Click above to purchase Playstation 2 from DVDEmpire.com

Retail Price: $299.99

Features: Playstation 2 Unit, Plays Playstation One and 2 games, One Controller, DVD Player, Dolby Digital and DTS outputs, AC Adapter, Video Composite Cables, Instruction Booklet, ESRB Guide

Probably the most anticipated game system in history, the Playstation 2 made its grand debut in North America on Thursday, October 26, 2000 for a retail price of 300 bucks. While many didn't argue with the price, since this puppy plays old Playstation games and DVDs, many gamers were a bit unhappy when a few weeks prior to launch Sony announced there was a parts shortage, and that they cut the units from 950,000 to 500,000. The madness, such as long lines, pushing, shoving and bitter resentment began. Not for me though, as I was fortuante enough to put money down early on and have the system on launch day (please don't kill me... and it's not for sale).

To be honest with you, I wasn't so overly excited to get the system or hyped about it. When Sony first announced the system for Japan and the games, people went nuts. I didn't. I didn't think the graphics were too impressive, and the games didn't look so enthralling either. My sole reason for purchase was that my original Playstation, which I also got on launch day all the way back on Saturday, September 9th, 1995 was starting to wear down, and that with PS2 I'd have a whole new selection of games to play with.

My first reaction was right. The system is somewhat a let down. Yes, those who idolize the system will probably want to ring my neck when they hear this, but if you get a hold of the system, I think most of you are going to feel the same way.

First off, the box is pretty small. This was the case with the original Playstation. In all the magazines they make it look a lot larger than it really is. I remember being how shocked how small the original Playstation was back in 1995 (and is now even smaller in the new PSOne model). Same goes for Playstation 2. Again, the box is pretty small, and the system is a really nice and good size as well. It comes with all the standard stuff: One controller, Video composite cables and an AC adapter. Plus manuals and whatnot.

So you plug in the system and you're all set to go. The power button is in the back, and the button is pretty much like one on a surge protector. After that's on, you press the reset button on the front and you're almost ready to . When you turn it on for the first time, you set up the usual things: Time, date, etc. You also configure on how you want the browser (the main set up screen). Since Playstation 2 is a DVD player, you can configure it for the 4:3 TVs in letterbox or full frame, or, if you own a widescreen, 16x9.

Now, on to the features of the system. I'll first start off on how it goes with original Playstation games. I think it's pretty neat it is backward compatible. You can plug in regular Playstation controllers and memory cards into the system. Not all games do use the regular Playstation controllers, and you can't save PS2 games on a regular Playstation memory card, and you can't save Playstation games onto a PS2 memory card. With regular Playstation games, you can smooth out and clean up textures. It may not seem not so much of a big deal, most of the graphics remain the same, except for the fact they look a lot cleaner and nicer. Loading times are really fast with regular Playstation games too. I booted up "Klonoa: Door To Phantomile", and I was pretty impressed how fast it got to the title screen and then to one of the levels. "PaRappa the Rapper" and "Legend Of Mana" are great examples, they look really stellar on PS2 with cleaned up textures. They look really, really bright. I tried putting "Vib-Ribbon" in (an import game), and the system read it as an audio CD. I also tested out "Tekken" "Spryo 2: Ripto's Rage" and "Metal Gear Solid" with the system. I guess things looked a bit brighter, but the only real difference was faster load times. So, as far as playing regular Playstation games go, it is very good and if you have never owned a Playstation, you already have the option of hundreds of additonal games right there.

Now, as a DVD player. Whoever gets a Playstation 2 now has a DVD player. Millions already have a DVD player, but if you don't, it's definently a nice added feature. The Playstation 2 makes a nice and good, but not a great DVD player. You can buy a 3rd party remote (the Interact one has a problem, they mislabeled the cancel and enter buttons so they're reverse, but that problem should be fixed by now), but the controller does work pretty fine. It has all the functions of a regular DVD player, except the fact you can't see what audio you're using (2 channel, 5.1 etc) and it does not display how far you are into a movie and little things like that, which can be an annoyance if you want to a pinpoint an exact place in a chapter. However, what I noticed though that as a DVD player, it is not top of the line. Artifacting, also known as compression problems are slightly noticable. Of course if you're not into DVD so intensley as much of myself, you probably won't notice it. First time DVD users won't have any idea at all. But it is slighty there. It doesn't ruin anything, but a stand alone DVD player won't give you that much digital artifacting. Some nice features have been included though beside the standard stuff. For parents, the system features a password system complete with parental control, and there is some configuration with the pause button as well as your whole sound output, which is definently good. That is all pretty easy to manuever.

And finally, Playstation 2 games themselves. It's not to say Playstation 2 is horrendous or anything, it's just a little disappointing. It's sorta like "Star Wars Episode 1", after so much hype, something can't simply live up to it. But I was having a lot more fun and was more impressed with my Sega Dreamcast on launch day (that being released over a year ago on Thursday, September 9th, 1999), and if I had to choose between PS2 and Dreamcast, I'd go with a Dreamcast. It's half the price of Playstation 2 and the selection of next generation titles are a lot better. And there first generation titles truly set an amazing standard which Playstation 2 games lack, and Dreamcast games got even better later on.

It doesn't matter what I say. Sony is going to be even richer thanks to this sequel system, and even if you listen to me and still want it, when you get one you'll probably buy it (or hawk it on eBay). So, I'm hoping the system and its games will improve later on.