PS2=FUTURE WONDER OR PAST PREDECESSOR? (Sony Playstation 2)

Member Name: tdb49

Product:	Sony Playstation 2
Date:	04/07/02 (253 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great gameplay, Good value, Superb choice of games

Disadvantages: No inbuilt hard-drive like the X-Box

The PS2 has been around for a fair few years longer than conbsoles such as the Microsoft X-Box and the Nintendo Gamecube however it is still compared with them and appears to remain in the premier league of games consoles.

Why is this?

Graphically the PS2 is capable of NTSC 640x480 interlaced resolution in a 4x3 display thus creating outstanding visuals. The PS2 is fully compatible with USB devices. Everything from a keyboard, a mouse and a modem can be connected extremely easily. Any USB keyboard and mouse can be hooked up to the PS2 right now and be used for games like Unreal Tournament.
The PS2 also has a Firewire connection which enables the user to obtain a high speed connection for multi-user gaming.
The PS2 controller is also extremely comfortable to use in comparison to that of the X-box allowing the user to use the console for long periods of time without straining the muscles in their hands. Another positive point about the PS 2 controller is that it has a rumble pack biult in which adds realism without an extra cost.
The Playstation 2 was the first system to include a DVD player and it is very good. It includes both DTS and Dolby Digital output via an optical connection but no coax which is unfortunate.
The price of the PS2 is currently circa £200
however bargain bundles can also be purchased enabling the prospective buyers to save money on games and acessories.
Also, the games for the PS2 are critically aclaimed i.e. Medal of Honour. Also the games are constantly being developed by top producers such as Codemasters.
The main disadvantage of the PS2 is that unlike the X-Box it doesn't have an inbuilt hard drive so saving games requires a memory card which is costly at around £25.
My conclusion is that the PS2 is a feasible buy at around £200, it offers superb gaming and a large variety of features such as the acceptance of medias such as:

PlayStation 2 CD-ROM
PlayStation 2 DVD-ROM r>PlayStation CD-ROM
Audio CD
DVD-Video
Dolby Digital (AC-3) DTS

Whereas the X-Box requires a DVD kit which cost £27 in order for owners to play DVD's.

The main technical specification is also impressive and is as follows:

Main Processor Features:

Central Processing Unit (CPU):
128 Bit "Emotion Engine
System Clock Frequency:
294.912 MHz
Main Memory:
Direct RDRAM
Memory Size:
32MB

Graphical Features:

Graphics:
"Graphics Synthesizer"
Clock Frequency:
147.456MHz
Embedded Cache VRAM:
4MB

Sound Features:

Sound:
SPU2 + CPU
Number of Voices:
48ch plus software
Sound Memory:
2MB