Sony PlayStation 2 System FAQ By Space Ace version 7.5 December 10 2000 EMAIL- frankblack@mn.mediaone.net Website - http://people.mn.mediaone.net/frankblack/index.html Welcome to my PlayStation 2 System FAQ This follows my Sega Dreamcast System FAQ And my Sega Dream Passport (Import) FAQ And my NFL2K Glitch FAQ Update Guide March 24 - Updated game list and added Weekly Famitsu Ratings March 25 - Major Reformat and added News and Email Q and A Section. March 29 - Added Magic Box Chart comparing PSX games on PS2. Minor mods and fixed some errors. April 01 - Added PS2 Recall info(not April fools) and other small little things. April 08 - The Real World has attacked, but I have updated several areas. Until next time. April 11 - Major Update to News Section including the Macrovision disabling controversy andsome more glitch info. April 12 - Updated Famitsu Ratings - Updated more unplayable PSX games on PS2. April 14 - Added step by step information on how to change PS2 language settings to English and how to reinstall the DVD drivers. April 22 - Added Famitsu ratings for 3 games. May 22 - E3 info and concrete American launch info. June 3 - Little update. June 8 - More tinkering. June 17 - New weekly Famitsu ratings July 20 - Sorry for lack of updates this month, but my computer was hacked into and almost destroyed. Now I'm back with a new OS and I plan to get back to updating this FAQ more often. I gotta say that The Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty trailer is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen! Of course as it gets closer to the American PS2 coming out new info will be constant and this FAQ will once again be hopping with life... July 20 - Second Update- More American launch info and added early American launch games and accessories list. August 24 - Added Nintendo GameCube specs to the system comparison. September 14 - Updated American launch games list and other areas. September 21 - I finally pre-booked my American PS2... September 27 - Major update in almost every area! Less than a month... October 3 - Updated. October 14 - Updated. October 26 - LAUNCH DAY! November 18 - Updated December 10 - I've been playing so many great games I havent updated for a while. I just can't wait for The Bouncer and Zone Of Enders. Index: 1. American Launch Info: A: Complete American launch games list and Weekly Famitsu ratings. B: Games that are coming soon. C: Information Section 2. Japanese Launch Info: The complete launch A: Japanese launch games. B: Japanese PS2 Setup Guide: 1. Voltage issues. 2. Change system settings to English. 3. Install DVD drivers. 4. Codes to play American, British and Japanese DVD movies: The 3 confirmed codes. 3. Let The Games Begin: Weekly Famitsu Ratings and my impressions of the early Japanese PS2 games. 4. Play PSX games on PS2. A: The list of the unplayable PSX games. B: Chart showing improvements(or not)using Playstation 1 games on Playstation 2 5. PS2 Issues. Problems with the PS2(See also Email and News Section) 6. Email and News Q and A Section. PS2 comments and news from Emails and newsgroups. 7. Playstation 2 specs and comparison to all next-gen systems! 8. My Favorite games list. 9. Credits and thanks: 1. American Launch Info. At E3 Sony announced the American launch date as 10/26/00 and the price as $299.00. Some other important accessories available at launch or near launch are: Prices are EB(www.ebworld.com). Dual Shock 2 Controller: 34.99 8 MEG Memory Card: 34.99 PS2 Multi-Tap: 34.99 S-Video Cable: 9.99(Interact) RFU Adapter: 14.99(Interact) Wireless Remote Control: 19.99(Interact) Componant Video Cable: 9.99(Electro Source) A: The 25 American Launch Titles: and reviews from Famitsu of Japanese ver. 1. Armored Core - Agetec (33/40) 2. Dead Or Alive 2: Hardcore - Namco (34/40) for non Hardcore. 3. Dynasty Warriors 2 - Koei 4. ESPN International Track & Field 5. Eternal Ring - Agetec (25/40) 6. Evergrace - Agetec (28/40) 7. Fantavision - Sony (31/40) 8. Kessen - EA (33/40) 9. Madden 2001 - EA 10. Midnight Club: Street Racing - Rockstar 11. Moto GP - Namco 12. NHL 2001 - EA 13. Orphen - Activision (22/40) 14. Ready 2 Rumble Boxing - Round 2 - Midway 15. Ridge Racer 5 - Namco (36/40) 16. Silent Scope - Konami 17. Smuggler's Run - Rockstar 18. Street Fighter EX3 - Capcom (32/40) 19. Summoner - THQ 20. Tekken Tag Tournament - Namco (38/40) 21. Timesplitters - Eidos 22. Unreal Tournament - Infogrames 23. X Squad - EA 24. SSX - EA 25. Swing Away Golf - EA These are the titles available at launch. This list has changed radically from the last update. The reviews are for the Japanese versions of the games and are a good marker for the American versions. The American version of Dead Or Alive 2 is a radically different version called Hardcore so the score could be as well. B: Soon after launch titles(formerly launch titles) 1. ESPN X-Games Snowboarding - Konami 2. Knockout Kings 2001 - EA 3. NFL Gameday 2001 - Sony 4. Driving Emotion Type-S - Square (28/40) 5. Silphead: The Lost Planet - Working Designs C: Information Section: The old PS cords(S-Video and AV, Dual Shock controllers, and Memory Card's work on the PS2. I haven't confirmed if the PS link cable works yet. I am checking all my PS games for improvements... 2. The Japanese Launch. The Playstation 2(PS2) was released in Japan on March 4th at a cost of 39.800 yen which is about $370.00 US. The system comes with: 1 PS2 console-The mother of all systems? 1 Analog Controller- With almost all analog buttons! 1 8M Memory Card- Be careful these are glitchy. 1 Power Cable- Remember the voltage difference for you importers. 1 AV Cable- This system has Component Output people! 1 Utilities Disk- The DVD drivers, not games demos! And a very special surprise greeted people when they looked on the back of the box it was a sticker that reads as follows: "This is notification that you, as a purchaser of 'PlayStation2' console & 'PlayStation2' MEMORY CARD (8MB), are prohibited to export these products without authorization by the Minister of International Trade and Industry except under special circumstances which meet the requirements of the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Law, as both products are categorized as Export Control Goods. (as of 1999/6/18)." Will this stop anyone from importing the system...I don't think it will stop to many people from trying, though I have heard that some shipping companies have been creepy about shipping anything that looks like it might be a Playstation 2. Anyway I know a lot of people who are getting or have already gotten their systems. Though I will say that it seems to me that less people are importing this system than the Sega Dreamcast at its launch. It might be because the system is coming out here in only 6 months and people are willing to wait. Also the cost of importing the system really varies: NCS(www.ncsx.com) is selling the system for $780.00 but I've seen them on eBay(www.ebay.com) for as low as 300.00!! The only problem with buying from a person who hasn't tested the system is that the system has had some problems: Overheating(sound familiar Dreamcast owners), glitchy memory cards, and DVD movie playback issues. If your going to buy a system make sure it's been tested by a person otherwise you could be getting a turkey. NCS has said they will test all Playstation 2's, the same thing they did for the Japanese Dreamcast, which also had some early problems. These glitches didn't stop the system from selling almost 1 Million systems in a couple days. Because of all the glitches however the launch was almost a disaster and now the recall is official in a statement from Sony: The utility CD-ROM disc that shipped with the PlayStation 2 will be recalled after it came to light that the DVD (digital versatile disc) player software