WIN A PLAYSTATION 2 (Sony Playstation 2)

Member Name: VOODOO MAN

Product:	Sony Playstation 2
Date:	18/02/02 (520 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Stunning!

Disadvantages: None

The PlayStation 2 is a very impressive multi entertainment machine – combining DVD playback and 128bit games console, Sony created a winner with this black beauty, even if you think it’s overrated, no one can deny the incredible sales figures so far with over 25million units sold I do believe. The X Box and Game Cube aren’t yet out in the UK so at present the PS2 is the most powerful machine on the market, and I don’t think it’ll lose too many sales to the new consoles, as they used to say, do not underestimate the power of PlayStation (2)!

Graphically varying from game to game, but you have to say that the PS2 is capable of some incredible effects and visuals with a very high polygon count. I’ve found myself many a time open mouthed in awe at some titles – groundbreaking describes many titles perfectly in my view. Games like GT3, Extermination, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3, Silent Hill and especially the forthcoming Metal Gear Solid really do show the leap in technology from Sony’s last machine, and definitely show the Dreamcast titles up in terms of visuals, as well as helping the PS2 compete with the new next generation machines.

I haven’t owned mine for too long, but now it’s just £200, I would recommend it to anyone thinking of getting a console of some sort – it offers excellent value, mainly because it isn’t just a games machine. In my honest opinion I’d say it’s DVD quality’s as good as any £100 player, which effectively means you’re only paying £100 for a stunning “next generation” games machine. Over 150 games already available for it, and of course thousands of DVD movies to get also (and if you want multi region then you can buy a DVD region X accessory too, making your PS2 multi region!), your money is well invested in this brute of a console.

You’ll be very impressed with the graphics as I’ve said, and equ
ally impressed with the sound too, it can deliver pure Dolby magic with superb clarity – make sure you have an equally brilliant speaker system to match the PS2’s performance, failing that, just playing through a regular 14inch portable can bring hours of fun, as hard as you may try, it really is difficult not to be impressed with the Sony machine. With backwards compatibility to boot, meaning all your old Playstation titles, should you have any, will play through your new console. There’re many super peripherals available, including stands, pads, wheels, memory cards & even surfboards!! The force feedback wheel for GT3 is particularly good from my experience.

So…why is this such a great console? Ah because it is! The PS2 looks the nuts in every respect, the console stands or sits, with or without the aid of a £10 stand, has a PC style opening DVD drive, and the space for online gaming capabilities – an expansion bay for broadband Internet in the not so distant future! I fully expect Sony to offer a near perfect online experience for the millions of PS2 owners, just think – over 30 titles are planned for having online play within the next 2 years, let’s hope Sega started a trend a few years back with the Dreamcast, a trend that can only get better and bring millions of gamers together over the phone line!! Superb stuff…

People were complaining at the lack of top titles on the PS2, but the only complaints now are that there are so many quality games out there, that we just can’t have them all! With classics like Extermination, Silent Hill 2, SSX, SSX Tricky, Gran Turismo 3, Grand Theft Auto 3, Tony Hawk’s 3, Red Faction, Ridge Racer V, Tekken Tag, Resident Evil CVX, Jak and Daxter, Crazy Taxi, the list goes on and on – and this year looks set for even more amazing games. Developers now know the console like the back of their hands, and the results are really clear to see now – h
as anyone seen Rez? Aside from the addictive gameplay, it has some of the most fantastic visual effects I’ve seen on my television…

If you’ve been waiting for the X Box or Game Cube to experience next generation gaming, why? The Cream’s already here, and it’s sweeter than ever – I’ve been deliriously happy with my PS2, why wait for the future of gaming, when it’s already here!

10/10. A superb games machine and DVD player!

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