PSTwo - Official - Full details and every image available right here!
It's a "totally redesigned, network ready model"
After a few days of intense speculation, Sony has confirmed the wide-held suspicions about the remodelled PS2: which has not yet been officially dubbed PSTwo (and judging by pictures of the box, perhaps it won’t be). It’s smaller and lighter and pretty much what had been expected.
In the words of David Reeves, president of SCEE, "We did it for Playstation and now this time for PlayStation 2. This totally redesigned, network ready model will demonstrate that PlayStation has once again the design flair and innovation that has made PlayStation the world's best loved and most successful games console."
Apart from the general liposuction; there have also been nips and tucks of a more functional variety. The network port has been built in which, on the downside, means that there’ll be no room for any additional HDD. Somewhat shamefully, there are also still only two controller ports. Although Sony has made the old multitap device obsolete in the redesign, it hasn’t made any compensation for that: in fact, an additional purchase of a multitap Mk II will be required to indulge in 4 player frolics on the PSTwo.
Another notable alteration is that the PSTwo uses a top-loading disc mechanism rather than a sliding tray. Although this does economise on space, it’s a slightly surprising move as that could potentially allow for pirated games to be played with the use of boot-discs. There is the distinct possibility, however, that Sony has addressed this issue elsewhere in the design.
The PSTwo will be lanched in Europe and the US on 1st November, following in Japan a couple of days later. The cost? A quite reasonable 149 Euros, which is around the £100 mark. If you’re in the market for a new Playstation 2, it’s sure to be a tempting offer.
For the record, here are a few selected specs:
Product Name: PlayStation(R)2
Colour: Charcoal Black
Release Date: November 1st, 2004 (Monday)
RRP:149 Euros
Dimensions: Approximately 230 mm (W) x28 mm (H) x152 mm (D)
(internal volume about 23% of the current model)
Weight: Approximately 900g (weight about 45% of the current model)
Power requirements: DC 8.5V
Power consumption: Approximately 5.3A (approximately 45W)
Compatible format: PlayStation format CD-ROM
PlayStation 2 format CD-ROM
PlayStation 2 format DVD-ROM
Audio CD
DVD-Video*
DVD-RW (VR mode)
* The term "DVD-Video" is used to refer to
DVD-R, DVD-RW (Video mode), DVD+R and DVD+RW
discs.
Product Outline (for Oceania, UK and Europe Models) (continued)
Interfaces Controller Port x 2
MEMORY CARD slot x 2
USB connector x 2
NETWORK connector x 1 100BASE-TX/10BASE-T
DC IN 8.5V connector x 1
AV MULTI OUT connector x 1
DIGITAL OUT OPTICAL connector x 1
Included PlayStation 2 console x 1
Analog Controller DUALSHOCK(R)2 x 1
AV Cable (integrated audio/video) x 1
AC Adaptor (AC power cord included) x 1
Euro-AV Connector Plug x 1 *SCPH-70003 CB, 70004
CB only
Separately Sold Accessories (for Oceania, UK and Europe Models)
Product Name Vertical Stand (for PlayStation(R)2)
Colour Charcoal Black
Product Code SCPH-70110 ECB
Release Date November 1st, 2004 (Monday)
*The Vertical Stand for the current model cannot be used with the new
model PlayStation 2 (SCPH-70002 CB, 700003 CB, 70004 CB), due to difference in
design.
Product Name Multitap (for PlayStation(R)2)
Product Code SCPH-70120 E
Release Date November 1st, 2004 (Monday)
*The Multitap for the current model cannot be used with the new model
PlayStation 2 (SCPH-70002 CB, 700003 CB, 70004 CB), due to difference in
design. The new Multitap offers the same function as the current Multitap.
In the words of David Reeves, president of SCEE, "We did it for Playstation and now this time for PlayStation 2. This totally redesigned, network ready model will demonstrate that PlayStation has once again the design flair and innovation that has made PlayStation the world's best loved and most successful games console."