contains a bug that allows users to override the region coding system. This system is intended to prevent users watching discs other than those sold in the region in which they live and is a vital part of the copyright-control system. The problem became apparent when instructions on how to modify the software began appearing on the Internet(and in this FAQ) SCEI adds that it will exchange for no charge the utility discs, either by mail or through any Seven-Eleven convenience store in Japan, and also work on making hardware modifications that prevent the faulty software from being loaded into future consoles. The new software also fixes two other problems with the DVD software. They are the occasional decrease in level of the analog audio output of the machine and interruptions to the audio that sometimes occurs through the digital audio output. Ouch! A. Japanese Launch Titles: 1. A-Train 6- Artdink 2. Den Sen Electric Lines - Sony 3. Doukyu Billiards 2 - Ask 4. Drum Mania - Konami 5. Eternal Ring - From Software 6. Kakinoki Shogi - Ascii Entertainment 7. Kesson - KOEI 8. Morita Shogi - Yuki Enterprise 9. Popolocrois 3 - Sony 10. Ridge Racer V - Namco 11. Stepping Selection - Jaleco 12. Street Fighter EX3 - Capcom 13. Unison - Tecmo B. Japanese PS2 Setup Guide. Due to numerous questions on these issues I decided i should include parts of a step by step setup guide. A, B, and C of the following section are from: www.ps2web.com I really feel this site to be the best PS2 site around. I recommend checking them out. More in depth information on these issues can also be found in News and Email section. 1. VOLTAGE ISSUES. Since the Japanese PS2 runs on a Japanese power system, you may need a power converter if you are using the system outside of the US or Japan. The United States and Canada run on a similar power system to Japan, but European and other foreign systems can zap the PS2 with twice as much voltage as it can take, frying the system. Here's a list of worldwide voltage measurements: United States and Canada: 110volts/30amps Japan: 100v/30a Most of Europe: 220v/30a The voltage is what really counts… if you try to run it on a Euro power system, you'll end up with a fried PS2. However, the American power system should be able to run the PS2 just fine, since the 10-20 volt difference won't really make a difference. Our PS2 runs fine on an American power system. Once you have your PS2 plugged in to the wall, you'll have to plug it in to your TV. Plug the AV output cord into the spot on the back of your system. The PS2 comes with the standard red, white, and yellow AV cables, so if your PS2 works with those you can plug them right into your TV. If you need to plug the PS2 in through a VCR, you will have trouble playing DVDs because of a kind of protections called Macrovision. To play DVDs you'll need to plug it in directly to the TV. Once all the plugs are in place, just put your controller and memory card into the slots, and flip the switch on the back of the system to turn it on. Use the green reset button on the front of the system to reset it, and the blue button to eject the disc. 2. CHANGE SYSTEM SETTINGS TO ENGLISH. Once you get your PS2 up and running, you'll need to decipher those Japanese characters to actually use the system. Fortunately, Sony has included an option to change the language on the system (not the games). Step-by-step instructions to change the language and time on the system are as follows: Turn on your PS2 with no disc inside. When the opening screen shows up, choose the bottom option of the two. You will see some Japanese text, then the time and date beneath it. Press UP once to get to the language select option. Press O to select this option, and select the choice to the right (English) by pressing O (circle). All the text should change to English. Now go back to the time and date set up, and change it to your time zone. You can also play around with the other options, but that's all you need to be able to play the system properly. Press X to get out of the configuration menu, and go into the Browser menu to select a game to play or browse the memory card. 3. THE DVD DRIVERS. The drivers, or software programs that allow the PS2's DVD drive to boot up, are located on the PS2's memory card, and are very easily deletable, especially if you have a card that gets corrupted by saving Ridge Racer V data. We were fortunate enough to get a functional memory card, but we ended up having to reinstall the drivers in order to play American DVDs on our system. It's a bit hard to decipher the Japanese utility disc, so we figured it out ourselves (with no knowledge of Japanese, mind you) to make your lives a little easier. Follow the step-by-step instructions below to have your DVD player up and running in no time. Delete your DVD driver from the memory card, if it hasn't already been accidentally deleted. Put your utility disc, which came in a small blue case in your PS2's box, into your disc drive. When the utility disc loads up, press O (circle) to proceed to the menu screen. Choose the last option, the one with DVD in the text. Press O to select it. Now you're in the DVD manual. Flip to the 4th page and press O to download the drivers to the memory card. You will be prompted to answer something in Japanese. Choose the option to the left. You will be asked to confirm your selection, choose the option to the left again. The download will now start, and will take a minute or so to complete. When the download's done, you will see one line of Japanese and an option to press X. Press X about 5 or 6 times in order to exit out of the utility disc. When you're back into the PS2's browser mode, you should be able to see the DVD driver on your memory card. Insert a DVD disc and follow the directions to play region 1 DVDs Enjoy the movie! Thanks again to www.ps2web.com 4. PLAY AMERICAN DVD's. One huge bonus for buying the system now is that with a simple code you can play BOTH Region 1(U.S) and Region 2(Japan,U.K) DVD's. This is beyond belief awesome, but of course Sony is already taking steps to fix this "problem". By the way The Gaming Intelligence Agency(www.thegia.com)says all three codes should be entered when the PlayStation 2 DVD bootup sequence begins fading to black. The buttons should be held until either the DVD movie starts up (1 line of Japanese) or a "region failed" message appears (2 lines of Japanese). If you get a region failed message, don't despair; just try again. The same disc will work some times and not others. Code 1: The best code for playing region 1 DVD's is from the old Gamefan Legend Nick Rox, he says to: Insert a first-generation PlayStation pad the kind with no analog controller(hope you have one lying around if not you can probably track one down at a second hand video game store)in Control Port 1 of the PS2. Insert a region 1 DVD and Hold UP on the pad until the DVD menu appears than Highlight the play icon and select it. He says this works 95% of the time which is better than the other codes by far. Code 2: The next code comes from J.T. Kauffman The code is: hold down L1, Circle, and Select. This code has worked with both the Dual Shock 1 and 2 with about 40% accuracy. Code 3: The final code comes from Barubary and is: press in L3 (the left analog stick) straight and hard. This code does not work with the Dual Shock 1, but works with the Dual Shock 2 with about 60% accuracy. Thanks to the GIA for all codes. There is talk of a memory Card recall so that new drivers can be installed to remove the Region 1 "glitch". Only morons would submit to this. Sadly all new PS2's will be free of this easy option to play both regions... 