PlayStation 2 - Black

Having been an owner of a "slim" and small PSONE for several years, after saving some money and wishing to update, I finally bought this new, super slim and small PS2 update system. If you have a perfectly functioning OLD PS2, there really is no need to buy this. However, if you're an old, holdout PSONE or malfunctioning OLD PS2 owner, the price justifies the purchase of this new PS2.The original PSONE update I purchased, as well as some 30 or 40 games purchased for it, all still functioned perfectly, up and until I decided to upgrade (finally!) to a true, blue (black sort of) NEW SLIM PS2. I think the price should still come down further to about $100, especially considering we now are now (as of this writing) in the PS3, XBox360, and Wiiiiii era. Which may be a good or bad thing, such as it suits you.But having studied all systems, if one is on any budget at all, and doesn't have a PS2, buy this. Buy it now. You may wait for the price to come down (though that seems unlikely anytime soon given PS3 problems), but at around $130, this is more than a great Vid Game system purchase. And while one can not only play hundreds of old PS1 titles (all of which mine have performed perfectly on this new system), hundreds more PS2 titles are also readily available, and for peanuts relatively speaking.While the PS2 (compared to PSONE) graphics are indeed a huge leap in quality, some games from the old system, basically play as they did before. In other words, if you expect the PS2 to "enhance" old PS1 games, it is a hit and miss sort of thing, and might just be in the mind and eye of the beholder. Some old PS1 games look a bit better on this, but no worse certainly, but others present a basically PS1 performance. Which in itself is not too bad, considering the vast and great PS1 game libraries.Only when genuine PS2 games are played are the incredibly more vivid graphics evident, though it all depends on the game actually. Generally, this is a giant leap in video games and graphics compared to the PS1, though there ARE some drawbacks. Nothing to nit-pick about, but in many PS2 games, one MUST use the analog (joystick on the PS1/PS2 controller) sticks to operate a game properly, as the DPAD (general updownleftright) simply won't work.While this is annoying at times, adjusting to forgetting the DPAD and using the analog joysticks is really not that much of an adjustment, for any game. I don't know the tech details of why they just couldn't make ALL PS2 (and PS1) games playable with EITHER the DPAD or analog joysticks, but then again, adjusting ain't that a big deal. If you are used to PC games and PS1 games utilizing the DPAD, adjusting to the loose analog joystick controls will involve a short learning curve, at worst.If you're going to buy this, by all means, at the very least (in addition to any games you may buy), you need at least one memory card. Buy the Sony brand if you want to avoid later problems. Shipping from Amazon was super fast, and without problems. The unit itself is barely bigger than a DVD case itself. It's so small, but I've experienced absolutely no problems with overheating, etc. Be warned however that, there really is no POWER OFF button on this system. If you do not unplug the unit between gaming sessions (lasting a day or more at least), remember that the machine is still on, and this can be ascertained from the red light button on the unit itself, which tells you that your PS2 is still powered up and ready to go. If you're not going to use the system for awhile, simply unplug it from the AC connection. I'd suggest getting an AC extension cord for this connect/disconnect/reconnect, since handling the actual PS2 slim plugin may cause damage with too much plugging/unplugging.I only have a 56K connection to the internet, so I can't really comment on anything PS2 NET related content, since this particular slim system DEMANDS a broadband and/or DSL and/or CABLE connection to get into any PS2 online functions. If you want to use this to connect to the net, be aware that you need to have an ethernet/broadband adaptor (more money), plus a high speed net account.Really though, if you're making the jump from a PS1 to PS2, just forget about net connections for awhile, buy a few games (research them first via the web, and look for cheap bargains), and enjoy your PS1 and newly acquired PS2 games in sublime glory.Remember, for any PS1 games, you will need a PS1 specific save card (really cheap these days) to save data to resume PS1 games. If you already had a PS1 and memory card(s) and saved data, no big problem. Just plug it into one of the PS2's memory card slots to continue. After awhile however, you will find that you're playing you're old PS1 games (if any) less and less, and PS2 games, more and more. SO by all means, the very most basic thing you need to purchase with this item, is a good Sony PS2 memory card.Then you can go wild with searching out and purchasing PS2 games.I am completely satisfied with my new slimline, tiny PS2, and can't recommend it strongly enough to those who do not already have a solid, functioning old PS2 or who have opted for the Xbox or Nintendo route. If you have a lot of PS1 games, certainly get this, because you will spend the next year or so "updating" and enjoying. And this unit is SO SOLID, and shame to those who question it within that frame of reference.As an aging hipster (early 50's), I have saved all of my PS1 games (which run perfectly on this), have purchased several 80's/90's early video game collections (which run perfectly on this), and a few newer and older first generation PS2 games, all of which, simply knocks my socks off.It's a shame that Nintendo and Super Nintendo games are not available for this system (Wi and their wacky, money-grubbing folks would rather charge you $$$ a single game than just release a PS2 collection), but so it goes.With some careful research and buying however, and the absolutely necessary buys for this basic new slim PS2 (the system and a memory card), a few RETRO (retro rules!) and a few newer PS2 specific titles (and may I suggest some Need for Speed, Burnout, Star Wars, etc.), for under $200, you're going to be busy for a long time. And oh yeah, this plays DVD's (movies, etc.) and AUDIO (or audio burned) CD's wonderfully, and you really don't need an extra DVD player remote. This DOES NOT play burned CD's with MP3 files however, but so what? It does just about anything else a Spiderman can, can. No carping on minor exceptions here.Extremely easy to set up, solidly built and functioning, if you're really not rich enough to afford the next gen for now, this new revamped PS2 will keep you happy for a long time to come if you're still living in the dark ages of the old school (retro-matrix-borg collective), Nintendo, SNES, Sega Genesis, Atari, PS1 days. And if you're rich enough, there's broadband/cable connection! Why carp?As I write this, for now... and if and until we get some sort of Star Trek Holodeck VR experience in a video gaming system, unless you have the bread and can go for an Xbox360 or PS3, and have broadband/cable, plus a Hi-Def tv/monitor, this is your video game console best buy.Please Sony, by all means, continue to create and release new PS2 games for a long time to come and try to bring that PS3 price down. Which I think, shall be, in the near future hopefully. So it is written, so it shall be done. Fingers crossed...

