Now you can get a slim model without the bad coke problem!
Written: Oct 22 '05 (Updated Feb 09 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Not only is the system smaller but it comes with free online ports now.
Cons: It no longer supports the Hard Drive. Aging technology.
The Bottom Line: It's still a great system, it's just a little smaller that's all.
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| StarSoldier1's Full Review: Sony PlayStation 2 Slimline Console |
"Stupid Kate Moss!" If a game system is really successful the company making them usually releases a newer and sometimes cheaper model to help interest in the aging machine. It happened with game consoles like the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), and now it's happening with the popular Playstation2 as well. Here is the smaller and sleeker PS2 Slim Line. So let's see what is new and special about it and what's been taking out.
The reason I got my new PS2 is actually a pretty sad story. After 4 years of entertainment my beautiful original Playstation2 system finally broke down and I sold it on eBay for anybody who wanted some extra parts. The system is still the same old 3D powerhouse with a few slow loading issues but major difference is the PS2 Slim loads the discs from a flip top tray and it is a lot smaller then the bulky older model. It is only just over 1 inch high, 9 inches wide, and 6 inches in depth. It's under 1/4 of the size compared to the original. Despite it's small size the system now includes a free online port so you can play online compatible PS2 games without having to buy a extra accessory. This is great news but not everything is included when you buy one of course.
PS2 Memory Card
The 8 Meg Memory Card stores 8,000kb of space to save your PS2 games. It should take a lot longer to fill than PSone games because most PS2 games use less than 300kb (be careful though some games like Smackdown Just Bring it and most EA sports titles go well into the 1000kb area because of sloppy programming). Original Playstation games cannot be saved to the 8 Meg card though so you better have both sets of cards ready and the price of the 8 Meg Memory Card is $34.99 Canadian or 50 bucks for a set of two.
PS2 Controller
Although you get one free with the PS2 Slim you may want another one for another player. The black PS2 Controller is virtually identical to the Dual Shock controller on the original Playstation. You get 2 very loose Analog sticks (maybe too loose), a four way digital pad, two option buttons, 4 action buttons, and 4 top action buttons, plus build in rumble feature. The controllers sell for 29.99 Canadian.
Eyetoy
This very unique device is a camera that records your own image to some of the compatible games like Eyetoy Play, Anti-gravity, and Dance Dance Revolution Extreme 1 or 2. To get the thing working right you need the right amount of light or it won't see your motions. The Eyetoy usually sells for 29.99 Canadian by itself.
Since the PS2 Slim is so small now the system no longer supports the Squaresoft Final Fantasy XI special Hard Drive kit. Although I personally didn't like Final Fantasy XI with all it's annoying service charges and it's awkward password set up. However, it seems kind of strange that Sony would abandon Squaresoft since they were such good partners in the past but I guess they had to cut cost somewhere.
It's nice the system comes with a bonus DVD player the PS2 Slim DVD player is still very low quality. The picture looked kind of fuzzy or pixeled so you be prepared for a second rate video. It's still a great start for first time DVD users but the hardcore DVD fan (and there are a lot of them) will not be happy with the PS2 DVD player.
Another problem I found was with the PS2 graphical powers is with the jagged edges that were a problem during the Playstation era are still here. This is noticeable during the opening of Final Fantasy X and you see Tidus's sword doesn't have that razor edge look because of the bumpy line.
The PS2 Slim can also run the older Playstation One games. Maybe if you look really close you'll see better resolution but don't expect to be blown away. Still, that's an additional 800 game line up to the PS2 owner and most of those games are cheaper (and sometimes even better) too.
StarSoldier's personal PS2 Top Ten (I wish I could get a new car that easily!)
#1. GRAND THEFT AUTO Vice City
Grand Theft Auto III was not only thee biggest game of the 2001 Holiday season but it even continues to sell well to this day! The company behind the madness, Rockstar games, isn't slowing down just yet because here we have another game in the GTA series in 2002. Grand Theft Auto Vice City gives us more of what we loved last year but now we are back in the 80's! So is this game a dream comes true for those GTA fans or is it just another wimpy rehash of a popular game? Sure, I liked Grand Theft Auto III but Vice City is even better. I absolutely loved going back into the 80's again in this cool game to see just how different life was back then. Vice City is a complete package of stylist graphics, hip music, and edgy game play for the adult gamers out there.