3. Let The Games Begin. Weekly Famitsu ratings(4 reviewers give 1-10 rating for a possible 40 points). If you don't know, Famitsu is the most respected Japanese videogame magazine around, A combined score of 32 is considered pretty good by these guys, anything from 33-37 is considered excellent, and 38-39 are contenders for game of the year. 40 is a perfect game and is almost unheard of as only 2 games have ever received 40 in the fifteen years of the magazine. Tekken Tag Tournaments score of 38/40 is the best score so far this year!. I also give my impressions of the launch titles and other soon to be or already released titles: A6 A Reisha de Ikou 6(A-Train 6) - Artdink (28/40) Armored Core 2 - From Software (33/40) American Arcade Pinball - Astroll AllStar Pro Wrestling - Square (31/40) The Bouncer - Square (28/40) Bikkuri Mouse - SCE (29/40) Buchigire Kongou - Artdink (26/40) Crossfire Square - EA Dark Cloud - Sony Dead or Alive 2 - Tecmo (34/40) One of the prettier Dreamcast games ever seems to be visually unchanged for PS2. People have complained about this game not using Anti-aliasing like the Dreamcast version. Den Sen Electric Lines - Sony Doukyu Billiards 2(Billiard Master 2) - Ask Dream Audition - Jaleco (28/40) Driving Emotion Type-S - Square (28/40) Drum Mania - Konami (32/40) Obligatory dance or beat game from Konami. Eikanko Koshien - Artdink (28/40) Eternal Ring - From Software (25/40) Amazing cinematic graphics. Evergrace - From Software (28/40) Fantavision - Sony-(31/40) Weird Galaga lock on type fireworks game? Said to be a puzzle game, but I don't believe it. FIFA Soccer World Championship - EA Square (30/40) Gekikuukan Pro Baseball - Square Golf Paradise - T&E Soft (27/40) This company has a golf game at every system launch! Really they have, think about it. Gradius III & IV - Konami (28/40) Super Nintendo launch title Gradius 3was a disaster because of major slowdown problems, this is not the case with this version however. Gran Turismo 2000 - Sony G-Savior - Sunrise Interactive (27/40) Gun Griffon Blaze - Capcom (33/40) Hresvelgr - Gust (26/40) I.Q. Remix - Sony-(28/40) Jikkyou World Soccer 2000 by Konami (31/40) Kakinoki Shogi - Ascii Kessen - Koei (32/40) Best cut scenes I've seen yet on the system! Love Story - Enix (29/40) Magical Sports: Koushien 2000 - Mahou (22/40) Mahjong Taikai III - Koei Morita Shogi - Yuki Enterprise - No Japanese launch would be complete without at least 3Shogi games. Popolocrois 3 - Sony Primal Image Vol.1 - Atlus Software (27/40) Ridge Racer V - Namco (36/40) Rock n' Mega Stage - Jaleco (24/40) Scandle - SCE (31/40) Shin Sangoku Musou - Koei (31/40) Sky Surfer - Idea Factory (22/40) Snowboard Heaven - Capcom (27/40) Sorcerous Stabber Orphen - Kadokawa Shoten (22/40) SSX - EA Street Fighter EX3 - Capcom (32/40) Street Mahjong Trance Mashin 2 - Sunsoft - See Shogi... Stepping Selection - Jaleco (32/40) Surfroid The Legendary Surfer - ASCII (30/40) Tekken Tag Tournament - Namco (38/40) - No Anti-aliasing? TVDJ - SCE (31/40) Unison - Tecmo Velvet Fire - Dazu (25/40) Wild Wild Racing - Imagineer (29/40) X-Fire - SCEI (30/40) 4. Play PSX games on PS2: One of the big questions about the Playstation 2 is: Can the Playstation 2 play Playstation 1 games? The answer is YES! And it actually enhances some games by adding 2 features which are selectable. The first is a speed setting which allows you to switch between 33.8 Mhz or 37.5Mhz this can speed up load times on some games. Although using the faster setting can also glitch out other games so thankfully you can select the speed. The other is a Texture Interpolation option which can clean up jagged edges and other problems with textures in some games. Once again this glitches out some games which is why they let you turn it on or off. A: Old PSX games that will not work on PS2 here is the list: (thanks to PS2City.com for this list) 1. Not Treasure Hunter (Acty Art) 2. Gradius Deluxe Pack (Konami) 3. Aidoru Promotion -Suzuki Yumie- (Alyume) 4. Toua Plan Shooting Battle (Banpresto) 5. Oukyuu No Hihou: Tension (Vap) 6. Wing Commander III (EA Square) 7. Gallop Racer (Tecmo) 8. Ongaku Tsukuuru: Kanadeeru 2 (Ascii) 9. Monster Farm (Tecmo) - the Japanese version of Monster Rancher 10. Dragonbeat (Map Japan) 11. Susume! Kaizoku (Artdink) 12. Tsuiridou Keiryu Kohen (Escot) 13. Virtua Pachisuro V (Map Japan) 14. Virtua Pachisuro EX (Map Japan) 15. Konya Mo Senryobako! 2000 (Hearty Robin) 16. Formula One 99 (SCE) 17. Namco Museum Encore (Namco) 18. Namco Museum Encore - Limited Edition (Namco) 19. Namco Museum Encore - Playstation The Best (Namco) 20. Densha Daisuki Purareru Ga Ippai (Tomy) Note that some of these titles may actually play on the PS2 but there will be some problems including glitchy FMV and other issues. B: Chart showing improvements(or not)using Playstation 1 games on Playstation 2 Loading - indicates if the PS2 speeds up load times on PSX games and by how much. Graphic - shows if texture interpolation helps or hinders old PSX games. Special Thanks to(www.the-magicbox.com)for this chart they rock! Magic Box Chart Game title - Game Loading - Graphic Changes Ace Combat 3 - Same - Better texture, more details and depth Chrono Trigger - Faster - Improved mode 7 graphics Chrono Cross - Faster menus - Better opening movie better graphics, less jagged can see the character faces Dew Prism - Same - No broken lines in polygons No polygon breakups Front Mission 3 - Faster menus - Much better details on each character Saga Frontier 2 - Same - No black lines between characters and background Vagrant Story - Faster menus - Better texture and details less jagged polygons Parasite Eve 2 - Slightly improved - Slightly better graphics and textures Valkyrie Profile - Same - Some characters look better Tales of Phantasia - Same - More details in the Map screen Star Ocean 2 - Same - More details in characters and maps Final Fantasy VIII - Faster disc access - Improved textures, but there are minor popup problems Xenogears - Faster disc access - More depth in the 3D background, better texture Final Fantasy V - Faster menus - Not much difference Gran Turismo 2 - Not much - Cured polygon breakup problems, less jagged lines XI Jumbo - Much faster - Much cleaner graphics, like playing in VGA mode Tekken 2 - Faster - Slightly improved texture quality Tekken 3 - Little faster - Cured polygon breakup problems Ridge Racer Revolution - Same - Much cleaner graphics Tokimeki Memorial - Same - Same, slightly inferior music quality Tokimeki Memorial 2 - Same - No difference Metal Gear Solid - Same - More depth to the background Ridge Racer Type 4 - Faster - Much better replay screen graphics RayStorm - Same - Not much difference Einhander - Faster - Not much difference Street Fighter Alpha - Much faster Same Favorite Dear - Much faster Same Densha de Go! - Faster - Much better background texture and depth Armored Core - Faster - Much better background texture and depth Bio Hazard - Double loading speed - Cleaner graphics and texture 5. Issues: Problems with the PS2(See News Section for in depth info) A: The Modem issue: Why is there is no Modem in the box? Well this is an interesting question, one reason is that the network is just not set up yet so we'll have to wait till sometime next year anyway. Another problem is that including a modem would raise the cost of an already expensive system to probably $400US. So I think it's not a mistake to ship without a modem in the box, especially because the PS2 is Ethernet compatible(cable modem) and for gaming this connection is the best way to go it's just way faster than phone lines! B: The Anti-aliasing issue: A lot of people are claiming the Sega Dreamcast has better looking graphics because it uses Anti-aliasing and the Playstation 2 either does not have it or just doesn't do it as good. Ridge Racer 5(PS2) does have some jagged non crisp edges and other oddities. In comparison Sega GT(Dreamcast) and Sega Rally 2(Dreamcast) do not have any of these problems! I say wait and see the PS2 can display far more Polygons than the Dreamcast, and in the end I'm sure this Anti-alias controversy will go away, I mean this is first generation PS2 people! I just don't think Sony is that stupid to trade Polygons for Anti-aliasing! 