March 31, 2000

Time Adventure Screens - Comments (14)
Posted by @ 12:28 PM, EST
The lads over at managed to score a few screens of Konami's new PS2 RPG, Time Adventure:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3

Spring Tokyo Game Show - Comments (74)
Posted by @ 11:21 AM, EST
Neo, one of PS2 Central's foreign correspondents, gives us his impressions of the show:

Friday 31 2000, Tokyo Toy show day. I was really looking forward to this show to see what Sony had up their sleeve. I arrived at the train station, all over the station there were Dreamcast posters, not a single Sony poster anywhere. I was a little concerned, as I walked closer to the show hall, I was again met with more Dreamcast posters and flags, not a single Sony poster anywhere.

I entered the main hall, and the first thing I saw was a massive Namco stand. I ran down the stairs to find out that they where showing games already available in the store, Namco was showing nothing new. But the Namco girls were great, that's why I think the Namco stand was busy. People lining up to take pictures of the girls. I did :)

Facing the Namco stand was Tecmo soft, they were showing Dead or Alive 2, and nothing else really special. To be honest the show was a complete let down. There was nothing that I haven't already seen before. Square soft, Pro baseball, Pro wrestling, Type-s and a 10-second video on Final Fantasy 9.
Sony wasn’t showing anything really special. DJ TV was the only game showing that was not available in the stores. Fantavision, I.Q.+ were Sony's offerings.

Armored core 2 was probably the best looking unreleased PS2 game at the show, 2 machines linked up using the I-link on the PS2. This looked great, really an eye opener.

Sky Surfer, hmmm… the visuals are very pretty, the control system seems to need a little work, but this game is looking very promising.

Primal Image from Atlus is very strange. You take the form of a cameraman, taking pictures of girls on the beach or in a nightclub in different clothes. You get points for taking good pictures. The graphics are beautiful, this game is a real treat to the eyes.

The best thing about this show were the girls on show, check them out!

Capcom was showing Street fighter EX3 but you already know about that game. To be honest that's about all of it. A very disappointing show. I hate to say this, but the Dreamcast seemed to be a lot more interesting.
Pics:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5, pic #6, pic #7, pic #8, pic #9, pic #10, pic #11, pic #12, pic #13, pic #14

Game impressions - Comments (16)
Posted by @ 11:19 AM, EST
Gamespot kicked up their first impressions of Tekken Tag Tournament, Dead Or Alive2 and Type-S.

A bit of the TTT impressions:
Tekken Tag Tournament for the PlayStation2 looks pretty nice. It isn't exactly light-years ahead of everything else out there, but it looks nice. There don't seem to be any issues with slowdown, and the jagged edges that stuck out like a sore thumb throughout Ridge Racer V are far less noticeable here
Full article

A bit of the DOA2 impressions:
The game plays the same as the DC version, although there is no distinct advantage to using the smaller PS2 pad. The in-game cinemas run at 60fps as opposed to the DC's 30fps, but this is hardly a consideration when you are comparing the two games. Although the PS2 port was done in a very short time frame, there is almost nothing that makes this game look or play any better than the DC version.
Full article

A bit of the Type-S impressions:
Graphically, the game does a lot of things right. It has nice effects, including occasionally impressive lighting. At times, the game has a grimy yet photo-realistic look to it. The in-car view shows the driver's hands on the wheel, accurately moving gauges, and you can even catch a glimpse of the rest of the car's interior as seen through a reflection on your windshield. It's really too bad that the gameplay is about as unfun as it could possibly be.
Full article

PS2 Z.O.E. - Comments (10)
Posted by @ 11:17 AM, EST
Gamespot scored some info on Konami's mech action-adventure game for the PS2.
Here’s a slice:

The game will feature an adventure element similar to that of The Legend of Zelda for the Nintendo 64, wherein you'll roam around the field map and talk to people in the village. The action element will be closer to that of Metal Gear Solid, where you play as a young boy named Leo who pilots the mech and battles enemies.
Full article + screens

slapped up some better screens of the game:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4

March 30, 2000

A Technical Overview of the Emotion Engine - Comments (2)
Posted by @ 6:12 PM, EST
If you want to know all the technical information about the PS2’s "heart", the EE, then Ars Technica has something for you.
Here’s a little bit of the article:

As you can see from the above breakdown, with a total of 10 FMACs, 4 FDIVs, and all the other integer, branch, and load/store resources available, the Emotion Engine is a hoss.
Not only does the Emotion Engine have horsepower under the hood, but its aggressively new, cutting-edge design means that it's going to take a while for developers to really learn to use all that power. It'll be interesting to see if the PC has caught up with the PS2 by the time PS2 developers figure out how to exploit this hardware to its fullest potential.
Full article

Snowboard Supercross movies - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:38 PM, EST
Gamespot kicked up two new movies of EA’s snowboard racer, SSX.
Movie 1 (1.2 MB)
Movie 2 (1.2 MB)

Sony aims to ship 10 mln PlayStation2s in 2000/01 - Comments (5)
Posted by @ 3:36 PM, EST
Interesting article from Reuters:

TOKYO, March 30 - Sony Corp said on Thursday it aims to ship 10 million of its blockbuster PlayStation2 game consoles worldwide in the business year starting on April 1.
Ken Kutaragi, president of Sony's game subsidiary Sony Computer Entertainment Inc, told a news conference the company was also sticking to its shipments forecast of 1.4 million units in the business year ending on Friday, less than a month after the console was launched in Japan on March 4.

The heavily hyped home game machine, which includes a digital video disc (DVD) player and will eventually offer access to the Internet, is key to Sony's profit outlook.
The first version of the Playstation generated approximately 40 percent of Sony's group-based operating profits.

Kutaragi said the company aimed to ship four million PlayStation2 consoles in Japan and three million each in Europe and the United States in 2000/01. European and U.S. shipments are due to start this autumn, he said.

