Support NeoGAF

[Recall]

I found one at Goodwill in good shape for very cheap. Amazon or EBay work too!

I still have a sealed PS2 controller which I bought in 2004. No idea why I still have it but my 3 other controllers are still functioning so not had a reason to open it. Are controllers worth anything?

 

[AmyS]

Happy 15th Birthday, King Of Consoles.

 

[Josh5890]

Once a game is ~12-15 years old, the people who grew up with the game and system have the cash to invest into the games, and you see the value jump. Most games level out quite a bit, though. And obviously some games jump a hell of a lot more than others (the Jak series is still 5-10$).

Tell me about it. I rediscovered a game that I once played at a cousin's house one weekend a LONG time ago (Monster Rancher 4). I want to purchase a copy but most ebay bids are going north of $50, which is too rich for my blood.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Happy 15th Birthday, King Of Consoles.

wow, time flies

 

[Zhao_Yun]

Happy 15th Birthday, King Of Consoles.

Without knowing that, I just played on my PS2 for the first time since years. Couldn't have chosen a better date apparently.

 

[Timu]

Happy Birthday, even though I got this console last in the generation(I had Dreamcast 1st, then Gamecube, then Xbox and finally PS2).

 

[7DollarHagane]

I remember trying to get one without a pre-order and failing on launch.

Ended up getting one of the Gran Turismo 3 bundles. For some reason PS2 never really clicked with me that Gen. I ended up selling mine in my "games are for nerds" insecure college phase, then ended up rebuying one when MGS3: Subsistence came out.

Was really mostly an XBox and GameCube person during that generation.

I think with so many hd remasters and pc ports this console has its games will never really get that high in price, other than the RPGs and truly rare games.

 

[manipulate]

Hi guys. Looking to get back into PS2. Are most of the games still cheap?

 

[The Artisan]

Happy 15th Birthday, King Of Consoles.

ah, ridge racer 5. first Ps2 game I ever had.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Hi guys. Looking to get back into PS2. Are most of the games still cheap?

Yeah

 

[Josh5890]

Hi guys. Looking to get back into PS2. Are most of the games still cheap?

Outside of some JRPGs, the vast majority of games can be had for a nice price.

 

[The Artisan]

Outside of some JRPGs, the vast majority of games can be had for a nice price.

I wish the same could be said for PsP games.

 

[InfiniteCombo]

I have two PS2 consoles (both Japanese)... a white Slim one, and this baby that I got a couple of years ago, CIB:

(Not my picture, but mine is essentially mint -- I realize the text from the pic is hard to read, but it's the Zen Black version)

I play all of my fighting games (all Japanese imports) on these consoles, mostly the white Slim.

It seems that during the actual PS2's lifetime, I missed quite a few games outside of the fighting game genre, so I might get back in business by re-buying a US PS2 and some games. The way I see it, the PS2's software library is untouchable at this point.

 

[Remembrance]

I built up a collection of about 50 games a few years back when GameStops weren't clearing out the PS2 inventory yet, almost entirely from their B2G1 sales and coupons that they had semi-regularly back then. It seems hilariously austere in this thread, but I don't think I can actually cope with more games than that on a single console - just going to two memory cards was enough to deal with.

It's a weird list: I skipped all the Metal Gear Solids, most Sony first-party games, and Silent Hill 2 in favor of 3 with the bundled soundtrack. I have never used an official DualShock 2 because I never managed to find a non-MSRP price. However, I'm very satisfied with having been able to find games like Xenosaga Episode III, Valkyrie Profile 2, and Gradius 5 in stores.

 

[manipulate]

Outside of some JRPGs, the vast majority of games can be had for a nice price.

Eeek, okay!

 

[Moor-Angol]

15 years ago there was heavy madness in Japan for PS2

I think no other system had so much hype at launch, maybe Super Famicom too, I don't remember those days

 

[Benzychenz]

So, after the Dreamcast died did Sega release much this gen? I was looking at all the PS2 games I own or are on my wishlist, and the only ones from Sega are Yakuza and Yakuza 2.

