Comments on the new slim line PS2s

greg · Post by **greg** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:30 pm

I'm taking this off-topic from the Mushihime-sama thread in the main shmups forum:
http://forum.shmups.com/forum/viewtopic ... &start=400

greg wrote:I ordered my LE version off Amazon JP. I wasn't planning on buying the LE, but it's actually cheaper than the regular version on Amazon JP! The reason is that the regular game has a 15% discount, but the LE has a 30% discount. So it comes out to be a 46 yen cheaper. Plus free shipping within Japan to boot. I'm having it sent to my sister-in-law in Tokyo along with one of the new "ceramic white" slim PS2s (free shipping on that too). She will bring it when she visits America next week.

After playing Mushihime-sama and Espgaluda a few weekends ago at the last AZ Shmupmeet at Undamned's place, I decided that I really ought to get a PS2. Well, now I will soon have one! Finally I will be able to play my Card Captor Sakura Tetris game, since it won't work with my modded PSX. Neat-o mosquito. I'll soon have Mushihime and Espgaluda in my posession, and my next purchase will likely be Gradius V.

(my original message)

GaijinPunch wrote:Off Topic:
I've read mixed reviews on those slim line PS2's... at Amazon.jp of all places.

I read through those a bit too, but nothing very substantial. One reviewer of the black slimline console mentioned about the laser lens not being able to read discs, but I read a lot more comments like this:

twe wrote:Nice! I have one of the new white Slim JP PS2s, and it works like a dream, I love it. Seems more reliable than my old 50000 model brick PS2.

This seems to be the majority of everyone's opinions. From what I gather, the newly designed PS2s seem to be built a bit better. I've taken so long to get myself a PS2 because all this time, I've had little faith in Sony's PS2. At first it was all the lame hype with Ken Kutagari saying that the PS2 is capable of calculating the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything. Then all the technical problems reported with the console made it apparent that Sony hasn't been producing very high quality units. But since the PS2 has been building up a decent collection of shmups, moreso than any of the other next gen consoles (Dreamcast excluded), I just don't want to ignore this console any longer. And it seems that the new slimline PS2s are made better. I like the top loading feature very much.

twe wrote:But I'd rethink that Gradius V purchase. I really didn't enjoy that game. Try DDP DOJ or something else, unless you're a big fan of Gradius.

Not a chance! I'm going to get Gradius V next. I've played it at friends' houses, and I really like the game. So obviously Treasure-y. Actually, I may pass DDP DOJ. I haven't played it in at least a year now, but I didn't like it any more than DDP, which I have on the Saturn. However, I'd love it if Ketsui and/or Progear were to get a home port.

judesalmon · Post by **judesalmon** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:36 pm

The one thing to watch for on slimline PS2s is the thing at the back of the disc-well that holds the discs in place.

Valgar · Post by **Valgar** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:41 pm

PS2 V7 is considered the best the last time I checked (which is an "older" model). You can perform certain mods to fix the later ones.

The new PStwo suffers from laser voltage problems, and can kill itself if it locks up but not a big chance that will happen.

Stormwatch · Post by **Stormwatch** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:46 pm

My two cents on the slim PS2: still butt-ugly. Enough said.

Monkey_Man · Post by **Monkey_Man** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 8:10 pm

What? The slim PS2 is a sexy, sexy machine that I want to rub my appendages all over.

I don't even own a PS2.

Jon · Post by **Jon** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 9:02 pm

judesalmon wrote:The one thing to watch for on slimline PS2s is the thing at the back of the disc-well that olds the discs in place.

Is that what its really for? The actual spindel on the new ps2's seems to lock the discs in place just fine and I always assumed it served some other purpose. Anyhoo, I hate that damn thing.

Post by **undamned** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 9:34 pm

Why do you hate it, Jon?
-ud

Jon · Post by **Jon** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 9:57 pm

Its just something you always have to think about (if you are mildly obsessive compulsive and pretty much go completely overboard about caring for your games that is

.) It's not something that would scratch the underside of the disc unless you are pretty sloppy about popping a disc in your ps2. Its pretty much the only complaint I have about the slimline PS2's and a very nitpicky one at that. I guess I am just needlessly bitching Brian.

judesalmon · Post by **judesalmon** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 10:30 pm

You've just got to make sure the disc is in properly or the game won't load and the machine will make a god-awful noise.

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 11:27 pm

I don't mean to sound like an idiot hrhr but the new PS2's are horrid. I wouldn't buy one if my 2002 model blew up, I'd just find another original somewhere else.

Slimline's don't have fans, so naturally, THEY OVERHEAT LIKE A BITCH.

Jon · Post by **Jon** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 11:42 pm

Elixir wrote:I don't mean to sound like an idiot hrhr but the new PS2's are horrid. I wouldn't buy one if my 2002 model blew up, I'd just find another original somewhere else.

Slimline's don't have fans, so naturally, THEY OVERHEAT LIKE A BITCH.

Well...that settles that then.

