Playstation 2

AliasX

Senior member
Jan 29, 2006
508
0
0
I am seriously about to purchase a Playstation 2. I was tempted to get an Xbox 360, but after purchasing it, a couple or games, maybe an extra controller, and Xbox live, the cost was more than I am willing to pay. I also do not have an HDTV yet, so it isn't really worth it to me.
The PS2 presented itself because although in the past I have been into shooters and online play (Halo 2 was once my life), the Playstation 2 is something I have yet to explore. I haven't really played many RPG's in their entirety, although I loved Fable, but the PS2 has a massive library of games from Final Fantasy, to Kingdom Hearts, to God of War (which I am really anxious to play). So I decided the PS2 is finally at a price where I can purchase it and try some games, there are so many I'm bound to like some, and I won't feel like I'm out a bunch of money the way a next gen system would make me feel.

Ok, now the trouble. I want to get a Slim because I have heard of a lot of the old ones breaking, and I don't want mine to break. Additionally, I was interested in getting a used slim at EBgames for $90, but although it is guaranteed to work I'm not sure they actually provide a warranty. I would bite if I could purchase a warranty on the used slim system, but I don't think EBgames allows one to purchase warranties on used systems. The next step is a new system for $130. I would prefer the silver one because it is the newest of new, all the kinks worked out, and it looks cool. That $40 jump is a big one for me though. I was wondering if any combination of coupons or something could get a new PS2 slim at BestBuy or Circuit City or something for less than $130. I don't really want to purchase a used one if it isn't from a retail store and if I can't purchase some kind of extended warranty on it.

All help is appreciated.
 

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
The new ones come with a 1-year warranty, or 2 years if you have a credit card that doubles warranties. Plus you get a fresh, clean dual-shock controller that matches the console.

For coupons, check deal sites like GottaDeal and Fatwallet. 10% off coupons happen often, so you could at least get the cost down to $117. A used one at $90 with 30-day warranty could cost more than that after you buy an extended warranty (that you don't need for the new one).

For memory cards, get the 2-pack of genuine Sony 8MB cards. People lose their 50+-hour RPG saves on other brands, and the 2-pack gives you enough space to be playing a couple of games at once. Cost is $30-40.
 

AliasX

Senior member
Jan 29, 2006
508
0
0
Great advice, thank you.

Edit: The problem I have found with the 10% coupons is they exclude game system.s
 

beat mania

Platinum Member
Jan 23, 2000
2,451
0
76
You just have to be patient and find the right coupons. Setup an email alert on fatwallet.

For example : I got xbox 360 for 10% off at overstock before Christmas.
PS3 for 20% off at Kmart.

Or just say screw that $13 and get to play God of War 2 now :)
 

AliasX

Senior member
Jan 29, 2006
508
0
0
Ha, word. I think I'm going to just pass on the $13. There is something to be said about getting it in your hands when you want it.
 

Injury

Lifer
Jul 19, 2004
13,066
2
81
Whatever you do, don't buy a used console from Gamestop.

With the amount of problems the PS2 had, I would avoid a used one altogether. This goes for BOTH fat and slim versions. I've been through a FEW of them myself.

With the average used game around $10-$25, I think it's fair to open up the wallet a little more and buy a brand new system unless you are really on a tight budget. The library of games is what justifies me having dumped money into replacing mine when they break.
 

RaiderJ

Diamond Member
Apr 29, 2001
7,582
1
76
I would say picking up a slimline off the forums wouldn't be a bad option. One that has been well taken care of shouldn't have any problems - same goes for controllers and memory cards. For $130 you could probably pick up a console, two controllers, two memory cards, and a couple of games from someone.
 

Jahee

Platinum Member
Sep 21, 2006
2,072
0
0
Originally posted by: Injury
Whatever you do, don't buy a used console from Gamestop.

With the amount of problems the PS2 had, I would avoid a used one altogether. This goes for BOTH fat and slim versions. I've been through a FEW of them myself.

With the average used game around $10-$25, I think it's fair to open up the wallet a little more and buy a brand new system unless you are really on a tight budget. The library of games is what justifies me having dumped money into replacing mine when they break.

