Oh man. Another vote for Katamari. Also Black, if only as a technical showcase of what the PS2 can do in the right hands.
Thanks so much for all the recommendations guys. I've made a list to take with me around Akiba and other places when I go game shopping. Pretty excited!! That's definitely true. Everywhere I go there are PS2 games lying around and I don't have much time for gaming these days, but there really does seem to be an insane amount of games available.
Seconded! Why they have not made more is beyond me... Also I recommend, - Disaster Report - The Bouncer (Squaresoft PS2 release title, a simple beatem up. I don't know if its aged well!) - Katamari - Black
Everblue 2 is a scuba diving adventure game, what a concept. I really enjoyed it and my brother was totally hooked when he played. It may not be for everyone, but I'd say pick it up if you see it on the cheap.
Thanks! I will have a look out for it. I must say, I am quite excited about all the new games I'll be able to play. Though I have a PS3, I don't think there's quite the diversity that the PS2 has, though of course it's in relative infancy! Either way, I am very much looking forward to getting into the PS2. I'll probably just buy my friend's original black PS2, rather than source a newer slim model (at first at least).
Unless space is at a real premium, for expansion purposes a non-slim PS2 is better as you can add the HDD/network adapter.
Didn't know that! Space isn't a premium at all, so I'll definitely go with the larger one. Back in the UK I have loads of Dreamcast stuff, SEGAGAGA and the Densha De Go! controller for example; so I wouldn't mind doing the same for the PS2 really. I'm debating getting a PS2 arcade stick and an adaptor for the PS3, rather than get a PS3-specific one... thoughts?
I dont think you will need REZ if you got it on the 360 already. Except you want to play with the Trance Vibrator too. I really loved 'Odins Sphere': It is a very atmospherical game, one of a kind - grafic- and gameplaywise. Just take a look at it at youtube. There is a lot crap on the PS2, but my favorite games are: ICO gives you a great feeling about friendship and care-taking, without words. Shadow of the Colossus got the eggs to concentrate on just boss battles, which are so very impressive. REZ is zust impressive in its own way, loving the music too. Katamari: They are just funny, loved to play them. Very unique gameplay. ... kinda makes me sad, that i just can recommend those 5 games out of 150 I currently own. ... if there is currently a flood of ps2-titles, you could send some to us (me at least) ... currently wishing for PS2 games that are not cut-down versions of the (better) japanese originals. Lot of shmups got Tate-mode and story-elements ripped out for the european market, wish sucks hard. Happy shopping, ninn
Thanks for the tips. I don't have a 360 here so I will try to pick up the trance vibrator edition and get my girlfriend into the game (she already likes the music in Area 5)! Well... I like interesting games, different games but also a few franchises and sequels I suppose. I like Schmups, though I might be crap at them (I enjoy the graphics and music and the Japanese feel to them), I like racing games, but I might just grab GT5 on the PS3 (I have RR7 and Wipeout HD), I like 2D platformers and some 3D sandbox type platformers or actions games I suppose... and also the weird and the wonderful (train games... rhythm games)... pretty much anything! Racing games are my forte... I enjoy everything else but I am actually good at racing. I like fighting games but tend to be shit! An RPG wouldn't hurt, but JRPG might be a bit too hard core and I don't think I really have the time for that these days. I own over 200 dreamcast games which obviously include many different genres... so I will give anything a bash! And I would love to help people get some PS2 games if they want them and I can find them. It wont take me much longer to be settled down here in Tokyo and then I'll have more time for shopping.
Yep. Does anyone have 2 controllers for the 360? Most of my co-op gaming was done with a microphone and not with a friend in the room
Specific controllers were made for that purpose! Theres also a free app on Xbox Live that changes the vibration level of the controller. Its ment for 'massages' but we all know what people use it for.
OK, I'm taking the plunge. I am getting one this weekend! Should I be getting an original model or a slim model? Any memory card suggestions? I'm such a noob at PS2
An official memory card should be fine for now. And if you need more space, go buy another It's Japan, they probably sell those in buckets for 500 Yen. I'd go for the slim model. Lower chance of malfunctions. It has an external PSU though and you can't upgrade with an HDD (not that I'd ever missed that to play a game).
Original "fat" - has the expansion bay for the Network adapter, which itself comes with an IDE port for a HDD. A HDD is mandatory for a few games (mostly online titles that will be long gone now) and basically expected for some others (Resident Evil Outbreak, I think... it's been a while). (Also, HDLoader is nice - play games from HDD and take the strain off the drive laser. Even if you're not getting your PS2 chipped you can still get pressed discs called "HD Advance" though they do have lower compatibility.) Slim - well, it's smaller. That's about it. Both have pretty serious reliability issues. PS2s will die on you, this is a fact. Back when they cost >£100 their flimsiness could cause consternation, but really they're so damn cheap these days that it's irrelevant. Memory cards - an 8MB Sony should cost you next to nothing. I know I've ended up with half a dozen or more just from them coming with second-hand PS2s, or nabbing them for 50p in bargain bins in UK game stores. Can't imagine you'll have much trouble in Japan.
I'd say you must play Katamari and Shadow of the Colossus. If you like arcade racing games then try to get Initial D as well.
Get a slim. Preferably the latest model as the PSU is integrated into the unit. I really don't think HDD loader will add much for you (PS2 software is cheap & abundant in japan, you'll be going through so much software that messing with it will be a hassle). =D As for memory cards, get an original sony one. Storage on them is pretty reasonable, so it's not like you need another after a few games.
Japanese games I have a modded ps2 that I made just so I could play SDF Macross. Besides the ACE series of games, what Japan only games are worth purchasing? I am trying to expand my collection, and I would really like to branch out and try some games that never made the jump to the states.