More Tekken Tag impressions - Comments (5)
Posted by @ 3:35 PM, EST
Dailyradar slapped up some impressions of Namco’s TTT.
A slice:

Well, I've got good news! Not only does TTT set new levels in polygon counts blah blah, it's a damn fun game to play!
The first thing that hits you when you run the game is not the Tekken characters, but the detail of the backgrounds. Soul Calibur set new standards, but that's wiped from memory by the complexity and sheer beauty of TTT's locations. From Japanese temples to forest glades, the Namco designers have pulled out all the stops...
Full article

DOA2 and Type-S impressions - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:35 PM, EST
Dailyradar also posted some impressions of Temco’s Dead Or Alive 2 and Square’s Type-S.
Here’s a bit:

Judging by what we've experienced so far (remember, we haven't played through the entire game yet) this is not only a worthy competitor to the Dreamcast Dead or Alive 2, but a deeper version of that excellent game.
Full article

Buchigire Kongou screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:34 PM, EST
Core scored some screens of Artdrink's... ehh... construction equipment fighter.
Check them out:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5

Sky Surfer cover - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:32 PM, EST
Sky Surfer will be released in Japan April 20.
The Cover.

March 29, 2000

Tekken Tag Tournament intro movie - Comments (12)
Posted by @ 5:41 PM, EST
TTT Fast posted the intro movie of TTT:
Movie
Also, Tekkenzaibatsu just posted the movie of Unknown's ending:
Movie (12.4 mb)

Snowboard Supercross preview - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:09 PM, EST
We kicked up a preview of EA’s snowboard game, Snowboard Supercross.
Some of it:

First of all, a lot of the game allows open snowboarding. This means you can cruise wherever you want on the course not just down a narrow passage way with sheer vertical rock cliff on either side. The other cool thing about the courses is that they are much larger than any other seen in a boarding game.
Full preview

N-Gen2 for the PS2... - Comments (1)
Posted by @ 5:08 PM, EST
Curly Monsters, developer of the PSX game N-Gen, will probably bring a sequel of their aircraft racing game to the PS2.

"At present there are discussions regarding future projects for Curly Monsters, one of these discussions is for N-Gen2," said Lee Carus, Curly Monsters' director of art. "If we do choose to do N-Gen2 it'll almost certainly be on PS2. We believe PS2 in particular will give us the latitude to realise even more fully the N-Gen Racing potential and we'd look to expand on the N-Gen experience and make it even more convincing and compelling. We've already got a load of new ideas on the drawing boards for ways of developing it much further for a sequel."
Thanks to for the info.

NTT DoCoMo, SCE to create i-Mode, PS2 network - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:07 PM, EST
Cell phones and PS2... the Nihon Keizai Shimbun Thursday morning edition had this article:

TOKYO --NTT Mobile Communications Network Inc. and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. will combine the i-mode mobile Internet connection service and PlayStation2 console to develop audio and image distribution, payment services and other offerings, The Nihon Keizai Shimbun has learned.

In a deal announced Wednesday, NTT DoCoMo this month via a private placement of shares will take a 2.02% stake in SCE's wholly owned e-commerce subsidiary PlayStation.com (Japan) Inc. PlayStation.com will begin marketing the PlayStation2 and different types of software to the cellular phone company's i-mode users.

Additionally, by linking the game console to i-mode, they plan to have the PlayStation2 function as a terminal in a mobile network that does not need fixed telephone lines to function, sources reveal. Linking i-mode units to the PlayStation2 will address a weak point of the cellular phones -- the display. The PlayStation2 will allow i-mode content to be viewed on the screen of a television connected to it.

Tekken Tag Tournament impressions - Comments (9)
Posted by @ 5:07 PM, EST
Core posted some impressions of Namco’s TTT.
Here’s a bit:

At first glance, it's clear that Tekken Tag Tournament possesses many of the spectacular elements that grace the arcade version, particularly visually. Background environments appear very crisp and detailed, and certain finishing touches such as realistic sky/cloud textures help add realism to the whole package. The different environments are all pretty varied, just like with the arcade version. Levels range from flame-spewing temples with marble/stone floors to grassy fields.
Full article + pics

Dead Or Alive 2 impressions - Comments (1)
Posted by @ 5:06 PM, EST
Core also slapped up some impressions of Temco’s fighter, Dead Or Alive 2.
A slice:

The PS2 version is notably different however, sporting a crisper resolution and seemingly very solid framerate. The resolution is perhaps too detailed, as the 60 fps animation yields characters with noticeably jagged edges.
Full article + screens

Sony unit to recall PS2 DVD Player software - Comments (4)
Posted by @ 5:05 PM, EST
Straight from the Nihon Keizai Shimbun Thursday morning edition:

TOKYO --Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. said Wednesday it will begin recalling the startup software of the 1.25 million PlayStation2 video-game consoles shipped to date in order to fix the bug that unexpectedly allows the machines to play DVDs sold abroad.
Using machines marketed in Japan to play back the content of DVDs sold overseas is forbidden under an international agreement signed by DVD-player manufacturers and film companies.

The software can be returned to the company by mail from April 1 and through some 8,000 Seven-Eleven convenience stores nationwide soon.
Though the maker of the popular home video-game machine has not revealed the cost of the recall, an official said, "Production of replacement software and its mailing will cost us substantially."
From now on, the subsidiary of Sony Corp. (6758) will ship PlayStation2 consoles together with software that does not support the playing of foreign DVDs.

Red screens - Comments (1)
Posted by @ 5:05 PM, EST
IGN posted new screens of Konami’s robot mech strategy game, Red.
A few of them:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4
Go here for more screens

March 28, 2000

New RPG from From Software - Comments (7)
Posted by @ 3:27 PM, EST
From Software will reveal a new RPG, One-Fourth, for the PS2 at the Tokyo Game Show this week.
Incitegames scored two pics of it, (not "in-game" screens):
pic #1, pic #2

Snowboard Super Cross Movies - Comments (4)
Posted by @ 2:01 PM, EST
ING slapped up two nice movies of EA Square's Snowboard game:
Movie1 (1.4 MB)
Movie2 (1.3 MB)

New Tekken Tag Tournament screens - Comments (11)
Posted by @ 1:59 PM, EST
A few new screens of Namco’s fighter:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5, pic #6, pic #7, pic #8, pic #9, pic #10
Thanks to Gamespot and Core for the pics.

Import....
Posted by @ 1:57 PM, EST
I’m getting mails daily from people asking where they can buy Japanese PS2s.
So I gathered some links to importers from all over the world.
Go here to check them out

March 27, 2000

Namco interview - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:51 PM, EST
Core kicked up a fat interview with Namco about their Tekken Tag Tournament.
Here’s a bit of it:

Question: Tekken Tag is essentially an arcade translation, how was it approached for the PlayStation2?

