due out soon (next year or two), from what I've read Sony is waiting for the new "blue ray" dvd drives to be available (20 gig on a disk instead of 4) and it will also maintain compatibility with earlier games (a lot of parents will be glad of that I'm sure). <
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>I've only had a little time to play with my new ps2 but I have to say that I think game play is smooth enough and the types and variety of games available for it are superior to the xbox. Sony apparently maintains some kind of online gaming setup which doesn't charge like the xbox live does but may not be as fancy (haven't been there yet). There are several online enabled games such as everquest (which does carry a monthly fee apparently to play on the everquest server). <
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>The bad? <
>Since the ps2 doesn't have a hard disk the system has to load as much as it can into RAM and access the DVD drive a lot. It must be using some type of predictive read-ahead caching to get what it needs off the dvd drive before it's needed. This kind of setup means the dvd drive runs nearly constantly--which is probably why soooo many dvd drives fail so quickly if the unit is played a lot. All I can say is keep track of your receipt. There are often "parts units" available on ebay if you're technically savvy enough to be comfortable with repairing the guts of your ps2. <
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>Accessories: <
>The lack of a hard disk means you're forced to purchase exhorbitantly priced static ram memory cards. Fortunately there are a few off-brands (non-Sony) offering cards in larger capacities for about half the cost of the sony 8 meg cards. Sony charges about $40.00 for two 8 meg cards, they are making huge profits on this since that much non-volatile ram has been a whole bunch cheaper than that for quite a long time. <
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>Most games are 1 or 2 player, if you want to play one of the rare 4 or more player games you need one or two multiplayer tap units to allow four controllers (and 4 memory card slots) to be attached to the system. Be aware the tap units come in three different models depending upon which version of the ps2 you have, fortunately there is at least one off-brand tap unit that claims to work with all three units. You also need enough controllers, sony's controllers are nice but pricey at $20.00 you can do better with 3rd party units (I just bought some on sale for $5.00 each at circuit city). <
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>Like the unit, like the game variety and an extra added bonus is that since there are soooo many games it's generally not that hard to find older stuff massively marked down from the original price.

Awesome!
I just got this for Christmas along with four games for it.This PS2 is really cool and it is the new design for PS2.It's really light and that's one of it's great features.The manual tells you all the things it should come with and it tells you how to hook it up to your tv and how to start playing games and finish.The CD drive opens from the top which makes it more compact.It comes with a DualShock2 controller which can be set to analog mode or digital mode and has a vibrating function which is available for certain games.It's really not hard to set up if you follow the instructions in the manual.The graphics are seriously awesome and they are clear and easy to see.But you should remember since this isn't included in the manual that you have to switch your tv to another mode besides cable for the PS2 to work.This is pretty durable unless you are really rough with it which really goes for everything.I hope this review is helpful to you and that you buy it because even though it is kind of expensive it's worth it since it has the lightweight feature,the compact CD drive and amzing graphics.You're getting your money's worth and anyone thinking of buying this as a present don't hold back it's the perfect gift idea.I hope this was helpful.