Just got a PS2!

[NoahsMyBro]

For those of you that read the Technical Restoration Forum this is old news, but earlier in the week I was given a Playstation 2. I've never had one before, and always wanted one of the original model. I was given an original model, so everything's good.

When I tested the unit out, it could play a Dual-layer DVD, but not another DVD (I'm guessing it's single-layer), not a music CD, and not a Playstation One game.

Tonight I took the unit apart and cleaned the lens, and it can now play everything - music CD, three different DVDs chosen at random, a Playstation One game, and a PS2 game.

The PS2 game I bought for testing this thing out was Rayman Raving Rabbids. I chose it, because it was only $5. I stopped at TRU on the way home, and asked for a cheap PS2 game to use for this. He talked me into buying God of War II as well. I also picked up a PS2 controller - good thing, since Raving Rabbids required one.

I played Raving Rabbids for about 5 minutes, and decided the controller I've got isn't really that great for it - I needed to rapidly flip the two thumbsticks back and forth in alternating directions, and things just weren't working that well.

Now I'm debating whether or not to open GoW2, or return it, considering I really shouldn't have spent the money I did tonight.

On the other hand, I've heard it's a good game, the Wikipedia page says it's a highly-regarded game, and the PS2 itself was given to me free. Decisions.....

[diskoboy]

My question is: what made you choose to play R:RR before GoW2?

I'd keep the God of War and take back Rayman.

[Hwj_Chim]

Keep God of war 2 it is one of the best games for the system.

[NoahsMyBro]

R:RR was only $5. GoW2 was $20.

Plus, I usually like Ubisoft games, and loved Rayman on the Jag.

[josekortez]

Don't give up yet, Noahsmybro. You've only played game one out of over 1000. I wouldn't say that Rayman: Rabbids is really representative of what the PS2 can do since it is a port from Wii (minus the original motion controls that actually made it fun).

I haven't played God of War II yet, but I have heard that the game pushes the PS2 to its limits, which is really saying something about the fact that the PS2 has been out long enough for a few developers to figure out how to do that. God of War, however, is a really great action-adventure series.

Also, I won't be cliche and tell you a bunch of different games to try out since every Tom, Dick and Harry on this site has done so before, but I will let you know that the PS2 is one of the cheapest resources for good gaming on the market right now. Use the search engine to see what others have said or just go to the top 50 list here:

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4764

Many of those games are available used for under $10. The PS2 is the gift that truly keeps on giving.

[cityside75]

Why not return that controller for one that works and keep everything?

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Here's my advice.

Return Rayman Raving Rabbids and put the credit towards God of War 1, as you'll probably want to play that FIRST ... or after God of War 2, either way, both games are fantastic must-play experiences for the PS2.

Nice job on cleaning out the system though.

There are PLENTY of great PS2 games out there ... don't let one cheap game that wasn't even built from the ground-up for the system steer you away from it.

[NoahsMyBro]

The controller that didn't work is one of my Playstation 1 Dual-shocks. I've had it for years and have no idea where I got it, plus, it goes with my Playstation, so it's not returnable.

As for Raving Rabbids, I've now played a few of the other games, and they're fun. Not a truly immersive, Top-10 game that you'll remember a decade from now, but still entertaining.

It's worth $5.

I'll probably end up keeping God of War II anyway. We'll see.

Eventually I want to get Katamari, Smuggler's Run, and Fantavision. I'm sure with the PS2's mammoth library there will be countless other games I'll find appealing.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Eventually I want to get Katamari, Smuggler's Run, and Fantavision. I'm sure with the PS2's mammoth library there will be countless other games I'll find appealing.

Wow.

I've never heard anybody say that they "want to" get Smuggler's Run or Fatavision ... NOT THAT EITHER ARE BAD GAMES ... I think Fantavision is an interesting action puzzle game that can get pretty addictive if you "get the hang of it" (and the opening movie is downright frightening) ... but it was certainly the most forgettable of the PS2's launch software, and the first game on the system to get UBER discounted to $5.00 during the life of the machine ... you can probably find it new for about that or less.

[NoahsMyBro]

Honestly, I've never seen the game. But some launch article I read described it, and it sounded appealing to me. I love Rez, and this sounded a little like Rez.