6. Email and News Q and A Section. As I have done with my Sega Dreamcast FAQ and NFL2K Glitch FAQ, I would love to hear from people who have imported the Playstation 2 and find out if they have had any problems, and get any other opinions on the system. I will also monitor the PS2 newsgroup for any relevant information as well. This kind of information can really help people decide if they should import the system or just wait till October, or even if the system is worth buying at all! I've not gone out of my way to fix spelling errors in this section, but some unnecesary swearing has been edited, sorry if this offends anyone. Special note sifting through a.g.v.ps2 has been both a venomous and hilarious experience, the lengths people go to both defend their favorite system and attack the opponent system are rediculous. If your thinking about monitoring this group here is a statement I found while examining the newsgroup: From ?: After noticing a couple of the rather vile posts I have read on the net it makes me wonder how these peoples minds ever became this disturbed or litteralely DUMB! Maybe they owned a failed games console? Or maybe they dont get enough attention at home? In Response: Visit the Mac and PC.advocacy groups (on second thoughts, don't...) if you think this newsgroup has it bad. There's nothing like a "my computer is better than yours" argument to bring the troglodytes out of the woodwork. Actually, strike that. There's nothing like a "my insert nation, religion, ethnic grouping, sexual preference, anything else you might care to think of is better than your <...>" argument to reveal just how far humanity has risen above the apes ... i.e. not very far. Kosovo, Northern Ireland, alt.games.video.sony-playstation2 -- it's hardwired into our genes. Seriously? How very sad. To me trolls are fairly irrelevant, you can either vent off some anger at them or just ignore them, but when they disguise themselves as other regs and insert themselves in ongoing threads and you can`t help but read their shit (you know who) then things just aren`t funny anymore. Actually i think now that i may have seemed a bit mad recently but i`m was vunerable at a very difficult time, and i just can`t be bothered with people anymore, i`m outta here. From Karim to alt.games.video.playstation2 (3-19-00) When i do the tip to play zone 1 dvds it sometimes activates the macrovision(the dvd is playing with a crappy picture) Anyone knows what to do? Thanks From Rob to alt.games.video.playstation2 (3-19-00) I am having trouble using Dolby digital on the PS2, I can get pro-logic but I get no sound when I select Dolby Digital. I am using a Sherwood Newcastle 925 AMP connected to the PS2 via an optical cable. I have tested Ridge Racer V and the PS2 boot up screen. I am not sure if either of these have DD though, does anyone know? I have also tried A US DVD and I don't get DD either. The only option I can find in the bios is to turn Optical on (which it is). Has anyone got DD to work on their PS2 or know what I have to do? Thanks for any help. Responce: Have you enabled Dolby Digital in the PS2's system menu? Also, are you sure that your amp is a Dolby Digital decoder? Greg. From Cameron to alt.games.video.playstation2 (3-19-00) When i play a ps2 game like street fighter the sound is just fine. Then i take out the game and pop in a dvd and it plays fine too, but the sound level goes WAY down, and i have to turn the volume up on my tv a whole lot! Then when i take the dvd out i have to turn it way down again! Does anyone know why this is, or if i need to set some dvd setting in the ps2? Thanks. From Cameron to alt.games.video.playstation2 (3-20-00) Do not move the PS2 while it's running a game. I had mine up on its side, and i layed it down flat. Right after that Street Fighter EX3 locked up and i took the cd out and there was a humongous circle scratch on it!!!!!! It wouldnt play anymore. From Del to alt.games.video.playstation2 (3-22-00) Hi guys, Just got my PS2, done the R1 DVD hack and can watch the majority of my R1 films, but all the widescreen ones are stretched vertically. Now I've had a look at the menu's and there seems an option on the DVD screen buts its stuck on 16:9. Can this be changed?? Stever responds: I found that from the dvd menu you can change the screen ratio from 16:9 but only when the disc is stopped, it's under menu 7 on the dvd panel. It only seemed to let me change it on some discs too, i tried a region 2 ntsc Leon Integral, but that wouldn't let me change the ratio, possibly somthing to do with it being an anamorphic disc, I was told by a dvd knolwedgeable friend. From Harry to alt.games.video.playstation2 (3-25-00) It's just funny to see that every Sony fan is now talking about interlacing(because of the really dissappointing screenshots) , raw power being not that important afterall (because PS2 is dwarfed by X-Box) and anti aliassing(which PS2 clearly lacks and it shows) while just a year ago PS2 would be so much better than DC because of the performance gap! Let's face it: the PS2 game screenshot's of today look worse than a year ago when the game was only 15% complete! Did it become worse overtime? Did they decide to scrap the smooth anti aliassing and decided to go for the raw edges??? Just compare GT2000's first released screenshots to the screenshots released recently! Next to the state-of-the-art PS2 the "old" and "slow" DC currently looks just as good. And why do all the DC screenshot's I have seen so far look stunning? To be honest, every Soul Calibur screenshot kicks TTT ass. These are also screenshots, why don't they get ugly because of interlacing??? So please don't call me a troll, I consider myself a general game console fan which is a bit disappointed with PS2 so far...(let's face it, it does not exactly live up to the hype now, does it?). From MP to alt.games.video.playstation2 (3-25-00) As the drivers are stored on memory card, could an improved version be released correcting the slight problems with the picture quality. Maybe third party or something. I know expecting an excellent games machine and a good DVD player is a bit much but If a third party company devoted more resources to improving it then maybe we could get better quality playback? From Jay to alt.games.video.playstation2 (3-25-00) Yeah, the DC sucks. I only wish Sega GT could look nearly as cruddy as GT2000. Sony screwed up with the PS2 by not allowing hardware anti-aliasing. This is a HUGE screw up... as is the idea of not releasing a modem. Sure they'll eventually have a cable modem, but how many people in the country have cable modem access (or even the ability to have it installed) compared to those that have a modem. Gheeeesh... a 56K modem costs about $20 now. You'd think they'd throw it in. Now don't go taking this as a complete PS2 bash (although I know it does sound that way), I'm a HUGE fan of the PSX, but I think Sony screwed up BIG on this. I'm still gonna get one, but don't go saying the DC sucks because it FAR from does. Right now, the games look better than PS2 games and almost all of them play excellent. -j. LOL, yeah well the advert "up to 6 billion players" has been banned here because everyone who bought a DC thinking they can play on-line games found out they coulnd't, Sega screwed up. Not only that, people in the UK will only be able to play people in Europe from September, I don't know when they'll ever be able to play anyone else, so no, Sega screwed up. Sony have done the sensible thing not