New "PSTwo" Officially Announced.

[maximumzero]

Just as the PSX got a smaller version of itself with the PSOne towards the end of it's lifetime, so shall the PS2.

http://ps2media.ign.com/ps2/image/article/549/549938/sony-announces-new-ps2-20040921012629965.jpg

http://ps2media.ign.com/ps2/image/article/549/549938/sony-announces-new-ps2-20040921013624528.jpg

http://ps2media.ign.com/ps2/image/article/549/549938/sony-announces-new-ps2-20040921012636527.jpg

I guess it's nice, but I never wanted a PS2. Those of you that do want one though...I guess this is a better time than ever to get one.

[Zach Williams]

This........is PS2!!!! WTF!!!! So, if this is exactly what they did with PS, we won't get any types of games, just the same ol' stuff.:mad:

[Beat]

Now lower-income brackets everywhere can afford a PS2.

I have to say, that console looks thin. Wafer-thin.

[Morac]

How much do you think it will cost?

I'm assuming for now it will cost $179 since Sony just dropped prices recently.

[William C. Maune]

This........is PS2!!!! WTF!!!! So, if this is exactly what they did with PS, we won't get any types of games, just the same ol' stuff.:mad:

What did you want from them? They didn't have to release a smaller system at all. This is just a PS2 design update, it isn't like it is keeping them from releasing something else.

[ShawnHopkins]

I've looked at the pictures on IGN and I can't see any USB ports or the digital optical out on this, two reasons I would hold onto my old PS2. It might just be because I can't see it against the black, though. They may also release an adaptor for the optical out like Microsoft did.

It's neat that they were able to shrink it so much, though, and it would be a great second system to put in a car or camper or something. I'd bet it will soon cost less, too.

[Swordfish_II]

If you look at this image (http://www.eurogamer.net/view_screenshot.php?filter=&image=/assets/articles/a56660/horizontalviews.jpg) (about 800kb), you can see it has a digital optical out and a built in network adapter. And apparently the NA version will also have a built in modem adapter.

It also has an IR reciever on the front, as well as the two USB ports.

[AlphaPrime]

That things pretty cool hehehehe. but i already have a PS2 so until it breaks or something i won't be getting this.

[ShawnHopkins]

It's all there isn't it? Thanks for the better picture. I might just get the new one after all, especially if I need a replacement.

[Shnay]

Unless some new technology that allowed them to make the console smaller just came along, we have to assume that Sony could have made the PS2 more compact from the beginning. If they could have done that, then why didn't they? Is it all just a marketing ploy to get people to buy both the "standard" version and then upgrade to the "new and improved" system? If it is, that doesn't seem right. Or is their strategy to give all those who haven't bought it more incentive to get it by offering a superior design to the original? If this is the case, it doesn't really seem fair to all those who bought the original.

Maybe the technology to do this just came along, in which case I take all this back. But the fact that they also did this with the PSOne suggests otherwise. I think Sony should just release the best possible console design they can upfront, rather than improve it once sales start to dwindle. I guess what they're doing now makes sense from a business standpoint, but as a consumer, it feels a bit underhanded.

[William C. Maune]

I would guess the technology wasn't available at the time. Technology always continues to improve and as more powerful things are developed oftentimes the previously used technology can be fit into smaller and smaller spaces.

[Beat]

Theoretically speaking, the PS2 has features on it, such as USB ports, that prevented it from being at such a miniscule size. Not to mention that as technology improves, it becomes easier to shrink down old parts.

The smaller size is probably going to help cut costs as well. Less parts means less money to make the system. Nowadays, you can get a PS1 for about the same price as one PS2 game.

[Shnay]

I would guess the technology wasn't available at the time. Technology always continues to improve and as more powerful things are developed oftentimes the previously used technology can be fit into smaller and smaller spaces.
That's definitely a reasonable explanation. Probably a lot more reasonable than my mini-rant. I really don't know that much about computer/console hardware, so it's hard for me to say whether or not there's been any huge advances in this kind of thing. So, again, if anyone can confim this, I take all I said back. But I still have a feeling that they knew they would put out an "improved" version later but didn't mention it until sales started to drop.

[PaQ]

That doesn't look too bad. I'm glad to see Sony's following suit with the Ps2 like they did with the PsOne. The smaller, more compact design looks very nice, and should get more units sold. Sounds like a solid plan Sony.

[Homesick_Alien]

Kinda...looks like crap. If i bought that I would be to scared that some wind would blow it over and break it or maybe some dust might smash it. No buy!
No point in even doing that...

