Sony PlayStation 2 - Slimline Model (PS2)

Author's product rating:   

Graphics capability	Superb
Sound capability	Superb
Range of Extra Features (I.e. email)	Good
Value For Money	Good value

Advantages:	Smaller, quieter, sleaker
Disadvantages:	Two controllers instead of one would be nice

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Maybe I’m showing my age here, but I remember one of the first games consoles there was, the Atari 2600, complete with its wood effect case and cartridge games!
Since those bygone days many consoles have come and gone with battles being thought between the likes of Sega and Nintendo to be top dog in the world of video gaming. All that has passed before though is the mere under-card to the battle royal being fought here and now between Sony and Microsoft to be the undisputed king in the eyes of the joypad waggling generation with their Playstation 2 and Xbox consoles. When faced with the choice of buying one or t`other I came to the conclusion that although the Xbox was superior in graphics and potential exclusive games the PS2 was the only choice for the shear size of the back catalogue of games and strong support from third party games developers. Also the PS2 has just undergone a major remodelling which has delivered a smaller, trimmer console and a more user friendly gaming experience.

 So what’s the difference between this slimline PS2 and its fatter, older brother? 

Well most obvious of course is the look of the console – Internally the various parts have been replaced by smaller quieter components to reduce the weight by about half. This has also had the effect of reducing internal noise by up to 75% resulting in a far more peaceful gaming experience. As part of the space saving cuts the standard slide out disk draw has been replaced with a flip top disk cover which to my mind has a better feel to it anyway. With all this space saving however there are some sacrifices to be made, it is no longer possible to fit a hard drive into the PS2 slimline but unless you play online games like FFXII or SocomII this should not present a major problem. Also worth noting is the fact that there are two MagicGate™ ports for memory cards so you can still save your position in any games to come back to at a later time. Another smart move is to have an internal Ethernet port for network game play fitted; now you simply have to load the Sony network access disk and link your PS2 to a router to enjoy fun and games with other like minded folk. But why Sony have not included the network access disk in the box is beyond me, perhaps it is to ensure you register your PS2 as you cannot get the disk without doing so. Finally, back to the size of the console and in particular the reduction its thickness which is staggering. The old model is 2mm shy of 8cm thick where as the slimline is a measly 2.8cm, this added to the reduced length and height means that the Playstation 2 has gone from looking like a telephone directory to a flimsy James Patterson hardback.

 What’s in the box? 

Well ignoring any particular games that have been packaged in a deal, you of course get the console itself and an AC adaptor which has not been reduced in size like the console and thus looks like a house brick! You also get one dualshock analogue controller (why not two?) and an AV cable and Euro-AV connector which is used or not depending on the sockets and ports your TV has. An instruction manual, warning leaflets and warranty card complete the contents with the console being covered for one year from the date of purchase. As I have said above it would have been nice to have the network access disk included and also a demonstration disk showing the consoles capabilities to whet the appetite.

 Setting up the Playstation 2 

Setup is simplicity itself and is completed in moments. Position the console so that you can access the flip top to load disks, you can still use a vertical stand to have your PS2 standing proud although obviously the vertical stand for the fatter PS2 will not work. Plug in the AV cable to the socket at the rear of the console and use the euro-AV connector for a scart connection or the video and left/right audio sockets for a connection of the non scart kind. The dualshock controller is plugged into one of the two front ports and the AC adapter wire slots neatly to the rear to stay out of sight. Once this is done it is simply a matter of turning your TV to the AV channel and switching on the Playstation 2, when this is done the console is ready to play a game, DVD or music disk depending on your preference.

 A closer look at the Slimline PS2 

We have looked at the console in general terms and the way in which a disk is loaded but there are a few other ports and sockets worthy of mention. There are still two USB sockets to connect those must have extras like the Eyetoy or Singstar microphone while a built in IR receiver makes it even easier to navigate around DVD menus with a compatible remote control. There is a pair of controller ports and two memory slots as well as a digital out connector to the rear for that surround sound experience when watching films or gaming. Extra vents keep the slimline PS2 cooler then its predecessor while its reduced size make it much easier on the eye than its bulky sibling.

 Graphics, Sound & Speed 

Although the PS2 is getting on for five years old the graphics are still fresh enough to make games immensely playable. The Playstation 2 has a dedicated graphics synthesizer which when combined with the 32MB system memory and 300 MHz processor provides smooth and fast flowing graphics. Sound is also vital to good all round game play which is where the Playstation 2`s 48 channel sound system comes in, and just for that little added boost there is also 3D surround sound for that cinema type sensation. As far as speed goes the slimline PS2 is no slouch – that 300 MHz CPU ensures games are fast flowing and stutter free with super fast refresh rates and stutter free screen action.

 DVD & CD Playback 

A nice little bonus with the new breed of game consoles is the ability to play music CD`s and watch DVD’s with them. The built in IR receiver means that a compatible remote control won’t need an adaptor plugged into a controller port while the massive noise reduction of the moving parts within the console mean you won’t hear the disk whirring above the sound of the music or film dialogue. Another handy option is a password protected Parental control system which means that little ones cannot watch a DVD film above their age limit without the use of a four digit password. CD playback is simple too but is only going to be as good as your TV speakers allow – if a lot of CD playback is planned using the PS2 it would be wise to set up the Digital out port to some surround sound speakers.

 Games Glorious Games 

This is the area that swayed me away from a Microsoft Xbox and towards purchasing a Playstation 2. At present there are over 2500 compatible games for the PS2 including exclusive offerings such as the Gran Turismo series and Ratchet and Clank as well as interactive titles like Singstar and Britney’s dance beat. Although it is fair to say that the Xbox is superior as far as graphics are concerned it is all relative and the games I have played on the PS2 have been crisp, smooth and addictive. The majority of games are DVD based nowadays although of course Playstation 1 CD games work perfectly. As long as Playstation 2 software developers keep trying to raise the bar in regard to playability and originality of future releases there is no reason why the game scene for the PS2 cannot go from strength to strength. Clever touches like dualshock controllers and the Eyetoy are doing this admirably at the moment.

 Final thoughts 

So am I happy that I chose the slimline PS2 above the Xbox? You bet I am! Yes it is getting on for five years old and yet it is testament to the shear elegance and engineering of the console that it still outsells the Xbox by four units to one. Yes there are one or two issues I’d like to have been different – region free DVD playback would have been nice as would two controllers and that network access disk really should be supplied in the box, but it’s still the console to catch. For those that have a regular fatter Playstation 2 I would say that it is probably not worth changing it for the slimline model, especially as the new Playstation 3 will be launched in 2006. But for those, like me, who are late into the gaming world it is a glorious introduction to the world of joypad waggling, especially when a new slimline PS2 costs as little as £95 ($198). Four stars out of five from me.

www.playstation.com
www.sony.com