Whats everyones experience with the slim ps2?

[djbeatmongrel]

Well my ps2 of 4+ years (can't remember excatly how long i've had it) has finally given me the dreaded DRE. I was thinking about treading it in (paying the refurb fee at gamestop) and getting the ps2 slim.

Out of curiosity, how reliable are the slim ps2's compared to the large model? Also has anyone have any unique problems outside of the recalled powersupplies?

[Lady Jaye]

I've had no problem whatsoever with my PSTwo. And it didn't have one of the recalled AC adaptors.

The only thing (but it's a minor qualm) is that the power button is also the reset button. So if you don't think of holding it down for a couple of seconds, you end up restarting the PSTwo instead of shutting it down. But that's a minor thing. Otherwise, unless you wanted to play Final Fantasy XI, I don't see why you shouldn't pick up the PSTwo.

[Half Cab Leroy]

My old PS2 is starting act up on me and I've been thinking about picking up a PStwo. My friend has one and has had no problems with it.

Also, how much do you get for trading in a PS2 with DRE to a gamestop or EB?

[keiblerfan69]

My old PS2 is starting act up on me and I've been thinking about picking up a PStwo. My friend has one and has had no problems with it.

Also, how much do you get for trading in a PS2 with DRE to a gamestop or EB?

I got about 70 for mine.

[Tan]

i've had my pstwo for a little over a year now, gets alot of heavy use, never had a problem with it, blue discs work perfectly and no issues with 3rd party mem cards, since this is my first ps2 i'm glad i waited so long, i daresay it's prob more reliable than my xbox.

[RJ]

My Launch Day PS2 started conking out last year, & I heard about the free Sony repair deal, so I sent it in, got it back in no time it seemed.

Meanwhile my wife went hunting for the slim PS2 & happened upon the last one in an out-of-town Wal-Mart. She made me call her the best wife in the whole world. LOL

Now we have them each on our 2 biggest TVs (upstairs & down), & they work great.

[DigitalSpace]

I have the old model, but I thought I'd throw in that I know a couple people who own slims; one got hers on Black Friday in 2004 and the other got his last September. Neither have had any problems.

[Joker T]

My old PS2 is starting act up on me and I've been thinking about picking up a PStwo. My friend has one and has had no problems with it.


Also, how much do you get for trading in a PS2 with DRE to a gamestop or EB?

I got about 70 for mine.

Wow, that would be how much they would give me for a working PS2 LOL

[Jasoco]

Mine works great. No problems. In fact, the older style PS2 we got for my brothers birthday a year and a half before works just as well. As if Sony fixed all their PS2 problems around early 2004.

I only wish I could flip a switch and turn it off when I'm not using it. That red LED is peering into my soul making me paranoid it's going to wear out faster. I'd be much happier with a switch.

..what's that??

Oh.. you can unplug it? Oh.. uh.. I knew that. Shut up. I know that. Yeah, a switch would be nice.

[Tan]

all the EB's around here only $20 for a broken ps2, imagine the profit margin on that.

[davidbrit2]

My slim has held up fine so far. I've heard they're more prone to overheating, so make sure the vents aren't blocked. I haven't had any overheating issues with many hours of continuous play. They also tend to be problematic with mod chips, so I'm told. Just use Swap Magic + Magic Switch if you want to run imports.

[Mr.FoodMonster]

I got about 70 for mine.
Hah! I'm pretty sure they only give you $20 for a perfectly fine working one.

[djbeatmongrel]

i was told today from my manager at GS it'd be $40 for a large model with deducted refurbish fee

[Frankie23]

Oh.. you can unplug it? Oh.. uh.. I knew that. Shut up. I know that. Yeah, a switch would be nice.

There's also a hard switch on the back, opposite the controller ports.

[davidbrit2]

Oh.. you can unplug it? Oh.. uh.. I knew that. Shut up. I know that. Yeah, a switch would be nice.

There's also a hard switch on the back, opposite the controller ports.

Not on the slim version, there isn't.

[Xizer]

The slim PS2 is missing the exploit that allows you to softmod it, so I wouldn't get one if I were you.

[unwinddesign]

Slim PS2s are excellent. Do not hesitate to buy one.

Oh, and as for over-heating, mine was on for 2 straight days or so, and was only warm to the touch. The over-heating problems are way blown up.

[njiska]

The slim PS2 is missing the exploit that allows you to softmod it, so I wouldn't get one if I were you.

Swap magic works just fine with it and that's good enough for me. All regions play.