Harada-san: With translations we can't change basic elements, and since we don't have extensive PlayStation2 hardware knowledge yet, we can't experiment that much. Therefore, we're proceeding by touching up certain aspects such as the graphics, which you'll notice instantly.

Question: It seems like the system is geared towards producing high-end CG type graphics in real-time, right?

Kimoto-san: The number of polygons has been drastically increased, so the models we're using would be considered high-end CG type models in the old days. The graphics are much better on the PlayStation2 which is perceived by many as an advantage. However, it can be a disadvantage. Many developers will fall into the trap of programming and developing like they did on older machines, without exploring new capabilities.
Full interview

SCE builds 81 Bln Yen plant for PS2 parts - Comments (1)
Posted by @ 1:50 PM, EST
From the Nikkei Industrial Daily Monday edition:

NAGASAKI --Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. has completed construction of a factory on the grounds of Sony Nagasaki Corp. for producing core components like 3-D graphics processors and Graphics Synthesizer chips for its popular PlayStation2 video game console.

SCE invested 81 billion yen to build the 20,000 sq. meter facility, which has an output capacity equivalent to 10,000 eight-inch wafers a month. The company plans to transfer all production of such PlayStation2 parts to the new site from a Sony plant in Kagoshima.

The factory is scheduled to come on line in mid-April, and to start shipping components to an assembly facility in Chiba Prefecture in June.

Famitsu Playstation PS2 scores - Comments (6)
Posted by @ 1:50 PM, EST
Chris Burke, one of PS2 Central's foreign correspondents, sent in the latest scores from the new Japanese mag, Famitsu Playstation:

I.Q. Remix + (7,6,8,5)
Paradise Golf (8,8,9,8)
Driving Emotion Type S (7,6,6,6)
Tekken Tag (9,9,10,8)
Gradius 3 & 4 (8,7,7,7)

Shin Sangoku Musou screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:50 PM, EST
Koei released a few screens of their new PS2 game, Shin Sangoku Musou. It is said to be an action fighting game with war simulation and strategy.
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5

Unreal Tournament for US launch? - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:48 PM, EST
Mark Rein of Epic posted some info on a possible UT for the PS2:

Officially, we haven't signed a publishing deal for UT PSX2, so this is just speculative...but we hope to have the game ready as a North American and European PlayStation2 launch title. The game is up and running with full features, but still needs a lot of optimization work -- we're just getting into taking advantage of the PlayStation2's vector units, where most of the machine's performance potential lies.

We will definitely have support for USB networking and split-screen multiplayer. We also plan to have support for modems and Sony's broadband networking, but since the specifics of those things haven't been made available to developers yet, I don't know about the timing or exactly how it will work. But, obviously Internet support is Unreal Tournament's best feature, and we plan to do everything possible to exploit the Internet on the PlayStation2.

We would love to ship with PlayStation2-to-PC networking support, and that is *currently* possible because we haven't made any game content changes. However, I can't promise whether this will happen, because we might decide to make significant content or control changes, to optimize the UT experience for PlayStation2, which would break network compatibility. We'll just have to see...

Sony Computer aims to develop PlayStation industry - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:47 PM, EST
AsiaBiztech slapped up an article on Sony’s plans for the future…
Some of it:

With its PlayStation 2, SCE aims to jump beyond being a mere player in the game industry, and it intends to nurture and build up the so-called "PlayStation industry."

As a first step, SCE decided to secure sources of profits from non-game industries. One such example is various royalties that the leading game maker is arranging to obtain.

SCE has been gaining profits from sales of its own hardware and software products as well as royalty income from sales of software products developed and sold by other software developers.
Full article

TTT intro screens - Comments (2)
Posted by @ 1:46 PM, EST
Some screens from Tekken Tag Tournament’s CG intro:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5, pic #6, pic #7, pic #8
Thanks to http://www.katlis.com/ps2/tttfast/ for the screens.

Summoner info - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:45 PM, EST
Gaming Age posted some info on Volition’s PS2 RPG, Summoner.
A slice:

Volition and THQ was able to give us a glimpse of a 50 to 60% complete alpha version of the game. In this demo, they showed various structures such as a castle and a forest setting, that took place in the day and nighttime. While unoptimized, it is expected the game will run at a smooth 60 fps framerate when released. The current demo had it touching that, but it dropped fairly consistently. The main character was said to be containing 1,300 polygons but unfortunately it didn't seem to show it, even when close up. All the models were rather blocky and unimpressive looking.
Full article + screens

March 24, 2000

ESPN X Games-Snowboarding for PS2 - Comments (14)
Posted by @ 4:52 PM, EST
Konami just sent in a press release and some screens of their PS2 Snowboard game.
A few parts from the press release:

ESPN is set to flex its video game muscles as the worldwide leader in sports previews ESPN X Games - Snowboarding, an exciting, adrenaline-pumping title for PlayStation 2 that is designed to showcase the power of the highly anticipated system. Built on the foundation of ESPN's Winter X Games, the cornerstone of pro snowboarding competition, this game allows players to both explore and speed through an endless mountain of snowboarding possibilities. By combining the wit and insight of ESPN with incredibly realistic graphics, smooth animations, and fluid gameplay, the game captures all of the pulse-racing speed, high-flying acrobatics, and hardcore attitude of this popular winter sport. A revolutionary gaming experience, ESPN X Games-Snowboarding will be one of several action-packed ESPN titles planned to be released for the PS2 over the next year

Some game features:

4 different Winter X Snowboarding Events - - Allows players to test their skill in the Big Air, Border Cross, Halfpipe and Slopestyle. Each course is custom designed with all the key riders in each specific event, along with all their latest gear.

1 Full-ESPN Integration - - Authentic ESPN coverage includes recognizable ESPN Winter X broadcast presentation featuring live commentary from the pros. Play from traditional video game camera angles, or select from authentic ESPN camera positions

The game is expected to hit stores this November for a suggested retail price of $49.99.
Full press release
Screens:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4

New Armored Core 2 screens - Comments (2)
Posted by @ 12:42 PM, EST
Check them out:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5, pic #6, pic #7

Interview with Capcom - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:41 PM, EST
Core slapped up a nice interview with Capcom where they talk about the PS2 game Onimusha.
Here's a tasty bit of it:

Question: So these ideas really took shape when you decided to bring Onimusha to the PlayStation2?