I've had the same PS2 since around 02 - 03.. Works perfect still. I wasn't aware there were alot of problems?
 

bl4ckfl4g

Diamond Member
Feb 13, 2007
3,669
0
0
I've owned a few and the dvd drive failed in all of them. Haven't had one since 2001 and I think I'm about to buy one to play a bunch of rpgs.
 

Injury

Lifer
Jul 19, 2004
13,066
2
81
Originally posted by: Jahee
Originally posted by: Injury
Whatever you do, don't buy a used console from Gamestop.

With the amount of problems the PS2 had, I would avoid a used one altogether. This goes for BOTH fat and slim versions. I've been through a FEW of them myself.

With the average used game around $10-$25, I think it's fair to open up the wallet a little more and buy a brand new system unless you are really on a tight budget. The library of games is what justifies me having dumped money into replacing mine when they break.

I've had the same PS2 since around 02 - 03.. Works perfect still. I wasn't aware there were alot of problems?

Google "Disc Read Error", among others. Nearly every model of PS2 has turned victim to it, and you can only repair it so many times before that stops working. It was probably just as big as the 360's "Red Ring of Death" and it took a class action lawsuit against Sony to finally make them admit that it was a design flaw and repair the issue for anyone having a problem. After denying thousands of legit warranty claims as it being a "user" issue and not a design flaw, they started repairing DRE's for systems beyond the warranty period and with "void if removed" stickers missing.

This whole deal is the main reason for avoiding used because there is a good chance the person got rid of the thing because of DREs.
 

herkulease

Diamond Member
Jul 6, 2001
3,923
0
0
Originally posted by: Injury
Originally posted by: Jahee
Originally posted by: Injury
Whatever you do, don't buy a used console from Gamestop.

With the amount of problems the PS2 had, I would avoid a used one altogether. This goes for BOTH fat and slim versions. I've been through a FEW of them myself.

With the average used game around $10-$25, I think it's fair to open up the wallet a little more and buy a brand new system unless you are really on a tight budget. The library of games is what justifies me having dumped money into replacing mine when they break.

I've had the same PS2 since around 02 - 03.. Works perfect still. I wasn't aware there were alot of problems?

Google "Disc Read Error", among others. Nearly every model of PS2 has turned victim to it, and you can only repair it so many times before that stops working. It was probably just as big as the 360's "Red Ring of Death" and it took a class action lawsuit against Sony to finally make them admit that it was a design flaw and repair the issue for anyone having a problem. After denying thousands of legit warranty claims as it being a "user" issue and not a design flaw, they started repairing DRE's for systems beyond the warranty period and with "void if removed" stickers missing.

This whole deal is the main reason for avoiding used because there is a good chance the person got rid of the thing because of DREs.

they sold atleast 2 extra ps2 this way to me. They wanted 140 bucks for the repair and you had to pay shipping. that was already half the price of the system, 2nd time it was nearly the cost of a new one. I would've totally loved to had the free repairs but by the time they admitted to the problem and offered the repairs, those systems were already in the garbage.

 

dsisson

Member
Nov 9, 2003
104
0
0
i have a ps2 fatty for first release. it has had 2 dre in it life and was fixed with cleaning the lens:confused:
 

Munky

Diamond Member
Feb 5, 2005
9,372
0
76
I still have my PS2 I bought about 6 years ago, and about 5 years ago I had it sent in for repair of the DRE issue. Since then the issue came back, and about 3/4 times I boot it up I get the error.
 

RaiderJ

Diamond Member
Apr 29, 2001
7,582
1
76
Seems kinda silly that these machines would get so many disc read errors. I had a Sony Discman that ran like a champ for years.
 

zerocool84

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
36,041
472
126
Originally posted by: munky
I still have my PS2 I bought about 6 years ago, and about 5 years ago I had it sent in for repair of the DRE issue. Since then the issue came back, and about 3/4 times I boot it up I get the error.

My launch PS2 doesn't even work any more. Will not read any games whatsoever. It hasn't worked for 2 years.
 

potato28

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
8,964
0
0
Just go find the guy with the Sony truck who's selling them for $20 on the street ;) Buy a new one, avoid all of the used crap that GS will take.