As for Smuggler's Run, my best friends little brother is a Program Designer for Sony, and worked on the game. I think it would be a kick to see his name scrolling on my screen in the credits.

[PapaStu]

I loved Fantavision. More or less a display of the graphical power at the time, but its still an interesting 'puzzle' game. Smugglers Run was alright but nothing to really write home about. Very much a chase game that got pretty old pretty quickly. At least its cheap however and thats a good thing for you since you want it for nostalgia reasons. I love Katamari, I don't need to go into that more.

Rayman Raving Rabbids really only works as a Wii game since at least there you're flailing about as you do all the silly games. When its on anything else it becomes a really bad button masher that was created soley to capitalize on the Wii's success and fails. Miserably. Since you did like Rayman, I recommend Rayman 2: The Great Escape. Truly an excellent game.

Don't dump the system. There really is alot out there that is quite good. You've picked a good time to get in. Games are only getting cheaper and cheaper as the PS3 takes the PS2's place on store shelves.

[josekortez]

Honestly, I've never seen the game. But some launch article I read described it, and it sounded appealing to me. I love Rez, and this sounded a little like Rez.

As for Smuggler's Run, my best friends little brother is a Program Designer for Sony, and worked on the game. I think it would be a kick to see his name scrolling on my screen in the credits.

Fantavision is actually more of a cross between Missile Command and Rez, if that makes sense. You set off the explosions and link them by moving the analog stick. Plus, it's only $4 at Gamestop used, which is a pretty good deal.

Smuggler's Run wasn't a bad game if you can deal with the pop-up in the backgrounds. It's much more fun when you're playing with somebody else, though. The single player leaves much to be desired.

The reason your PS1 Dual Shock controller wasn't working is that most of the PS2 games are designed to work primarily with a Dual Shock 2 controller, so you should invest in a first-party Sony brand Dual Shock 2 and of course a PS2 memory card since you can't save PS2 games on a PS1 memory card.

[diskoboy]

Since you did like Rayman, I recommend Rayman 2: The Great Escape. Truly an excellent game.

I wholeheartedly concur. Most people will say Mario 64 is the best plaformer of all time - not me. My favorite happens to be Rayman 2. But I have the Dreamcast version...

I wasn't knocking on your choice of game, I also enjoyed Rayman on the Jag. I Just think Rayman is better as a platfomer than a bunch of tired mini-games.

But God of War..... *swoon*

[zektor]

Yeah, the PS2 is some machine....well...it is the software that makes it that way of course. So much to choose from. I started out just collecting all of the compilation collections for it since I think they are great (and there are so many), but have now moved out to grabbing some of the choice titles as well. This is one hell of a system, and you cannot beat the price of the games at this point in time. I rarely spend over $20 for a game for it nowadays, and in some lucky occasions well under $10....and this is new I am talking about. Good stuff.

[Poofta!]

R:RR was only $5. GoW2 was $20.

Plus, I usually like Ubisoft games, and loved Rayman on the Jag.

ubisoft is a publisher... not a developer. so its library is vastly different and very hit or miss.

raving rabbits, is a terrible, terrible mess of a game for anything other than the wii.

raving rabbits has approximately 2% in common with Rayman.

do be cheap, open up GoW 2 and enjoy. i hear it is an excellent action game and one of hte biggest reasons to own a ps2.


enjoy your ps2, it has a lot of gems.

EDIT: i agree w/ everything PapaStu said, follow his advice. and yes, get a Dual Shock 2 by Sony.

[josekortez]

ubisoft is a publisher... not a developer. so its library is vastly different and very hit or miss.

raving rabbits, is a terrible, terrible mess of a game for anything other than the wii.

raving rabbits has approximately 2% in common with Rayman.

do be cheap, open up GoW 2 and enjoy. i hear it is an excellent action game and one of hte biggest reasons to own a ps2.


enjoy your ps2, it has a lot of gems.

EDIT: i agree w/ everything PapaStu said, follow his advice. and yes, get a Dual Shock 2 by Sony.


Actually it was me who suggested that he get a Dual Shock 2, but it's all good.