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I've had my PS2 for over a week now, so I thought I'd give everyone the benefit of my insight into this machine that resembles a piece of scenery from 2001.
When I first turned the machine on, I noticed that it had quite a nice configuration screen. All rotating blobs and translucent colours, moving around like nobody's business. This was nice and after I'd fiddled around with the date and time (changing from Spanish to English and amending the time and date) I tried the demo disc out.
Oh how disappointed I was. No, I hadn't loaded the disc yet, I'd just seen the new PS2 logo screen. A nice enough PS2 logo (in boring white letters) appears with a sound resembling a damp rasberry. I'm sorry, but the original PSX logo was so much better and at least they made an effort with the 'fanfair'. So we get a good impression of the PS2 as the sound of too many baked beans herald the loading of the disc...hm.
Well, I neededn't have worried, the demo disc certainly showed up that intro. Nice swirly polygons and loud music rose from the TV speakers (alas, my sound system was back in the UK, old tinny TV speakers had to do for now!) I was soon having a go at the (3) playable demos and watching the rest. Time to buy a PS2 mag for another demo disc, methinks! Still, by this time I was very impressed and the joypads were a lot more sensitive than my old PSX ones, even the fire buttons seemed to work better. Nice, and in black too.
The games on the demo disc were quite a nice little starter for me. Yes, I'd played PS2 games before, but there's something about playing them on your own console that makes the experience far more special. I loved SSX pro and even the FIFA game wasn't too bad once I'd figured out the controls (oh, and what team I was supposed to be playing as!) Not sure about the racing game though, a bit boring for me, but nice graphics all the same.
Ok, so I'd played the demos, now for the real stuff, GT3. I opened the disc tray and the music on the demo disc got stuck, so I reset the machine and it waited for my new shiny disc. Well, we all watched the intro with dropped jaws and I must say, I was very impressed.
The heat effects, the speed and the graphics in general were greater than I had remembered them. Lovely and playable to boot. A pity, then, that Sony had omitted to include one of their expensive memory cards in the pack. Yes, it was only when I got back the England that I noticed SR's firepack, but a memory card is in the process of being bought.
Taking the machine home, I wrapped it in as many clothes as I could and prayed it made it through the journey. It did, of course, and was the first thing I unpacked the following day (funny that!) I've now gone on to play many more games (mostly borrowed, unfortunately) and I can say that I am still impressed. Sony should have really worked on that logo though, but I'll forgive them after playing the demo of MGS2.
When I first turned the machine on, I noticed that it had quite a nice configuration screen. All rotating blobs and translucent colours, moving around like nobody's business. This was nice and after I'd fiddled around with the date and time (changing from Spanish to English and amending the time and date) I tried the demo disc out.
Oh how disappointed I was. No, I hadn't loaded the disc yet, I'd just seen the new PS2 logo screen. A nice enough PS2 logo (in boring white letters) appears with a sound resembling a damp rasberry. I'm sorry, but the original PSX logo was so much better and at least they made an effort with the 'fanfair'. So we get a good impression of the PS2 as the sound of too many baked beans herald the loading of the disc...hm.
Well, I neededn't have worried, the demo disc certainly showed up that intro. Nice swirly polygons and loud music rose from the TV speakers (alas, my sound system was back in the UK, old tinny TV speakers had to do for now!) I was soon having a go at the (3) playable demos and watching the rest. Time to buy a PS2 mag for another demo disc, methinks! Still, by this time I was very impressed and the joypads were a lot more sensitive than my old PSX ones, even the fire buttons seemed to work better. Nice, and in black too.
The games on the demo disc were quite a nice little starter for me. Yes, I'd played PS2 games before, but there's something about playing them on your own console that makes the experience far more special. I loved SSX pro and even the FIFA game wasn't too bad once I'd figured out the controls (oh, and what team I was supposed to be playing as!) Not sure about the racing game though, a bit boring for me, but nice graphics all the same.
Ok, so I'd played the demos, now for the real stuff, GT3. I opened the disc tray and the music on the demo disc got stuck, so I reset the machine and it waited for my new shiny disc. Well, we all watched the intro with dropped jaws and I must say, I was very impressed.
The heat effects, the speed and the graphics in general were greater than I had remembered them. Lovely and playable to boot. A pity, then, that Sony had omitted to include one of their expensive memory cards in the pack. Yes, it was only when I got back the England that I noticed SR's firepack, but a memory card is in the process of being bought.
Taking the machine home, I wrapped it in as many clothes as I could and prayed it made it through the journey. It did, of course, and was the first thing I unpacked the following day (funny that!) I've now gone on to play many more games (mostly borrowed, unfortunately) and I can say that I am still impressed. Sony should have really worked on that logo though, but I'll forgive them after playing the demo of MGS2.
