So I've got some extra dough left over this month, and my birthday is coming up so I was thinking of treating myself.....

But I hear news about this new, slimmer PS2 with network capability built-in, for the same $150MSRP coming out in November. So I'm thinking I should wait for that, b/c of the slickness and not having to pay for the network stuff, but then I hear that it's not compatible with the hard drive system? And then there's the issue of the PS3 on the horizon.

So should I wait or just bite now? Anyone have any good info about the hardware and release dates? Is there a reputable PS2 forum out there? Help?

I'll make it a poll just for fun....

 

Where's the poll?

Good question cause I'm thinking about getting a PS2 so I can get GT3 & 4

 

Oh there's the poll!

 

Geez. Give me a chance!!

GT3/4 is a big part of my desire to get PS. So are the Final Fantasy games.

Clutch, who is an RPG nerd...

 

I would wait for the slim PS2... it's quieter and slimmer, although it is top-loading, so the slimness is kinda negated.

Get one, it's nice to have a PS2 and wait another year for the PS3.

Junkster, who thinks the hard drive is only an issue for FF

 

See my post above yours. So, the slim one definitely doesn't do HD?

Do you guys think the price of the "fat" PS2 will drop when the slim one comes out?

 

I've heard from friends (don't know for sure) that if you buy from BestBuy and you take the Extended service contract they'll exchange your PS2 for a PS3 when it comes out and give you full credit for the PS2.

So theoretically you pay $150 now and then when the PS3 comes out you trade your PS2 in and get $150 off the PS3.

Again I don't know this for sure, but the local Best Buy told this multiple freinds of mine. TIFWIW.

 

If this is true, it's definitely the way to go.

Clutch, who is going to best buy tonight....

 

It's true... but you have to mail the sucker in.

My buddy's doing this through Circuit City with the two year plan for 49 bucks. When the PS3 hits the market, you can mail in you PS2 and they mail you storecredit in form of giftcard for the same amount... kinda neat.

Junkster, who would definitely opt for that

 

That's AWESOME. You pay them 49 bucks, they pay you 150 bucks!

 

I thought you're student...are you supposed to be studying ?

 

i would wait two more months.

 

When I was in college, 4-5 yrs ago, except when there was an exam, I was playing starcraft.

 

I am--and I really should be studying for my qualifying exam more.... But I do get some free time every once in a while. Plus this will allow me to watch DVDs without my computer!

 

just don't get hooked on gaming like ya got hooked on this forum.

 

meh, I recently went bendict arnold on ninentdo after 20 years of faithful loyalty.

got rid of my cube and went the xbox route. all the games i want to play are on that system.

 

sarlacc brings up a good point... another biggie (not smalls) is what games you are interested in playing on a system. Looks like clutchy's looking for FF and GT4, which would mean he would need the deux.

That also concluded my decision when I got my deux. As much as the X gives better graphics, the deux had the games that I wanted. But now that the X is also pretty cheap, I wouldn't mind picking one up for the holidays.

Junkster, who never thought much of Halo till he played it

 

I'm a PS2 fan because and only because of the Gran Turismos.

On vacation, my pal brought an X-Box and we played lots of Collin McRae Rally and I actually really loved it.

But my old love remains PS2 w/GT3/GT4 et al.

 

I've got the Cube. I've also been a Nintendo fanatic for years, but that probably won't hold for next-gen. (Though seeing previews of the "realistic" Zelda for next-gen might change my mind)

They definitely don't have the support like the PS2, but they do have some cool exclusives. One being the Resident Evil series, if you like that (I'm a fan). They have a brand new one coming out next year which looks absolutely awesome.

 

I will forever be a Sony fan because the GC and Xbox controllers are friggan terrible. Sony > all for Madden. If Microsoft would rip off Sony's controller (not than POS S Controller) then I'd probably have an Xbox already.

 

PS2 will be discontinued for the PStwo, so get the fat one now if you like it, or wait until November if you like the slim one. Lack of HD support is a small factor - I don't believe there are that many games that actually need the HD (it is optional for other games).

From a technical standpoint, Xbox owns all though - you can buy one and get it modded up so that you can not only play Xbox games, but emulate PS1/2, N64, etc., PLUS use it as a digital media center.

 

WHAT?

What do these mods involve?

I agree w/ Xizor that XBOX controllers are teh suck.

 

Relax. While PS1 and N64 emulation are theoretically do-able, claims of PS2 emulation is pretty much

The XBOX is essentially a P3-733 pc, and the mod-chip (around $50 I believe) pretty much turns it into a full blown pc. Boot up with Linux, swap the built in 8Gb hard drive with a 40 or 80Gb drive, and you're set. You can then network the unit onto your LAN and transfer your ISO's, mp3's, mpegs, divx etc onto the drive. Stick an ethernet wireless bridge if you don't like cables running from your xbox to your pc.

Tempting as all these sound, I'm still more inclined to the PS2 -- there's still nothing like FF on the box, although Fable is supposed to be really good.

