Playstation 2 finally retired in Japan

[nakamura]

There goes a beaten man.

As for the PS2, Sony should have revealed the anti aliasing support earlier and sorted the launch. Tekken Tag was fully anti aliased for the western market but Ridge Racer wasn't. Sony just didn't get the info out to developers of how the machine did it. The PS2 sold millions, but I feel it should have a better reputation within gamers that it does.

[Colin]

There goes a beaten man.

[wakka]

Unfortunately what is good and what the public wants are extremely divergent.

To see the proof of this, just watch TV. Any of it!

[parkinho]

I didn't get my first PS2 until Shadow of the Colossus landed, but that game alone was worth the price of admission. Even sweeter was then playing through ICO shortly after, as at the time I knew very little about it except it was held in very high regard. Two of my all-time favourites.

To be honest there was nothing much else exclusive to the system that I felt I have missed out on. Okami made it to the Wii and I have just received the DMC HD Collection on the 360 for Xmas, meaning God Hand is one remaining PS2 game that I have yet to experience.

[Wools]

Controversial but I still find it suprising many hold PS1 so high. It was amazing at the time but most of its catalgue has reached the point of being barely playable. PS2 > PS1

I completely disagree with the idea that most of its catalogue is now unplayable. All the classics such as Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil 2, Ridge Racer Type 4, Tekken 3, WipEout 3: SE and loads more are lovely.









It's odd that the PS1 has acquired a reputation for unplayable 3D graphics, along with other retro systems. It was only a few months ago that a Giantbomb Quick look used that term for Jet Set Radio... There's no question the graphics have aged, but unplayable? That only applies when you can't actually play it, normally because of poor frame rate or various bugs. Something that did hamper my enjoyment of the otherwise lovely Uncharted 3!

PS1 > PS2 - It's catalogue of games are among the best selection on any console in my eyes.

[Nu-Eclipse]

PS1 > PS2 - It's catalogue of games are among the best selection on any console in my eyes.

Either way, it's still a damning indictment on SCE's part that PS3 totally failed to capitalize on the massive success of the first two PS consoles.

And yes, The first two PS machines were largely responsible for kick-starting the phenomenon (for want of a better word) that was/is home console "shovelware"...or are we still going to try and pin that on Nintendo?

[nakamura]

^^^100% true.

[Neon Ignition]

Don't get me wrong, its not PS1 exclusive issue where the games have aged a lot. I'm in much a similar view with most Saturn, N64 and to an extent DC games. All the key PS1 games are amazing releases and really define their era but have also nearly all been eclipsed by later titles of which many are on PS2. For me its similar to the 8bit greats which still hold an appeal but have largely aged compared to the 16bit era greats which feel more timeless. The trouble with the PS3, despite it being a great system, is I don't feel it has the breadth of exclusive truly great games. That said, much is due to the heavy multiformat direction of this gen and its still better for exclusives than either the Wii or 360

[Leon Retro]

I liked the PS1 for all the cool Japanese games - especially the many AAA games from Namco. I hated most of the Western games, though, and lots of them made me feel quite negative.

I didn't like how the Western games were usually badly designed and really annoying in many ways, but they were still succesful. It sort of spelt the end of Japanese dominance, and ushered in an age where really poor Western games sold well to the masses. I think many Japanese publishers and developers must have felt really baffled as to why lots of people were suddenly neglecting their imaginitive, well-designed, beautiful games, in favour of rough looking, clunky Western games. I shared their bewilderment.

The PS2 did have some nice Japanese gems over the years, but I always felt it was a bit underpowered and the image quality was quite rough. The machine built quality and overall operation felt clunky. During that era, I was more fond of the Xbox, as it had a lot of power, which enabled some truly breathtaking games, and the tech worked brilliantly and felt solid in all areas. The GameCube also impressed me more - with its image quality looking superior to the PS2 imo.

These days, I still play my favourite Japanese PS2 games, as many of them stand the test of time. It was a very good console overall, but I have fonder memories of enjoying the GameCube and Xbox more.

[JazzFunk]

I always remember the gubbins about the 'Emotion Engine', whatever that was. Is there anything truly amazing that the PS2 can do that the Xbox and Gamecube couldn't do, technically?

[nakamura]

Nothing like this on the others!

[JazzFunk]

^Whoah motherf*ckah!!!

[buster_broon]

I always remember the gubbins about the 'Emotion Engine', whatever that was. Is there anything truly amazing that the PS2 can do that the Xbox and Gamecube couldn't do, technically?

ah the PS2 couldnt do something the gamecube did

hold the Z button and as it bots up you hear a baby giggle and laugh - ha! emotion engine my arse

anyway loved them both, PStwo delivered on so many levels but i do agree that some PSone games now are quite unplayable

games held in high regard like pandemonium and medievil and now just a mess on the screen

[nakamura]

On a CRT or an LCD?

[danholo]

Love the PS2, simply for the crazy amount of games it had. I used it tons, along with my GC, last gen. Currently playing FFXII "International Zodiac Job System".

Good times. Should pick up a slim...? I'm still using my modded fat one I got in 2002.