Inafune-san: There were two reasons for bringing it to the PS2; One was that the PlayStation2 was fascinating, and the other was Mr. Okamoto (Capcom managing software director). Mr. Okamoto came in one day and screamed 'We're going to work on the PlayStation2 from now on!' [laughs..] How could we argue, we knew we could make something much more sophisticated on the PS2 hardware. The original PlayStation had serious hardware limits, whereas there are none on the PS2.

For example, when I talk to my team about adding new effects, I've never gotten 'That's Impossible!' as a response. On the PlayStation2 they just tell me how much time they need to explore the new ideas, and we adjust accordingly. I really enjoy watching development progress on the PlayStation2.


Question: Graphically speaking, what aspects are you focusing on?

Inafune-san: Apart from ordinary aspects, I'm concentrating on showing how blood flows realistically. Blood spurts out when you cut people with a katana (sword) at different angles. It really depends on how the enemy is cut, and at what speed. As you'll see, blood will spurt out at first, and later drip in Onimusha. It's hard to describe, but you'll see soon.
Full interview

Triple Play 2001 Review - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:40 PM, EST
Check out our review of the PSX game Triple Play 2001.
Here’s a bit:

Triple Play has always shown us some pretty decent graphics and this years installment is no different. The graphics are crisp and clear with only a few jaggy edges. You are able to see everything from every batters custom stance to the names on their jerseys. The ballparks are about the same as last year but that's not a bad thing.
Full review

Movies - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:39 PM, EST
Gamefan kicked up a few movies of PS2 games. The footage is from the PS Festival. (The movies can be found on the latest PlayStation Underground CD)
Be sure to check out these movies:
Onimusha (3.5 MB)
Snowboard Supercross (3.6 MB)
Go here for more movies

Eidos PS2 games - Comments (3)
Posted by @ 12:37 PM, EST
Today Eidos sent out a press release concerning stocks etc. But at the end of the PR this line could be found:
"Development of 7 PlayStation 2 titles is already on-going with anticipated releases in the next 18 months."
No word on what kind of games yet.

Famitsu PS2 scores - Comments (6)
Posted by @ 12:37 PM, EST
The latest PS2 scores from the Japanese mag Famitsu:
Tekken Tag Tournament (9,9,10,10)
Driving Emotion Type S (7,7,7,7)

March 23, 2000

Armored Core 2 to use i-Link - Comments (1)
Posted by @ 1:12 PM, EST
Amored Core 2 will feature multiplayer gaming, either by a split screen mode or you can connect two PS2s with the i-Link ports to play on two TVs.
Thanks to GameSpot for the info.

Sony PlayStation2 Hands-On Test - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:12 PM, EST
Sharkyextreme posted a fat "review" of the PS2 and its launch games.
Here’s a bit:

One million Sony PlayStation2's were sold on the first week of the Japanese launch. Sharky Extreme staffers were lucky enough to spend some quality time with one of those million and as a result bring you an in-depth look at the technology and hands-on opinion of Sony's most wanted console. We've played through the best and worst of the launch titles and compare the state of affairs between the PS2, Dreamcast and the PC.
Full article

Interview with Polyphony Digital - Comments (1)
Posted by @ 1:11 PM, EST
Core smacked up a nice interview with the developer of Gran Turismo, Polyphony Digital.
Here’s a bit:

Question: So will the unfinished elements from GT2 be incorporated into GT 2000 for the PlayStation2?

Yamauchi-san: Right, that's what we're thinking about now. Each sequel in the Gran Turismo series ends up drastically different from what we originally envisioned, it's a miracle we ever finished them. I always try to brainstorm and come up with ideas for new features way in advance. That's what we're doing now with GT 2000, making sure we incorporate all the elements just right.


Question: How do you plan to show the evolution from GT2 - GT 2000?

Yamauchi-san: There's a big change in terms of rules. We're leaving many of the basics the same, and elements which we consider fun. However, there's a sleek new way to race in GT 2000. It will take more development time before I can show you concretely.
Full interview

Sony Signs Evolution - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:10 PM, EST
Evolution Studios has become the first company to sign a third party development deal with Sony for PS2.
"FGN Online has seen footage of the developer's first title (a rally game) and to say it looks impressive seems somewhat of an understatement"
Thanks to FGN for the info.

More Acclaim games - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:09 PM, EST
According to Incitegames, Acclaim will release two South Park games, a NFL Quarterback Club game, and a PS2 update to its Turok franchise.
(Two days ago Acclaim announced All-Star Baseball 2002 as well a new games based on the Ferrari Formula 1 and 360 Challenge series for the PS 2)

Hidden Cars in RRV - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:08 PM, EST
Gamefan unlocked 4 hidden cars in Ridge Racer V and posted a movie of them:
Movie (8.3 MB)

Pac-Man in RRV - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:07 PM, EST
Here’s a bit of article:

After burning up 3000 kilometres of road in RV a special Pac-Man race is opened in the menu. You get to race as Pac-Man in his shiny red car. Your rivals are the four ghosts. If you beat the ghosts you get to race as them too.

A few pics of the Pac-Man & gang:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3

Box covers - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:04 PM, EST
Dead Or Alive2 cover
Type-S cover
Tekken Tag Tournament cover
Thanks to GameSpot for the pics.

Primal Image Screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:02 PM, EST
Core scored a few new screens of Atlus’s PS2 game, Primal Image:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5

All Star Pro Wrestling screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:00 PM, EST
IGN posted new screens of Square wrestling game.
Some of them:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4
Go here for more

PS2 games from Imagineer - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:58 PM, EST
Imagineer confirmed four new PS2 games:
AquaAqua - Summer 2000
Might and Magic - Winter 2000
Rally Hard - Winter 2000
Typhoon - 2001
Thanks to GameSpot for the info.

PS2 games from Interplay - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:57 PM, EST
Along with PC titles for release second half of 2000 Interplay will also release "several titles for the new Sony PlayStation 2 platform," according to a statement today.
They didn’t reveal anything about the PS2 titles though.

"The next generation console machines offer a very large opportunity for Interplay, as a small percentage of our sales comes from the current console platforms, so we will not have the platform transition concerns that others may have," stated Interplay Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brian Fargo.
Thanks to for the info.

March 22, 2000

Q3A, Star Trek Armada for PS2? - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:39 PM, EST
According to sources close to the project have confirmed the development of RTS Star Trek Armada for the PS2.
"The Quake 3 Arena engine is being used for the game, with heavy rumour suggesting Raven is developing a version of id’s shooter for the Sony’s console."
Thanks to for the info.