Apart from the general liposuction; there have also been nips and tucks of a more functional variety. The network port has been built in which, on the downside, means that there’ll be no room for any additional HDD. Somewhat shamefully, there are also still only two controller ports. Although Sony has made the old multitap device obsolete in the redesign, it hasn’t made any compensation for that: in fact, an additional purchase of a multitap Mk II will be required to indulge in 4 player frolics on the PSTwo.
Another notable alteration is that the PSTwo uses a top-loading disc mechanism rather than a sliding tray. Although this does economise on space, it’s a slightly surprising move as that could potentially allow for pirated games to be played with the use of boot-discs. There is the distinct possibility, however, that Sony has addressed this issue elsewhere in the design.
The PSTwo will be lanched in Europe and the US on 1st November, following in Japan a couple of days later. The cost? A quite reasonable 149 Euros, which is around the £100 mark. If you’re in the market for a new Playstation 2, it’s sure to be a tempting offer.
For the record, here are a few selected specs:
Product Name: PlayStation(R)2
Colour: Charcoal Black
Release Date: November 1st, 2004 (Monday)
RRP:149 Euros
Dimensions: Approximately 230 mm (W) x28 mm (H) x152 mm (D)
(internal volume about 23% of the current model)
Weight: Approximately 900g (weight about 45% of the current model)
Power requirements: DC 8.5V
Power consumption: Approximately 5.3A (approximately 45W)
Compatible format: PlayStation format CD-ROM
PlayStation 2 format CD-ROM
PlayStation 2 format DVD-ROM
Audio CD
DVD-Video*
DVD-RW (VR mode)
* The term "DVD-Video" is used to refer to
DVD-R, DVD-RW (Video mode), DVD+R and DVD+RW
discs.
Product Outline (for Oceania, UK and Europe Models) (continued)
Interfaces Controller Port x 2
MEMORY CARD slot x 2
USB connector x 2
NETWORK connector x 1 100BASE-TX/10BASE-T
DC IN 8.5V connector x 1
AV MULTI OUT connector x 1
DIGITAL OUT OPTICAL connector x 1
Included PlayStation 2 console x 1
Analog Controller DUALSHOCK(R)2 x 1
AV Cable (integrated audio/video) x 1
AC Adaptor (AC power cord included) x 1
Euro-AV Connector Plug x 1 *SCPH-70003 CB, 70004
CB only
Separately Sold Accessories (for Oceania, UK and Europe Models)
Product Name Vertical Stand (for PlayStation(R)2)
Colour Charcoal Black
Product Code SCPH-70110 ECB
Release Date November 1st, 2004 (Monday)
*The Vertical Stand for the current model cannot be used with the new
model PlayStation 2 (SCPH-70002 CB, 700003 CB, 70004 CB), due to difference in
design.
Product Name Multitap (for PlayStation(R)2)
Product Code SCPH-70120 E
Release Date November 1st, 2004 (Monday)
*The Multitap for the current model cannot be used with the new model
PlayStation 2 (SCPH-70002 CB, 700003 CB, 70004 CB), due to difference in
design. The new Multitap offers the same function as the current Multitap.
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Comments
Kaxxx 21 Sep 2004 11:09
1/9
I believe the price tag is going to be the same as the PS2 which is a bit disappointing. 149 euros or £99, is a bit to pricey in my opinion. It will still attract alot of new people though and im sure there are still plenty of PS2 who will buy it just for the novelty value.
Standing vertical, top loading and the multitap (give us more money) gimmick are a bit hit and miss though.
Standing vertical, top loading and the multitap (give us more money) gimmick are a bit hit and miss though.
ohms 21 Sep 2004 11:16
2/9
DAYMN, that is one shweeet looking console !!!
You gotta hand it to Sony, their design is always top notch, with VAIO, PSX, PSP, now this. Not quite up there with Apple, but still very tasty indeed.
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Joji 21 Sep 2004 11:25
3/9
It's too late in the PS2s life for this sort of thing, but it looks nice all the same and I appreciate Sony doing something.
If Nintendo had waited so long to correct the GBAs problems, we'd still be tipping our screens to the light to play. Acting promtly pays, and as a result GBASP has sold loads.
