PS2 as cheap gaming system? Pros and Cons..or shall I get a cheap PS3 or 360?

[Svnla]

Hi all,

I did look around and see a tons of used PS2 games for less than $5 at GameStop and I was wondering if I could buy a new PS2 for about $130 and then buy a ton of used PS2 games (20 or so) for a total of less than $200.

I though about get a PS3 but it is not PS2 backward compatible.

What do you guys/gals think? Good, bad, ugly?

Or shall I get a cheap (strip down) PS3 or Xbox 360? Sorry that I am not familiar with the latest consoles stuffs. I have been out of consoles for a while (Dreamcast system was the last one I had).

Give me the pros and cons or any suggestions. TIA.

 

[ImpulsE69]

Depends on what kinda games you like.. PS2 games are obviously aged graphically, but if you like JRPG's, it's really the last of the greats and there are alot of them, and cheap. One i'mortant note is that PS2 doesn't have HDMI out - best you can do is CBGY (or whatever it's called).

PS3 doesn't have alot of must haves, 360 maybe a bit more, but neither are heavy on RPGS. You have the online aspect though, and DLC if that's your thing. Really just depends on what kind of games you like.

 

[dagamer34]

I'd say a good chunk of the really great PS2 games have gotten or will be getting a PS3 HD re-release anyway. And I see little need to go buy a PS2 console that you have no idea when it will croak. Get a PS3.

 

[DaveSimmons]

If you like JRPGs, the PS2 has stacks of good ones. There are also some classic Ratchet & Clank shooter-platformers that still look pretty good today and are fun.

So far, Sony has not announced HD PS3 remakes of Persona 3-4, XenoSaga 1-3, Shadow Hearts series, etc. -- there was an announcement of FF X but no one knows when or if it will ever come out.

(There is a second-rate PSP version of Persona 3, and a slightly improved Vita version of Persona 4.)

 

[linthat22]

If you'd like to use your console for mainly a media device and gaming as secondary, then I'd recommend the PS3.

For the reasons of you'll have a blu-ray player, it's DLNA compatible, can stream Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Vudu without a subscription layer between you and them (a la Xbox Live gold membership), and the newer slims that are out are supposed to be cheaper.

 

[Zodiark1593]

I'd say a good chunk of the really great PS2 games have gotten or will be getting a PS3 HD re-release anyway. And I see little need to go buy a PS2 console that you have no idea when it will croak. Get a PS3.

I'd argue differently. There's a good chunk of good PS2 games that haven't or aren't getting an HD re-release. Tales of The Abyss, Fatal Frame 1 and 3, Kingdom Hearts I haven't seen either on PS3, nor my favorite RPG, Final Fantasy XII. :hmm:

 

[SaDiZTiKStyLeZ]

Just like PS1, PS2 & all systems that came before their time, they will still be a safe bet option to go with for many years.
Despite PS3 ability to emulate its' predecessors, emulation can have issues. In that regard, I always prefer to play on the original hardware rather than on a newer console that supports the whole backward compatibility gimmick.
PS2 has one of the largest libraries amongst the various consoles. There is more than enough to stay busy with for a very long time.

The great notable titles did get HD treatment on PS3, so those are always the preference.
SOME PS2 games do support output via component cable. Wikipedia has a list of those that do.

With a lot of chain stores like Gamestop cleaning out their PS2 selection, many great games can be found for under $10, it is a great time to get them before you won't find them in those kinds of stores.

I still play PS1, PS2, Saturn & Dreamcast. Just because it's old & ugly compared to what we have today, doesn't mean it's not fun or worth playing.

If I didn't already mention it, you will have a FUCKING MASSIVE PLETHORA of a game library to pick from.
I'm actually kind of sad that the PS3 library isn't as big.

 

[exdeath]

Depends on what kinda games you like.. PS2 games are obviously aged graphically, but if you like JRPG's, it's really the last of the greats and there are alot of them, and cheap. One i'mortant note is that PS2 doesn't have HDMI out - best you can do is CBGY (or whatever it's called).

PS3 doesn't have alot of must haves, 360 maybe a bit more, but neither are heavy on RPGS. You have the online aspect though, and DLC if that's your thing. Really just depends on what kind of games you like.

Ni No Kuni and The Last of Us are quickly becoming a reason to must have a PS3 :awe:

Op just get a PS2 regardless of having a PS3 or 360. They are cheap enough and everywhere.

 

[mmntech]

I'd argue differently. There's a good chunk of good PS2 games that haven't or aren't getting an HD re-release. Tales of The Abyss, Fatal Frame 1 and 3, Kingdom Hearts I haven't seen either on PS3, nor my favorite RPG, Final Fantasy XII. :hmm:

So far only critically acclaimed games have made it to re-releases. Most of them are first party titles. I don't think you'll see Square updating their games any time soon. If they do, they'll charge more for them than the PS2 version was, as they're apt to do. Most of the HD versions are just upscaled to run at a native 1080p resolution, usually with cleaned up textures. Which is fine. They do look better but not significantly so. The only HD re-release that I'd call the definitive version is Okami. It's one of those games that's a visual experience.

I've always hoped Sony would release a PS3 with modern chips with full PS2 BC. The first gen PS3s are thinning out because they all eventually cook themselves to death. Though PS2s are cheap enough. Gamestop/EB still sells them new and refurb. There's lots of classic games available for them; God of War, Okami, Jak series, Ratchet & Clank, Disgaea, Grand Turismo, Metal Gear Solid, countless JRPGs. Check eBay. I wouldn't pay more than $110 for a new PS2, since that's what EB sells them for.

 

[dagamer34]

I'd argue differently. There's a good chunk of good PS2 games that haven't or aren't getting an HD re-release. Tales of The Abyss, Fatal Frame 1 and 3, Kingdom Hearts I haven't seen either on PS3, nor my favorite RPG, Final Fantasy XII. :hmm:

Kingdom Hearts is getting a HD PS3 release in Japan in March, and I assume an English version shortly after. As for Final Fantasy XII, we'll have to wait for them to actually do the Final Fantasy X HD re-release they promised us at TGS 2011 (don't hold your breath).

 

[purbeast0]

if you want to play ps2 games, get a ps2.

if you want to play ps3 games, get a ps3.

if you want to play xbox360 games, get an xbox360.

not a hard concept.

 

[QueBert]

ymmv but the Gamestop by me has 2 bins of cheap ass PS3 & Xbox 360 games. You could get a base Xbox for $199 and get a bunch of games for around $5 each. I just got one, and while the games are older, they're still new to me. I got Rockstar's Table Tennis for $1.99 and I'm having a blast with it. They actually had some decent looking games in the bin.

 

[Doppel]

Please don't. Get a modern console. All of the AAA games on them are cheap if you wait a year or so and get used. No need at all to tolerate a console first released 12 years ago.