Munch's Oddysee Artwork - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:38 PM, EST
GameSpot UK scored some artwork pics of the PS2 game Munch's Oddysee.
A few of them:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4
Go here for more

Dream Audition for PS2 - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:37 PM, EST
From The Nikkei Industrial Daily Wednesday edition:

TOKYO --Game developer Jaleco Ltd. has begun marketing an arcade game in which players square off in a virtual singing competition for a chance to participate in actual auditions.

"Dream Audition" players will be rated by the machine on how well they can sing selected songs. The music will be cut off if a player continually has problems keeping up with changes like variations in tempo.

Players who fulfill certain conditions, including an average score of 95 or higher over the three-song battle, will receive certificates qualifying them for a real audition.
Jaleco also plans to market a home version for Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.'s PlayStation2 console from July.

PS2 Dead Or Alive 2 screens - Comments (10)
Posted by @ 12:36 PM, EST
Check them out:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4

Konami Talks PS2 - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:35 PM, EST
Core smacked up an interview with Konami director Kensuke Yoshitomi about DrumMania and his experience in early PlayStation2 development;
A bit:

Question: When the specifications of the PlayStation2 were first announced, what surprised you the most?

Yoshitomi-san: I was surprised by the hardware specifications overall. Most of all though, I was extremely pleased with its DVD compatibility. This increases the PlayStation2 user base since people who wouldn't normally invest in a game console, will buy the PS2 for it's DVD-Movie playback. Expanding the user base and attracting new kinds of consumers to a console is very attractive for developers.

Question: What problems did you encounter in developing DrumMania, your first PlayStation2 title?

Yoshitomi-san: There were a number of problems in terms of development. We originally began working on DrumMania before the system was actually finished, so we had to change some of our specifications. Once the hardware was finished though, we thought it was profoundly powerful. After that we worked on translating what we had already developed onto the finished development kits, which actually took less than one month. Its a testament to the power of the PlayStation2 that the translation onto the hardware went so fast.
Full article

Type-S screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:34 PM, EST
Screens of the different cars in the game:
Supra / RX-7
Impreza / Pajero
S2000 / Integra
Lancer / Cube
MR-S / FTO
Trueno / NSX
Legacy / GTO
Thanks to Core for the pics.

March 21, 2000

Acclaim announces three new titles for the PS2 - Comments (7)
Posted by @ 5:17 PM, EST
A few lines from the press release:

Acclaim will release its gold-standard sports title All-Star Baseball 2002 as well a new games based on the Ferrari Formula 1 and 360 Challenge series on the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. Acclaim's upcoming games promise to take full advantage of the new hardware system's powerful technology by featuring breath-taking graphics, immersive gameplay, and incredible digital sound.

Acclaim is currently developing several new games for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system to be released during the Company's fiscal year 2001 (Sept. 1, 2000 - Aug. 31, 2001).

As part of the Acclaim's PlayStation 2 strategy, Acclaim will develop new and unique character-based games that will be platform exclusive. "We are dedicated to working closely with Sony Computer Entertainment to develop unique titles that take full advantage of this groundbreaking next generation system," said Greg Fischbach, co-chairman and CEO of Acclaim Entertainment

"We will vigorously support the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system with the introduction of new, exciting and high-quality titles during the launch period and ongoing. We will launch several new strong brands, such as Ferrari, and introduce Acclaim Sports titles leading with All Star Baseball 2002."

NFL 2001 screens - Comments (1)
Posted by @ 5:15 PM, EST
scored two pics of EA’s NFL 2001 game.
The first shot was printed in NewsWeek a few weeks ago.
pic #1, pic #2

High-Res Onimusha Screen - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:13 PM, EST
Gamespot got hold of a new screenshot from Capcom’s Resident Evil-style action game, Onimusha
Check it out: Screenshot

More screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:12 PM, EST
New screen from Armored Core 2:
Screenshot
New screen from Evergace:
Screenshot
Thanks to Incitegames for the screens.

Koei's PlayStation 2 plans - Comments (2)
Posted by @ 5:11 PM, EST
Gaming Age posted some info on Koei’s PS2 plans.
Here’s a bit of the article:

The outlook for the March 2001 year changes considerably as Koei is focusing totally on the PS2 going foreward. Koei has 18 PS2 titles that are scheduled to be released in the next year and has ten production lines dedicated to the PS2 at present. However, only one title, Sangoku Musou, has a firm date (June).
Full article

PS2 SmackDown - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:10 PM, EST
THQ has taken a minority investment interest in Japanese developer Yuke's to create wrestling games for PlayStation2.
Yuke’s is the developer of WWF Smackdown for the PSX…
Thanks to FGN for the info

Epic official middleware developer for the PS2 - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:09 PM, EST
Epic announced that they have joined Sony's Tools & Middleware program, and will begin licensing the Unreal Engine for the PS2.

Mark Rein of Epic said, "we believe that licensing the Unreal Engine will help developers reduce the time it takes to develop games for PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and other platforms, while allowing them to concentrate more effort on adding depth and detail to their game rather than worrying about low-level coding."
Thanks to Gaming Age for the info.

TGS PlayStation2 Exhibition List - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:06 PM, EST
IGN posted a list of the PS2 games that will be shown at the Spring Tokyo Game Show (end of this month).
A bit of the list:

Imagineer Co. Ltd.
Wild, Wild Racing
TBA - new unannounced title

EA Square
Snowboard SuperCross

Square
Driving Emotion Type-S
Gekikuukan Pro Baseball: At the End of the Century 1999
All-Star Professional Wrestling
Final Fantasy X (video)
Final Fantasy XI (video)

From Software
Eternal Ring
Evergrace
Armored Core 2

Konami
DrumMania
Gradius III & IV
Mahjong Rally 2
Permanent Expert VI
Jikkyou Powerful Professional Baseball 7
Jikkyou World Soccer 2000
Reiselied: Ephemeral Fantasia

Capcom
Maximo (temporary)
Street Fighter EX3
Onimusha
Silpheed (video)
Gun Griffon Blaze (video)

Sony Computer Entertainment
Gran Turismo 2000
I.Q. Remix +
TVDJ

Namco
Ridge Racer V
Tekken Tag Tournament
500 GP
Click here to see the full list

IQ Remix+ Movie & screens - Comments (1)
Posted by @ 5:05 PM, EST
Core scored a movie and a few screens of PlayStation2 puzzler, IQ Remix+
Movie (5 MB)
Screens:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3

March 20, 2000

Ready 2 Rumble 2 for PS2 launch - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:26 PM, EST
got hold of some info from Midway:

“The Ready 2 Rumble sequel will be released across all next generation formats,” a Midway rep told CVG this morning. “The Dreamcast version will ship later this year, and the PlayStation 2 game will accompany the launch of the machine. We’ll put it out with X-Box towards the end of 2001.”

