# Playstation II **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 14, 2002, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playstation-ii/103548 "2002-04-14T06:28:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playstation-ii/103548/21 "2002-04-16T16:16:03Z")
I have about 70 PS2 games. You can get them very reasonable used at BB stores. Recently they were three for the price of two at the discounted price. Only the newer ps2s have the dvd drivers in them otherwise you have to load them on your memory card & they do take up space. Also try [ebay.com](http://ebay.com) for cheap used systems & games. You should get two controllers & a memory card also. The new Linux kit with HD should be fun. Has to be connected right to your tv to play dvds or Macrovision kicks around. ---
**Author:** ![dirty\_bird18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@dirty\_bird18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirty_bird18)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playstation-ii/103548/22 "2002-04-16T20:06:13Z")
It’s a great system, some of my recommendations: FFX Ace Combat 4 Dark Angel Madden 2002 NHL 2002 Onimushra ---
**Author:** ![comradegonzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@comradegonzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/comradegonzo)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2002, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playstation-ii/103548/23 "2002-04-16T20:26:35Z")
Great system, but I noticed something a bit after i got it. I spend way way more time playing PS1 games (FF 9 and FF Tactics) than PS2 games, possibly because I only have 2: THPS 3 and Crazy Taxi. I should buy more PS2 games, but need to finish some PS1 games first. That said: State of Emergency FF X (I don’t really like it and sold it, but everyone I know loves it) THPS 3 and, just for the heck of it, FF 7 and Tactics ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2002, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playstation-ii/103548/24 "2002-04-17T02:50:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by handy \* > **You should get two controllers & a memory card also.** I haven’t even seen what a PS2 memory card looks like. I got my PS2 for Christmas 2001 and since then, not a single store in Springfield, IL has had any. The dude at Best Buy said they _might_ have some by June :eek: ! This has kept me from playing just about every game I’ve wanted (GTA3, Silent Hill 2, etc.). Anyone else have this problem? ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2002, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playstation-ii/103548/25 "2002-04-17T10:17:59Z")
Theres a shortage of ps2 memory cards as sony terminated the contract with the big supplier of 3rd party stuff for the sony systems mad catz Since they already had a shortage of memory cards this has made the situation worse My advice is try a mail order company or catalog place like sears ect ---
**Author:** ![Jervoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jervoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jervoise)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2002, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playstation-ii/103548/26 "2002-04-17T11:41:28Z")
If you plan to use your PS2 as a DVD player, there’s a Sony remote control that makes watching DVDs much easier. Looks like a normal DVD remote except it comes with an infra-red receiver. Plug the receiver into a game controller port and bingo, you can relax on the couch instead of scrabbling on the floor for a controller. No opinion to add on game titles. ---
**Author:** ![DuhMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9c0ed/32.png) [@DuhMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DuhMan)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2002, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playstation-ii/103548/27 "2002-04-17T18:43:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rastahomie \* > \*\* > > I haven’t even seen what a PS2 memory card looks like. I got my PS2 for Christmas 2001 and since then, not a single store in Springfield, IL has had any. The dude at Best Buy said they _might_ have some by June :eek: ! This has kept me from playing just about every game I’ve wanted (GTA3, Silent Hill 2, etc.). > > Anyone else have this problem? \*\* I ran into this when I bought mine about 2 months ago. I bought the system at Best Buy on a whim one Sunday afternoon. They didn’t have any memory cards, so I went to every store I could think of that would be open at 6 or 7pm on a Sunday. I tried Target, Wal Mart, and Kmart that night. The next day I scoured all of Rochester NY trying to find one of those damned things. I must have called literally every store in the area that I thought might even have a chance of selling the things. I was laughed at several time by people who found my request so rediculous that it was comical. Then, out of nowhere, I hit the jackpot. On a last ditch effort I called BJ’s Wholesale. I asked the lady at the desk, and she responded with “Ummm yeah, I’ve got like 10 of them”. I nearly wet myself in shock. I asked her again and again to verify that it was actually at PS2 memory card and not a PS1. She assured me that it was PS2. I left work that very moment and went over to get one. Sure enough she had a stack of those suckers. Don’t ask my how they were the only ones who happened to have them. My best advice to this is to make SURE that you can purchase a memory card before you even consider buying the system. Any game that has any sort of depth to it is going to require saving to the memory card. You have no idea how annoying it is to have to start every gave from the very beginning each time you play. The memory card is an ABSOLUTE MUST! As far as games are concerned, here are my picks: GTA3 - just pure fun Finaly Fantasy X - got a good 40 hours invested in this game, and loved every minute of it Metal Gear Solid 2 - great gameplay, but the really REALLY long cut scenes can get to you after a while Gran Turismo 3 Spy Hunter - fun, and good for the nostalgia aspect Some that might be worth a shot: State of emergency - fun, but kind of repetative. Becomes the same old routine after a while… you can only blow up so many buildings 😉 Maximo Onimusha Devil May Cry Silent Hill 2 SSX Tricky ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playstation-ii/103548/28 "2002-11-22T02:37:20Z")
Absolutely! I Agree! ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playstation-ii/103548/29 "2002-11-22T04:19:44Z")
Dave… buddy. Are you okay, man? ---
**Author:** ![kasuo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8c91f0/32.png) [@kasuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kasuo)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playstation-ii/103548/30 "2002-11-22T04:31:17Z")
Wow, talk about bringing back the dead… ---
