I’m considering investing in one of these systems, but I have some questions.
Music: I currently don’t have any stereo system. This system can play CDs, yes? Does that require any upgrades to do so?
DVDs: While I do have a DVD player, an extra one would be nice for watching them in my room. Does it require any upgrades to play DVDs? If so, how much does it cost?
Games: What are some good games? The only game I intend on getting initially is GTA3; I played it at a friend’s house and am now hooked. I hear Metal Gear Solid II and the Final Fantasy series’ are fun, but I’ve never played them. Oh, and don’t recommend Deus Ex or Max Payne, I have each on PC (and adore them, FTR).
The PS2 can play both DVDs and music CDs with no extra modifications. (Actually, any DVD player can play music CDs, IIRC.) From my experience, it’s perfectly adequate for both functions.
As for games…you’ve come to the right place.
My MUST HAVE list:
Capcom vs. SNK 2
Swing Away Golf
Gran Turismo 3
CART Fury
Ready 2 Rumble Round 2
Good for at least one rental:
Dead or Alive 2 Hardcore
Silent Scope
Silent Scope 2: Dark Silhouette
Unison
Tekken Tag Tournament
Don’t feel too bad about ditching Max Payne on PS2… the shift to console butchered it. It’s a pitiful shadow of what the PC version is. People, hear me! No matter which console you have, don’t bother buying Max Payne for it! Get the PC version, instead!
I can’t see GTA3 being as enjoyable on the PC. All of the cooler weapons and the emergency vehicle operations strike me as being easier to use or perform using a console controller.
My recommendations:
State of Emergency
Gran Turismo 3
SSX Tricky
Silent Hill 2
Worth a try:
Metal Gear Solid 2
Final Fantasy X
Fatal Frame
Ico
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance
When I got my son a PS2 for Xmas, it would not play PS1 games. Turns out it had an older firmware version. If you have any or you want to buy some PS1 games, check for compatibility as soon as you get the PS2.
As stated above, all DVD players should play music cd’s. All part of the “backward compatibilty” thing.
I was being a bit facetious, actually (didn’t it show?). In reality, it all depends on the kind of games you like…not everyone goes for complex 3-D action like in Grand Theft Auto, bloodshed or no. Actually, the PS2 is a fantastic system if you’re a big sports fan, because by far the majority of their titles are in that department (I’d say at least 90% until last November).
And if you haven’t already, get a membership at a place that rents! I just can’t stress this enough. I’d say at least 80% of the games I’ve ever played have been rentals. I never owned a single game for Super NES.
Frequency - Easily my most played PS2 game. It’s a music game where you have to play each track of a rap/hip hop/techno song. Addictive as hell. Also, it’s only 30 bucks.
Parappa the Rapper (1 & 2) - PTR for the Playstation and PTR for the Playstation 2. The original had better songs and a bit better story, but the second one was still a lot of fun. It’s a definite renter though if you’re not a fan of the series.
Tetris Worlds - Even more addictive than Frequency, and it’s only 30 bucks too. It has six different types of Tetris games, and up to 4 player multiplayer. A must have for all Tetris fans.
Gran Turismo 3 - Best racing game for the PS2 hands down, it’s well worth the 20 bucks you’ll spend on it. Don’t be discouraged by the difficulty at first, take some time to get used to how the cars handle. Once you get into it, it’s an awesome game.
Also, rent DOA2: Hardcore, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3, State of Emergency, Metal Gear Solid (1 & 2), Extreme G3, Madden 2002, Jak and Daxter, and ICO.
The two games I’ve enjoyed the most were SSX and Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance
SSX is a snowboarding game. I am not a fan of sports or racing games, but this game is a blast. It’s very easy to do incredibly cool-looking thigs. Plus it’s one of those games that just fun to watch. I highly highly recommend it. I have the original SSX, but SSX: Tricky is an improvement on SSX, I hear.
Baldur’s Gate:DA is basically Diablo for the PS2. It’s a lot of run around and kill stuff - kind of like Gauntlet only more interesting (IMO).
PS 2 games which have been out for at least 8 months and sell over X amount of units will be placed on the greatest hits list. This means that you’ll see some of their best games selling for about 25 bucks. That’s certainly something in favor of the PS2 unless the X-Box and Nintendo plan on doing something similiar.
Ooo. I really like Silent Hill 2, Ico was stunning, and I would smack my gramma (but not hard) if it meant that I’d get a copy of Fatal Frame. But then, I’m a Tecmo junkie. I couldn’t live without the monster rancher games or the deception games (all for the PS1).