http://www.epinions.com/content_80182218372
2. DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION MAX 2
Want something different? DDRMAX2 may be a mouth full but it·s also a very addictive dance pad game that packed with over 60 songs and many of them are actually ones I recognize this time. You get stuff like ·Days gone by· by Dirty Vegas, ·Love at first site· by Kylie Minogue, and lots more. These DDR games maybe very intimidating but at least this version has multiple beginner programs to teach you the ropes. Out of all the Dance pad games I played so far this is my favourite.
http://www.epinions.com/content_147709202052
3. FINAL FANTASY X-2
Final Fantasy X-2 marks the first time Square released a true sequel to one of their mega popular FF games. Those expecting the same game though are in for a surprise because the only playable characters this time are the three females: Yuna, Rikka, and new comer Paine. This game may be a bit silly at times but the action and adventure is definitely there and the game is more unlinear now. Final Fantasy X-2 is a beautiful RPG is more ways then one.
4. GRAND THEFT AUTO San Andreas
This GTA game still lets you steal any vehicle you want to help you be a much better anti-hero but what has changed is this game takes place in the 1990's and instead of the usual tough white guy you play the role of a African American named CJ. CJ returns to his old home town after his mother was murdered and to find out just what happened to her. Unfortunately, he is instantly greeted with a mixed reception to say the least. Your old friends don't trust you, the crooked cops are always after you and there are gangs all over the place ready to shoot you down at a moments notice.
http://www.epinions.com/content_208328756868
5. DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION EXTREME
6. GRAND THEFT AUTO 3
7. FINAL FANTASY X
8. SOUL CALIBER II
http://www.epinions.com/content_143380024964
9. VIRTUA FIGHTER 4 EVOLUTION
10. MEGA MAN COLLECTION
The Worst:
Sketch Panic
One of the dumbest video games I ever played! In this so called game you control a young little girl with a awkward magic scarf that must fight some stupid enemies like women with larger breast then their own body. Believe me it isn't as cool as it sounds and the basic graphics and sounds are nothing special either. If you see this hard to control mess in the stores run for your life!
Runner up: Oni
Most Disappointing:
Tomb Raider Angel of Darkness
Lara Croft and her double D·s are finally back after taking a few years off from the console market but after playing this PS2 edition I can say that is wasn·t worth the wait. Forget the fact that Lara was suppose to die in Tomb Raider IV, let·s focus on the game play here. First off the game play is very tedious in design because the environments are not very easy to navigate through and secondly the collision detection isn·t too impressive either.
http://www.epinions.com/content_173855706756
Runner up: Crash Bandicoot Wrath of Cortex
If you're looking for a greatly improved sequel in this popular action jump 'n spin series than you're going to be waiting a little while longer because Crash on the PS2 is a lot like the older Crash Platformers from the original PSone despite the advance power of the PS2.
http://www.epinions.com/content_76169055876
Most Underrated:
GRADIUS III & IV
Both shooters are tough as nails with loads of enemies on screen at one time, so the challenge level is high no matter what difficulty you're set at.
The real joy in both these shooter games is passing that really difficult level that just seems impossible to your friends or seeing your ship fully jacked and powered up with all four options, missiles, and shields. Gradius III & IV is recommend to all old school shoot em up fans who are begging for a real challenge from their PS2.
Runner up: Klonoa 2
The sequel to the underrated Playstation One title puts Klonoa the dog (or is he a cat?) with long ears in a strange new dream world. This is a good looking cartoon-like 3D side scroller with lots to explore and fairly simple game play for anybody to master.
Bottomline: Although the Gamecube and Xbox have stronger speed processors than the PS2 Slim, the system has a stronger line up of games and the DVD and Playstation are standard so you have more options besides the PS2 games. I'm still upset at Nintendo for not making the Gamecube backward compatible with the N64 games, it would have helped them sell the system like it helped sell the PS2! The Xbox is a great system but it really doesn't have the games I'm looking for yet either. Sony really knew what they were doing with the Playstation2, so this system is a safe bet for any type of gamer (beginner or expert) out there. The PS2 comes highly recommend by my opinion and now at the cheaper price and smaller size, you have no excuse not to get one.
PS2 Slimline Overall Rating: 90/100
Origianl release: 2004
www.videogames101.com
-StarSoldier1 2005
(Ryan Genno)
Recommended:
Yes
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StarSoldier1
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Member: Ryan Genno
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