**Author:** ![DKW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dkw/32/3118_2.png) [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playstation-ii/103548/31 "2002-11-22T05:24:22Z")
Daoloth - You still there? Something I forgot to mention: imports. If you can somehow get the means of playing import games, that opens up a whole new world of PS2 entertainment to you. I already have Beatmania IIDX 3rd and 4th Style, DDRMAX is on its way (some songs on the import you can’t get anywhere else), and you can bet that I’m ordering Pop 'n Music the moment it comes out. A reliable modchip is the best way. The latest stealth modchip costs only about $70 and works for all imports (even those that have lockout protection). The only problem is finding a place that has one and can do the installation…a number of video game message boards should have an answer. Get a Japanese system only as an absolute last resort. Oh and about Gran Turismo 3…I’m _extremely_ leery about games that are “really hard at first” and that “you just have to learn”. Here’s the scoop (GT3 was the first PS2 game I ever had, so I know what I’m talking about here): You have to do a ton of adjustments to win almost anything. There are a lot of features like shock adjustment and braking systems and differentials that you might not be intimate with. It’s really, really hard to win anything. It’s impossible to get a decent grip on the road on some tracks. It’s hard. Just plain hard. And don’t think that you can just juice up one supercar and win everything, because a lot of races…probably the majority, in fact…require a certain engine setup or category, or even one specific car. It’s hard to win anything. The licenses are friggin’ impossible (especially gold clears); Time Trials even more so. Did I mention that it’s really, really hard to win _anything?_ Oh yeah, to get 100% completion (which I trust you’ll want at some point), you need to win all the races, win all the series events, get all the licenses, get the #1 time in all the time trials, AND win all the Arcade Mode events (which I don’t even have Gameshark codes for). I don’t want to dissuade you…well, actually, I do. I never sugarcoat a superhard game, and I just want you to know exactly what you’re getting into. I’m surprised that anyone has trouble getting something as basic as a memory card. I can go to at least four different places for one. You’ll definitely need one, though, so make sure you get one at the same time as the PS2. As for joysticks, two you should avoid are the “Fighter’s Stick” (it’s black and purple, and the buttons are arranged in two horizontal rows)…the stick on it is a piece of crap. (Okay for Bemani games, however.) If you see a huge, irregularly shaped all-black model, avoid that too. ---
**Author:** ![Ms2001](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ms2001/32/18463_2.png) [@Ms2001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms2001)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playstation-ii/103548/32 "2002-11-22T06:17:18Z")
The USA version of **DDRMAX** came out earlier this month, and the consensus I’ve seen on DDR message boards is that it’s the best console version of all. Now if only I could figure out how to unlock “Candy”… Don’t bother with GTA 3 now that **GTA Vice City** is out. Bigger maps, better graphics, more weapons and vehicles, and countless little improvements. IMO it has a better soundtrack too. ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playstation-ii/103548/33 "2002-11-22T07:13:56Z")
**Kingdom Hearts** , **Twisted Metal Black** and **Jak and Dexter** are all very fun games. **Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance** is pretty good, though I’d recommend it for a rental as you can play through it pretty quick (it’s similar to Gauntlet Legends). For PS1, there are tons more that I know are fantastic: **Final Fantasy VII** , **Metal Gear: Solid** and **Castlevania: Symphony of the Night** to name just a few. Best yet, PS1 games can be purchased for a song these days and there’s a huge library available, so you don’t have to dish out tons of cash to get use out of your PS2. Plus, the dang thing plays DVDs and CDs. I got a PS2 only a month ago, and I’m not disappointed. ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playstation-ii/103548/34 "2002-11-22T07:15:24Z")
Oh, and let me chime in to say I had absolutely no difficulty finding a memory card. Maybe it’s a regional thing? ---
**Author:** ![Thomas\_Stearns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Thomas\_Stearns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thomas_Stearns)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playstation-ii/103548/35 "2002-11-22T07:29:11Z")
Some damn addictive games for the PS2 are: Medal of Honor: Frontlines. (watch Band of Brothers first and the game will blow your mind) Timesplitters 2 Tonk Hawk 4. (don’t get 3 cause it just pales in comparison). ---
**Author:** ![Daoloth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/82dd89/32.png) [@Daoloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daoloth)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playstation-ii/103548/36 "2002-11-22T20:50:54Z")
Well, I’ve had the system for roughly 5 months now. Got GTA3 as my first game, recently got Vice City. However, the system broke the day I got Vice City. I’m in the process (snail mail, argh) of exchanging it, via the warranty policy. Thanks for the input, though. ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playstation-ii/103548/37 "2002-11-22T23:17:59Z")
That really sucks. What happened to it? Any idea? Where you keeping it vertical by chance? ---
**Author:** ![Vanyel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@Vanyel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vanyel)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playstation-ii/103548/38 "2002-11-23T02:11:23Z")
Is the vertical position bad? ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2002, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playstation-ii/103548/39 "2002-11-24T16:11:50Z")
Supposidly, the vertical position makes the more prone to faliure. I don’t know if that is fact though. I am more curious to find out why it failed. ---
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2002, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playstation-ii/103548/40 "2002-11-25T16:30:12Z")
Everyone I know who has had a PS2 for some time finds that it starts having trouble reading DVD discs (games or not) after _X_ hours of use. Well, I mean, everyone I know IRL, not online. Play FFX and another longish game or two and it is all over. Now, I don’t know if that was because of “typical” first-gen issues or what, because I pretty much never play my PS2 and wish I never bought it, so mine never had the use. My XBox and Gamecube have kept me more than occupied. However, I _still_ have not purchased either GTA. I’m waiting for the first one to drop to $20 before I shell out the dough. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playstation-ii/103548.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playstation-ii/103548.md?page=3)