Makes me feel like my collection is a bit incomplete to have that sitting next to the great outputs from Square, Capcom, Konami, Atlus etc.

 

[Timu]

Yeah

Thank god too!!!

 

[jeremy1456]

Oh dude. Dude. The BEST game.

I'm still waiting on the Gamecube port of Klonoa 2 that IGN promised (circa 2002) was coming.

I actually forgot that Namco released a sequel because I haven't thought about it in a good long while. Now I'm going to track down a copy on PS2.

 

[jeremy1456]

So, after the Dreamcast died did Sega release much this gen? I was looking at all the PS2 games I own or are on my wishlist, and the only ones from Sega are Yakuza and Yakuza 2.

Makes me feel like my collection is a bit incomplete to have that sitting next to the great outputs from Square, Capcom, Konami, Atlus etc.

Virtua Fighter 4, Virtua Quest, the Monkey Ball Collection, Crazy Taxi, and Sonic Heroes.

That's only off the top of my head. I think they also released a Virtual On game for the PS2.

 

[marcincz]

15 years. 15 years ago.
It was my first console, which I bought without financial help of my parents. However I purchased it very late. In 2004 I think. Good memories, great games and still growing games collection.

 

[sixteen-bit]

So, after the Dreamcast died did Sega release much this gen? I was looking at all the PS2 games I own or are on my wishlist, and the only ones from Sega are Yakuza and Yakuza 2.

Makes me feel like my collection is a bit incomplete to have that sitting next to the great outputs from Square, Capcom, Konami, Atlus etc.

If you're a fan of Sega's back catalogue and arcade games, there are some good Sega Ages releases in Japan. Of course, some are crap too. Stick to the later releases by M2. Virtual On, Phantasy Star Complete Collection, Monster World Complete collection, Fantasy Zone Complete Collection, and Last Bronx to name a few.

They also put out the best fighting game on a console, Virtua Fighter 4 Evo.

 

[Accoun]

Not exactly the occasion (that was the western/European launch IIRC) but since we're bringing up old memories, PS2 was the only time I've seen a console launch hit the normal, evening news. It was a big thing.

I have never had one back then (was PC-only these days), but I have some nice memories playing on the one belonging to my cousin when we were visiting each other. That is, until last year when I finally bought one myself. Better late than never, although I wish some things were cheaper/easier to find, like arcade sticks (although I'm not sure if they were as popular as they are today).

 

[sixteen-bit]

Not exactly the occasion (that was the western/European launch IIRC) but since we're bringing up old memories, PS2 was the only time I've seen a console launch hit the normal, evening news. It was a big thing.

I have never had one back then (was PC-only these days), but I have some nice memories playing on the one belonging to my cousin when we were visiting each other. That is, until last year when I finally bought one myself. Better late than never, although I wish some things were cheaper/easier to find, like arcade sticks (although I'm not sure if they were as popular as they are today).

I feel like Madcatz really democratized stick ownership in the post-SF4 world. It was legitimately an enthusiast-only thing before then. Of course, Hori was doing their thing with the HRAP, but MC brought it into the mainstream.

 

[kyubajin]

The Love of my youth!

 

[Exr]

Think in a few years PS2 game prices will go bonkers like SNES games have?
Nice collection kyubajin, Gradius 5 is among the last few games I've always wanted. How is it? Looks incredible.

 

[Benzychenz]

Virtua Fighter 4, Virtua Quest, the Monkey Ball Collection, Crazy Taxi, and Sonic Heroes.

That's only off the top of my head. I think they also released a Virtual On game for the PS2.

If you're a fan of Sega's back catalogue and arcade games, there are some good Sega Ages releases in Japan. Of course, some are crap too. Stick to the later releases by M2. Virtual On, Phantasy Star Complete Collection, Monster World Complete collection, Fantasy Zone Complete Collection, and Last Bronx to name a few.

They also put out the best fighting game on a console, Virtua Fighter 4 Evo.

Hmmm nothing that really interests me then. Yakuza will remain the only Sega games to touch my PS2.

Thanks for the help!

 

[sixteen-bit]

Think in a few years PS2 game prices will go bonkers like SNES games have?