This one works great! It looks brand new with new cords and new plugin. Not a original controller but it is a compatible one that is wireless and new in box. Shipping was quick and very padded in box, got it one day earlier. A good chance, glad there were good recent reviews! Thank you!

Well the ps2 works (for the time being) which is good for a 20+ old machine but they gave me a broken controller and a n64 component cable so I needed to buy those separately which is a huge disappointment for what I paid for.

The new-design PS2 is IMHO a vast improvement over the original PS2. Not only is it slimmer and prettier (take that, Xbox!), but it's also quieter, loads games faster, has better DVD support, and has built-in networking. The last feature is especially cool for those of us who never bought the network adapter for the original PS2. Considering old PS2 + network adapter packs are still selling for $180 or more online, the new PS2 is a steal.OK, so PS3 this is not. It's just a souped-up PS2, or PS2+, perhaps? Is it worth your $150? Let me put this way: if your current PS2 works fine and you have no interest in online play, then don't bother getting this one. The slim design alone is not worth the price. On the other hand, if your PS2 is wearing down (judged by game-loading failures, whines from the motor or fan, flashes on screen, ...), or if you want to do online play but never bought the network adapter, here's your chance to get into the action and own a shiny new, prettier-looking PS2.PS2 is still relevant in teh game console world today (Nov. 2004) because of its vast game library. Its graphic engine is inferior to Xbox and Gamecube, but not really by that much in real-world terms. It's great.

The PS2 is functional and came with a nice controller, the system itself has some cosmetic scratches but the product works just fine for a 21 year old system .

The media could not be loaded. Works great. It can even play blue and black back disks. There rare but a lot of good games have them 10/10Also my controllers are after market for 15$ i recommend them

Wouldn't recommend purchasing through them. First PS2 sent had issues with the disc reader and the second was worse making a crazy grinding sound when booted.

I'm probably the last person on planet earth to upgrade from the PS1 to the PS2, but now that they're down to a really reasonable price, I couldn't resist. And boy, am I glad I did! The gameplay is much more fast paced in the PS2 games. The PS1 was hampered by the directional pad, but with the analog sticks on the PS2 the characters can move around much quicker and with a much better sense of direction. And the selection of games is huge, I've only got two so far but I've got about 25 on my wishlist.This new slimline model is really small, not much larger than the DVD cases that the games come in. You need to buy a memory card or you won't be able to save your games. That's about it. I hooked mine up and it works fine, no problems with overheating (after 3 hours I can barely tell that it's above room temperature). No problems with noise, it's virtually silent.Overall, highly recommended for anyone who wants to have a lot of fun with a gigantic selection of games, but doesn't want to spend an absurd amount on a next-gen system that only has a tiny fraction as many games.