Seriously man I have put in some extensive game time on my slim PS2 thanks to both Megaten RPGs as well as a slew of other games since buying it on release. I have never had any problems due to overheating or anything related. The plug in cord that comes with the new PS2 has a "power brick" contained within itself. I assume that keeping it seperate from the actual console eliminates any potential overheating problems

Accutron · Post by **Accutron** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 12:17 am

Valgar wrote:PS2 V7 is considered the best the last time I checked (which is an "older" model). You can perform certain mods to fix the later ones.

I thought the V9/V10 were considered superior...progressive scan DVD, quieter fan etc. No firewire though.

Elixir · Post by **Elixir** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 12:56 am

The older versions are also easier to mod.

freddiebamboo · Post by **freddiebamboo** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 2:27 am

I've left my slim pstwo on for over a day and it didn't explode or anything.

Really don't think there is much to choose between the old and new models to be honest other than the slim looks nicer, but somehow still as dated looking as the old one.

Post by **system11** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 4:05 am

I'm on my 3rd slimline PS2. The first got very hot but didn't seem to break from this - sadly it suffered from horizontal interference lines. The second started to glitch the video while it was heating up at each use. The discs come out baking hot.

Stick with the old types, only one I had of those that died was a very heavily used original European release model, and even then only a few months ago.

superhitachi4 · Post by **superhitachi4** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 4:31 am

Elixir wrote:The older versions are also easier to mod.

I take it you haven't modified many of the older version 1 PS2s

Anyway, just like you, and bloodflowers said: the slimline PS2s have a lot of issues. They like to overheat. PS2s aren't really the best built machines...but I'd stick with one of the later model "old style" PS2s. Hard disk upgrades are also easier on the older systems.

Daigoro · Post by **Daigoro** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 9:19 am

i bought a slim ps2 last November and its worked great so far.

ive put in several hundreds of hours of use on it and not had any problems with its performance.

it is slim and sexy.

the one issue i did have though is that it apparently is not compatible with certain older ps2 peripherals.

i bought one of those cheap SF joysticks and it would not function with my system. (not a problem now that i modded an old DC stick to work with the system). i returned the stick.

Ord · Post by **Ord** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:18 pm

I've just bought 2 slimline PS2s. One white Japanese model and one UK model. My old style PS2 died over the weekend and that's the 4th time i've had a PS2 die on me. The quality of the Sony machines IMO is pure shit, but it has the games I like.

FatCobra · Post by **FatCobra** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:57 pm

My slimline worked pretty well, ever after long game sessions, but I eventually got rid of it since I got fed up with Sony and their game selection. I know I'm missing out on some great games, but I'm quite happy with my DS and I just don't have time or money for consoles anymore. I'm building myself a computer anyways.

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 12:45 am

FatCobra wrote:My slimline worked pretty well, ever after long game sessions, but I eventually got rid of it since I got fed up with Sony and their game selection. I know I'm missing out on some great games, but I'm quite happy with my DS and I just don't have time or money for consoles anymore. I'm building myself a computer anyways.

I never had any overheating problems with the PSTwo either. If you give your slim-line plenty of breathing room, there's no reason why it should overheat, unless you got a lemon. I've owned 2, a Japanese one, and an American one, and neither overheated. So unless you want a modded PS2, (modded PSTwo's have problems with laser blowouts) I would definately get a slim-line PSTwo.

But personally, I'm sticking with the PS1-the shmup library isn't as big, but it's got all the shmups that I love, like Cotton Original, 100%, and ZanacXZanac, and more.

superhitachi4 · Post by **superhitachi4** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 1:08 am

Ord wrote:I've just bought 2 slimline PS2s. One white Japanese model and one UK model. My old style PS2 died over the weekend and that's the 4th time i've had a PS2 die on me. The quality of the Sony machines IMO is pure shit, but it has the games I like.

Too bad Sony doesn't build their systems like Sega used to, or for that matter: like Nintendo's SNES. *lights candle for Sega*

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 2:19 am

I generally find the PS1 and PSone to be more durable.

Before I moved home from college, I was living with a couple of guys, and one was a Final Fantasy VII addict-and he had an old PS1 that he'd just have lying on some pillows, while he chilled on his bed and played the game -and he never had any problems with it, with for example, dust from the pillows, or whatnot.

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 2:25 am

superhitachi4 wrote:
Ord wrote:I've just bought 2 slimline PS2s. One white Japanese model and one UK model. My old style PS2 died over the weekend and that's the 4th time i've had a PS2 die on me. The quality of the Sony machines IMO is pure shit, but it has the games I like.
Too bad Sony doesn't build their systems like Sega used to, or for that matter: like Nintendo's SNES. *lights candle for Sega*

Keep in mind that plenty of people on here, even, have gone through several Dreamcasts, because of the systems dying on them.

ANY disc-based system is more of a risk, IMO, because of the lasers which can die out on you. Sure, cartridge-based systems have their own issues, but they are not nearly (AFIK) as internally complicated as disc-based systems, and it's a helluva lot easier to clean dust out of a cartridge then it is to replace a fried-out laser.