 

I heard that PS2 emulation is available, but after doing some more research it doesn't look like it's that advanced yet, though possible in theory. Sorry for getting your hopes up, my bad. However, the Xbox can still be modded to do some neat things, and I know it will emulate N64 with the proper mods. This site breaks down a typical mod to an Xbox into some pretty readable English.

http://www.tweaktown.com/document.ph...rticle&dId=602

 

Sorry if I sounded harsh lokman, but it wasn't targetted at you. Just some misguided web sites that claim PS2 emulation is available, let alone possible on the old P3.

The rule of thumb I usually use is that if it's possible on a regular P3-733, chances are it can be done on the xbox. The N64 and PS1 emulators have been out on the pc for a while now (Hail ePSXe), so it should run on the xbox (although the ps1 emulator might be a tad slow -- I remember running it on a AMD 850, and some games were rather choppy). http://www.ngemu.com/forums is a good source of what emulators are out there and what can or cannot be done. pcsx2 does sound promising, but I can't see it running on an ancient P3 (read: xbox) very well...

 

No offense taken BurnabyTSX - this info came from someone who berated me for wanting to buy a PS2 instead of an Xbox.

 

I have a friend with a modded Xbox..it was done right, external toggle switch,,,boot up menu.....bigger HD....basically he can rent a game and rip it to the hard drive...awesome..hotness. I used to have a modded PS...could play ripped games on cd.

And the xbox controllers are the worst of the 3, but the S ones arent too bad, the just the hard buttons that hurt after awhile. i'll get the wireless logitech at some point.

best controllers go to the cube...wavebird owns all.

I had a hard time trading in the cube...like i said, nintendo loyal for 20 years...starting with their little lcd games. But i didnt have the money to just buy an xbox, and i wasnt playing my cube anymore. I havent come to regret the decision.

 

That controller issue needs to be fixed by the X2, those buttons are teh pain...

Feelwise, it's a tie between the deux and the wavebird. I like the duex controller's ergonomics, although the wavebird of my friend's is pretty sweet... plus the wireless thing...

Junkster, who used to rip PC games alot

 

my gripe w/ the gamecube controller its missing a button, you simply cannot play nba street on a gamecube controller. xbox makes the black and white buttons more or less useless. I just want a controller than has 4 trigger buttons like the PS2. I abhor the triggers MS stole off the Dreamcast, they're the most useless buttons ever.

and btw, you can do the ripping to HD w/ the PS2 now. I have a 60GB hd on my PS2 which can boot them w/o the original game not only does it allow you to "backup" your games, but it makes them much much faster.

 

So if you want to rip games using the PS2, then you'd better get one of the original fat ones ASAP before they're discontinued and the new ones go on sale, as it sounds like the PStwo's won't have HD support.

 

I'm in the same boat. I pre-ordered GT4, so I'm pretty much set on getting a PS2, just wondering when a good time would be.

 

XBOX =

PS2 and GC = best gaming experience.

 

Best games EVAR!!!1!

 

Wow. All that XBOX modding stuff when right over my head. But thanks!

 

Ahh, the memories. The release of Mario64 put my roommate a year behind in pharm school, and made him ineligible for the grad program. Beware fun!

Warcraft II was the network game-of-choice in my dorm/suite. We'd each hop on a computer and yell out directions to each other, without the people on the other side of the Internet knowing we were physically nearby. That was fun Then school got harder


jcg, who now plays Mario64 on his emulator (PC)

 

So I ended up getting the "fat" PS2 because I love the Final Fantasy series, and I wanted to be able to play FFXI. That purchase is gonna have to wait until next month, though...

That being said, FFX-2 is UN-BEEEEE-LIEVABLE!!! The last video game system I had was a SNES. So coming to a PS2 is obviously a huge jump, but I'm still blown away by what this thing can do. It's awesome. Oh yeah, Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec is pretty cool, too.

Thanks for all the advice, guys. Rep for all! If you guys have recommendations on good games, let me know.

 

Where'd you get it from and did you do that "deal" I mentioned? Buy it & buy extended warranty and then return it for money whent he PS3 comes out thingy. . .

 

Congrats man!

You reserve a copy of GT4?

Some games I like are Tekken Tag Tournament, Tekken 4, and NFS: Hot Pursuit 2....though there are many RPGs I like, but I can't think of the names.

 

Yes, I did that through Best Buy. They said you also have to buy the service plan when you get the PS3, but it's still a very good deal.

Agent Chen: I'm waiting on GT4 until the price comes down. I don't think it's worth paying 50 bucks just to have it right when it comes out.

It sucks that the new, slim PS2 won't have HD capability. Now I have to shell out the $$$ for the network adaptor.

 

Congrats, clutchy...

If you like FF games, definitely check out Kingdom Hearts. The Disney characters might not be your up of tea, but the storyline is pretty decent and lots of FF stuff incorporated as well.

Of course, Madden 04.

Junkster, who wants to go rent NBA2004