PS2 Appreciation & Celebration Thread, long live the King!
- Thread starter Canis lupus
- Start date
Unfortunately, that Sengoku Anthology we were talking about a few pages back isn't going to be one of them. The latest PS2 copies I've seen on eBay recently - opened and used, not even brand new - got sold for
250+
NormalFish
Banned
XII is a good time. If you're playing on an emulator or have a softmodded system, you could pick up the zodiac international version and then patch the iso with the english patch.
I can't run a ps2 emulator on my PC...
I ended up ordering both since it was either those or Dragon Quest 8. I can get DQ8 later.
Can anyone recommend some good Shmups on PS2?
I've been enjoying the older ones on the Taito and Capcom compilations, but I'd like to get some more.
I'm also looking at Rez, which isn't technically a Shmup but spiritually is, in my opinion.
How are the Gradius games and R-Type Final?
Anything else to look for?
I've been enjoying the older ones on the Taito and Capcom compilations, but I'd like to get some more.
I'm also looking at Rez, which isn't technically a Shmup but spiritually is, in my opinion.
How are the Gradius games and R-Type Final?
Anything else to look for?
NormalFish
Banned
Cave offerings, psykio collections, gradius v, psyvariar, etc etc there are lots. Check racketboy, there's an article on there with quite a few.
Is there a way to get PS1 games to display over component cables on an hdtv? I was planning on playing MGS1 this weekend but when I try playing over component cables the tv I'm using just displays "invalid input" while playing the audio. Unfortunately I don't have my av cables on me at the moment. Am I boned?
Yes, mostly.
Modern HDTV's don't recognize 240p over component. They will recognize 240p over composite or S-video, but it will see it as 480i and look pretty terrible.
Your best options for PS1 games on HDTVs are:
PS3 - All PS3's play PS1 games natively, but there's a bit of input lag and some graphical issues
CRT - Find an old tube SDTV which accepts 240p, preferably with component inputs
Upscaler - Most expensive option, but an XRGB Mini allows you to play any 240p game upscaled to 1080p through HDMI, accepts inputs through SCART/RGB, Composite, S-Video, and Component
NormalFish
Banned
Solid summary. Just for the sake of completion, this can be expanded a bit.
There are modern TVs that can accept 240p component signals, but it's not terribly common, and the feature is rarely documented, so it's a bit of a crapshoot unless you can find someone who already bit the bullet to test for you.
Upscalers can also be quite cheap (just search for a component upscaler on amazon) but they tend to be pretty crap at the lower end. If you just want to play, then it might be an option but be aware of nasty input lag or visual artifacting.
Unfortunately there isn't really a good solution for getting PS1 games to display other than spending some cash, though.
I stumbled on something interesting. PS2 patch engine aparently makes it easier to apply widescreen hacks to PS2 game ISOs.
I was looking for such a tool for the Xbox, and found this one as a result. Heh
I was looking for such a tool for the Xbox, and found this one as a result. Heh
RadarScope1
Member
My Panny plasma does 240p via component. I'm moving my PS2 to my CRT setup in my basement, but it's nice to know I could toss it up on my big screen if I ever wanted to.
NormalFish
Banned
I think widescreen hacks are a still a bit spotty on original hardware, but maybe they've gotten better since i gave up paying attention to it. 240p and 480p patches are more my speed these days
That is awesome!!!
RadarScope1
Member
Yeah. I haven't much used it except for PS1/2 games. I had a SNES hooked up via s-vid at one time and it was a surprisingly acceptable experience. Those new component cables for SNES and Genesis intrigue me mainly because I could end up using them on my plasma. I even have an extra SNES laying around. Very interested to read impressions here.
I think widescreen hacks are a still a bit spotty on original hardware, but maybe they've gotten better since i gave up paying attention to it. 240p and 480p patches are more my speed these days
Im pretty sure the patcher can be used for that too.
NormalFish
Banned
Anyone use an SSD on their PS2? Looking at HDD solutions and trying to figure out what would give me the best balance of speed and ease of use. The mess of adaptors to get to an SD card working is unappealing but I imagine an SSD isn't much better.
hmm I should check it out either way.
I doubt this. The PS3 took time because you had to get a second job, not because of the popularity of PS2. I think its rather the opposite, the popularity of the PS2 greatly helped the PS3 when it became cheaper, since it was a known brand.
You should definitely get them and test them on your TV!
well for what it's worth, a Sony exec said(*) the removal of software BC for ps2 games on later ps3 models was to prop up sale of ps3 games.
*can't be asrsed to source the quote because I'm on my break, but it's definitely out there.
Didnt know this, but doesnt it make more sense that they removed it to get the price down? Since the PS3 had basically a full PS2 inside of it at release.
Yes, but revisions (not the slim) made after the MGS4 bundle removed the hardware BC and still had software BC, which cost nothing to implement. Hence the exec's comment.
Ive never heard about this software BC, thanks. Then it definitely makes some sense, yeah.
Sounds like a good choice imo. The PS2 is such a great system that you can probably play only that for the rest of your life and still not be bored.
RadarScope1
Member
There are some really good PS2 threads about hidden gems, underrated titles, personal faves etc. here.
