Looking to by a PS2

[BoosterBronze]

How much is reasonable?

Is a used one from a place like a GameStop a good idea? (aren't they guaranteed at those places?)

Does anyone use eBay?

Are they still sold new?

I have minimal videogame system buying expereince. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Gargus]

Yes they are still sold new and still the majority of console system sales.

If your buying one new youll pay the same price everywhere.

I wouldnt buy a used one off ebay myself, youll save a little bit but youll still have to pay shipping on top of it. Youll save maybe 20 bucks and to me its not worth it. Id rather pay a tiny bit more and get something brand spanking new that I know hasnt been dropped or internally caked with cigarette smoke.

129.99 new at gamestop and like 99.99 for a used one and 79.99 for a original design used one (and it could be 6 or more years old). The new slim models are quieter and alot more compact than the old systems anyway.

If it were me I would get one at bestbuy if you have one near you and get a free reward zone card while your there. Every so many dollars you spend they mail you 5 dollar gift certificates. I think till the 30th you get one for every 100 dollars in game stuff and movies you buy. I mean if your gonna pay same price new everywhere might as well get it where youll get something extra out of it.

[marshal99]

Any particular reason why you suddenly want to buy a PS2 ?!

[Sanagi]

I'd be hesitant to buy one on ebay because the system is somewhat prone to breaking down. A used one from a store with a return/exchange policy would be a better bet.

[The Fury]

I'd be hesitant to buy one on ebay because the system is somewhat prone to breaking down. A used one from a store with a return/exchange policy would be a better bet.
Agreed here, if buying rom a store you know, you can get money back if it does not work. They only sell new ones as slimline, but you could get a good package deal with it.

Any particular reason why you suddenly want to buy a PS2 ?!
Why not? It's currently the cheapest console and has the best games. What else do you need?

[The Fury]

129.99 new at gamestop and like 99.99 for a used one and 79.99 for a original design used one (and it could be 6 or more years old). The new slim models are quieter and alot more compact than the old systems anyway.


Which is sad really.

I have one of the original PS2s to enter the UK, big bulky but it still works and has never failed me. But it's worth less then the slimline ones. Maybe if I wait 10 years...

[marshal99]

Why not? It's currently the cheapest console and has the best games. What else do you need?

The thing is , PS2 console has been out for years. To suddenly want to buy PS2 now , there must be a particular game that are coming out or just came out that he desperately wants to play.
Considering the next generation of consoles are already on the market like Wii , X-box and PS3. PS2 games sooner or later will be phrased out for the latest console.

[Silliw 2]

Ah man, too bad. I just sold my PS2 for $50 bucks. It was old as hell, but still worked fine.

If I was you, I'd go with what Sanagi suggested, which is a used system at a game shop. Unless you just really feel the need to have it new, a used PS2 (in working order, some people will try to rip you off) is all you need to enjoy some gametime.

[Leslie Lee III]

The thing is , PS2 console has been out for years. To suddenly want to buy PS2 now , there must be a particular game that are coming out or just came out that he desperately wants to play.
Considering the next generation of consoles are already on the market like Wii , X-box and PS3. PS2 games sooner or later will be phrased out for the latest console.

But that doesn't really matter when you by the time the PS4 comes out you'll still be going through the PS2 library due to it's size, and for cheap too.

I got a slimline used from gamestop with the warranty. I mod mine so I can use swapmagic and play imports, so it's worth having the option of returning it, no questions asked, and getting another one on the spot.

[The Fury]

But that doesn't really matter when you by the time the PS4 comes out you'll still be going through the PS2 library due to it's size, and for cheap too.
Not only PS2's library either, PS1 as well.

[Dizzy D]

The thing is , PS2 console has been out for years. To suddenly want to buy PS2 now , there must be a particular game that are coming out or just came out that he desperately wants to play.
Considering the next generation of consoles are already on the market like Wii , X-box and PS3. PS2 games sooner or later will be phrased out for the latest console.

Not necessarily. I bought one two weeks ago. Not because of any game coming out, but I made a little extra money with work, it isn't as expensive as the new generation consoles, has an extended library of games and even if not many new games will be coming out for it, there are still more than enough old ones available.

[BoosterBronze]

Any particular reason why you suddenly want to buy a PS2 ?!

I'm jonesing for some video gaming after a few years away from the hobby. The last game I loved was Final Fantasy 7. So the way I see it, I have 8, 9, X, X-2, and XII to play on the PS2.

Also, I dig on the Smackdown vs. Raw games.

[Shostie]

The thing is , PS2 console has been out for years. To suddenly want to buy PS2 now , there must be a particular game that are coming out or just came out that he desperately wants to play.
Considering the next generation of consoles are already on the market like Wii , X-box and PS3. PS2 games sooner or later will be phrased out for the latest console.

