Sony to sell smaller PlayStation 2

[ihaveanosebleed]

What’s that box next to the PSTwo’s external power supply over on the right side? Is that perhaps an external network adapter/HD case? Oh no, I think it's just a multitap!

[Cyber Akuma]

I think its been confirmed now that the new PS2 will NOT support the HDD.

[bighap]

I am with Bounty. Forget the new design.... It's Gran Turismo 4!

[spedmetal]

A few things about the new design.

1) The flip top does kind of suck, but less moving parts are always better, now there is no need for a tray and tray drive motor, or circuitry to drive it.

2) The flip top does add one major benefit, now its very easy for the average user to clean the laser eye if need be.

3) The majority of PS2 games need no HDD support so for like 98% of the PS2 game titles this PS2 will be just fine. And if your one of the few that needs an HDD there will be the PS3 which I'm sure will support PS2 titles that need HDD support (or at least I'm hoping)

4) It now has the network port built right into the motherboard thus eliminating the need to buy an online bundle or the NA separately. So all the non-HDD games that are online-able are able to be played right out of the box.

5) A major draw back of the new unit is that its kind of a throw-away design. Now that everything is all on the mobo other then the laser if something gets toasted its not going to be easy to fix if at all. Like the controller port is now integrated into the mobo along with the NA.

6) It appears they have combined the emotion engine (EE) and the graphic chip (GS) into one chip on the mobo. If you look at what appears to be the EE it says right on it EE+GS and I don't see a GS on the mobo any place. Every cool!!!

7) The external power supply is going to be kind of a pain in the ass. Now we will have to have just one more transformer eating up wall space and constantly drawing power unless its unplugged. But the benefit in it is less heat the PS2 has to dissipate and a better, cooler running unit.

I wonder how long it will take until its cracked? If you look at the mobo carefully there are many similarities with the current PS2's. The bios chip looks the same although I would be willing to bet a completely new bios code is one it. I hope they invested some research and money in a quality laser this time, but since this is a stream lined PS2 that is wishful thinking most likely.

What team do you think will crack it first?

[Cyber Akuma]

But, dont they risk pissing off Square now that FFXI wont be playable anymore?

Plus theres many HDD-only games in japan too.

[spedmetal]

Originally Posted by Cyber Akuma

But, dont they risk pissing off Square now that FFXI wont be playable anymore?

Plus theres many HDD-only games in japan too.

I'm sure this was poured over very much, but with the up and coming PS3 I doubt it was much of a concern for either party.

[lufcfan]

In my eyes, the PSTwo itself is naff. It's ugly, everything's onboard so if it breaks, bye-bye replacements parts, you probably can't get a chip into the chassis and it's blatant economising from $$$$$ony ( I really must sort my stutter )

[JoyBoy]

Originally Posted by Cyber Akuma

But, dont they risk pissing off Square now that FFXI wont be playable anymore?

SONY own 20% of Square. I'm sure assurances have been made that it will support a HD, somehow. Or maybe the original PS2 will continue to be sold?

Either way it does not matter, the HD has been a massive failure for SONY.

[spedmetal]

Originally Posted by BountyWarrior

Or maybe the original PS2 will continue to be sold?

Right, my point exactly .... or incorporate the PS2 based HDD games into the new PS3.

[crazygamelover]

Originally Posted by spedmetal

What team do you think will crack it first?

I would have to guess that a shared cracking effort will be implemented since all of the teams will be working on the same goal to make new revenues on chip sales but who knows for sure. I would bet most of the teams probably already work together behind the sceens but then again they are competitive with eachother so its pretty much a coin toss.