Confirmation of PS2 Shadowman 2 imminent - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:25 PM, EST
Again scored some new info.
This time they managed to squeeze out a few words from an Acclaim employee:

"A press release is about to be released by Acclaim in New York on the subject of Shadowman 2 for PlayStation2," a company source informed this morning. “We’re pretty sure it won’t be for Dreamcast as well. Tentatively, it’ll be released early next year.”

Ridge Racer V Reader Review - Comments (1)
Posted by @ 3:24 PM, EST
Dan Riley sent in a review of RRV.
Here’s a bit:

Eye candy alone does not a game make, however. Racing games are all about the control and game play. Veteran Ridge Racers will not be disappointed. The vintage power slide that has graced all four of the previous RR games is back once again. Better yet, the Dual Shock 2 analog stick controls this facet of the game to perfection. Gamers that are new to the series may trouble grasping the power slide, as it is a lot more quirky than the superior cornering in, say, Daytona USA. That, however, is simply Namco's style showing through. Ridge Racer V is easily good enough to make a novice stick around to learn the control system, and that is what is most important.
Full Reader Review

Interviews - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:23 PM, EST
IGN posted a small interview with an "anonymous" game developer about the PS2.
Some of it:

IGNPS2: Once you have learned how to program for the PS2, is the so-called "issue" about anti-aliasing really an issue?

Bill: I think that people are seeing problems with aliasing because they are suddenly pushing up the polygon counts without a similar increase in screen resolution. We are still stuck with the NTSC and PAL video standards, so we need to create content that will look good in these formats. From the technical side, we can address the problem using LOD, but I think it is more of a content issue than it is a technical problem. Our goal should be making content that looks great on the new system, and more polygons doesn’t always improve the visual quality.
(Editor’s note: Sony’s VP of third-party relations explained at the recent Game Developers’ Conference that none of the first Japanese games used any anti-aliasing, but that the system is fully capable of the nifty technique.)
Full interview


Core slapped up an interview with the dev. team behind Fantavision.
Here’s a slice:

Question: What would you say are some of the unique PlayStation2 features used in Fantavision?

Koredaka-san: The machine does physical calculation and complex physics in Fantavision, but I simply wanted people to enjoy the fireworks. For example, usually we can only see fireworks from a fixed direction, but in Fantavision you can move the camera around yourself. You can watch from an angle or decide to switch at any time, it's elements like this which were used in movies like the Matrix.
Full interview

They also smacked up an interview with From Software
A bit:

Question: What problems did you face in developing Eternal Ring for the PlayStation2?

Kaneko-san: The hardware is much different from previous consoles, especially the operating system. So it even took us awhile to create simplistic polygon models. We started from scratch and the whole time we were under pressure to release the game at launch. In the weeks prior to launch we had up to 10 staff members per night sleeping here in the office.

Question: Having finished the game, how do you feel now?

Kaneko-san: In planning we spent an enormous amount of time watching hardware demonstrations and thinking of things which could be done. In reality though, the system has so many capabilities that it's hard to tap into them. Looking at the finished product, we only showed a fraction of the hardware's power. I know there are many things left to be attempted and accomplished in development.
Full interview

The Matrix - Comments (10)
Posted by @ 3:21 PM, EST
Not PS2 related... but be sure to check this out.

March 17, 2000

RED screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:23 PM, EST
Gamespot scored a few screens of Konami’s recently announced PS2 game, RED.
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3
Go here for more screens.

Armored Core 2 screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:03 PM, EST
A few new screens of From Software’s AC2:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4
Thanks to for the pics.

New Tekken Tag Tournament screens - Comments (9)
Posted by @ 5:01 PM, EST
IGN posted a few new screens.
Two of them:
pic #1, pic #2
Go here for the rest

Arika Talks Street Fighter EX3 - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:00 PM, EST
Core posted an interview with Arika, the developer of Street Fighter EX3.
Here’s a bit:

Question: What would you say was your biggest problem in developing Street Fighter EX3?

Hori-san: It took soo long to build the basic form of the game, the engine. When the development kit first arrived we had no idea what we could do, and it really takes awhile to understand the PlayStation2 hardware. It's simple to make games which resemble original PS titles, but when you really want to delve into the capabilities of the PlayStation2, things can get difficult. So at first, we had serious problems in establishing development methods and attaining the necessary 'know-how' to really use the system.

Question: Having finished the game, what do you feel?

Hori-san: There's no special techniques used in the launch titles, so you can't get a sense of the systems power. Even looking at the manuals and the bare specifications, nobody knows its limits. In developing, we basically set a limit on ourselves, but nobody knew where to set that limit.
Full Interview

The Big Breakfast... - Comments (2)
Posted by @ 4:59 PM, EST
No food for 12 hours and you get to play the PS2.
Go here for more info.

March 16, 2000

Interview with Hideo Kojima - Comments (14)
Posted by @ 5:41 PM, EST
slapped up an interview with Konami’s Hideo Kojima.
A slice:

CVG: What were your first impressions on seeing the abilities and technical specifications of PlayStation2?

“It is the best existing machine. However, it is not the ‘dream machine’. To create something good, better ideas, more knowledge, efforts, and a stronger mentality are necessary.
“If one simply focuses on the graphics capability of PS2, what you end up with will not be that different from existing games. With the appearance of PS1, 2D evolved to 3D. If one wants to re-create that impact with PS2, one must try to expand the game world extremely in a way that can be done only by adding the element of time to 3D and creating things in 4D. What is currently expected from PS2 among many people is ‘Hollywood graphics’. If this is the direction to be taken, what we will be seeing won't be that different from PS and DC titles. Just like when games evolved from the Famicom (NES) to Super Famicom (SNES), graphics and sounds will indeed improve while playability remains the same. Fighting and racing games have become far more beautiful, but controls, gameplay, and the game experience all remain the same.
“What's important is what you want to express with PS2 and where you want to use its high-speed calculation capabilities.”

