PS2 D-day

October 26th, 2000- Sony launches its highly anticipated Playstation 2 today. Unrivaled 128-Bit graphics powered by the Emotion Engine will deliver the best possible gameplay experience achievable, even more so than Sega's Dreamcast and the Nintendo 64.
The Playstation 2 is backward compatible with your old Playstation games/accessories and provides enhancements to the graphics and load times. It can play audio CDs and DVD movies as well. It is compatible with Dolby Digital and DTS audio. The Playstation 2 will retail at $299 and include the following items:

• 1 Playstation 2 System
• 1 Dual-Shock 2 Controller
• 1 Audio/Video cable (composite)
• 1 Power cable
• 1 Utility disc

It is also rumored that there will be a coupon included for a free DVD movie or demo disc, but this has not yet been confirmed. While $299 may seem expensive, do not forget that with this purchase you get a CD player, DVD player, Playstation and Playstation 2 in one system. Buying the components separately would be significantly more expensive.

Unfortunately, there could be potential problems with your ability to secure a Playstation 2 on the October 26 launch date. Sony was originally planning to ship 1 million units to stores across North America, but due to hardware shortages the number was cut into half: 500,000 units, with 100,000 units shipping each week until the end of December. Further adding to the shortage problem, many game stores such as EB World, KB Toys, FuncoLand and Babbages have amassed enormous pre-order lists that far exceed the number of systems these stores will be receiving. Even a few unlucky customers who pre-paid the full price are not guaranteed a system at launch. Scratch any of these stores from your initial list, for it will be virtually impossible to obtain a Playstation 2 from them. If you do not mind waiting a few months for your system, ask the stores about their waiting list. Some have lists that will be fulfilled before the holidays. Others have enormous lists that will last until Spring of 2001.

There is, however, a chance to acquire a Playstation 2 on launch date or soon after, despite the shortages. Your BestStuff writer has researched this matter and offers these possibilities. Stores such as K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Circuit City, Sears and Best Buy did not hold pre-order programs. As soon as the Playstation 2 systems are available, they will sell them on a first-come, first-serve basis. You can use this to your advantage by talking to the managers of each store. Try to find out exactly how many units each store is receiving, and when they will offer them for sale. Ask how many customers are expected to arrive and how surplus customers will be dealt with. If the prognosis looks good for a certain store, you might want to take your chance with that store on October 26.

Best Buy has the highest probability of success. Each store will be receiving 70-150 units. Target and Wal-Mart are next on the list, with each store receiving approximately 20-25 units. K-Mart and Sears have lesser amounts, around 5-10 units per store. Circuit City will have a package deal consisting of the Playstation 2 system and a fireworks puzzle game called FantaVision for $349. Toys R Us had a pre-order program, but apparently it is receiving a large number of systems and will be able to fulfill all pre-orders and have some units left over for casual buyers. You may wish to check out CompUSA and MediaPlay as well. Whichever store you choose, you should plan on getting there early, as soon as the systems become available. If you are truly desperate to acquire a Playstation 2, have friends visit different stores on launch day. Carry cellular phones to contact each other if someone is successful in buying a system.

What if you are not successful with your plan to buy a system on launch date? Do not forget that Sony plans to ship 100,000 units per week after launch date, so your chances of obtaining a system early are not yet eliminated. Call the managers of the stores and learn when the next shipments are coming in. With a little luck, you may find yourself a proud owner of a Playstation 2.

If you succeed, congratulations, you now own the most wanted item of the holidays. But what are the best games and accessories for the Playstation 2? Here are a few items you may wish to check out. Many of these items are already available for sale. If you have the original Playstation, you can use your old controllers and accessories with the Playstation 2. Keep in mind that you do not need any of these accessories to play games or DVD movies; they are optional.

• Memory Card: 8 MB Sony memory cards retain all of the data on your games. Plays and seasons, positions and scores in games are saved on these cards. Without the memory card, you must restart each game from the beginning every time you turn the system off. You should only need one card for the moment. Memory cards retail for approximately $30-$35.



• Dual Shock 2 Controller: Although the Playstation 2 already comes with a controller, you may wish to buy a secondary controller for multiple players, especially children. Dual Shock 2 controllers can be purchased for $35 each.