Not necessarily. I'm interested in buying a Gamecube now that support is all but cut off from it and the price should come down to reasonable. Do I want it for a brand new game that's coming out or just came out? No. There are, like 5-7 Gamecube games that I've been wanting to play, but I didn't want to buy a $100+ console to play 5-7 games.

If you're not the HARDCORE MUST PLAY gamer, the end of a console's cycle is the best time to buy, since the system and games will be super-cheap.

[Nate Grey]

I got a Saturn at the end of its life (when you could get games new for it for like $10) and I didn't get a PS2 till Guitar Hero 2 came out. You don't always HAVE to get consoles when they first came out. If you want to play the latest stuff, sure, but if you just want to play an old game, and you can find the console, go for it.

[jesse_custer]

I'm jonesing for some video gaming after a few years away from the hobby. The last game I loved was Final Fantasy 7. So the way I see it, I have 8, 9, X, X-2, and XII to play on the PS2.

Also, I dig on the Smackdown vs. Raw games.

I wouldn't bank on the quality of most of those FF games. I noticed, however, that Tactics was missing from your list. Definitely play that, seeing as how it's probably better than all of those games, including 7. There's a learning curve to Tactics, but once you overcome initial difficulties, it is a spectacular game, especially in regard to battles.

[Kage Kisaragi]

I'm jonesing for some video gaming after a few years away from the hobby. The last game I loved was Final Fantasy 7. So the way I see it, I have 8, 9, X, X-2, and XII to play on the PS2.

Also, I dig on the Smackdown vs. Raw games.

Try and pick up Persona 3 in place of those Final Fantasy games (you'll probably not find 8-9 anyway, atleast not in any game store. 10 was decent in terms of visual appeal same with 12, X-2 in my opinion wasnt that bad though it was just a fan game but it offered enough elimintes to make me enjoy playing it. Tactics is a most if you havent played it already, but for a truly mind blowing experience in terms of stories you have to try the series of Atlus games that bare the shin megumi tensei title. Nocturne, digital devil saga 1 and 2, persona 3 all truly amazing games.

[StoneGold]

If you have a karaoke jonesing, Sony's putting out a white PS2 with two microphones and a copy of Singstar for $150.

[SpydaWeb]

If you have a karaoke jonesing, Sony's putting out a white PS2 with two microphones and a copy of Singstar for $150.

Is that a worldwide package or only in certain regions?

[StreetFighterRyu]

Any particular reason why you suddenly want to buy a PS2 ?!

As The Fury stated, why not? It's cheaper than teh PS3, and there are plenty of games to choose from. Since it also plays PS1 games. I don't see a problem wantng to buy one now even if it's been out for a few years.

If you like rpg, you could check out Drakken. It's like a mideval version of Tomb Raider. Used to have it. But my PS2 (the original one) suddenly stopped working. It was one of the first ones that came out. (Not a good idea) So I had it sold. Now I have the slim ps2 and want to get it back. lol Anyways, if you need help looking for a game, gamerevolution.com (http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/ps2/all/long_name/asc) is a good site to look into. They don't have everything, and I think some of the reviews are pretty biased, but they're not bad. I linked you to the ps2 page as a short cut. With all the games they have there so far. Hope it helps. There's also gamespot.com (http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/index.html?tag=nav-top;ps2&navclk=ps2). Again, I linked the ps2 page.

EDIT: Crap. I forgot you wanted to know where to buy a consol. lol:p Well, you could look into Circuit City or Best Buy.

[Sanagi]

I wouldn't bank on the quality of most of those FF games. I noticed, however, that Tactics was missing from your list. Definitely play that, seeing as how it's probably better than all of those games, including 7. There's a learning curve to Tactics, but once you overcome initial difficulties, it is a spectacular game, especially in regard to battles.
Seconding FF Tactics. Also, don't miss out on Katamari Damacy.

[TitoJones]

I'm also on the Tatics bandwagon. If you don't mind 16-bit graphics, pick up the Lunar series, if you can find the games. That and Xenogears.

[StoneGold]

Is that a worldwide package or only in certain regions?

I don't know. But it is US.

[The Fury]

Try and pick up Persona 3 in place of those Final Fantasy games (you'll probably not find 8-9 anyway, atleast not in any game store. 10 was decent in terms of visual appeal same with 12, X-2 in my opinion wasnt that bad though it was just a fan game but it offered enough elimintes to make me enjoy playing it. Tactics is a most if you havent played it already, but for a truly mind blowing experience in terms of stories you have to try the series of Atlus games that bare the shin megumi tensei title. Nocturne, digital devil saga 1 and 2, persona 3 all truly amazing games.

One game for many great ones? Odd decision. I'd go for getting all the FFs you haven't played, Booster. Not a single one of those games would score below 8/10 on rankings.

8 and 9 can be got easily in the UK. 8 especially in 2nd hand stores, so I'm sure it won't be hard to come by in the US. All the rest are good, X-2 has a great battle/magic system in my view, but watch out for the cheese...so much cheesiness in that game.