[Jasoco]

Mine can't overheat as it's floating in mid-air just like my TiVo 15" below it. Wireframe modular shelving is pretty cool.

[InsaneDavid]

I've had no problem whatsoever with my PSTwo. And it didn't have one of the recalled AC adaptors.

That was a freaking pain. Especially since they later recalled the first replacement adapters (they mistakenly recirculated the bad ones people were sending back - at least in my case, that was USED and DAMAGED) before finally getting the correct parts out to us.

Back on topic...

I had a PS2 since launch (no problems, I would clean it internally every now and then) but sold it when the PSTwo was released - had a preorder for one. It's excellent. The only thing you might want to get into the habit of doing is spinning the disc a couple inches clockwise after inserting it to make sure it's down flat and against the disc holder tab flush.

A. It looks like a freaking mini TurboDuo!
B. Much less initial loading lag. (booting, etc.)
C. Built in network adapter.
D. Since the disc is held firmly there's no disc bobble like was common with some early PS2's.


I only wish I could flip a switch and turn it off when I'm not using it. That red LED is peering into my soul making me paranoid it's going to wear out faster. I'd be much happier with a switch.

Since the transformer in the PSTwo is out of the system and in the power brick, overheating while turned off isn't really a problem anymore. However with the PS2 I always shut mine off from the rear as well.

If there is one gripe I have with the PSTwo it's that it can be hard to insert / remove controllers since the controller ports are so low on the machine (just off the bottom), especially if you have a memory card inserted as it blocks it since the ports are so close together. Same thing with USB devices since the PSTwo is so light you have to hold onto it while plugging them in.

I wrote a review on the PSTwo just after I bought mine, you can find it here... http://www.classicplastic.net/dvgi - should be easy enough to spot.

[X SMF X]

I love my PS2 mini, takes up very llittle space in my crowded AV rack. I do miss the switch on the back though to turn the main power off, but I can live with that.

[Julio III]

The only thing (but it's a minor qualm) is that the power button is also the reset button. So if you don't think of holding it down for a couple of seconds, you end up restarting the PSTwo instead of shutting it down. But that's a minor thing.

Oh right. We have one in our flat and most of the time its left on, and the TV just set to another channel. Its normally not me who leaves it on but I have never been able to turn the damn thing off. Feel so stupid :embarrassed:

[djbeatmongrel]

thanks for the responses. i think i'll pick up one very soon.

[Joker T]

When I made a topic about getting one. People seemed very positive about it. I never got one though, just kept my standard one and sold the broken one.

[keiblerfan69]

I got about 70 for mine.
Hah! I'm pretty sure they only give you $20 for a perfectly fine working one.

Well I got 115 for a broken XBOX and PS2 since xbox is now worth less I figured that most of it was from the PS2.

[gepeto]

I fixed a pstwo for a gentleman who never came to pick it up despite numerous calls. I guess he didn't want it and brought a new one.

Anyway my impressions on it is that it is small. To me too small and the release lid feels cheap. I always get the feeling that it is one touch the wrong way from breaking.

It runs fine and I kinda gotten use to it. It gets my thumbs up. But man it is small.

[djbeatmongrel]

just picked it up and hooked it up. i put it where i had my other one(on top of my colecovision /w dust cover) i'm pleased so for. the CV dwares it more though LOL

[Xexyz]

Well, I do have a minor negative comment on the Slim. My first Slim that I picked up back in November 2004 never worked... period! I believe it was just due to a bad power adaptort though. The red light never came on. Anyway, I currently have a ceramic white import PS2 slim and it works like a champ. These systems seem pretty good, and are hella cool looking to boot (especially in white). The overheating discussions were always blown out of proportion. The thing gets a little warm, not melt down hot.

Also, a technical question, but do these things even have fans inside them? My guess is no. Either that, or it's some type of really small micro fan, because they're silent when they aren't loading code off the discs.

[njiska]

Anyway my impressions on it is that it is small. To me too small and the release lid feels cheap. I always get the feeling that it is one touch the wrong way from breaking.

I felt that way about the original PS2 given the rampant quality concerns. When i got my ps2 i treated that thing like a babe-in-arms. I even went as far as to triple wrap it in bubble wrap when i flew home.

Since then it's taken one or two bumps and hasn't been hurt yet, so i will say it's tougher then it looks. Although the lid does feel pretty weak.

[VACRMH]

D. Since the disc is held firmly there's no disc bobble like was common with some early PS2's.



Is that the horrible grinding noise that I get when trying to play certain PSone games? (Tales of Destiny and DDR) God I hate that.

