Is the PS2 SCPH-90000 only for Japan?..

[dave4shmups]

I haven't seen a release date anywhere, including in the GameStop where I work, for this new model. Obviously it's out in Japan; is it even coming out here?

Perhaps it will be easier to use Swap Magic on this, or they'll come up with a different set of tools.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

I haven't seen a release date anywhere, including in the GameStop where I work, for this new model. Obviously it's out in Japan; is it even coming out here?

Perhaps it will be easier to use Swap Magic on this, or they'll come up with a different set of tools.

For dave4shmups,

Common business sense says that SCEA would have to blowout their existing inventory of the 2nd generation PS2 consoles at both their internal warehousing centers and at the retail store level in order to make room for the newest 3rd gen PS2 consoles -- hence the recent price drop on the 2nd gen USA region PS2 consoles. Only the head-honchos at SCEA know if that is to be or not. Taking up retail space at the store level is expensive to maintain and replenish but since SCEI's parent company, Sony has deep pockets monetary-wise, it isn't a problem with them. As the ol' business advice goes: "It takes money to make money".

Here are the tech specs on this new fangled 3rd gen PS2 system courtesy of NCSX:

http://www.ncsxshop.com/cgi-bin/shop/SCPH-90000.html

http://www.ncsx.com/2007/111907/ps2_scph90000.htm

If you were to pick up one, it'll work just fine on USA 120v A/C lines without the need to buy a step-down A/C covertor even though it's rated for use with Japanese 100v A/C only. Why not use that extra $$$ and get some PS2 game imports instead... ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Udderdude]

Well if the only improvement is an internal power supply .. probabally only Japanese would go for it, I think.

[Ed Oscuro]

According to the only link loading for me (NCSX's), the internals were "completely" overhauled, and now the AC adapter is internal.

Hopefully this isn't another PS2 Slim with laser blowouts.

Also, what's the word on whether it takes hard drives? Whenever I finally get a PS2 it'll probably have to be the original style so I can finally get some use of that hard drive that ships with FFXI (use it with that game loader software yeehaw)

[PC Engine Fan X!]

I recall that SCEI was going to looking alternative solutions to using a HDD for the 2nd gen Slim PS2 console...turned to out be a no-show. They were hoping to utilize some kind of mega PS2 memory card of sorts for data storage -- still haven't seen it come to fruitation...

SCEI could've added a small notebook styled HDD drive to the 2nd gen Slim PS2 but didn't. Or even just use a PS2 branded USB powered external HDD would have been the easy way to go...

A 1st gen PS2 with the 40GB HDD and the Broadband Adapter makes one heck of a hefty console...

The first two iterations of the original JPN region PS2 didn't have the built-in HDD bay and had to resort to using the bulky external BBA + HDD add-ons, taking up valuable real estate -- not my cup of tea with that setup. SCEI fixed that problem with the release of the 3rd & 4th production variants of the 1st gen PS2 consoles...

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Ed Oscuro]

Well, my interest was in full game installations to shorten load time and decrease laser usage, like that software allows...doubt anything official from Sony would allow that however.

[Shatterhand]

You can use a USB HD on the slim PS2, but then loading times get slower than with the DVD, as PS2 only has USB 1.0 , which is freaking slow.

[dave4shmups]

I haven't seen a release date anywhere, including in the GameStop where I work, for this new model. Obviously it's out in Japan; is it even coming out here?

Perhaps it will be easier to use Swap Magic on this, or they'll come up with a different set of tools.

For dave4shmups,

Common business sense says that SCEA would have to blowout their existing inventory of the 2nd generation PS2 consoles at both their internal warehousing centers and at the retail store level in order to make room for the newest 3rd gen PS2 consoles -- hence the recent price drop on the 2nd gen USA region PS2 consoles. Only the head-honchos at SCEA know if that is to be or not. Taking up retail space at the store level is expensive to maintain and replenish but since SCEI's parent company, Sony has deep pockets monetary-wise, it isn't a problem with them. As the ol' business advice goes: "It takes money to make money".

Here are the tech specs on this new fangled 3rd gen PS2 system courtesy of NCSX:

http://www.ncsxshop.com/cgi-bin/shop/SCPH-90000.html

http://www.ncsx.com/2007/111907/ps2_scph90000.htm

If you were to pick up one, it'll work just fine on USA 120v A/C lines without the need to buy a step-down A/C covertor even though it's rated for use with Japanese 100v A/C only. Why not use that extra $$$ and get some PS2 game imports instead... ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

If you mean instead of the system, it's because the Swap Magic tools for my Slim PS2 require unscrewing things, and I'm not doing that to my Slim-PS2. It's not as simple as the tools for earlier Slim models.

As far as the system goes,that's a pretty good price, IMO. With shipping to my zip code, it's only $195.00!