Namco Talks Ridge Racer V - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:40 PM, EST
Core posted an interview with Namco.
Here’s a bit:

Question: Having finished the game, how do you feel now?

Saida-san: We were able to create some beautiful graphics, and we're satisfied. The PlayStation2 is an excellent platform in terms of development, whereas the more time you spend on development, the games will continue to look better. It makes us want to work harder on each new title.
Full interview

Oni coming to the PS2 - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:39 PM, EST
Take-Two today announced that they will be releasing Bungie Software's critically-acclaimed, ONI for the PS2
A few parts from the press release:

Oni takes place in a multi-elevation 3D urban jungle designed by architects for maximum realism and consistency...

...Bungie CEO Alexander Seropian said ``Oni and the PlayStation 2 were made for each other. The remarkable speed and power of the PlayStation 2 is the perfect complement to the vast environments, cutting-edge technology and wide-ranging action of Oni. Oni's blend of martial arts and gunplay is unique, and its anime setting makes it perhaps the most stylish game we've done yet, so bringing it to console involves many challenges...
For more info on this game check out Avault's Oni preview

No more region 1 DVDs on Japanese PS2 - Comments (11)
Posted by @ 5:38 PM, EST
The "new" PS2s will be packaged with an updated DVD-movie driver that disables region 2 DVD movies to be played on the PS2.

Epilogue coming to the PS2
Posted by @ 5:38 PM, EST
According to IGN the European developer Team Sigma is developing a 3D real-time strategy game, Epilogue, for the PC and PS2.

March 15, 2000

Fantavision Review - Comments (7)
Posted by @ 12:23 PM, EST
We slapped up a Review of the puzzle game, Fantavision.
Here’s a slice:

I would have given the title a 10 in the graphics department but after seeing the later levels I think they could have done more with the first two levels that take place in the city. Eye candy junkies should be sure to pick this one up...

...Fantavison is one of the best and most original puzzle games to come along in a long time. It's nice and refreshing to see a game that is not a blatant Tetris rip off...
Full review

New screens - Comments (1)
Posted by @ 12:21 PM, EST
More new screens of PS2 game (thanks to Core):

Billiard Masters 2
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5

American Arcade
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4

PS2 screen capture problems - Comments (3)
Posted by @ 12:20 PM, EST
Gamefan wrote up an article on why some PS2 game screens look worse than the screens released by the publishers.
A slice:

Now, not only has the lead car been robbed of all it's detail vertically, but so has everything else… including the text, which was originally crystal clear! What you're seeing is only HALF of the visual information NAMCO and Sony wanted you to see in each frame.
Full story & screens

Unreal Engine on PS2 - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:19 PM, EST
A port of UT, to show off the UT engine on the PS2, was shown at the GDC and GameSpy wrote some impressions on it:

Having gotten their PS2 developer kit only in January, they already had Unreal Tournament working in an un-optimized form on the console. The framerate wasn't outstanding, but the textures were all in place, the menu system worked, the bots were working, and almost all of the special effects were working fine.

"So far the CPU is doing all of the work," Reinhart explained. The next step is to have Epic programmer Tim Sweeney move the rendering part of the engine over to the PS2's custom hardware to smooth out the framerate. They also plan to change the menu system to make it a little more "console-y."
Full article

Type-S movie - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:18 PM, EST
IGN posted an ad movie of Square’s racing game, Type-S.
Looks pretty good: Movie

Evergrace Screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:17 PM, EST
Check them out:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5
Thanks to Incitegames for the screens.

RED announced - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:15 PM, EST
Konami announced a new PS2 game, RED.
It is said to be a mech-strategy simulation game…
Release date for the game is set to fall this year and it will be shown at the Spring Tokyo Game Show.

Ubi-Soft PS2 games
Posted by @ 12:14 PM, EST
According to IGN, Ubi Soft has plans on releasing two games for the PS2.
One game is based on the Disney CG movie Dinosaur (opens May 26th) and the other game will be based on DreamWorks animated movie, The Road to El Dorado.

Kessen review - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:07 PM, EST
Gamespot posted a review of Koei’s strategy game, Kessen.
Here’s a bit:

"Kessen, roughly translated as "Decisive Battle," is a strategy-simulation game based on the samurai era in Japan. Although some of the elaborate costumes are fictional, the plot and setting for the most part are true to the history books. You initially take the role of Ieyasu Tokugawa, leading your troops to battle against Mitsunari Ishida (whom you can play as once you finish the game). Watching a brief summary of the first battle at the start of the game is like watching a documentary."
Full review

March 14, 2000

New screens - Comments (7)
Posted by @ 4:10 PM, EST
Some new screens (thanks to Core):

Tekken Tag Tournamemt
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5, pic #6, pic #7, pic #8

Square Baseball
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5, pic #6, pic #7

Wild Wild Racing
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3

Tekken Tag Tournament Cover
Thanks to http://www.tekkenzaibatsu.com/ for the cover pic.

Snowboard Super Cross - Comments (1)
Posted by @ 4:05 PM, EST
IGN posted a few new movies and some impressions of EA’s Snow cross title.
A slice of the article:

But what blew me away the most wasn't so much that SSX is a boardercross game, it was the scope and size of the courses, and the fluidity and seamlessness of the player moves. From the several courses I witnessed, several of them are simply massive in size. What happens is that while you start down the hill, let's say in a deep forest course or a free non-competitive course, the camera pulls back from the traditional over-the-shoulder perspective, as if it were hanging on a helicopter up and above you.
Full article & movies

TTT at GDC - Comments (22)
Posted by @ 4:04 PM, EST
Tekken Tag Tournament was shown at the Game Developers Conference.
IGN posted their and some developers impressions of the game.
Here’s a bit:

The most common viewpoint was that while the game looked okay, it didn't look any better than Soul Calibur or Dead or Alive 2 on the Sega Dreamcast. In fact, many observers felt that it was graphically inferior to the two Dreamcast 3D brawlers. The two main points against Tekken Tag Tournament seem to be the abundance of jagged edges on the polygonal models and the 3D objects in the background and the less than stellar texture quality in some areas.
Full article

Eternal Ring review - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 4:03 PM, EST
Gamespot kicked up a review of From Software’s RPG, Eternal Ring.
A slice:

The graphics in Eternal Ring are a leap from its PlayStation predecessors, but there is still room for improvement. Considering that some of the most recent PS titles (such as Vagrant Story) have been visual marvels, one can't help noticing that the graphics on this PS2 game could've been better. For instance, the faces on many of the characters are very plain. On the other hand, the environments, though not incredibly populated, are really well done.
Full review

March 13, 2000

Mailbag updated - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:22 PM, EST
The first mailbag is up, check it out here.