• MultiTap: The MultiTap connects 4 controllers to the Playstation 2, allowing four players to join in a game. The game screen is divided into 4 parts, one part for each respective player. Two MultiTaps enable up to 8 players to join at once. Check each game for the number of players supported. A MultiTap retails at $35.



• DVD Remote: If you are planning to use the Playstation 2 to play DVD movies, using the game controller as a remote can be annoying. With a real remote, the hub connects to your Playstation 2 controller port and the remote operates via wireless infrared just like a regular remote control with batteries. There are several brands of remote controllers. Pelican has the best, for the hub on its device contains a pass-through port that allows both the controller and the hub to be connected simultaneously. Remotes are retailed at $20.



• Video cables: As noted in John Lentz's video cable article the provided "courtesy" video cables with systems are of low quality and can degrade the image and audio of your games. Several video cable manufacturers, including Pelican, Interact and the well reputed Monster Cable have created solutions. The worst quality cables are RF switches. Only use these if your TV is very old. Next up are the composite cables, consisting of a yellow Video signal, and two (red and white) audio signals. A composite cable is provided with the Playstation 2. The next best cable is S-Video, a special cable that provides enhanced picture quality. The best cables are known as Component cables, which consist of separate Red, Green and Blue color hookups for video. Check behind your TV or consult its instruction manual to find out which cable is right for you. Monster Cable provides the utmost quality with gold plated connectors, at a price. Low end cables cost about $15, while Monster Cable brands cost $35-$50.



• Horizontal/Vertical stands: The Playstation 2 can be positioned in an upright or horizontal position. These stands provide extra support for the system. Pelican's stands have a small slot for storing games. Stands can be had for $10-$15.

Now that you have the Playstation 2 and a line of accessories, what games can you buy? There will be 26 games available at launch. You can already pick most of them up at stores. Games retail at $40-$50 each. Keep in mind that the original Playstation system is NOT compatible with Playstation 2 games, but any Playstation game is compatible with the Playstation 2. Older Playstation titles are inexpensive, ranging from $10-$25. Here are some suggestions for Playstation 2 games based on previews around the web:

• Madden NFL 2001: Absolutely stunning graphics: You will almost be unable to tell if you are playing a game or watching a live football broadcast. Madden NFL 2001 is the ultimate football game. 8 players.



• SSX: Wild snowboarding action. Spectacular stunts and music that varies depending on your performance. Possibly the best Playstation 2 game available. 2 players.



• Tekken Tag Tournament: Fans of the hit martial arts arcade game rejoice! Namco has greatly enhanced the graphics of Tekken Tag Tournament and provided enhanced play modes. 2 players.



• Street Fighter EX3: The popular Street Fighter series is on Playstation 2. Full 3D characters duke it out in battle arenas. 2 players.



• Dead or Alive 2 Hardcore: Also based on an arcade smash, DOA2 is a bare hands based fighting game featuring highly realistic animation and movement. Incredible tag moves are at your disposal. 4 players.



• Timesplitters: From the creators of the Nintendo 64 games Goldeneye 007 and Perfect Dark comes Timesplitters, a frenetic first-person shooter. Up to 4 players can join in on the wild deathmatches. Single player mode is available as well.



• Unreal Tournament: The PC Game of the Year explodes onto Playstation 2. First person gameplay and wild shooting. Up to 4 players supported.



• Smuggler's Run: Smuggle contraband across the border in this all-terrain racing game. Avoid policemen, rival gangs and other drivers. Use the terrain to your advantage. 2 players.



• Ridge Racer V: Great arcade racing action from Namco. Fans of the arcade games take notice. 2 players may join in the race.



• FantaVision: Fireworks puzzle game similar to the classic Missle Command. Bundled with the Playstation 2 at Circuit City. 2 players.



• Summoner: Role playing game by Volition, creators of the Freespace series. Vast story and long gameplay. 1 player.



• Kessen: Breathtaking real time strategy game from Koei. Set in medieval Japan. Command vast armies of troops to conquer the island.

The Playstation 2 is looking to be the hottest upcoming next generation video game system. It has many future titles planned and a bright future ahead. Stay tuned for an in-depth review of the system next week.