Not as much as GameCube will

collectors are all about that Nintendo!

 

[MAX PAYMENT]

Ordered a ps2 on ebay. Dude sent me a tracking number. I put into usps and he ordered the shipping label a week ago, and has done nothing since. :/

 

[TheSadRanger]

Think in a few years PS2 game prices will go bonkers like SNES games have?
Nice collection kyubajin, Gradius 5 is among the last few games I've always wanted. How is it? Looks incredible.

As a big schmup and gradius fan I find Gradius V goddamn amazing. The OST is superb and the visuals still hold up pretty damn well. It's one of Treasure's best looking games imo. I snagged a copy on amazon a while ago and I was surprised how well the frame holds up for a PS2 game.

 

[Benzychenz]

A lot of the PS2 games I still need are the expensive ones

Shadow Hearts, Shadow Hearts Covenant, Dark Cloud, Dark Chronicle, Odin Sphere, GrimGrimoire, Klonoa 2, Persona 3 FES.

All pretty much $60+, Persona 3 is like $100+ @_@

 

[sixteen-bit]

Persona 3 is like $100+ @_@

P3 FES is brand new on Amazon for under $16
The NA release includes regular P3.

 

[TheSadRanger]

Odin Sphere and Grim Grimoire aren't that much on amazon either. You can snag Shadow Hearts Covenant for around $40-50 with manual etc. Dark Cloud 1 is pretty cheap but 2 is starting to get around the $50 price point.

 

[Benzychenz]

P3 FES is brand new on Amazon for under $16
The NA release includes regular P3.

Odin Sphere and Grim Grimoire aren't that much on amazon either. You can snag Shadow Hearts Covenant for around $40-50 with manual etc. Dark Cloud 1 is pretty cheap but 2 is starting to get around the $50 price point.

PAL versions.

P3FES will be worth it for that superior box art.

NA version for those not in the know:

Seriously what is that? Almost as bad as the Ico cover change.

 

[cj_iwakura]

PAL versions.

P3FES will be worth it for that superior box art.



NA version for those not in the know:

Seriously what is that? Almost as bad as the Ico cover change.

They thought it was more eye-catching.

Those responsible have been sacked.

 

[kyubajin]

Nice collection kyubajin, Gradius 5 is among the last few games I've always wanted. How is it? Looks incredible.

Gradius V is amazing, an almost flawless recollection of everything that made the SHMUP genre so good in the good old days. I still can't decide if I prefer it over R-Type Final/Ikaruga/Radiant Silvergun/Thunderforce IV.

 

[ScOULaris]

Man, I really should've picked up Dark Cloud 2 years ago when I had the chance. Prices have spiked up and stayed high for a while now on eBay/Amazon.

 

[Petrae]

Guys, is it worth it to drop $150 on a new slim ps2?

This is likely what I'm going to be doing before too long, since I'm not at all knowledgeable about repairs and my current slim (which I bought new back in 2011) is starting to tire. I'd rather a new unit than pay less and cross my fingers that a used unit works for more than a year.

 

[Bandersnatch1]

I always thought Dark Cloud 1 & 2 were Dark Chronicle 1 & 2 in PAL region. So you guys got Dark Cloud and then Dark Chronicle? Did the first game not sell well there or something? Seems like an odd thing for the publisher to rename the sequel like that.

 

[kaiju]

Ordered a ps2 on ebay. Dude sent me a tracking number. I put into usps and he ordered the shipping label a week ago, and has done nothing since. :/

Wouldn't worry too much. Sometimes packages won't get scanned until they hit a depot or your local post office.

 

[TheSadRanger]

Waiting to see if your orders get shipped for rare PS2 games on amazon is the worst......

 

[Hubbl3]

A lot of these popped up in the PS2 Hidden Gems thread yesterday, but these are my PS2 pickups from over the course of the last couple of weeks:

I'm still waiting for 6 more games to arrive and I'm going to hit up my local retro game shops after work tomorrow to see what other gems I can find.

 

[TheSadRanger]

Hey guys what's worth getting out of some the more obscure titles titles that came out late during the PS2's life cycle?