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PB and anyone else with a PS2, You shouldn't use the back switch every time you want to use your console, you should use the standby button on the front of machine.
It says in the instructions to this :-)
It says in the instructions to this :-)
Well its not exactly a fact, but its not just my wishes either.
In honesty, I'd say that it's somewhere in between.
In honesty, I'd say that it's somewhere in between.
Heh! You say it as if its a fact, rather than just something you wish was true. I`m not gonna get into another fan wars debate, so I`m off.
I`ll probably laugh for a while though!
I`ll probably laugh for a while though!
Its going to do a bit more than "match" the PS2.
The PS2's hardware might've been around but the really serious games that are comparable to the Gamecube aren't released yet.
Also, the Gamecube is set to be the definitive multiplayer machine.
It's all down to personal taste I suppose.
The PS2's hardware might've been around but the really serious games that are comparable to the Gamecube aren't released yet.
Also, the Gamecube is set to be the definitive multiplayer machine.
It's all down to personal taste I suppose.
Has the gamecube actually got a UK release date yet? I'll probably get one if the games are good, but I'm going to actually wait for the reviews rather than base my opinion on a few screenshots.
It's just that the PS2 has been out for over a year, so the developers have got used to the hardware. It has some great games, and the 'cube could be upto 1 year away.
Being launched around 1.5 years after the PS2 in the UK, I would expect the GC to be a NEXT generation machine, rather than something to match the PS2s technology....
Let's face it, by the time the GC has been launched, the £199 PS2 will be in the homes of the majority of gamers (N64 syndrome). With just the Ninty lovers and kids owning GCs.
Why wait 6-12 months to buy a machine on a gamble? It's looking more and more like following the N64s path each day. The PS2 is already a success!
Look at the sales figures in Japan as evidence.
It's just that the PS2 has been out for over a year, so the developers have got used to the hardware. It has some great games, and the 'cube could be upto 1 year away.
Being launched around 1.5 years after the PS2 in the UK, I would expect the GC to be a NEXT generation machine, rather than something to match the PS2s technology....
Let's face it, by the time the GC has been launched, the £199 PS2 will be in the homes of the majority of gamers (N64 syndrome). With just the Ninty lovers and kids owning GCs.
Why wait 6-12 months to buy a machine on a gamble? It's looking more and more like following the N64s path each day. The PS2 is already a success!
Look at the sales figures in Japan as evidence.
Ok, well, to answer some of these points...
The controller.
I liked the PSX controller, and in my (humble) opinion, Sony have actually improved it. It's not as nice as the N64 one though, that beats everything else hands down.
The Machine.
Yes, I agree that the switch on the back was a mistake. Reaching in to the back of my cabinet is a pain. The other problem is that it's not exactly friendly with changing discs and the music or sounds often get 'stuck' when the tray opens, but that's probably lazy programming. But at least it doesn't turn the machine off like the PSX does when you open the lid to change discs.
I have grown to like the shape of the PS2 now, but I also like the Gamecube's funky design, and yes, I will be getting one of those too (when is another matter..)
The Games.
Sequels. Yes, there are a lot, but then if the original game is good, why not try to update it and make it better. I like a lot of the games on the PS2, admittedly, there aren't quite enough yet, but there is a huge release schedule now and lots to look forward to.
In General.
To be honest, I like all consoles. I have a problem in that I like gaming. I don't like to limit my choice to one brand as it makes the choice of games more limited. I see good and bad points in all consoles and my favorite console is still the DC, but it doesn't mean I can live without the others. I enjoy gaming, and that means ALL gaming, not just one brand.
The controller.
I liked the PSX controller, and in my (humble) opinion, Sony have actually improved it. It's not as nice as the N64 one though, that beats everything else hands down.
The Machine.
Yes, I agree that the switch on the back was a mistake. Reaching in to the back of my cabinet is a pain. The other problem is that it's not exactly friendly with changing discs and the music or sounds often get 'stuck' when the tray opens, but that's probably lazy programming. But at least it doesn't turn the machine off like the PSX does when you open the lid to change discs.
I have grown to like the shape of the PS2 now, but I also like the Gamecube's funky design, and yes, I will be getting one of those too (when is another matter..)
The Games.
Sequels. Yes, there are a lot, but then if the original game is good, why not try to update it and make it better. I like a lot of the games on the PS2, admittedly, there aren't quite enough yet, but there is a huge release schedule now and lots to look forward to.
In General.
To be honest, I like all consoles. I have a problem in that I like gaming. I don't like to limit my choice to one brand as it makes the choice of games more limited. I see good and bad points in all consoles and my favorite console is still the DC, but it doesn't mean I can live without the others. I enjoy gaming, and that means ALL gaming, not just one brand.
