Still just another console! (Sony Playstation 2)

Member Name: TheDF

Product:	Sony Playstation 2
Date:	22/04/03 (496 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: All-in-one setup, Massive games list

Disadvantages: Weak DVD playback, Not specialised in any function, Easily beaten by the competition

Firstly, I'd like to apologise to all of you hardcore gamers out there - this will not be a fun read for you. Secondly, I'd like to state my regrets in actually buying a PlayStation 2. Finally, before I get into the bulk of this review, I'd loike to point out to anyone reading this that the DVD player is not a good enough reason to buy this system.

OK, that's that out of the way, so I guess I'd better justify myself a little. For all you gamers, I'll explain the reason for my apology - the PS2 is little (if at all different) from the original PlayStation (DVD playback excepted). In terms of its' capacities as a games system, the PS2 is a let down, even when properly configured. I made a break from my usual gaming habits by buying a PS2 just one short year after its' launch, meaning that I had not allowed the market time to release some games of genuine quality, resolve all the niggling faults within the unit itself, and to allow the prices to fall to a reasonable level.

At first glance, the PS2 seems to be a bit of a bargain - no had any qualms about paying £150 for the original PlayStation, so the addition of a Sony DVD player for an extra £10 really does seem to be a bit of a bargain. However, if you already owned a PlayStation (and if you didn't, you probably live in a cave), the cost of upgrading just isn't justified. As an all-in-one DVD/console setup, the PS2 works well, but I'd highly recommend just getting a DVD player instead. When you really do think about it, how often do you play games? If you, like me, don't use the console side of the system that often, you've just payed £160 for a second rate DVD player. Objectively speaking, you'd be far better advised to spend that kind of sum on a decent DVD player, and you'll most likely end up with a multi-region player that supports MP3's and CD-R/DVD-R playback as well.

So why do I regret getting hold of my PS2? Well, in
short, it's just not been worth the money I spent on it. I already owned a DVD player before purchasing my shiny new PS2, but thought that the idea of having DVD playback and some quality games in one box was just too good to be true. Time has shown that it was indeed too good to be true. The range of games, whilst growing, is limited in terms of originality and high quality gameplay (although this is a little forgiven as its' a market wide epidemic - do the games developers really even try these days?) With maybe only five or six titles worth owning out of the wealth of games available, this is a poor showing. And speaking of poor showing, has anyone used the DVD playback yet? Sony produce some fantastic DVD players with excellent features, and good sound and picture quality. Imagine my annoyance to find that the PS2 offers one of the least impressive or inspired DVD reproductions that I have ever seen.

In comparison to the wealth of reasonably priced DVD systems available, the PS2's offering is really very poor. Toshiba, Samsung, JVC, and even Sony themselves can provide you with a far greater DVD solution for your hard earned than the PS2's pitiful display. Where is the range of screen modes? What happend to CD-R playback? Why doesn't it come with a remote? Why does it not support some original titles? Why did I buy one? There's just too many questions to be answered to be able to deem the PS2 a solid purchase.

So, to conclude, buy the PS2 if;

1. You don't watch many DVD's
2. You play a hell of a lot of games
3. You don't plan on buying a decent home cinema install

Otherwise, I wouldn't bother - second hand prices are far too high, games are poor compared to its' competitors' (notably the Gamecube), and the DVD playback is weak. However, I will admit that the PS2 is a solid all-round setup, providing, of course, that you're not too demanding of quality in all areas...

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