PixyJunket

http://news.spong.com/detail/news.asp?prid=7676

PixyJunket

Interesting that is uses top-loading (if this article isn't fake). That means I'll be able to play my imports with a boot disc. It also means the little internet kids can play bootlegs. Obviously the top-loading makes the unit much cheaper (and would cause less drive problems). If the boot discs work I'm on top of this one, I bought my PS2 for imports and have had nothing but trouble with my initial mod-chip.

fumanstan

Out of curiosity, how does top loading allow pirating while tray loading doesn't?

Superboy

I hear ya Pixy. I bit the bullet and had to get a Japanese PS2 to play all those great import shooters.

I think they'll still nullify the use of boot disks somehow. It'll probably be like the current PS2 where opening up the drive or hitting reset takes you to a boot screen and doesn't automatically load the game.

PixyJunket

The eject button on the current PS2 sends a signal that the tray is being opened. Using a boot disc on the current PS2 without added a top-loading lid involves using something to pry the tray open to swap discs, which as you can guess is a very bad idea.

Now that you mentioned it, I'm sure the new system will have something that tells the system the drive is being opened, but that's usually easier to work around.

tomwaits

fumanstan,
Top loading allows you to swap from a boot disc to an import without the system detecting a tray open. The system will read the boot code from the boot disc, then just load the game data after a swap.

There will probably be a small mechanical trigger to detect the top opening, and it's easy to lock a mechanical trigger down. On the PS1, you could lock the trigger with a spring or pencil eraser. On the Saturn, you could just tape the trigger down.

Even if they find a way to prevent the current boot discs, someone will probably release an updated PSTwo compatible version.

fumanstan

Thanks

Trigger

Kinda wish it was better looking. Still - I may get one since I've never owned my own PS2 console (just a bunch of games)... either that or wait for a PS3.

darkside

I was kind of hoping they would move completely away from the current look of the PS2, but overall it is a nice design. Definitely something I'll pick up when it hits $99.

jeffdsmith

Nintendo is going to have to release a smaller Gamecube to remain competitive.

I'm very happy to see the revision, now I just pray that MS follows suit with the xbox.

Superboy

Just because the hardware is new doesn't mean that they'll change the software. It'll probably still have the rediculously long boot time.

jw2299

Wow, it's considerably smaller. I was also hoping that they would move away from the basic shape though.

Big Worms

Awesome. One question, what do you think is going to happen to the current one if it sells for the same price?

darkside

They may discontinue the current one over the next few months. The HD add on is pretty much dead so I see no reason not to get rid of it. Anyone that wanted FFXI probably already has it and I don't see Sony giving the HD any more support than that.

Trigger

We're just being nice... it's fugly - let's face facts... admit it.

dvd-fanman

Official Release from Sony....

http://www.us.playstation.com/pressreleases.aspx?id=227

tek2k

it's sleek and sexy, two things the xbox aren't
let's face facts, admit it

Gizmo

Its fast and powerful... two things the PS2 is not.

Trigger

I didn't wanna start some console nit pick match or anything - I guess I was just hoping the smaller version of the ps2 would be more rounded or something - more friendly. This is just a much smaller version of the one that's already out and from an asthetics standpoint, I didn't ever much care for the looks of it. It's totally cosmetic really and I'm not saying anything bad about the console... I do like that it's so small now, just wish they had smoothed out those sharp corners. It's such a dated look (and it was dated when the first ps2 was released I thought). Just my humble opinion. I actually think the xbox is kinda cool looking - my biggest gripe is that it has no reset button... hopefully in the future all consoles come with a reset button on the controller or some solution. I liked that it was heavy and that the controllers came with easy disconnects so you couldn't pull it off a shelf (had a few accidents with the ps2 due to cords being tripped over and having games get all scratched up while spinning inside the toppled ps2).

spankyj

So it looks as if the rumors were true. Very cool.

I just bought another PS2, but I would have probably held off from this one anyways. Sometimes, bigger is better.

darkside

You're right, I was trying to be diplomatic. I think the PS2 looks like shit. I just didn't want to start trouble over it. The design of the thing has never impressed me in any way. Its just my personal taste, but I was hoping for the new version to be totally different. Maybe something more with the look and style of the PSP.

fumanstan

I agree about the looks. I'm not a big fan of the design, with the odd edged and grooves. Oh well.

DVDKrayzie

will the hard drive work with this

trigun

No. Shouldn't bother you unless you play FF11.

DVDKrayzie

no i dont play FF, but i like using discloader, maybe even some reseident vil online occasionally