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The PS2 Five Years Later

Posted by Zonk on from the emotion-engine-ftw dept.

1up.com is running a feature on the now on-the-way-out PlayStation 2, exploring the hardware, the regional launches, and the hype. From the article: "Gamers were given a chance to see the machine in action for themselves almost exactly a year after its unveiling. Tens of thousands of Japanese gamers lined up across the country the evening of March 3, 2000, hoping for a chance to get their hands on the system. In just 48 hours, nearly 1 million PS2s were sold to giddy consumers, making it 10 times as successful as its predecessor. Its initial price was ¥39,800, roughly $360-slightly expensive, but actually a little cheaper than the price the original PlayStation launched at."

3 of 32 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Original PS2s by MBCook · · Score: 4, Informative
    Um, no. Can you provide proof?

    I bought a US PS2 on day one. I had it reserved. I actually had two reserved by accident and told the store "never mind" on the second one. I am still kicking myself on that as I could have bad $300 EASY on eBay with that one.

    Any way, my PS2 plays DVDs, and PS1 games. It has no problems at all. I pre-ordered it (as I said above). I don't know WHAT you are talking about with PS1 games.

    What's that, you mean Japanese PS2s? Wrong again. They played PS1 games (I rented one from a local company that imports stuff just after the Japanese launch). It could play PS1 games (I tried it!). It could play DVDs, but the DVD player software had to be stored on a memory card (they gave you the software with the system). This software was built-in to the BIOS by the time the PS2 came to the US.

    I'm sorry, but I don't know what you are talking about.

    Side notes about the PS2:

    • Horizontal Stand: Lay it flat (default position) for only $20. Huh?
    • The new silver PS2: Looks great, but has problems playing some games. Didn't they just take the slim-line PS2 and change the case color? What happened?
    • My biggest PS2 complaint? Why couldn't they make it so I could save PS1 saves to PS2 memory cards? I don't think that should be that hard. Oh well.
    --
    Comment forecast: Bits of genius surrounded by a sea of mediocrity.
  2. WAY better value. by Corngood · · Score: 3, Informative

    Yes, but than come in games: 20-60 dollars a game, with mabye 15-50 hours of fun per game. That is about a dollar an hour, it costs less than many arcades, but still, it adds up.

    That's a lot less than any arcade I've ever been to, assuming you actually go there to play and not watch. It's also a lot less than the cinema, or buying dvds. Renting films is close, but then you can rent games, and get even more value.

  3. Re:And people complain about... by aliquis · · Score: 2, Informative

    uhm, but 6 years later...

    The price isn't that important thought, the games and add-ons is the expensive stuff.