Buyer's Guide - Playstation 2

Sony has dropped the price of the Playstation 2 to $99 in the US. While this is certainly newsworthy, being a landmark price point for a still popular console with an immense back catalogue of games, the more sceptical amongst us will question the validity of such a move.

Developers and consumers alike have been screaming for a PS3 price drop for some time, but instead we get a cut price version of a system that the vast majority of gamers already own. But, let’s focus on the positives. The PS2 has enjoyed an astounding shelf life and this price drop should give it the swansong that is so deserves.

So, in light of this news, I feel that now would be a good time to have a retrospective look at the best selling games console of all time and some of the games that made it what it is.

The Low-Down –
Since its launch in 2000, the PS2 has sold over 136million units worldwide as of the end of last year, and will support a game library of over 1900 titles come the end of 2009. It was the first system to integrate DVD technology and of course featured backward compatibility with the PS1, adding literally thousands of pre existing titles to the PS2 experience.

Plans for the system were officially unveiled in March 1999, and the Emotion Engine, a graphic processing chip, particularly impressed. Crowds flocked to electronic stores upon release, and there were huge shortages. In fact, one unhappy gamer threw himself off a rooftop in Akihabara. The machine garnered further publicity, as the Japanese Ministry of Trade limited multiple exports of the PS2 due to concerns that its powerful hardware could have military implications, namely that it could be used as part of a missile guidance system!

In time, the PS2 would overcome supply shortages and as more games were released, consumers began to spend more on the PS2. Initially, there were fears that consumers would merely pick up the system as a cheap DVD player and not buy software. Due to a lack of release titles, these fears were well founded, but eventually a steady stream of well received games alleviated this problem.

From there, the PS2 went from strength to strength and would eclipse the benchmark for success set by the PS1.

The best selling games worldwide (taken from wikipedia.org)

1. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
2. Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
3. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
4. Grand Theft Auto III
5. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
6. Final Fantasy X
7. Final Fantasy XII
8. Kingdom Hearts
9. Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
10. Madden NFL 2005


My Recommendations –
Since getting my PS2 in the summer of 2001, I have played and enjoyed a wide variety of games. Here are a few of the titles that I would most recommend picking up –

Metal Gear Solid 2 & 3
God of War 1 & 2
Timesplitters – Future Perfect
Final Fantasy X & XII
Red Faction
Resident Evil 4
Shadow of the Colossus
Onimusha
Devil May Cry
NBA Street
Rez
Okami
GTA3
Max Payne
Manhunt

Sega Saturn Buyer's Guide

I was reading an interesting article today at kotaku.com , that provides a buyer’s guide to the last generation of consoles, and it got me thinking. So without further ado, here’s the buyer’s guide for the Japanese Sega Saturn.

Some History – Released in Japan in November 1994, and discontinued in 1998, the Saturn was released just ahead of Sony’s Playstation. It enjoyed some success in Japan, initially outselling the Playstation. However, in the long run the Saturn would fail, marking the beginning of the end for Sega as a console manufacturer. The strong competition (PS and the N64) and difficulty to program by third-party developers spelled doom for the Saturn.

The Console – A trip to any second hand game store reveals no shortage of Saturns. There are a couple of different models, but by far the most common are the original grey model and the later white version. Look to pay no more than ¥4000 for either, including all the necessary wires and two controllers. If you shop around a bit, you should be able to find one even cheaper. I picked up a second (!) Saturn the other day, the JVC/Victor made V model, for only ¥1300.

The Games – One of the advantages of being a Saturn owner in Japan is that most of the titles come cheap, and there is no shortage of them. It’s cheap and easy to build an impressive library of games.

When new, the games came with a cardboard spine card, kept in place by the plastic shrink wrap. Most collectors aren’t interested if the game comes without one, but I have never been too bothered.

In the following list of recommendations, I have tried to include a range of genres that will provide the most well-rounded Saturn experience. In general, I have avoided some of the rarer, more expensive titles. The most prominent of which is Radiant Silvergun, which usually sells for ¥18,000.

Virtua Fighter 2 – The Saturn’s best selling game and must have for any Saturn owner. You can pick this up for ¥100 in virtually any second hand gaming store. Also, check out Fighter’s Megamix, featuring the Virtua Fighters and the characters from Fighting Vipers.

Virtua Cop 2 – My favourite game for the Saturn. Used with the light gun, it really brings the arcade experience into the home. Don’t pay any more than ¥500 maximum for the game and the boxed gun.

X-men Versus Streetfighter – Part of the Vs Fighting series. It runs fast and smoothly, and the SF and X-men characters are well balanced. You need a RAM cart to run this game, which when packaged with the game will cost you between ¥1500-¥2000, though its well worth it.

Nights – One of the most unique and critically acclaimed games on the Saturn. Pick it up with a copy of the Christmas add-on for around ¥200.

Virtual On – Another ¥100 game! This mech fighter is best played with the Virtual On Arcade sticks (see “Peripherals” section).

Sega Rally – For me, one of the defining games for the Saturn. And guess what, you can pick up a copy for ¥100!

Decathelete – Track and field makes a successful appearance on the Saturn. But be warned, there is a lot of button bashing. Don’t play this game for long periods, unless you want to sustain serious finger injuries.

Policenauts – This is by far my favourite game in which I can’t get past the first 15 minutes! From Hideo Kojima (Metal Gear series), this game comes packaged in a stylish black jacket, with an art book and stickers. It has a dedicated following even today. But be warned, unless your Japanese is very good, you will have absolutely no idea what’s going on, or what exactly you are supposed to be doing.

Guardian Heroes – Although a little pricey for a Saturn game, between ¥3000 and ¥4000, Treasure’s side-scrolling fighter will be a great addition to your collection.

Panzer Dragoon – Another Saturn title that still has a strong fan base, and cheap and easy to pick up to boot.

Alien Trilogy – My favourite FPS on the Saturn. Although not a Saturn exclusive, its one of the games that I have most enjoyed on Sega’s doomed console.

Peripherals – One item that is an absolute must buy when you pick up a Saturn is a lithium battery. It fits into the back of the console, and is needed to run the internal memory, allowing you to store system information and save games. You can get them virtually anywhere. Also, unless you only intend on playing a small handful of games, you will want to get a memory cartridge, which usually cost around ¥1000.

Sega Light Gun – A must have for Virtua Cop 1+2.

Nights Analogue Controller – Another worthwhile addition. Although only compatible with a limited number of games, it’s essential for getting the most out of Nights.

Virtual On Arcade Sticks - http://toomanywires.blog126.fc2.com/blog-entry-2.html. In all honesty, you can probably do without one of these!

So there you have it. For a minimal price, you can pick up a console, that although not without its faults, will provide you with hours and hours of enjoyable game play. The Saturn boasts an expansive and affordable back catalogue of games, which can be found anywhere from Sofmap to your local Book Off. I have noticed of late that prices are beginning to slowly creep upwards, so now would be a good time to get into it. Better late than never.