limiting themselves to a cruddy 56k modem, when they can have a cable modem add-on. S. Dilorio responds: PS. Sega didn't screwed up with the online gaming..They will have it far before sony...if sony ever will because of a hardware issue. Online DC games are already starting to pop up..Not many but they are tests for the second part of the network servers. (somethign sony hasn't even begun working on.) and in this area the problem with dreamcast users are so many of us have Cable modems, one company or another, and can't use with dreamcast yet...but soon. Luckly Because of Win CE, it is easy to set up a free ISP to use with Dreamcast...so no need to pay for Interent access with the dreamcast. FFVIII online will be available soon to DC, so will Unreal Tournement, and Quake 3, to my suprise a port of Raven softs Star Trek Voyager Elite force has ben announced for DC, which will have online play. Have no idea when the ST voyager game will be released for DC, but a nice project... Tigermilk to alt.games.video.playstation2 (3-26-00) When the first PS2 launch release list was released, I was lickin' my chops. And as the weeks went on and the titles dwindled, there were still a few titles that made me want to run out and get a PS2. I really want to blow some cash on one, but so far it's hard to justify. The only game out right now I'd be remotely interested in (RR5) doesn't sit perfectly with me (I think the RR physics suck big time). I was desparately looking forward to GT2000 and every release date list I see has it TBA. Does anyone have a more firm date? The good news is that the price of the console will continue to drop as I wait for decent titles to show up, but after having bought an import DC last year, I caught the import bug. I want the darn thing but there just aren't any games out that interest me. Perhaps Driving Emotion-S, but we don't know what to expect there. I'd settle for Squares wrestling title, but even that is listed on IGN as Spring 2000! I really want my GT2K!!! From Vaipon to alt.games.video.playstation2 (3-26-00) Just a thought on FSAA(Anti-alising) seeing as everyone seems to be slating RRV for not including it. Remember how the PSX used pixel dithering on virtually all of last years titles? This made the graphics look very grainy in some places, but allowed stunning shooters like OmegaBoost, and adventures like Metal Gear Solid and Silent Hill to be made. It involved updating only certain pixels on certain polygons with each frame update to minimise CPU load. It was a tradeoff between visual definition and framerate, and in these cases framerate was seen as the more important factor. Well, Full Screen Anti Aliasing could be the same kinda thing in a couple of years. When programmers are looking for ways of increasing dwindling framerates, one of the first optimisations they will commit to is losing the FSAA. Gamers want 60fps, so even though FSAA isn't being used by the console at the moment, I don't think it will be used at the end of the PS2's life either. 60fps is more important than visual definition, ask anyone who plays Quake 3 Arena multiplayer. From Nospam to to alt.games.video.playstation2 (3-27-00) Hi, This past weekend, I decided to try out my PS2's DVD playback ability. I connected an optical cable between the PS2 and my DD/DTS receiver. I put in an NTSC Region 1 DVD (with Dolby Digital) and played it. however, it would only play back in PCM. I then put it in my "normal" DVD player, and it played back in DD just fine. Thinking, maybe my cable or port were bad, I swapped optical cables between my DVD player and the PS2, and also plugged it into the port that the PS2 cable was using. Still, I got the same result. So, at least I know that there is nothing wrong with my optical cables or inputs on the receiver. I then tried some other Region 1 DD DVDs, but got the same result. Maybe something is wrong with the Region 1 playback? Maybe my PS2 digital output is bad? If anyone has any ideas or info about this, please let me know. Thank-you in advance. NOTE: I DID verify that the "Digital Output (Optical) setting in the System Configuration, was set to "ON". Also, in case anyone is compiling a list of known Region 1 DVD incompatabilities, I have a potential title for you. I tried "A Life Less Ordinary", and using the controller code, it gets to the PS2 DVD player menu just fine. However, after moving the cursor to the "play arrow" and selecting it, the following happens: The screen goes black for a couple of seconds, and it takes me back to the PS2 DVD player menu. Greg responds: Have you got Dolby Digital enabled in the menu? Also, is "A Life Less Ordinary" a Paramount DVD because some Paramount DVDs have extra region-coding protection that checks the region-coding when the DVD is played. I had the same problem with South Park Movie which is a Paramount protected DVD. Nospam responds: Greg, I only enabled the Digital Output in the main PS2 system configuration. If I need to do this in the PS2 DVD player menu as well, then I will need to be pointed to a translation section on a website or FAQ. I checked out the hardware guide on that IGN PS2 site, but they did not have DVD player menu translations (unless I missed it). From Null to alt.games.video.playstation2 (3-27-00) More PS2 Problems: MACROVISION PlayStation2: PlayStation2 owners have discovered a second way to exploit the console - the analog RGB output is now being used to illegally copy DVD content to videotape. According to the EE Times, this act circumvents the system's copy-protection technology and the technique is already being discussed on Japanese websites. Owners of the console have already been able to subvert a geographical code for DVDs. A company spokesman said that Sony installed in PlayStation2 appropriate means of preventing any illegal analog-to-analog copying, by providing security coding from Macrovision for all the system's output interface signals: RGB, composite, component and S-Video. Sony worked with Macrovision, the Sony spokesman said. The issue is whether or not Sony has violated a DVD industry agreement that prohibits DVD players from having an analog RGB interface. If so, Hollywood studios could take some form of action against gaming giant. SCE has acknowledged that problems with copy protection can arise from the use of an analog RGB interface, but said the company did nothing wrong and that the RGB interface on the PlayStation 2 complies with the DVD specs. A Sony Picture Entertainment source said, "Although we have not received any technical information about this issue yet, if the content is actually being copied from PlayStation2, we need to discuss matters with Sony Computer Entertainment to take effective measures." Expect to hear more on this soon. From Rubix to alt.games.video.playstation2 (3-27-00) I want to hook up the PS2 i have using an RF modulator because DVD's played through my VCR are corrupted by copy protection and my TV does not have composite plugs.. obviously i have an import PS2 will a regular PS RF modulator, work with the PS@? any help would be greatly appreciated.... thanks Hiryu responds: Yep it does... I tried 2 NTSC -> PAL converters, one was designed specifically for the PSX, worked without a problem.. picture was rather crap tho'..:) From Mark to alt.games.video.playstation2 (3-28-00) Curious If I can run the PS2 in VGA thru my DTV like I do with my DreamCast. Cameron responds: I think there will eventually be a VGA adapter for the ps2 because it is "supposed" to do something like 1280x1000 resolution which a tv obviouslycannot do! And surely they will at least have one just because the DC does. From TheHut to alt.games.video.playstation2 (3-30-00) So sony "issued" a recall, which basically means "Look DVD consortium, what do you want us to do? Go out in