[blee337]

Unless some new technology that allowed them to make the console smaller just came along, we have to assume that Sony could have made the PS2 more compact from the beginning. If they could have done that, then why didn't they? Is it all just a marketing ploy to get people to buy both the "standard" version and then upgrade to the "new and improved" system? If it is, that doesn't seem right. Or is their strategy to give all those who haven't bought it more incentive to get it by offering a superior design to the original? If this is the case, it doesn't really seem fair to all those who bought the original.

Maybe the technology to do this just came along, in which case I take all this back. But the fact that they also did this with the PSOne suggests otherwise. I think Sony should just release the best possible console design they can upfront, rather than improve it once sales start to dwindle. I guess what they're doing now makes sense from a business standpoint, but as a consumer, it feels a bit underhanded.History suggests that electronic chips and pcb's can be compacted without losing too much functionality as technology advances. The NES got a smaller redesign. So did the Genesis, SNES, Gameboy and PSX. Don't forget this new design does not have that big hole for the Hard Drive either.

Look at the PC industry. We no longer have these bulky 386 boxes sitting around because technology has enabled all of the inards to be reduced in size, all while increasing speeds and capacities.

[TacoHunter]

I really don't know that much about computer/console hardware, so it's hard for me to say whether or not there's been any huge advances in this kind of thing. So, again, if anyone can confim this, I take all I said back. But I still have a feeling that they knew they would put out an "improved" version later but didn't mention it until sales started to drop.

Well, from a technical stand point, the technology has always been there, its just that it would have cost an arm and the leg 4 years ago.

Not to mention, this really doesn't seem to be a better version, considering it will most likely won't work with a number of peripherals like the HD and maybe even the multi tap.

Anyway, this doesn't look as sexy as the PSone did.

[Shnay]

Okay. Complaints retracted. :)

I think this all stems back to my dislike of releasing special editions of things after everyone goes out and buys the regular one. Plus, when I was a child, Daddy wouldn't take me to the circus...

As far as the sexiness factor, I think it looks pretty sleak. The fact that it's roughly the same size as a controller is very cool. Although I would be afraid of breaking the thing in my hands.

[Conekiller]

Really nice, I hope it has a lower price point cuz I've got a launch day PS2 that's actin up on me.

Any word on release date/month?

that box is gross looking. imagine seeing all those piss-yellow boxes at your loacl stores piled up *ick*

[guinaevere]

It certainly looks much better than the ps2, even if it's just a scaled down (size-wise) version. But unless the psTwo has some improvement over the ps2, I won't be getting it.

Only re-release worth getting was the top-loading 8-bit Nintendo. Since then, nufin.

Edit: Just noticed in looking at the pics at eurogamer, that printed on the front between port 1 & 2 is the word, "magicgate." Checked on my ps2. Sure enough, it's printed there, too. Never noticed that before.

Any idea what that refers to?

[Invader_Spooch]

Not to mention, this really doesn't seem to be a better version, considering it will most likely won't work with a number of peripherals like the HD and maybe even the multi tap.

I'll give you the HD argument (though I don't see it being a big problem for most, considering...), but why wouldn't the multi-tap work on it? all it needs is a controller port with a memory card slot above it, and this new design keeps that...

[TacoHunter]

Well, I'm not sure if the multi tap will or won't have problems. Not with out a good profile shot of the PStwo anyway. But I'm just making a guess.

[Invader_Spooch]

Well, I'm not sure if the multi tap will or won't have problems. Not with out a good profile shot of the PStwo anyway. But I'm just making a guess.http://www.eurogamer.net/view_screenshot.php?filter=&image=/assets/articles/a56660/horizontalviews.jpg

[guinaevere]

From Gamespot (http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/09/21/news_6107997.html).

psTwo will come in at $149 (same as current ps2), but will have the addition of a built in ethernet port.

[TacoHunter]

You know, I'm still not 100% sure about that multi tape. But it does look like it would probably work.

[Wilco911]

I don't suppose that anyone has heard if this will cause a price drop in the network adapter for the original design, have they?

[ShawnHopkins]

The pics at IGN actually include a multitap. I don't know if it's a special one or they're trying to illustrate the multitap will work with the PStwo, but check it out.

http://media.ps2.ign.com/articles/549/549938/imgs_1.html

[Martianinvader]

Does this still have DVD playback? Because half the time, I'm using my PS2 for that. If the PS2 breaks, the PSTwo is all they'll sell me from the point this comes out until the end of time. It's not that I can't afford a real DVD player, it's that I don't have the room on the TV shelf for one.

Well, actually, this sizing would solve that...never mind.

[guinaevere]

DVD playback? check. DVDr playback? check.

