Playstation 2 - Read the latest information on Playstation 2! Please VOTE when you are done reading! :) - Miscellaneous - http://maxpages.com/supersite4000/Playstation

Well, the big news this week is obviously the release of the Playstation 2 in Japan. It's the morning of March 4th in Tokyo as I am writing this article, and people are packing the stores to buy the new system. However, many of them may have to leave empty handed.

Playstation 2
The hundreds of people who began lining up the night before will probably walk away with the prized new console, but many less-dedicated fans may find the shelves empty. Sony originally planned to have 2 million units to stores by the launch. Later, they lowered that number to 1 million. However, stores throughout Japan report receiving even fewer units than expected, and Sony may have only actually shipped 100,000 to 200,000.

Even in the Akihabara district of Tokyo, famous for its electronics stores, retailers are receiving small shipments.

So what's all the fuss about? Why would anyone want to wait in line for hours for a chance to spend 39,800 Yen (about $365) for Sony's latest toy? Turns out that there are a whole lot of reasons.

First of all, the PS2 has a DVD player inside it. This allows developers to make huge games on the 4.7 GB discs. It also allows anyone who buys a PS2 to watch DVD movies on the system, partially justifying the hefty price tag.

Second, the PS2 is 'backwards-compatible', which means that it can play all the old PSX games and use PSX controllers and memory cards. Considering that there is a PSX in one of four US households, there are millions of people out there with hundreds of millions of games that won't be immediately obsolete. While the old games won't be improved by the PS2 in any way, it will be nice not to lose some classic favorites, and to save a few bucks by not having to buy new controllers.

Finally, the technological specs are quite impressive. With a 300 MHz, 128-bit processor and 32MB of RAM, it's the most powerful home console available, at least by the numbers. When it comes to 3D rendering, the PS2 ranks up there with the very highest-end PC systems which cost thousands of dollars more. But unlike a PC, the PS2 won't help you do your taxes.

Perhaps the most notable thing missing from the PS2 is a modem. While the Sega Dreamcast comes equipped with a 56k modem and is ready to surf the Internet right out of the box, Sony did not include these features. This decision was probably made in order to keep the retail price down. Sony does plan to release a separately sold, combination cable modem and hard drive for the PS2 in 2001.

However, hardware isn't the only factor in the success of a new system. Hardware without games is useful only as a doorstop. Today's launch comes with eight Japanese titles, and several more due out soon. Here are some of the game highlights:

Ridge Racer V

Ridge Racer V - This well known title should please racing fans. While there are no real big advancements in the racing genre, the graphics and sound are top-notch.

Street Fighter EX3 - Yes, it's another Street Fighter game. Fully 3D, the graphics will impress, but the gameplay and the fighting will be strangely familiar to fighting veterans.

Fantavision - Perhaps the world's first fireworks simulation game. Create your own displays over the famous skylines of the world. Pleasing the crowds will take every bit of the PS2's floating point processing power.

Also available today are Eternal Ring, Kessen, Stepping Selection, Drum Mania, and A-Train 6. Other popular upcoming titles include Gran Turismo 2000 and Tekken Tag Tournament.

However, you U.S. and European Playstation fans will have to wait a bit longer to get your hands on the new rig. Although Sony has not yet set a specific date, the US release is planned for "Fall 2000." My guess is September, just in time for the Xmas rush. Coincidence? I think not.

Basic Specs

Product Name: PlayStation2

Suggested Retail
Price (Japan): 39,800 Yen

Available: March 4, 2000

Accessories
included: "Dual Shock"2 analog controller
High capacity 8MB Memory Card
PlayStation2 Demo Disc
AV Multi Cable
AC Power Cord

Dimensions: 301mm (W) x 178mm (H) x 78mm (D)
(12" x 7" x 3")
Weight: 2.1 kg (4 lbs. 10 oz.)

Media: PlayStation2 CD-ROM, DVD-ROM
PlayStation CD-ROM

Formats supported: Audio CD, DVD-Video

Interfaces: Controller Port (2)
Memory Card Slot (2)
AV Multi Cable Output (1)
Optical Digital Output (1)
USB Port (2)
I.Link (IEEE1394) (1)
Type III PCMCIA Card Slot

Nerdy Details

CPU 128 Bit "Emotion Engine(TM)"
System Clock Frequency 294.912 MHz
Main Memory Direct RDRAM
Memory Size 32MB

Graphics "Graphics Synthesizer"
Clock Frequency 147.456MHz
Embedded Cache VRAM 4MB

Sound SPU2
Number of Voices 48ch plus software
Sound Memory 2MB

IOP I/O Processor
CPU Core PlayStation CPU+
Clock Frequency 33.8688MHz or 36.864MHz (Selectable)
IOP Memory 2MB

Disc Device CD-ROM and DVD-ROM
Device Speed CD-ROM 24 times speed
DVD-ROM 4 times speed

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Page Updated Sun Mar 26, 2000 9:31pm EST