a van tracking down all PS2`s, boot the door down and forcefully swap discs? This all we can do now get the hell off our backs" Just who the HELL is going to willfully give up their only method of playing US DVD`s?? Even if you were selling you PS2 you could keep the disc and it`ll be worth a fair few quid on it`s own soon. If i knew i could get hold of one i`d probably buy a jap PS2 now as it looks like the UK ones will be well protected, and i want my region 1 DVD`s! Although can an import shop have one and take customers cards and copy the driver to his mem cards to allow region 1 playback? If so then Sony may have shot themselves in the foot with this one, virtually everyone will get it done. From Ste Birmo to alt.games.video.playstation2 (4-3-00) Okay, so it transpires Sony are just as fallible as the rest of us and are themselves liable to the odd cockup. But so what, it's nothing disastrous and ultimately it will not change a single thing. Poke fun by all means, but please don't come in here and spout pure crap and expect us to swallow it. So far, PlayStation2 has only been released in one territory and as is the case with these things most of the games released with it appeal directly to that particular market. So at this early stage only an idiot would criticise the lack of decent games. And as for those who believe Sony's subdued presence at the TGS was because they have nothing to show, well, what can I say... ...WAKE UP! I personally couldn't give a toss what any website(Gamefan) says, the fact is Sony is holding back and will have the biggest presence of all at the biggest show of all (and the one that counts ahead of its western launch) - E3. Anyone who doesn't immediately realise this is not looking at the bigger picture or is just a biased, blinkered, deluded fool. From Walt to alt.games.video.playstation2 (4-4-00) Driving Emotion Type-S replay stuttering Is anyone else getting this problem on the replays? From some camera angles, the replay stutters badly. From Vaipon to alt.games.video.playstation2 (4-8-00) I just pressed reset on my PS2, and instead of it rebooting, the screen just stayed black! After some panicking, I pressed reset again and all was well. Some guy on the RR5 GameFaqs forum says it has happened to him a few times. Just wondered if anyone else has seen this problem, and whether it is a big deal or not? Roy Responds: I had the same problem once. Seems an incident, hasn't happen again and the PS2 seems to be working fine. TheHut responds: Doubt if it`s a biggie, it happens on my old playstation if i tap the reset button lightly and quickly. From Fred to alt.games.video.playstation2 (4-8-00) I was wondering if its normal that the PS2 with a game in it spins extremely fast. No slowdown at all. The whole PS2 is vibrating. With RR5 its definetly everytime I play the game. Vaipon responds: Your Ridge 5 disc is probably very slightly warped. This is quite common amongst CDs, and some are produced slightly warped or off balance. It's no big deal when you're playing them in your audio CD player, but when the disc is spinning at 24x then it amplifies the problem somewhat. I doubt it is doing any actual harm to your PS2 as most fast drives are designed to cope with slightly imperfect discs, however if the noise is getting on your nerves then you could try and return the CD to your dealer and get it changed for another copy. From Vaipon to alt.games.video.playstation2 (4-8-00) Another boring query. When you press the triangle button and go into the version menu on a PS2, and you press triangle again on the unit option, what does the "Diagnosis" function do? Does anyone know, coz I can't seem to work it out as it has no noticeable effect. Greg responds: This was discussed a while back (I found it first! Sorry, don't mean to brag.) but nobody managed to do anything with it. My bet is that its basically a debug mode that kicks in if an error occurs. However, since there don't seem to be any errors it obviously doesn't kick in. 7. Playstation 2 specs and comparison to all next-gen systems! So how does the PS2 compare to the other Next Gen systems? Heh heh heh...check out the hilarious comparison of the 128-Bit PS2 vs. the alleged 64-Bit Atari Jaguar!!! Make special note of the polygons per second battle. The battle between the PS2 and Microsoft X-Box may be one to watch. Note: I have read about the new Linux based system coming out named Indrema with specs comparable to the X-Box. If it's legit I may add this system to the showdown. The official site is (www.indrema.com) The Ultimate System Showdown: 32-Bit and on! System: 3DO Multiplayer Japanese launch: 1994? U.S.A launch: October 1993 U.S.A launch Price: $799.00 Format: 32-Bit CD system CPU: ARM60 32-bit RISC Graphics processor: 2 25MHZ 32bit Custom Risc Clock speed: 25Mhz RAM: 2 Megabyte Sound Processor: 16-Bit Stereo/44.1Khz CD-ROM speed: 2X Max game size: 650 Megabyte (per CD) Controller ports: 1! Save game type: System Memory card slots: None? Vibration type: None Mascot: Gex Best game: Star Control 2! System: Atari Jaguar Japanese launch: Not Released? U.S.A launch: December 1993 U.S.A launch Price: Atari Jaguar-$249.00/Jaguar CD-$149.99 Format: 32/64-Bit Cartridge System/optional Jaguar CD CPU: 32/16-bit Motorola 68000, 32/16-bit RISC DSP 64-bit OP and a 32-bit/64-bit GPU Risc Graphics processor: 32-bit/64-bit Risc GPU Clock speed: 26.6Mhz MIPS: 26.6 Polygons per second: 10,000-yes ten thousand! RAM: 2 Megabyte Sound processor: 16-Bit/44.1Khz CD-ROM speed: 2X Max game size: 6 Megabyte Per Cartridge (790Megabytes per CD) Controller ports: 2 Save game type: Cartridge Memory card slots: None Vibration type: None Mascot: None Best game: Alien vs. Predator System: Sega Saturn Japanese launch: 11/22/1994 U.S.A launch: 5/11/1995 U.S.A launch Price: $399.00 Format: 32bit/CD-ROM with a Cartridge Expansion CPU: 2 Hitachi 32bit RISC and Hitachi 32bit SHI Graphics processor: 32-Bit VDP1 and 32-Bit VDP2 Clock speed: 28Mhz MIPS: 25 Polygons per second: 200,000 with Textures/500,000 Flat Shaded RAM: 4 Megabyte (2 Meg Main/1.54 Meg Video) Sound processor: 32 voice 16-Bit Stereo 113Mhz Yamaha68EC000 CD-ROM speed: 2X Max game size: 650 Megabyte (per CD) Controller ports: 2 Save game type: Internal and Cartridge Memory card slots: 1 Vibration type: None Mascot: Nights Best game: Nights! System: Sony Playstation Japanese launch: 12/3/1994 U.S.A launch: 9/9/1995 U.S.A launch Price: $299.00 Format: 32bit/CD-ROM CPU: 32bit RISC R3000S Graphics processor: 32-Bit GPU Clock speed: 33.87MHz MIPS: 30 Main Processor or 66 with Geometry Engine Polygons per second: 360,000 Rendered in hardware/500,000 Textured 1.5 Million Flat Shaded RAM: 3 Megabyte (2 Megabyte Main/1 Megabyte video) Sound processor: 16-Bit Stereo 24 Channel/44.1Khz CD-ROM speed: 2X Max game size: 650 Megabyte (per CD) Controller ports: 2 Save game type: Memory Card Memory card slots: 2 Vibration type: Dual Shock Controller Mascot: Lara Croft, Crash Bandicoot, and Sweet Tooth Current best games: Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill and the Final Fantasy's System: Nintendo 64 Japanese launch: 6/23/1996 U.S.A launch: 9/29/1996 U.S.A launch Price: $249.00 Format: Cartridge CPU: 64bit R4300 RISC Clock speed: 93.75 MHz Graphics processor: 62.5Mhz 64-bit RISC "Reality Immersion" MIPS: 125 Mips FLOPS: 100 Million Polygons per second: 160,000 with all hardware features enabled RAM: 4 Megabyte or 8 Megabyte with the Expansion Pak Sound processor: 16-Bit Stereo/44.1Khz CD-ROM speed: No loading!!!!! Max game size: 256 megabit (so far) Controller ports: 4 Save game type: Cartridge or Controller pak Memory card slots: 4 (controller) Vibration type: Rumble Pak Mascot: Mario Current best game: The Legend Of Zelda: The Ocarina Of Time System: Sega Dreamcast Japanese launch: 