[ZorBrak]

150. Psh. Wow so I get a new PS2 for the exact same price when it should have been 100 a year ago?! Yay! Not. Sony I swear you suck. They just love to try to drive the video gamign industry into a more and more costly for the consumer hobby. I bet they REALLY hated that the DS is 150 considering they wanted to make their PSP about 400 and now probably have to bump it down to 350. Boo hoo.

[William C. Maune]

From a business perspective they really have no reason to drop the price farther considering how well the system still sells. It is half the original price now. As for being a costly consumer hobby, you could always just not buy a PS2.

[Tommy Lawson]

150. Psh. Wow so I get a new PS2 for the exact same price when it should have been 100 a year ago?! Yay! Not. Sony I swear you suck.From a business perspective they really have no reason to drop the price farther considering how well the system still sells. It is half the original price now. As for being a costly consumer hobby, you could always just not buy a PS2.It worked wonders for Sony the last time they did such a move. Remember, the PSOne was released so the price of a new Playstation 1 system could remain the same ($99 I believe), although the design would be different. Sony is just repeating history now, only at the $150 price point now, meaning you shouldn't be expecting any price cuts for the console this holiday season, and I'm wondering if it'll be Christmas 2005 before they get anywhere close to the important $99 price tag. Still, I recommend picking up a new full-size PS2 instead of the slimmer design, since not only is the HD incompatible, some games are supposedly incompatible as well.

[Morac]

I'm assuming from the new PS2's lack of a hard drive bay that Sony has given up on supporting the hard drive on the PS2. Or maybe it's a way to sell more PSX devices?

The new PSTwo operates strangely. To insert a DVD you have to open the nearly the entire thing by flipping the case open. See http://ps2movies.ign.com/ps2/image/article/549/549986/new-ps2-media-20040921090951327.jpg

Also see http://ps2.ign.com/articles/549/549986p1.html?fromint=1 for some more information

[Zero Kagayaki]

I might get this.....

[Opaque]

The new PSTwo operates strangely. To insert a DVD you have to open the nearly the entire thing by flipping the case open. See http://ps2movies.ign.com/ps2/image/article/549/549986/new-ps2-media-20040921090951327.jpg (http://ps2movies.ign.com/ps2/image/article/549/549986/new-ps2-media-20040921090951327.jpg)

A flip top is strange?

You've obviously never used a Dreamcast or a Gamecube before.

[guinaevere]

I'm all for the flip tops. Fewer mechanical parts to have problems with. I have never in my life, heard of a flip top that refused to give a cd or dvd back.

[Homesick_Alien]

There isnt a reason why the multitap wouldnt work...i dont even know how you guys got started on that but there isnt anything that would stop it...its no different really...theres a memory card slot over top of the controller slot...no big deal. :bosko:

[maximumzero]

A flip top is strange?

You've obviously never used a Dreamcast or a Gamecube before.

Or for that matter THE ORIGINAL PLAYSTATION.

[William C. Maune]

Speaking of the multitap, since they are already redesigning the PS2 for this release, I don't see why they just don't put four controller ports on the machine itself.

[Conekiller]

I'm all for the flip tops. Fewer mechanical parts to have problems with. I have never in my life, heard of a flip top that refused to give a cd or dvd back.
Doesn't the Fliptop design allow for more dust to enter the system and black the lens, thus causeing disk read errors, moreso than the ejecting tray?

Cuz I have a big problem with dusty systems.....

[maximumzero]

Speaking of the multitap, since they are already redesigning the PS2 for this release, I don't see why they just don't put four controller ports on the machine itself.

Because then they wouldn't get money from sales of the Multitap, duh.

[Artimus Gigan]

FYI the original Multi-tap worked for the redesigned PSX


it should be no different that an original PS2 multi-tap would not work for the redesigned PS2.

Yeah they may redesign it so it looks atheticly different, other than that it's all the same inside.

[guinaevere]

Speaking of the multitap, since they are already redesigning the PS2 for this release, I don't see why they just don't put four controller ports on the machine itself.Someone basically answered this. Yes, Sony makes an additional profit by having the consumer pay additional for the additional ports. Sweet, aren't they? Yes, I'm all for companies making a nice profit. That's the whole idea. But Sony tends to take consumer- unfriendly lines. :shrug:

Doesn't the Fliptop design allow for more dust to enter the system and black the lens, thus causeing disk read errors, moreso than the ejecting tray?

