PlayStation 2

Now, i'm here to talk about PlayStation 2. PlayStation 2 is forms part of the PlayStation series of video game consoles. Its was release on March 4 2000 in japan. Of course, the primary competitors which are:

• Sega's Dreamcast
• Microsoft's Xbox
• Nintendo's GameCube

 

Top: The PlayStation 2 logo.

Left: Slimline PlayStation 2.

Right: Original design PlayStation 2 

In January 31 2011, PS2 is the best-selling console of all time compare to other competitors. In late 2009, developers creating new games and the console still selling steadily a decade after its original release, Sony stated that the life cycle of the PlayStation 2 will continue until demand ceases.

Many analysts predicted a close three-way match up between the PS2 and competitors Microsoft's Xbox and the Nintendo GameCube. Furthermore, GameCube being the cheapest of the three consoles and had an open market of games however, the release of several new games during the 2001 holiday season maintained sales momentum and held off the PS2's rivals.. 

Hardware and software compatibility

The PS2 DVD format

In addition, PS2 software is distributed on CD-ROM and DVD-ROM the console can play audio CD and DVD movies, and is backward compatible with PlayStation games.. The PS2 also supports PlayStation memory cards and controllers, although the memory cards only work with PS1 games and the controllers may not support all functions such as analog buttons for PS2 games.  

The PS2's DualShock 2 controller is essentially an upgraded PlayStation DualShock. Buttons, analog face, shoulder pad still remain original. Also give force feedback, which is "vibration" function.

8 MB PS2 memory card

This memory card requirement prevented the production of memory cards by third parties who did not purchase a license for the MagicGate encryption. Memory cards without encryption can be used to store PlayStation game saves, but PlayStation games would be unable to read from or write to the card as a backup. There are a variety of non-Sony manufactured memory cards available for the PlayStation 2, allowing for a larger memory capacity than the standard 8 MB. However their use is unsupported and compatibility is not guaranteed.

Online

Some games on the PlayStation 2 support online multiplayer gaming through the use of a broadband internet connection and a PlayStation 2 Network Adapter.  Some games also allow online game play using a Dial-Up connection(not available on all models), or LAN play by connecting two network adapters or slimline consoles together directly with an Ethernet cable or through the same router network.

All online PS2 games released in and after 2003 are protected by the Dynamic Network Authentication System (DNAS). The purpose of this system is to prevent piracy and online cheating. DNAS will prevent games from being played online if they are determined to be pirated copies or if they have been modified. However, methods have been developed to get around this protection by modifying key files in the modified game.

Differences between Sony PS2 and the slimline PS2

• Sony removed the power supply and the space for the HDD bay.
• Originally multiple chips is being squeeze across the PS2's mainboard into a single which give smaller space.
• Slimline added in ports for broadband multiplayer where as Sony need to pay for the Network Adaptor.
  

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_2
                http://asia.playstation.com/my/en