Ok, I was just checking out prices for Neo Geo-games. Said screw it, and ended up buying four of the collections that came out for the PS2, Samurai Shodown, World Heroes, Art of Fighting (I loved this game back in the day) and Fatal Fury. Really love that all these collections came out for the PS2, and that they are so cheap that i can easily pick them out without thinking much about it. Sucks about the res-switching though 
They switch between 480i and 240p???Ok, I was just checking out prices for Neo Geo-games. Said screw it, and ended up buying four of the collections that came out for the PS2, Samurai Shodown, World Heroes, Art of Fighting (I loved this game back in the day) and Fatal Fury. Really love that all these collections came out for the PS2, and that they are so cheap that i can easily pick them out without thinking much about it. Sucks about the res-switching though
I dont know yet, but from what I could read online most of the menus made for the collection are in 480i, so it starts in 480i when you select the game, and then it goes to glorious 240p.
I'm surprised the PS2 has res switching TBH.
My panny plasma takes 240p over component too, and I also have been playing SNES via s-video. It handles it pretty well IMO in terms of picture quality and lag. When I switched to a PVM I did not notice as much difference in lag compared to Genesis via composite (huge difference in lag).
I need to break out my fat ps2; been a long time since I played it.
I'm not in the US, but I massively agree. FSC and also the Sunsoft Collection - with its arcade perfect emulation of Waku Waku 7 - would've been solid additions to the PS2's western libraries.
Speaking of which, I ended up waiting too damn long on ADK Tamashii... Is it worth its actual 150 or so euros price tag?
As far as I know, both Samurai Spirits and Art of Fighting collections are pretty much arcade accurate, but World Heroes and Fatal Fury (specifically, the volume with the three Real Bout games) seem to show some emulation flaw. There's no 3D/parallax floor in one WH, and Real Bout is pretty messed up, due to the censorship (even in the Japanese release) of that infamous Blue Mary's ringout scene.Ok, I was just checking out prices for Neo Geo-games. Said screw it, and ended up buying four of the collections that came out for the PS2, Samurai Shodown, World Heroes, Art of Fighting (I loved this game back in the day) and Fatal Fury. Really love that all these collections came out for the PS2, and that they are so cheap that i can easily pick them out without thinking much about it. Sucks about the res-switching though
Also... 240p?
These collections don't seem to display at that resolution on my CRT, via RGB scart cable. Is there any way to force it, maybe?
BocoDragon
or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
PS1 did too.
I know, but it's weird for PS2 to do that since it normally sticks with 480i.
Thanks for the info! About resolutions, I dont know yet since i just ordered them, and what I wrote was all based on some quick googling which may or may not be true. Will come back to you when I have the games in a weeks time!
I bought them all ntsc (even though i live in the middle of pal-land).
NormalFish
Banned
basically every game that you would want in 240p can be forced to 240p with GSM, hex editors, or cheat codes.
Unfortunately, lots of collections (such as the Taito collections, and mega man classic collection) have really harsh filtering applied, which 240p cannot remove. At some point someone might figure out how to remove that but I'm not aware of any hacks right now.
Unfortunately, lots of collections (such as the Taito collections, and mega man classic collection) have really harsh filtering applied, which 240p cannot remove. At some point someone might figure out how to remove that but I'm not aware of any hacks right now.
Yeah, I ended up putting my Mega Man-collection in the trash and getting all the games on their original plattform instead. Sucks that so little care went into them
NormalFish
Banned
I think honestly, at the time, pixel art just wasn't appreciated among the general consumer. the 6th gen was the first time when games didn't have really obvious pixels all over. Seems more like a tad too much thought was put in to it.
RadarScope1
Member
Yeah, I ended up putting my Mega Man-collection in the trash and getting all the games on their original plattform instead. Sucks that so little care went into them
Are we talking about both of the MM collections? I thought the X collection was generally OK - not perfect but good enough.
NormalFish
Banned
X collection is 480i menus, native 240p in gameplay. It's fine.
the anniversary collection is 480i everywhere with filtering.
CECHA and CECHB are the OG hardware BC models. However, they require a lot of technical care (assuming you can find a functional system) to ensure that they don't YLOD.
On my 3rd CECHA (other 2 died) I immediately opened it up, took off the thermal system, removed the GPU heat spreader, applied Arctic silver beneath the GPU heat spreader and above both the GPU and CPU heat spreaders, and reassembled everything. It should last a lot more now, but I still plan on acquiring a HS removal tool so that I can apply Arctic silver beneath the CPU HS as I did win the GPU. I do not recommend attempting to remove the CPU HS without a dedicated tool. You will break something before removing the CPU HS. I know this from experience. After I get that done, the PHAT PS3 should last me forever... In theory.
Yeah, the X-collection is fine. I have no idea why i wrote that in plural
Nice, sounds way too complicated for me though. Btw, were all PS3s generally built a bit trash? Ive had several that have died over the years, of all the variants.
Yeah, the X-collection is fine. I have no idea why i wrote that in plural
Nice, sounds way too complicated for me though. Btw, were all PS3s generally built a bit trash? Ive had several that have died over the years, of all the variants.
Yeah PS3s were built like crap. Sony made the internal design of latter models to look prettier, but they remained prone to failure. Sony just couldn't get their shit together with cooling the systems. The controller got a slight improvement but I still think the DS2 is considerably better than all the DS3 versions. Which is just sad.
Maintaining a launch PS3 is complicated for sure. I don't recommend them for regular Joes.