The Power of Playstation Squared (Sony PlayStation 2)

Name: andithegoose

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Product:	Sony PlayStation 2
Date:	22.07.03 (563 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Huge range of games, DVD Player

Disadvantages: Least powerful of the three consoles, Noisy fan

The PlayStation 2 is currently the most popular console on the market, and certainly has the largest collection of games. Whilst the Nintendo Gamecube and Microsoft X-Box are more powerful consoles, the PS2 has a number of features and add-ons that make it a strong contender.

WHAT YOU GET IN THE BOX
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Included in the standard PS2 box is the PS2 itself, an AV lead and Scart connector, the mains lead, the instruction manual, a demo disc, a Dual Shock Analog 2 control pad, and some paper work, including warranty and a registration car. The inclusion of the AV lead is to be commended - before PS2, the majority of consoles came with RF leads, which offer inferior sound and picture quality when compared to composite leads.

THE PS2'S LOOKS
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The PS2 is quite a looker. Initially, I thought it looked ugly - it's ribbed plastic front looked more reminiscent of a heater than a games console. Its looks have grown on me though. It looks like a quality piece of home entertainment equipment, which of course it is, and certainly looks at home underneath the TV. It looks less console like than the original PlayStation, thanks to its front-loading CD drawer, and while it lacks the cuteness of the Gamecube, its shape makes it easier to store in a Tv cabinet. The main power switch is at the back of the unit, with a button on the front of the unit to switch the unit on or to put it into standby, when held for about 2 seconds. If simply pressed, the button acts as a reset switch. A second button on the front of the unit ejects the CD drawer.

FEATURES
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As well as playing PS2 games, the PS2 also plays PS1 games, DVDs and audio CDs. The ability to play PS1 games is a major plus point compared to its rivals, as it allows old PS1 users to continue playing their old games on the PS2, as well as giving new PS2 users access to a huge collection of classic
games. Options on the PS2's menu screen allow the user to select smoothed textures, that get rid of the pixellation of old PlayStation games and make them look a bit better. The PS2 also plays DVDs - another major plus point. This turns the PS2 from being just another games console to a fully fledged piece of home entertainment equipment. Finally, the PS2 plays audio CDs, as most CD based consoles have done since the Sega Mega CD.

DVD PLAYER
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Unlike the X-Box, the PlayStation's DVD player came be accessed straight out of the box, using the Dual Shock Analog pad. This is quite clumsy though (it uses an on-screen display), and so i would recommend purchasing the DVD Remote (£19.99 for the official model) which looks stylish and has all the buttons you'll ever need. I have never had any playback problems with the PS2's DVD player, although I have heard of some people encountering them. I have not noticed any pauses during layer transition (although I have noticed some pauses on elaborate DVD menus, as the animation ends and the menu comes on screen). Sony produce updates for the DVD player, which can be copied to memory card, which should sort out any major problems with the DVD player, but I think the majority of them have been ironed out. My only worry about using the PS2 as a DVD player is the PS2's cooling fan, which is quite loud comapred to the ones on the Gamecube and X-Box, and may mean you have to turn up the volume on your TV higher than normal. Not a major problem, but if you are thinking of using the PS2 as the DVD player for a high end home entertainment system, I would plump for a silent standalone player. For the bedroom, though, the PS2 makes a fine DVD player.

INTERFACE
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All CD-based consoles have an interface that can be accessed by turning on the machine without a CD inside. The PS2 offers two different menus when booted up like this; a browser menu, that enab
les you to access a game/DVD/CD/memory card should you put insert one; and an options screen. The options screen enables you to select a screen ratio for the PS2 (4:3, 4:3 with borders, and 16:9), the time and date, sound, language etc. You can also select whether you want PSone games to have anti-aliased (smoothed) graphics, and whether they have faster loading times (I've not noticed the difference in times, to be honest). The interface is all done with cubes, each one representing an option, with some relaxing wave-like sounds playing in the background. It all looks very nice, but I do miss the start-up music from the old PS1.

THE PAD
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The shape of the Dual Shock Analog 2 pad is identical to the Dual Shock Analog pad on the PS1. However, as the pad on the PS1 still remains one of the most comfortable pads yet designed, it would have been foolish to mess with it. The pad is now black, though, to match the rest of the unit. The pad consists of a D-Pad, 2 analog sticks, four action buttons (labelled with the shapes triangle, square, circle and cross), four shoulder buttons (R1, R2, L1 and L2), a start and a select button. The pad feels substantial, and the button layout makes it ideal for most types of games. The pad also features built in rumble effects. Overall, this pad is second only to the Nintendo Gamecube pad, although for some games (such as beat 'em ups) it is actually better, thanks to its button layout.

THE GAMES
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The PlayStation has the most balanced range of games of the three main consoles - there don't appear to be any weaknesses in the types of games it has to offer.

Racing fans will be in heaven on the PS2. Gran Turismo 3 is the best driving game on any format, and its graphics will put many a Gamecube/ X-Box racing game to shame. Arcade racing fans will also find much to enjoy, with games such as Ridge Racer and Auto Modellista, while rally fans can choose betwee
n classics like World Rally Championship, Colin McCrae Rally 3 and V-Rally 3. Formula One fans get both Sony's and EA's take on the sport, and those who prefer their racing to be done far in the future can enjoy the latest WipEout game, WipEout Fusion.

Beat 'em up fans are also spoilt for choice. For the first time, the two leading 3D beat 'em ups, Virtua Fighter 4 and Tekken 4, are brought together on the same machine, and for those who like neither, there is also the superb Dead or Alive. 2D fans will enjoy games such as Capcom vs. SNK, which brings together two of the 2D fighting genre's finest companies, or Marvel vs. Capcom, which pits Capcom's finest against the Marvel superheroes. Wrestling fans will find the Smackdown series to their liking, as this is some of the finest rasslin' to be had on any platform.

Shoot 'em up games are also well represented on the PS2, with titles such as Timesplitters, Half Life, Max Payne, Return to Castle Wolfenstein and Red Faction. For those who prefer to hold the gun in their own hands, both Time Crisis and Virtua Cop are available on the machine. If you like a more stealthy approach to the whole killing thang, there's Metal Gear Solid 2, Splinter Cell and Headhunter to get your juices flowing, as well as the enemy's.


The PS2 also boasts some great adventure games, from Tomb Raider to the superb Jak and Daxter, as well as the superb RPG, Final Fantasy X. Finally, the PS2 is the only console where you can play GTA3 and GTA: Vice City - two of the finest games ever committed to disc.

The PS2 also boasts the new Eye Toy, a camera that allows you to literally take part in videogames. Its a fun peripheral, and shows the potential the PS2 has of changing the way we play videogames and view games consoles.

Graphically, the PS2 is the weaker of the three current consoles. The X-Box is a more powerful graphics pusher, and games tend to look nicer
on it. There appears to be little difference between the Gamecube and PS2, though, and FMV looks better on the PS2 due to its larger disc capacity. Overall, though, a well produced PS2 looks beautiful, and if you are making the move from PS1, N64 or Dreamcast, you will notice the difference.

VERDICT
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The PS2 is a superb machine, and despite its age, still offers a quality gaming experience. Its main strengths are its huge range of games and it built in DVD player. It is currently the most expensive of the consoles, but it also has the cheapest games. If you are looking for a games console with a built in DVD player, think once, think twice, think PS2.

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