11/20/1998 U.S.A launch: 9/9/1999 U.S.A launch Price: $199.00 Format: GD-ROM/Windows CE CPU: 128-Bit Hitachi SH4 RISC Clock speed: 200MHz Graphics processor: NEC Power VR Second Generation MIPS: 360 Mips FLOPS: 1.4 Billion Polygons per second: 3 Million RAM: 26 Megabyte (16MB main/8MB video/2 MB sound) Sound processor: 64 Voice-Yamaha Super Intelligent Sound Processor GD-ROM speed: 12X Max game size: 1 Gigabyte(per CD) Controller ports: 4 Save game type: Visual Memory System Memory card slots: 8 (controller) Vibration type: Jump Pack Modem included: Yes Broadband/Ethernet: Coming Soon Mascot: Sonic Current best games: Shenmue, Resident Evil: Code Veronica and Ecco The Dolphin System: Sony Playstation 2 Japanese launch: 3/4/2000 U.S.A launch: October 26 2000 U.S.A launch Price: $299.00 Format: CD-ROM(Playstation)and DVD-ROM(Playstation 2) Is backwards compatible with Playstation 1! CPU: 128-Bit "Emotion Engine" Graphics processor: 150Mhz GS Clock speed: 294.912 MHz Resolution: 1080x1224 Full anti-aliasing: No FLOPS: 6.2 Billion Polygons per second: 75 Million, 20 Million with effects RAM: 32 Megabyte Sound processor: 48 Channel/48Khz DVD-ROM speed: 4X CD-ROM speed: 24X Max game size: 4.7 Gigabyte (per DVD) Controller ports: 2 Save game type: 8MB Memory Card Memory card slots: 2 Vibration type: Dual Shock 2 Modem included: Not in the box, but supported Broadband/Ethernet: Not yet, but supported HDTV support: Yes Mascot: Best game: SSX System: Nintendo GameCube Japanese launch: 2001 U.S.A launch: 2001 U.S.A launch Price: $199.00 Format: Custom DVD CPU: IBM Gekko Processor Graphics processor: ArtX Custom GP Clock speed: 405MHz Polygons per second: 12 Million Full anti-aliasing: Yes RAM: 40 Megabyte Sound Processor: 64 Channel/48Khz Controller ports: 4 Save game type: Digicard Memory card slots: 2 Modem included: Yes Broadband/Ethernet: Yes HDTV support: Yes Mascot: Mario System: Microsoft X-Box Japanese launch: Late 2001 U.S.A launch: Late 2001 U.S.A launch Price: $300.00? Format: DVD/Windows 2000 Operating System CPU: Intel Pentium III Graphics processor: Nvidia NV15 GPU Clock speed: 733MHz Resolution: 1920x1080 Polygons per second: 300 Million, 100 Million with effects Full anti-aliasing: Yes RAM: 64 Megabyte Sound processor: 64 Voice BDL2 Processor DVD-ROM speed: 5X Max game size: 4.7 Gigabyte (per DVD) Controller ports: 4 Save game type: 8GB Hard Drive Memory card slots: 8MB Memory Card Vibration type: Unknown Modem included: No Broadband/Ethernet: Yes HDTV support: Yes Mascot: Bill Gates 8. My favorite games list. I've noticed that when people buy a new system or look at a new system FAQ they are often reminded about the systems they used to think were awesome and how much better this new system is. I mean I can't believe that 20 years ago i used to consider the Atari 2600 an "awesome" system. Now with games like Resident Evil: Code Veronica and Ecco The Dolphin: Defender Of The Future it might be easy to forget the past systems and games that were really cool. I am including this list for the people who still play games on these systems, and for nostalgia for everyone else. I got this idea when Gamefan ran some All Time lists from several of their reviewers, and in the old days I had kept a list myself, so here it is my video game history. My Favorite Video Games 1980-2000 Mike Schwan 12-10-2000 Sega Master System 1. Phantasy Star 2. Wonderboy In Monsterland 3. Miracle Warriors 4. Y's: The Vanished Omen 5. Golvellius: Valley Of Doom 6. Wonderboy III: The Dragons Trap 7. R-Type 8. Space Harrier 3-D 9. Shinobi 10. Zillion II: The Tri-Formation Nintendo Entertainment System 1. Bionic Commando 2. The Legend Of Zelda 3. Metal Gear 4. Ghosts N' Goblins 5. Super Mario Brothers 3 6. Castlevania 7. Mega Man 8. Super Mario Brothers 9. Castlevania 3 10. Metroid 11. Super Mario 2 12. Lifeforce 13. Blaster Master 14. Rygar 15. Contra Sega Genesis/Sega CD/32X 1. Ghouls N' Ghosts 2. Strider 3. Phantasy Star II 4. Target: Earth 5. Revenge Of Shinobi 6. Sonic CD 7. Castle Of Illusion: Starring Mickey Mouse 8. Lunar: The Silver Star Story 9. Gaiares 10. Castlevania: Bloodlines NEC Turbo-Grafx 16/Turbo Duo PC Engine Super CD/Super-Grafx 1. Dracula X 2. Y's Books I & II 3. Legendary Axe 4. Ghouls N' Ghosts 5. Might And Magic III: Isles Of Terra 6. Shadow Of The Beast 7. Y's Book IV: The Dawn Of Y's 8. Cosmic Fantasy Story 2 9. Valis II 10. Aldynes Super Nintendo 1. Final Fantasy 5 2. Final Fantasy 6 3. Super Ghouls N' Ghosts 4. Super Mario World 5. The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past 6. F-Zero 7. Street Fighter 2 8. Final Fantasy 4 9. Demon's Crest 10. Super Mario Kart SNK Neo-Geo/Neo-Geo CD/Neo Geo MVS 1. Garou: Mark Of The Wolves 2. King Of Fighters 98 3. Samurai Shodown II 4. King Of Fighters 99 5. League Bowling 6. Samurai Shodown III 7. Last Blade 2 8. 2020 Super Baseball 9. Magician Lord 10. Samurai Shodown IV 3DO Multiplayer 1. Star Control 2 2. Alone In The Dark 3. Super Street Fighter II Turbo 4. Myst 5. Dragon's Lair 6. Night Trap 7. Crash N' Burn 8. Gex 9. Escape From Monster Manor 10. Slayer Atari Jaguar 1. Alien Vs. Predator 2. Tempest 2000 3. Cybermorph 4. Wolfensten 3D 5. Doom Sega Saturn 1. Nights Into Dreams... 2. Christmas Nights 3. Virtua Fighter 2 4. Panzer Dragoon Saga 5. Shining Force 3 6. Rayman 7. Street Fighter Alpha 3 8. Vampire Savior 9. Shining The Holy Ark 10. Sega Rally Championship Sony Playstation 1. Final Fantasy 9 2. Final Fantasy 8 3. Metal Gear Solid 4. Final Fantasy 7 5. Wipeout 3 6. Silent Hill 7. Final Fantasy Tactics 8. Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night 9. Resident Evil 2 10. Chrono Cross 11. Resident Evil 3: Nemesis 12. Wipeout XL 13. Medievil 14. Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver 15. Mega Man Legends Nintendo 64 1. The Legend Of Zelda: The Ocarina Of Time 2. Super Mario 64 3. Wave Race 64 4. Wipeout 64 5. The Legend Of Zelda: Majora's Mask 6. Donkey Kong 64 7. Banjo-Kazooie 8. Star Wars: Rogue Squadron 9. Diddy Kong Racing 10. Pilotwings 64 Sega Dreamcast 1. Shenmue 2. Ecco The Dolphin: Defender Of The Future 3. Virtua Fighter 3: Team Battle 4. Resident Evil Code: Veronica 5. Street Fighter 3: Third Strike 6. Rayman 2: The Great Escape 7. NFL2K1 8. King Of Fighters 99: Dream Match 9. SNK vs Capcom: Millennium Fight 2000 10. Seaman Sony Playstation 2 1. SSX 2. Time Splitters 3. Madden 2001 4. Ridge Racer 5 5. Summoner ALL TIME TOP 40 (1980-2000) 1. Nights Into Dreams... (SAT) 2. Shenmue (CAST) 3. Final Fantasy 9 (PSX) 4. Final Fantasy 8 (PSX) 5. Metal Gear Solid (PSX) 6. Final Fantasy 7 (PSX) 7. SSX (PS2) 8. Wipeout 3 (PSX) 9. Star Control 2 (3DO) 10. The Legend Of Zelda: The Ocarina Of Time (N64) 11. Super Mario 64 (N64) 12. Silent Hill (PSX) 13. Ecco The Dolphin: Defender Of The Future (CAST) 14. Ghouls N' Ghosts (GEN)& (SGX)& (SAT) &(PSX) 15. Final Fantasy Tactics (PSX) 16. Strider (GEN) 17. Shadow Of The Beast (AMIGA) 18. Resident Evil Code: Veronica (CAST) 19. Final Fantasy 5 (SNES) 20. Final Fantasy 6 (SNES) 21. Dracula X (PCE) 22. Y's Books I& II (DUO) 23. Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night (PSX) 24. Super Ghouls N' Ghosts (SNES) 25. Wave Race (N64) 26. Phantasy Star 2 (GEN) 27. Bionic Commando (NES) 28. Phantasy Star (SMS) 29. Super Mario World (SNES) 30. Alone In The Dark (3DO) 31. Resident Evil 2 (PSX) 32. Chrono Cross (PSX) 33. The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past (SNES) 34. Final Fantasy 4 (SNES) 35. Target Earth (GEN) 36. F-Zero (SNES) 37. Revenge Of Shinobi (GEN) 38. Alien Vs. Predator (JAG) 39. Legendary Axe (TG16) 40. Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (PSX) Top 10 Fighters 1. Virtua Fighter 3: Team Battle (CAST) 2. Street Fighter 3: Third Strike (CAST) 3. Garou: Mark Of The Wolves (Geo) 4. King Of Fighters Dream Match 99 (CAST) 5. Samurai Showdown 2 (GEO) 6. King Of Fighters 99: Evolution (Cast) 7. Last Blade 2 (Geo) 8. SNK vs Capcom: Millennium Fight 2000 (Cast) 9. Vampire Saviour (SAT) 10. Soul Calibur (CAST) System Codes: Sega Master System-SMS Nintendo Entertainment System-NES Sega Genesis-GEN Sega CD-SCD TurboGrafx 16-TG16 Turbo Duo-DUO PC Engine-PCE Super Grafx-SGX Super Nintendo-SNES Neo Geo-Geo 3DO Multiplayer-3DO Atari Jaguar-JAG Sega Saturn-SAT Sony Playstation-PSX Nintendo 64-N64 Sega Dreamcast-CAST Sony Playstation 2-PS2 Notes: I must personally beat the game to be included on the All-Time list, the only exception is the impossible to beat Shadow Of The Beast on the Amiga. I have beaten the Genesis and Turbo-Duo versions of the game though. My favorite other system games are: Atari 2600(This is old school!): Frogger Mattel Intellivision: Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Colecovision: Montezuma's Revenge Commodore Amiga: Shadow Of The Beast PC: Blade Runner Nintendo Gameboy: Super Mario Land Atari Lynx: Electrocop Sega Game Gear: Castle Of Illusion NEC PC-FX: Team Innocent Arcade: Space Ace! Other Awards: Best Game of 70's: Pong -197X- (Arcade) I am only 29 but I remember playing it in a bowling alley and sitting down to do it at around the time of the first Star Wars film in 1977. I believe this was the only video game I played in the 70's. Best Game of 80's: Shadow Of The Beast -1989- (AMIGA)The first game to totally blow my mind in both music and graphics. This game ran at 50! frames per second and had 128 colors on screen with a ridiculous 13! layers of scrolling, plus it offered ultra insane challenge! And has the best original videogame soundtrack ever bar none! The home videogame console versions were never even close to being as good. The best console version was probably on the TurboDuo it had nice graphics and the music on this version is shockingly good, the Duo versions only problem was that it was just way to easy. The Atari Lynx version really kicked ass as the graphics were almost quite nice when compared to the Amiga version but only on a smaller screen although the music was very poor. 80's runner up: Phantasy Star 2 -1989- I beat this game twice with all 8 characters, I loved it that much! This game was hard as hell even with the Walkthrough that came packaged with the game. Not much by todays standards but I remember when their was nothing better than this. Best Game of 90's: Nights Into Dreams... -1996- (SAT) This is the most played game by me ever and I have been unable to improve my scores for some time. This is one of those games that either you get it or you don't! You really have to think of this game as if it's a racing game, but you are also able to do stunts. The highlight of Sonic Adventure for me was the Nights Pinball game and the sequel to Nights on Dreamcastis my number one most wanted game. 90's Runner up: Final Fantasy 8 -1999- (PSX) Best RPG ever, and easily the most underrated game of all time. No RPG has ever been this deep and this beautiful. At 4 Disks long casual gamers need not apply, I've noticed that the learning curve in this game is far longer than in Final Fantasy 7 but the rewards are so much infinitely greater in FF8. The story is so epic that playing through this game really is a wonderful emotional experience. The music in this game also smashes all previous RPG's and is some ways is the best ever done for a videogame. People complained about the unlimited use of summons, ya know what the summons were useless, they do no damage and you can't speed em'up! Junction Junction what's my function, with some simple draw and junctioning to Attack you will never want to summon again well maybe 1 time each to see how amazing looking they are! My 2nd time through this game I used no summons and beat the game and the Mega-bastard Omega! Also this game has the best ending in the history of videogames ever, nothing else even comes close, and is easily the most amazing thing I have ever seen in a videogame!!! Easily Best RPG of the 90's and Ever... I Don't see how FF9 can top this although I am very happy that they are going back to the Crystal system used in Final Fantasy 5 and Final Fantasy Tactics. Best Games of 00's: Shenmue, Final Fantasy 9, Ecco The Dolphin: Defender Of The Future(CAST), Resident Evil Code : Veronica (CAST) and SSX. It's early! The games I am really looking forward to in the new Millennium are Metal Gear, Solid 2, Silent Hill 2, Virtua Fighter X, Street Fighter 4, The Bouncer Final Fantasy 10-18, Zone Of Enders and any sequels to Ghosts n' Goblins, Resident Evil, Phantasy Star Zelda and Mario. Last but not least of course my most wanted: Nights 2. Best of the Best: Best Graphics - Shenmue (CAST) Ecco The Dolphin: Defender Of The Future (CAST) SSX (PS2) Resident Evil Code: Veronica (CAST) Rayman 2: The Great Escape (CAST) Madden 2001 (PS2) Best Music - Shadow Of The Beast (AMIGA)&(GEN)&(DUO)&(LYNX) Wipeout Series (PSX)&(SAT)&(N64) Ecco The Dolphin Series (SCD) & (CAST) Final Fantasy 8 (PSX) Best Sound FX- Resident Evil Code: Veronica (CAST) Resident Evil Series 1-3 (PSX)&(SAT)&(N64)&(CAST) Most Underrated - Final Fantasy 8 (PSX) Target: Earth (GEN) Alien vs. Predator (JAG) Most Challenging - Target:Earth (GEN) Shadow Of The Beast (AMIGA)&(GEN) Ecco The Dolphin: Defender Of The Future (CAST) Best Story - Final Fantasy 8 (PSX) Metal Gear Solid (PSX) Silent Hill (PSX) Star Control 2 (3DO) Alone In The Dark (3DO) Best Ending - Final Fantasy 8 Metal Gear Solid Best Voice Acting - Metal Gear Solid Star Control 2 Worst Voice Acting - House Of The Dead (CAST) Goldman... Resident Evil (PSX) "Maybe you the master of unlocking can use it" Worst Game - Strip Janken (3DO) My friend bought this bum in New York and set back gaming 15 years in the process. Anyone remember the Porky's Videogame for the Atari 2600? It was better! At least it was a game, I will say that the girls in Strip Janken were babes though. I believe this title was named Strip Janken I am not 100% sure, it was definitely a Japanese 3DO game though. 9. Credits and Thanks: Anyone who knows more than me please Email me and help me out. I could really use some help regarding the 3DO Multiplayer and the Atari Jaguar, since they've been dead for so long I have had trouble finding specs for all the categories, and the systems release dates. Spec info and PS2 launch info gathered from Official Sony Playstation site, Nintendo Power Source, Sega Hard Stuff, Next Generation Magazine, Next Generation Online, I.G.N, CNN, Daily Radar, The Magic Box and Gamers Republic. Atari Jaguar specs gleaned from above sources and: The Jaguar FAQ by Robert A. Jung and The Jaguar Underground Documentation. 3DO specs gleaned from above mentioned sources and the 3D0 Today site. Note: Some system specs gleaned using PSYCHIC POWERS!!! Thanks to everyone who has sent EMAIL to me over the years. And thanks for people not yelling at me for liking Godzilla Generations for Dreamcast. What can I say I just love Gojira. Sometimes having Godzilla running around smashing stuff is my bag baby. Thanks to Vic for showing me the ways of Target:Earth More Special thanks to Paul for recommending many of the import games on my Favorite games list, his excellent import video game shop is Raven Video Games http://ravenvideogames.net/ so go check em out! Even more special thanks to GameFAQs for being the best website in the world. http://www.gamefaqs.com Ultimate and Final Special thanks to the old Inner Circle of gamers consisting of Chance, Travis, Jeff, and Myself. Without this group I would not have played many of the games on my Top Games list. This FAQ is a c2000 Merle Brothers Production TM. And may not reproduced without my permission (Mike Schwan) under the penalty of death! "I want you all to remember that I love