I'm talking about games like Eternal Poison and most NIS stuff that came out late like Soul Nomad.

 

[RadarScope1]

Anyone have thoughts about a PS2 test console (official non-region locked machines)? Seems like the best way to go if I'm gonna drop money on a PS2. I could easily get a used one much cheaper on CL or ebay but I like the idea of being able to play some JP stuff like the Sega Ages collebtion...

Anyone know if they play PS1 games from all regions, too?

 

[NormalFish]

Anyone have thoughts about a PS2 test console (official non-region locked machines)? Seems like the best way to go if I'm gonna drop money on a PS2. I could easily get a used one much cheaper on CL or ebay but I like the idea of being able to play some JP stuff like the Sega Ages collebtion...

Anyone know if they play PS1 games from all regions, too?

I hadn't heard of these prior to your post. I'm also curious if they play PSX games without region lock.

Any other potential downsides that folks are aware of?

THIS indicates it'll play PSX region free as well as backups.

**seems that the systems capabilities and ease of use vary from model to model. Gonna have to research.

Furthering my research dump, I found this post on a forum that (I assume) GAF mods wouldn't want me linking to:

The old phat ones are usually real good. SCPH-39001 are good (thats a version 7 i think). I got a SCPH-30001R though (version 5). But it hasn't been softmodded so i couldn't tell ya about this one.

Also i wouldn't mess with a test version (debugging station). I'd just sell that, since they are def worth some cash.

Some info: "As for the DTL-H series you mention.........these are all debugging stations (the covers have TEST printed on them NOT PS2, like a retail one). The DTL-H10000 is a debugging station for the Japanese market based on the SCPH-10000 style (i.e no expansion bay etc.).

The DTL-H30000 series is based on the SCPH-30000 series with the expansion bay. There is a DTL-H3010x series which is more advanced (and IMHO the best debugging station around). The DTL-H3010x series was sold with a HDD and network adapter and featured othe radditional enhancements.

The last batch is DTL-H50000 series. This style is based on the SCPH-50000 series (the quiet one with no i-link port). As with ALL PS2 debugging stations, none can play DVD movies. This was due to licensing issues. Apparently it is cheaper for (licensing wise) for the PS2 consoles to NOT play DVD movies. Why would you want it to anyway. The PS2 is crap at playing DVD movies, you can't even use an RGB SCART lead.

Oh and one more thing in case you didn't know..........DTL-H series TEST consoles are multi region. They play anything. Although only the DTL-H3010x series will play utility discs from other countries. The DTL-H50000 series may also, but I have yet to try this.

The last digit on the console model number indicates region. O is for Japan, 1 is for Americas, 2 is for Australia and Europe.

It is possible to buy foreign versions in other territories though. For example I have a "DTL-H30101 E". This console is NTSC U/C but it features a 240 volt power supply. It is also possible to get a DTL-H30001 in Japan, which is called a "DTL-H30001J" for example."

The post is in response to people discussing FMCB, for context.

 

[Benzychenz]

Ahhh my AU copy of Ico arrived that I posted back a page or two.

It has the four art cards but the manual is missing which was clearly visible in the photo provided on ebay :\

Sent the seller a message to see if he still has it...

 

[firebranded]

PAL versions.

.

You're pal?

Wish I had Pal PS2 just for this lol, two shadow hearts for 44 USD.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shadow-Hear...843?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c97d0d9a3

 

[Benzychenz]

Lol now the guy assures me it's just the outer cardboard case in his photo and not the manual.

eBay pic provided:

Photo I just took:

His 'outer case' is suspiciously missing the PS2 banner and rating, almost as if it was a manual.

 

[dracula_x]

His 'outer case' is suspiciously missing the PS2 banner and rating, almost as if it was a manual.

Yep, here's my copy for comparison:

So definitely the manual is missing.

 

[radaxian]

Lol now the guy assures me it's just the outer cardboard case in his photo and not the manual.

eBay pic provided:



Photo I just took:



His 'outer case' is suspiciously missing the PS2 banner and rating, almost as if it was a manual.

That sucks.