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Sony Confirms PS2 Games Will Soon Be Available On PS4

Ben-Dutka 35 Comments

Well, we don't know about "soon" but we do know backwards compatibility is in the works.

It all started when Digital Foundry spotted something odd about a newly released Star Wars: Battlefront PlayStation 4 bundle.

As it turns out, the package comes with four games, including PS2 titles Star Wars: Bounty Hunter , Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter , Star Wars Racer: Revenge and Super Star Wars . These seemed to be the original games running in emulation, which prompted plenty of discussion. Then, Sony made the surprising confirmation to Wired :

"We are working on utilizing PS2 emulation technology to bring PS2 games forward to the current generation … We have nothing further to comment at this point in time."

Of course, this leaves a lot of questions unanswered but for the time being, everyone is buzzing about the prospect of PS2 classics on PS4. And the Sony XDev Europe Twitter account has asked the million-dollar question: Which PS2 games do you want to see on PS4?

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Which PS2 Series Most Deserves A Triumphant Return?

Ben-Dutka 76 Comments

In celebration of the PS2's 15th anniversary, we posted up a respectful editorial yesterday.

But when we're talking about arguably the greatest video game console of all time, we need an article dedicated to the games.

After all, despite what anyone might say about an affordable DVD player or better marketing than Sega (and Dreamcast consequently suffered), the PS2 became a timeless legend because of its hugely extensive and wonderfully innovative library. Some of those franchises are still around today; legends like Metal Gear Solid , Gran Turismo , Final Fantasy , Ratchet & Clank , etc. But which series from the PS2 era would you like to see return? Which one deserves a next-gen effort?

Although I know I'll never get it, I really wish we'd get another Shadow Hearts . The first title, Covenant , remains one of my favorite RPGs of all time. The sequel wasn't quite as good but it did boast a refined Judgment Ring, making it one of the best and most unique combat mechanics in existence. It was turn-based but you needed timing – and strategy – to be successful, and the end result was just magic. The story and characters were excellent as well.

So, what's yours?

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You’ll Never See Another Console Like The PlayStation 2 Again

Ben-Dutka 35 Comments

As much as I'd like to see PlayStation 4 duplicate the ridiculous success of one of its predecessors, it's basically impossible.

Never again will you see a console like the PS2 dominate on that scale. And now that the system has turned 15 years of age, perhaps we should all reflect and pay tribute.

Those who recall the early days of the PS2 well recall the hype train surrounding that system. Honestly, I've been gaming since the first home consoles hit the market and we'd never seen anything quite like this before. The gaming community was boiling over around the turn of the century and at the center was the PS2.

I won't go into a long history of the console; most of you probably already know it. But it's important to note the PS2's total and complete dominance of the video game market between 2000 and 2005. Yes, the console sold over 160 million units overall but it needed many more years to reach that number. What's more mind-boggling, in my eyes, is just how easily and how soundly PS2 tromped the competition. Xbox and GameCube combined sales had no hope of catching the PS2.

Thing is, you really won't see anything like it again. It was the perfect storm. Nintendo wasn't doing so hot as they transitioned from the N64 to the GameCube, people were all sorts of skeptical about Microsoft joining the fray, and the original PlayStation had already become a widely accepted platform. On top of which, the industry was definitely starting to go mainstream, which cast an even bigger spotlight on PS2. It would also beat Xbox and GameCube to market by over a year. And oh yeah, the games…has any console had a better or more diverse selection in history? I think not.

PS2 wins. Plain and simple. I hope everyone remembers what it was like, too, because I promise you won't see it again. The industry has changed far too much.

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Thank You, PS2

Ben-Dutka 17 Comments

I suppose I could've been cleverer or more poetic with the title. But perhaps the concise courtesy is perfect.

As we all know by now, Sony has officially stopped manufacturing the PlayStation 2. Obviously, consumers will still be able to buy used PS2 consoles in the future (there are sure to be quite a few floating around) but for the most part, it's the end of an era. A very important era, not just for the industry, but for me as well.