The ONLY cartridge-based console I ever had any major problems with was my old NES when I was a kid-and that was just one time when we had to send it in to Nintendo to have it cleaned, in the over 3 year period that we owned the thing.

superhitachi4 · Post by **superhitachi4** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 2:57 am

dave4shmups wrote:Keep in mind that plenty of people on here, even, have gone through several Dreamcasts, because of the systems dying on them.

ANY disc-based system is more of a risk, IMO, because of the lasers which can die out on you. Sure, cartridge-based systems have their own issues, but they are not nearly (AFIK) as internally complicated as disc-based systems, and it's a helluva lot easier to clean dust out of a cartridge then it is to replace a fried-out laser.

The ONLY cartridge-based console I ever had any major problems with was my old NES when I was a kid-and that was just one time when we had to send it in to Nintendo to have it cleaned, in the over 3 year period that we owned the thing.

You overstate the obvious. Anyway, lately Sony builds shit. Anyone can vouch for that, including myself who has to repair their crap all the time. I used to love Sony....but now eh. They're "okay". Oh well. I must say though, I'm quite impressed with the PSP as a hand held if it holds up for any length of time. I'll probably snag one of those once the price drops, and design improves.

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 3:23 am

Obvious? I was merely pointing out that there are certain inherent risks involved in purchasing ANY disc-based console.

And as far as the durability of the PS2 or PSTwo is concerned, funny how XBOX or Dreamcast problems never get mentioned in threads on this site that turn into Sony-bashing. A quick read through this thread: http://forum.shmups.com/forum/viewtopic ... ox+durable
proves that the XBOX can have just as many issues as any model of PS2.

My brother has an old-pre progressive scan PS2 that was sitting on his TV , literally collecting dust for months before he put it back in it's box and down in our basement. I got it out once, blew the dust off, plugged it in, and it works perfectly. No DRE's or anything.

The bottom line is that if you want THE most durable disc-based console, you need to get a Cube. The thing has had a sledge hammer taken to it, been dropped onto the ground from seven stories up, and you could probably play it if you draped an Israeli flag over it and handed it over to Hamas.

I might pick up a PSP once the price drops as well; I have no problem with the design, just the fact that the there are only a few shmups for it, and too many damn movies. Honestly, I could go anywhere from Radio Shack to the Sharper Image and get a portable DVD player, if I ever feel the need to watch movies on the go.

greg · Post by **greg** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:34 pm

Ord wrote:The quality of the Sony machines IMO is pure shit, but it has the games I like.

Thus the conundrum.

dave4shmups wrote:Keep in mind that plenty of people on here, even, have gone through several Dreamcasts, because of the systems dying on them.

I thought that the laser drive on my JP DC had croaked because it wouldn't load the games or would quit out to the OS screen after a few minutes. It turned out that all I needed to do was clean the lens with a lens tissue. However, my modded PS1 is on its last legs, for sure. The little tabs that hold the CD in place have been busted out, and sometimes the darn thing won't load at all. But, at least it works 85% of the time.

dave4shmups wrote:The ONLY cartridge-based console I ever had any major problems with was my old NES when I was a kid-and that was just one time when we had to send it in to Nintendo to have it cleaned, in the over 3 year period that we owned the thing.

I never owned a NES, but my friends did. I can't think of my junior high NES-playing memories without remembering loading and reloading and re-reloading the carts into the slot, and blowing into the carts repeatedly.

dave4shmups wrote:The thing has had a sledge hammer taken to it, been dropped onto the ground from seven stories up, and you could probably play it if you draped an Israeli flag over it and handed it over to Hamas.

That's too funny! That gave me a good laugh. Still, Gamecube remains a mere child's toy to me. I just can't find any reason to get one of those. And since it's taken this long to finally get a PS2, I doubt I ever will get a Cube.

dave4shmups wrote:Honestly, I could go anywhere from Radio Shack to the Sharper Image and get a portable DVD player, if I ever feel the need to watch movies on the go.

I really wonder if they're making any money on those dumb PSP movies. I'm sure we'll eventually see a ton of these movies in bargain bins at stores in a few years. Why would I want to buy the same movie twice?

Hey Dave, you had discovered that Namco Museum Encore wouldn't play Rolling Thunder properly on a PS2. Do you know of any other games that won't play properly on a PS2?

dave4shmups · Post by **dave4shmups** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 10:06 pm

Hey Dave, you had discovered that Namco Museum Encore wouldn't play Rolling Thunder properly on a PS2. Do you know of any other games that won't play properly on a PS2?

Yeah, I know about that one. Shmup-wise, Toaplan Shooting Battle won't work, Gradius Gaiden evidently has pretty bad slowdown on level 6 (IIRC, that's the level), and AFIK, that's it.

Other then Rolling Thunder on Namco Museum Encore, though, I have no idea what non-shmup JPS1 games won't work on a PS2.

That's too bad about your PS1! I still plan on getting one; I am a shameless Compile fanboy, and ZanacXZanac is literally, IMO, worth owning a modded-PS1, a JPS1, or getting an import playing boot disc for your PS1.