Product Description

At the heart of the PlayStation 2 is the 128-bit Emotion Engine processor, which combines lightning-fast gameplay and unprecedented graphics power with DAT-quality stereo sound. The system was designed as an improvement on the original PlayStation's design; the disc-based software and Dual Shock 2 controllers will be immediately familiar to PlayStation devotees. Also, owners of the original PlayStation need not discard their existing game collection, because the PS2 is designed to be compatible with the software for the original PlayStation.

The PS2 builds on its home-entertainment value by doubling as a DVD player, which allows it to play thousands of feature-length movies and other video programmes, and outdo the VHS format in both audio and video quality. Most DVD movies allow you to select alternate audio tracks, supplemental footage and a host of extra features. Like the original PlayStation, the PlayStation 2 also will play audio CDs.

The PlayStation 2 was designed with future expandability in mind. The unit comes with two USB ports and a Type III PCMCIA expansion slot--the latest standards in PC communications. It also comes with Sony's own i.Link interface, which can connect it to a variety of high-tech Sony products--from digital cameras to notebook computers. Read our PS2 Hardware Guide

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14241 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Sony
• Released on: 2004-03-01
• Platform: PlayStation2

Customer Reviews

Pleasantly Surprised!
Well, well, well.....Having been determined to hold off buying one until the hype and the price had dropped to a sensible level, I finally bit the bullet last week (oh the joys of store credit!) and bought my PS2. Having been a Dreamcast owner for the last year (and very happy with it too) I was saddened by the decision to stop making them and even more irked by the amount of games by 3rd party publishers that are now being dropped and so it is nice to have a system with some real backing again. The fist generation PS2 games, on the whole are very impressive (on par if not better technically than the 1st generation dreamcast games) though perhaps not the most original titles in the world. I own Timesplitters, Fifa and Tekken and have enjoyed all of them. As far as I can see, the console can only go from strength to strength over the next few years and I am looking forward to all the upcoming 2nd gen titles. I have been fortunate to have so far had no technical problems with my box (waiting 4 months after launch to buy one obviously did the trick) though I know others were not so fortunate. Still, most new systems have some teething problems (anyone remember the problem plagued PS 1 when it was released 6 or so years ago!?) As for the DVD....well I know it is not as good as my mates £250 dedicated player but, considering it is a secondary function of the console, I am very pleased - it is considerably better than my.. video recorder and that is enough for me. So, should you buy one?.....To be quite honest I would recommend to most that it may be worth waiting a few months - a price drop and a few more top quality games would improve the packages appeal no end, but on the whole I am very pleased with my new system.

Good, but with mounting costs...
First of all, let me make clear that the PS2 is a great console. It is the best you can get in the UK at the moment, and I am not disputing that. However, even though Sony have reduced the price..., you should be aware that ... is not all you'll have to pay. In order to get it to 'playable level', you will need some accessories, and Sony make sure you pay over the top for them. Eg, if you want to save games, you'll need a memory card, if you have a older TV you'll need an PS2 RF Unit just to get going, if you want to play 2-player, you'll need another controler, and to watch DVD's you'll need a DVD remote. Add to that that fact you'll need at least one game, and you're talking about ... more on top of the console price. Whilst it is a great console, be aware of these extra costs before you buy.

As Bjork said...
"It's oh, so quiet ... shhh, shhh"

First and foremost, the most startling thing about this new silver version (like, what's wrong with black??) is that it runs almost silently.
And when I say silent, I mean, if you change channel or turn off your tv and don't notice that the lights on the front of the console are still on, it's easy to go to bed and leave the PS2 switched on.
The original black boxed PS2 was notoriously noisy, howling like a banshee, especially when compared to the Xbox and even the Dreamcast (R.I.P.).
Apparently the DVD drive - and a few other things, all of which are imperceptable to me - have been improved (see below).
Personally, I hate the colour but love the improved cooling mechanism.

Speaking as a seriously disgruntled owner of an original black PS2 which went beserk, wouldn't always boot up and chewed up game discs* I have to admit, albeit begrudgingly, that the newer silver model is bringing back memories of why I bought the damned thing in the first place.
Although the Xbox has stolen some of the market and is winning over a lot of the hearts and minds of people who wouldn't have bothered with the PS2's back catalogue previosly, the Sony console is still an awesome bit of kit, or, should I say, it's still the best supported console on the market.
The box is only as good as the game you put in it and the PS2, whatever the colour (Japan has red, yellow, blue...) is still the best supported platform on the market.

On the downside is the fact that you still have to fork out an extra £20 for a memory card before you can even start using the thing.
It would surely make life easier for gamers if Sony were to bundle the consle with one memory card and raise the price by, say, £10-15? Oh well...
Oh, and another thing: everyone I know who has their PS2 stood vertically has problems with it. So, if space allows, lay it horizontally and save yourself a lot of hassle with skipping discs etc.

(*In the end I took a hammer to the black PS2 - literally - and just bought a new console. Of course Sony would not accept that the problems were endemic to the early build of the console even though hundreds of gamers suffered the same problems. Must do better, Sony.)