Cuz I have a big problem with dusty systems.....It's certainly possible, but I don't see how dust is going to be able to enter the system if you're only opening the flip top for the moment it takes to switch the discs. Unless of course, you have a dust storm raging through your room. ;) :D

[Mynd Hed]

Someone basically answered this. Yes, Sony makes an additional profit by having the consumer pay additional for the additional ports. Sweet, aren't they? Yes, I'm all for companies making a nice profit. That's the whole idea. But Sony tends to take consumer- unfriendly lines. :shrug:

I have no actual sales statistics to back this up, but it seems logical that any extra money Sony made through multitap sales would be lost due to the fact that relatively few people will buy multitaps, hence game makers have less incentive to make four player games, hence fewer people buy more than two controllers.

[William C. Maune]

I think I'm just still in shock that the PS2 never had four ports standard in the first place. I had always thought that was pretty much standard with this generation. Does the XBox come with four controller ports?

While there is in one sense more money to be made in selling the multitap, it's also a discouragement from even investing in multiplayer equipment (more controllers and such). It's another part to deal, something else that could go wrong, more connections to be careful with and keep clean, etc.

[Captain Harlock]

Does the XBox come with four controller ports?

Yes it does.

However, I don't find that two ports on the Ps2 is a big problem. I don't think of the Ps2 as a console that focuses on non-online multiplayer games with more than 2 players, as it doesn't have a big name title such as Halo for Xbox and Super Smash Bros Melee for Gamecube.

[Zyzzybalubah]

That is so tiny! I wish they could do this stuff earlier in the lifecycle, but hey whatcha gonna do? Microsoft should do that with Xbox. But then again it doesn't matter for me anymore since I own all current gen-systems. I think for the next gen-consoles companies should take notes on making smaller, but powerful systems (if possible.) So far Nintendo has done it the best so far minus that it's top is big for my top drawer. :D

Edit: Yes Sony needs to get their act together and make their consoles have 4 controller ports. I love their console and would like to play some of their 4 player games, but the fact you have to buy a multi-tap is riddiculous. So far, I would have to say Xbox is the king in multiplayer/online games. :) 4 Controller Ports, Xbox Live, what else can you ask? Well maybe some GC Titles like Mario Kart and Smash Bros. :D

[guinaevere]

I have no actual sales statistics to back this up, but it seems logical that any extra money Sony made through multitap sales would be lost due to the fact that relatively few people will buy multitapsYes, but what I'm getting at is that Sony isn't spending the extra $2 or so to add ports 3 & 4 to the ps2 to begin with. No, they're not making boku bucks from massive multiport sales, but they're not spending their own cash to offer (what I consider) a complete console for the (current) $149 price tag.

Does that make sense? I know what I'm trying to say, but not saying it terribly well. :sweat:

I think I'm just still in shock that the PS2 never had four ports standard in the first place. I had always thought that was pretty much standard with this generation. Does the XBox come with four controller ports?xBox, yes. GameCube, yes. DreamCast, yes. N64, yes. PS, no.

And really, of the large library of ps/ps2 games, aside from sports, I can't think of many games which offer 3 or 4 player support.

[Morac]

A flip top is strange?

You've obviously never used a Dreamcast or a Gamecube before.Actually I have, but in those only the area right above the DVD opened up and the area was circular. In the PSTwo 3/4 of the whole thing opens up and the area in a rectangle. It just looks weird and I can't see how you can have the PSTWO be vertical and swap disks.

In any case I guess they must have fixed the disk swap bug that could used to get around copy protection since they now use the flip top.

[Mynd Hed]

Yes it does.

However, I don't find that two ports on the Ps2 is a big problem. I don't think of the Ps2 as a console that focuses on non-online multiplayer games with more than 2 players, as it doesn't have a big name title such as Halo for Xbox and Super Smash Bros Melee for Gamecube.

Ah, but is the lack of four ports on the PS2 not a problem since the PS2 lacks four-player games, or does the PS2 lack four-player games because it doesn't have four ports, which IS a problem?

Considering that four-player games like Halo on the Xbox, SSBM (and, relatively late in the game, Mario Kart) on the 'Cube, and Goldeneye on the N64 have historically been selling points, I'd say Sony passed up a big opportunity when they went with the now-dated two-port route. An opportunity big enough, I daresay, to outweigh any money they make with multitap sales and save in materials by omitting the two extra ports.

One more reason why I'll never really understand why the Dreamcast lost out to the PS2 when the DC had so much going for it, but I digress....

[Opaque]

In any case I guess they must have fixed the disk swap bug that could used to get around copy protection since they now use the flip top.
But if they didn't... woot!

[Homesick_Alien]

Speaking of the multitap, since they are already redesigning the PS2 for this release, I don't see why they just don't put four controller ports on the machine itself.
Ya, that would be great. Thats one of the biggest draw backs of ps2's. Even though the multi-tap isnt much, that would probably help the sales alot.