Side question to Kage, I've not heard of those games, This is Persona 3 right?

http://uk.ps2.ign.com/objects/816/816113.html

....I hate the UK, we never get some great Japanese RPGs.

[Kage Kisaragi]

im not so sure about the 2nd hand store comparison. Again, If you wanna play ff8-12 for simple fandom then by all means but beware that any hate you obtain from playing said games is entirely on your person. I've played pretty much every FF game that has been released except 11 for obvious reasons, and outside of maybe 7, 6, 5 and 4 the series as a whole isn't worth the money i've spent on it. I wont be playing 13 either but thats more because of the system its been released on. Square would be smart to release ff13 on all systems as oppose to ps3.

and im not surprised you have heard about Persona 1-3, or many other Atlus games. Koei used to be one of my favorite companies when it came to stratergy games back in the super nintendo/genesis days, but apparently their UK branch is very skeptical about UK Gamers in generally, I can tell this simply by seeing how developers priorities releases. Let's say out of all the games released in Japan based on genre certain games have a 50% - 90% chance of being released in the US. However that almost seems to drop to half in terms of the UK market. Then look at the actual release dates, its like developer intentionally abuse the UK market. I hear a few people who live overseas who say they actually buy American systems and games so they don't have to put up with really late releases / being ignored when it comes to imports.

You can wiki any of the persona games and see that every reviewer from any note worthy gaming mag has scored them all from 8 to 9 in terms of ranking. (scale being 1 - 10, 10 being the best.) Also i heard mention that Persona 3 is actually being released in Europe.
here is the link on the release.
http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/data/932312.html

[metr0man]

I'm jonesing for some video gaming after a few years away from the hobby. The last game I loved was Final Fantasy 7. So the way I see it, I have 8, 9, X, X-2, and XII to play on the PS2.

Also, I dig on the Smackdown vs. Raw games.

I don't know about X-2 (never played), but the "mainline" Final Fantasies are all good.

I'll bet a lot of the people saying they aren't good, also aren't huge FF7 fans either. But you said you loved FF7, so I don't see much problem in enjoying the games. In particular, you'll probably like FFX.

You should be able to find 8 and 9 pretty easily on eBay for cheap prices.

[The Fury]

im not so sure about the 2nd hand store comparison. Again, If you wanna play ff8-12 for simple fandom then by all means but beware that any hate you obtain from playing said games is entirely on your person. I've played pretty much every FF game that has been released except 11 for obvious reasons, and outside of maybe 7, 6, 5 and 4 the series as a whole isn't worth the money i've spent on it. I wont be playing 13 either but thats more because of the system its been released on. Square would be smart to release ff13 on all systems as oppose to ps3.
Put it this way, 2nd hand stores take in games, repair them and sell them, They do not want to sell a broken game as they'll just get it back again. They also pay good money for working FF games because they know they will. A large chain game store here in the UK is GameStation which stock all type of games from NES upwards practically. Mario Cart would cost you £20 ($38) in there...even though it's not exactly rare, it's sought after.

I'd happily play FF8 upwards (except 11 for discriminating against the non internet gaming folk) again as all are great games. Even if they are not the Best FF games, they are still good games in their own right.

and im not surprised you have heard about Persona 1-3, or many other Atlus games. Koei used to be one of my favorite companies when it came to stratergy games back in the super nintendo/genesis days, but apparently their UK branch is very skeptical about UK Gamers in generally, I can tell this simply by seeing how developers priorities releases. Let's say out of all the games released in Japan based on genre certain games have a 50% - 90% chance of being released in the US. However that almost seems to drop to half in terms of the UK market. Then look at the actual release dates, its like developer intentionally abuse the UK market. I hear a few people who live overseas who say they actually buy American systems and games so they don't have to put up with really late releases / being ignored when it comes to imports.
RPGs practically didn't exist in this country before FF7. Before then it was only Zelda that had been released on the SNES. Final Fantasy 6 never made it here. FF7's popularity helped but because it was FF games I'm guessing not many other titles suceeded like they did. Having a name of Squaresoft to an RPG helped as well (Star Ocean games for example). I think if it wasn;t for FF7 we'd have a lot less RPGs on the market.

The European market is screwed over on a lot of things, prices being the main one, delays are another. It used to be that the game companies just complained and said it was because of the conversion to the PAL format, poor excuse.

You can wiki any of the persona games and see that every reviewer from any note worthy gaming mag has scored them all from 8 to 9 in terms of ranking. (scale being 1 - 10, 10 being the best.) Also i heard mention that Persona 3 is actually being released in Europe.
here is the link on the release.
http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/data/932312.html
I usually look on IGN for release dates are there are many but Atlus that don't even make it to US shores let alone PAL (Europe and Australia) region. Sadly.