Still feel it's too late but if it help others get into gaming then so be it. Last other problem is the price. Frankly Sony, you're taking the piss out of us, PS2 should be about 80 pounds and you know it. It's not like you don't make enough on the network adapter, multitap etc. Perhaps that explains why we are getting this PStwo now, and not a year or two ago. They like the cash they are getting off multitap etc sales.
Or perhaps this is a move to try steal some of the DS thunder because PSP isn't due for a while. Sony are quaking already.
If Nintendo had waited so long to correct the GBAs problems, we'd still be tipping our screens to the light to play. Acting promtly pays, and as a result GBASP has sold loads.
Still feel it's too late but if it help others get into gaming then so be it. Last other problem is the price. Frankly Sony, you're taking the piss out of us, PS2 should be about 80 pounds and you know it. It's not like you don't make enough on the network adapter, multitap etc. Perhaps that explains why we are getting this PStwo now, and not a year or two ago. They like the cash they are getting off multitap etc sales.
Or perhaps this is a move to try steal some of the DS thunder because PSP isn't due for a while. Sony are quaking already.
ohms 21 Sep 2004 11:53
4/9
>It's too late in the PS2s life for this sort of thing
*cough* PSOne *cough*
>If Nintendo had waited so long to correct the
>GBAs problems, we'd still be tipping our screens
>to the light to play. Acting promtly pays, and as
>a result GBASP has sold loads.
not quite the same really, like the PSOne this new PS2 is just the result of advances in the production of the PS2s hardware (as well as the desire to sell many more consoles), just minaturisation (is that a word?), not really addressing any major design flaws.
The biggest PS2 design flaw, 2 Controller ports, still has not been adddressed, but looking at the size of the thing I don't know where they would have gone.
If PS3 is to have 4 ports they'll need to make the socket a lot smaller, less SNES-like.
The PS2 is generally overpriced, and the price has been too high for too long, although that hasn't stopped people from buying it in their droves. The current normal PS2 at it's absurd £104.99 price has no broadband adaptor. If this new PS2 is £99, it's a much better deal, haivng the bba built in (as well as looking a lot cooler).
Funky 21 Sep 2004 12:57
5/9
Damn I wanna have sex with that thing.
almondVanHelsing 21 Sep 2004 16:59
6/9
The big stopping point for Sony on having more that two controllers is as has been said, the ports would have to be smaller.
Sony have always had backwards-compatible as their strength since the PS2. Controllers for PS1 work in the PS2. Changing the port will make guns, dance mats, etc need to be upgraded and SPOnG forums will ring to "money grabbing Sony" comments once more.
But! How about this, if the socket stays the same, but new controllers have a socket on the plug?
This way you can "stack" the controllers into the ports. Old devices are plugged last and you can stack as many controllers as you like!
This will stop you having to buy a multi-tap to have four controllers and you can still use your old controllers.
Sony have always had backwards-compatible as their strength since the PS2. Controllers for PS1 work in the PS2. Changing the port will make guns, dance mats, etc need to be upgraded and SPOnG forums will ring to "money grabbing Sony" comments once more.
But! How about this, if the socket stays the same, but new controllers have a socket on the plug?
This way you can "stack" the controllers into the ports. Old devices are plugged last and you can stack as many controllers as you like!
This will stop you having to buy a multi-tap to have four controllers and you can still use your old controllers.
Pandaman 21 Sep 2004 20:41
7/9
This reminds me of the remodeled SNES for whatever reason. Except...not purple.
tyrion 22 Sep 2004 12:37
8/9
Didn't the 3DO have something similar where you could "daisy-chain" controllers together?
Our Price 16 Sep 2009 11:21
9/9
The Multitap for the current model cannot be used with the new model
PlayStation 2 (SCPH-70002 CB, 700003 CB, 70004 CB), due to difference in
design. The new Multitap offers the same function as the current Multitap
Rs 999.00
PlayStation 2 (SCPH-70002 CB, 700003 CB, 70004 CB), due to difference in
design. The new Multitap offers the same function as the current Multitap
Rs 999.00