The PS2 launched in North America on October 26, 2000. I remember it vividly, as I was working at Electronics Boutique at the time. The entire staff had had the machine paid off for a while, and we had a late-night meeting the day before launch to discuss how we'd handle the rush. But really, it was mostly so we could purchase our PS2s the instant the clock struck midnight and the sale was legal. I was second in line; I purchased my PS2 at 12:04 a.m. on October 26…I doubt many in this country can say they got it earlier. And I'm referring to legal acquisitions here. 🙂

Going into the PS2 generation, I was mostly an RPG fanatic. All I cared about were JRPGs. I'd play just about every PlayStation RPG I could get my hands on, and I'd play all the PC RPGs with friends (I dunno; I just found the Baldurs Gate , Diablo , and Heroes of Might & Magic games to be more fun with others). And although I had a blast and I love the PS1 to death, I have to admit I was pretty limited. I played a few sports games here and there and I loved Twisted Metal and Jet Moto , but that was about it. The PS2 was the first console that forced me outside my comfort zone and got me interested in a variety of genres.

I couldn't resist Grand Theft Auto III , what with all the hype surrounding it. I was leery because it wasn't an RPG but I fell in love immediately. I also couldn't resist the Metal Gear Solid and God of War franchises, which of course are very different in comparison to RPGs. But in addition to this great branching out process, I still got the RPGs I craved. So not only did the PS2 satisfy an existing love, it opened my eyes to very distinct love affairs with very different experiences. And in regards to the game library, I will forever maintain that the PS2 was the best. For six straight years, I never once felt like the PS2 didn't deliver, that it didn't have enough games I wanted to play. Never did that happen.

So thank you, PS2. You were always there for me, especially during tough times. Okay, so it's a little sad that it sounds like I'm talking about a living thing. But hey, it's the truth.

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Is This The Very Last New PS2 Game?

Ben-Dutka 17 Comments

After launching nearly 12 years ago in North America, the PS2 went on to become arguably the most popular video game console of all time.

Now, after the PS3 has been on the market for almost six years, and after 2875 PS2 titles have shipped (in Japan), it seems we may be looking at the very last new PS2 game ever.

According to Kotaku , it's Final Fantasy XI: Adoulin no Makyou , which is set to release some time next year in Japan. Yeah, it's an expansion for a ten-year-old MMORPG and few are gonna care. But really, this is just an excuse to look back on the PS2 and go, "Damn, that was an amazing system, wasn't it?" So many games, so many great games, and tremendous staying power. The PS2 did quite well for several years after the PS3 arrived, remember.

And what was the last worldwide sales count for the PS2? 150 million or something? I think it's more than that now. But it's sort of a weird feeling to see the name of what could very well be the last new PS2 game…maybe it's just because that machine always seemed relevant, you know? Like it couldn't die. But alas, in the electronics world…

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Top Designers Pick Their All-Time Favorite PS2 Titles

Ben-Dutka 67 Comments

Sony is currently celebrating 10 years of the PS2 ; it was a system that featured a huge, perhaps unparalleled, number of classics.

What were you favorites? That's what the PlayStation Blog asked many of the industry's top game designers. As you can see, guys like Stig Asmussen, Tim Schafer, David Jaffe, Cliff Bleszinski, David Cage, Hermen Hulst, Ted Price, Warren Spector, and Evan Wells have chimed in with their top 3 PS2 titles. It's interesting to see; is anybody surprised to see David Cage's list of ICO , Rez and Okami ? The mastermind behind Heavy Rain enjoys the artistic, yes? And Tim Schafer is in a similar boat; his selections were Katamari Damacy , Okami and We Love Katamari . We see a lot of love for all the Grand Theft Auto titles, too, including Vice City , which landed at #1 on several lists. Of course, you'll also find Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater , Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec , Devil May Cry , Shadow of the Colossus , Silent Hill 2 , God of War , Final Fantasy X , Ratchet and Clank , Resident Evil 4 ; you know, the usual suspects.

There are just too many greats. I suppose if I were forced, I'd put all three GTAs at the top of the list (oh, I can do that; there was a GTA Trilogy set, wasn't there?), and then go with Final Fantasy X and God of War II . Still, I would feel terrible that I had to omit the first GoW, MGS3, FFXII, ICO , SotC, DMC, SH2, GT3, Katamari Damacy / We Love Katamari , DQVIII, Champions of Norrath , and others. Just…too…many.

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