Also, wasn't there something about Tekken 5 not working on the slims?

[SlayerX]

Mine's worked perfect since the summer when I got it. I sold off my old, first model PS2 because it sometimes wouldn't play when it was laying down on it's side, only standing up, but my friend that I sold it to said that it's worked fine so far, so yeah.

Slim PS2 is definitly cool if you are tight on space :P

My only problem is the fact that for those that stand it up in a small space, you have to pull it out, since instead of a tray popping out, the top pops up, so you have to move the whole PS2 away from whatever it's leaning on to get the game/DVD out. Not bad, just an annoyance.

[Zing]

The only thing (but it's a minor qualm) is that the power button is also the reset button. So if you don't think of holding it down for a couple of seconds, you end up restarting the PSTwo instead of shutting it down.
Every model of the PS2 has been this way.


I only wish I could flip a switch and turn it off when I'm not using it. That red LED is peering into my soul making me paranoid it's going to wear out faster.
I think it is safe to say that almost every electrical appliance you own is constantly drawing power in a similar "standby" state. It would probably have to be in standby for 30 years before any circuitry is "worn out".

The only real complaint I could have with the PSTwo is the lid doesn't appear to pop open completely unlike the PlayStation. You have to manually lift the lid the rest of the way to put a disc in.

I have the normal model 50xxx and it has taken a few beatings. For example: the day after I bought Final Fantasy XI, my wife tripped over my controller cord and brought down the whole thing, slamming it against the entertainment center and the hard floor. I thought for sure something inside would be broken or the hard drive head crashed. You wouldn't even know that it had been dropped as the case is still flawless and I have had zero problems.

[davidbrit2]

Also, wasn't there something about Tekken 5 not working on the slims?

Works fine on mine. I think it's incompatible with some weird non-US redesign of the PS2 or something like that.

[RJ]

do these things even have fans inside them? My guess is no. Either that, or it's some type of really small micro fan, because they're silent when they aren't loading code off the discs.

I think they took the fan out, since they obviously downsized the unit, which may explain the alleged instances of overheating.

I forgot to mention in my prev. post, some (if not most?) 3rd party memory accessories may not work properly/at all on the slim PS2, due to the different architecture. I have an InterAct/Datel Memory Mgr+ system, & a PS2 Action Replay Limited Edition, & neither work on my slim- luckily I have my Launch Day PS2. 8-)

[ProgrammingAce]

Just an FYI, i'll confirm that there is no fan inside the slimline. I'll probably pick one up someday...

[Xexyz]

I was pretty sure of there being no fan, just like the PSOne. I remember this being a big deal to flame "tools" about on GFaqs when the system was first introduced. Many still preach that it has a fan inside it...

[kainemaxwell]

Had no problems since getting mine a couple months ago. Looks good, plays all my games well and no annoying noise loading up discs like with the bulkier model! i will agree to the no power switch issue though.

[dave2236]

They are great until you drop them, then you have a PS2 that reads blue games and PS1 games only.

same with the 50001 models too.

[InsaneDavid]

My only problem is the fact that for those that stand it up in a small space, you have to pull it out, since instead of a tray popping out, the top pops up, so you have to move the whole PS2 away from whatever it's leaning on to get the game/DVD out. Not bad, just an annoyance.

That's why there's an official stand that has a footprint large enough to allow horizontal clearance around the system when in the vertical orientation.


I forgot to mention in my prev. post, some (if not most?) 3rd party memory accessories may not work properly/at all on the slim PS2, due to the different architecture. I have an InterAct/Datel Memory Mgr+ system, & a PS2 Action Replay Limited Edition, & neither work on my slim- luckily I have my Launch Day PS2. 8-)

Haven't we all learned from the countless threads on PS1 / PS2 memory card issues that it pays to just pony up the extra $3 - $5 and stick with the official Sony branded media? If there aren't operation problems there are usually physical size problems which cause damage to the memory cartridge port itself.

Before I'm asked to back that up with proof, just use the search feature - I'm tired. LOL

[RJ]

I wasnt about to ask you to back anything up (or use the Search feature)- I dont even know what you're talking about or why you posted that...I know/understand that 1st party is the way to go when possible- perhaps you can direct me to Sony backed/endorsed products similar to those I mentioned & that do what they do? Say someone bought the aforementioned product(s), expecting them to work on their slim PS2- now they know they wont. I was trying to be HELPFUL.

Anyway... :roll:

I WAS going to add that my Launch Day PS2 wouldnt run my BRAHMA Force or Silent Hill games- but my slim model plays them perfectly.