I'm glad your getting a GC, Resi. It's a good choice... and you'll get most PS2 games on it anyway!
If your thikning of getting a PS2 anyone... Stop thinkning! :D
If your thikning of getting a PS2 anyone... Stop thinkning! :D
>The Game wrote:
> I've played on a PlayStation 2 and let me tell you...
>The pads are sooo 1995...
In 1995 there was no analog,no dual shock and no pressure sensitive buttons
>The On/Off button is stupidly placed at the back...
you use the standby button at the FRONT
>The games take ages to load...
some do but stream loading is soon to be introduced and the hard drive helps
>The pads are too small...
true but i don't mind
>The Green and Blue lights are getting old...
i like em
>The only really decent games are the MGS2 demo (Not even a >full game)... And GT3... just a spruced up version of the >other one...
best lineup around chuck
>There nothing wrong with sequels, but to be sond a £40 >game for £10 worth of graphics and £10 -£10 worth of cars >is a joke... mind you, that
> Tuscan looks nice... Mmmmmm
Some were made so PS2 owners had something to play at launch including GT3 but a ninty should be used to that especially if you own a GBA
>Highly Anticipated games like Jak and Daxter have
> crap shadows and even half decent games like Dark Cloud >take most of their
> ideas... (AND THEIR MAPS!) from other games (Zelda!)
Jak and Daxter has superb graphics although your right about dark cloud.
>The PS2 has the potential
> to be a great console... but so far 1 full game has >impressed be... If you must
> know what it is, it's Extreme G 3, which will be on >Gamecube anyway...
you haven't played much then.
>But
> that's my opinion... and the Gamecube will be the next >console by my TV if I
> have to wait 6 monts or 6 years!
your choice and your loss
>You Playstationers will learn... Nintendo
> are much more than bright colours... and when I find out >what that is, i'll let
> you know!
Nintendo will recover from the N64 and I'm getting a gamecube so I'm a happy chappy :-)
> I've played on a PlayStation 2 and let me tell you...
>The pads are sooo 1995...
In 1995 there was no analog,no dual shock and no pressure sensitive buttons
>The On/Off button is stupidly placed at the back...
you use the standby button at the FRONT
>The games take ages to load...
some do but stream loading is soon to be introduced and the hard drive helps
>The pads are too small...
true but i don't mind
>The Green and Blue lights are getting old...
i like em
>The only really decent games are the MGS2 demo (Not even a >full game)... And GT3... just a spruced up version of the >other one...
best lineup around chuck
>There nothing wrong with sequels, but to be sond a £40 >game for £10 worth of graphics and £10 -£10 worth of cars >is a joke... mind you, that
> Tuscan looks nice... Mmmmmm
Some were made so PS2 owners had something to play at launch including GT3 but a ninty should be used to that especially if you own a GBA
>Highly Anticipated games like Jak and Daxter have
> crap shadows and even half decent games like Dark Cloud >take most of their
> ideas... (AND THEIR MAPS!) from other games (Zelda!)
Jak and Daxter has superb graphics although your right about dark cloud.
>The PS2 has the potential
> to be a great console... but so far 1 full game has >impressed be... If you must
> know what it is, it's Extreme G 3, which will be on >Gamecube anyway...
you haven't played much then.
>But
> that's my opinion... and the Gamecube will be the next >console by my TV if I
> have to wait 6 monts or 6 years!
your choice and your loss
>You Playstationers will learn... Nintendo
> are much more than bright colours... and when I find out >what that is, i'll let
> you know!
Nintendo will recover from the N64 and I'm getting a gamecube so I'm a happy chappy :-)
Sorry mate, I made that up the 'Cube doesn't really smell of fish!
I don't want you to buy a PS2 under false pretences.
I can see it now - you arrive at school to tell your buddies about your most recent purchase
"Hey guys! I just bought a PS2"
"WOW, but I thought you were getting a Game Cube."
"Yeah, was going to but then I heard it smells of fish, so PS2 was the obvious choice!"
I'm not saying don't get a PS2 because they're very good! But don't cast aside the Game Cube because of rumours about its fishy aroma!
I don't want you to buy a PS2 under false pretences.
I can see it now - you arrive at school to tell your buddies about your most recent purchase
"Hey guys! I just bought a PS2"
"WOW, but I thought you were getting a Game Cube."
"Yeah, was going to but then I heard it smells of fish, so PS2 was the obvious choice!"
I'm not saying don't get a PS2 because they're very good! But don't cast aside the Game Cube because of rumours about its fishy aroma!
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