Sony's broadband plans confirmed - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:21 PM, EST
The lads over at report from the GDC:

Sony Computer Entertainment America's VP of third party relations and R&D finally put the company's cards on the table regarding the online future of PlayStation2 at GDC on Saturday. The ethernet for the machine is to come in at 100Mbs and broadband connections were promised to the user before the end of 2001.

Also, Sony confirmed a "High Capacity" hard drive for the PS2.

Play American DVDs on Japanese PS2! - Comments (2)
Posted by @ 12:19 PM, EST
According to GIA you can play US DVDs (region 1) on the Japanese PS2.
A slice from their article:

The first code comes from the GIA's own J.T. Kauffman; it is apparently circulating Japanese message boards and web sites. 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.

The second code comes from a friend of the GIA known as Barubary. The code 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.

The newest, third code comes from GIA friend Nick "Rox" Des Barres. Nick reports that this code works an astounding 95% of the time. The instructions follow:
* Insert a first-generation PlayStation pad (i.e., not an analog controller) in Control Port 1 of the PS2.
* Insert DVD
* Hold UP on the pad until the DVD menu appears
* Highlight the play icon and select it.

Full article

The World is Not Enough Interview - Comments (3)
Posted by @ 12:18 PM, EST
GA-Source posted an interview with EA about their upcoming Bond game, The World is Not Enough.
Here's a bit:

What is the design philosophy behind this game? What games have influenced TWINE's design and gameplay?

The first goal of our design is to build exciting gameplay around key moments in the plot. This is quite intense, because you have to think of ways to expand the action at a given location so that the player has a reason to explore and interact with a large environment... did I mention the environments are huge?! :-) Our second goal is to get the player accomplishing Bond-like things -- not just shooting, but spy activities. So while we obviously want to build upon the success of every game in the first-person genre, it's important that TWINE have distinctive elements. Those elements are James Bond and his world.


The Quake III engine is already one of the most advanced engines on the market, how have you expanded it beyond the scope of the original code?

We've adapted the Quake 3 engine to take advantage of the most powerful game console ever: the Playstation 2. Needless to say, we'll be expanding the code to take advantage of the PS2's awesome power.
Full interview

FFIX July 17 - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:14 PM, EST
According to an article from Reuters, Square's FFIX will be released July 17 in Japan.
Also, here are a few screens from the game (thanks to GIA):
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5, pic #6, pic #7, pic #8, pic #9, pic #10

RRV movie
Posted by @ 12:11 PM, EST
Gamefan posted a new Ridge Racer V movie:
Movie (12.4 MB)

Jikkyou Soccer movie
Posted by @ 12:10 PM, EST
Core kicked up a movie of Konami's Jikkyou Soccer:
Movie (4 MB)

March 10, 2000

Sony investigates claims Of PS2 glitches - Comments (26)
Posted by @ 3:12 PM, EST
From the Nihon Keizai Shimbun Saturday morning edition:

TOKYO (Nikkei)--Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. said Friday that it is investigating technical glitches reported in some of the new PlayStation2 video game consoles released last week.

By Friday, the company had received complaints of nonfunctioning DVD players in 340 consoles, roughly 0.05% of all units shipped to date. Sony says it appears that when game data is recorded on the memory cards used by the console, the program for operating the DVD player is erased.

Sony is asking customers with defective units to ship back the game players and memory cards so the company can determine the cause of the problem. According to a Sony press release, however, the company is not planning to halt production or issue a recall.

Some reports suggest that Ridge Racer, from Namco Ltd. (9752), may be associated with the problem, but Namco says its software is not the cause.

And here's a bit from a Reuters article:

"According to our investigation up to now, we assume the problem was caused by faults in some memory cards, not faults in any specific software for the PlayStation2," Sony said.

Konami's TGS Software Lineup - Comments (3)
Posted by @ 3:11 PM, EST
Konami will have a big lineup of games for the Spring Tokyo Game Show.
Here are a few of the games PS2 they will show:

DrumMania
Jikkyo World Soccer 2000
Reiselied: Efemeral Phantasia
Zoe
The Day and Night of Walpurgisnacht
Thanks to Gamespot for the info.

Tony Hawk 2 for PS2 - Comments (5)
Posted by @ 3:10 PM, EST
According to this article from USA today a PS2 version of Tony Hawk 2 is "almost ready".

Take Two and online gaming - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:09 PM, EST
Take-Two Interactive Software. announced today that it will combine Rockstar Games, DMA Design and Pixel Broadband Studios into one newly created subsidiary, Broadband Studios.
Here’s a bit of the press-release:

Ryan Brant, Chief Executive Office of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., said, "The establishment of Broadband Studios Inc. is an extremely significant event for Take-Two and its shareholders. We feel that the creation of leading next-generation television based multiplayer games incorporating multicasting broadband technology, which are made accessible to the mass-market consumer, represents a huge market opportunity for our Company. By choosing to participate on an equity basis in this venture, and by contributing a finite and focused set of assets and management to the venture, Take-Two stands to benefit dramatically. Through the formation of BBS we have combined world class video game development, publishing and marketing assets focused on next-generation console systems, such as the Sony's PlayStation 2,with similarly strong broadband multiplayer gaming and interface technology, to create a pure play on the future of video game technology and distribution."

Movies - Comments (1)
Posted by @ 3:09 PM, EST
Incitegames continues to spit out movies.
Here's a new movie of Gran Turismo 2000:
Movie (10 MB)
They also smacked up a movie of Fantavision:
Movie (7 MB)

The Untapped Power of PlayStation2 - Comments (11)
Posted by @ 3:08 PM, EST
IGN interviewed a few developers asking what they think of the PS2.
Here’s a bit:

"Everybody's nay-saying comes down to a misunderstanding about this system...It's not simple," said one popular PlayStation and PS2 developer. "That doesn't mean it's bad. It just means it's not simple, and the first generation stuff is going to look weaker in comparison to second-generation stuff than ever before on another system. But believe me, PlayStation2 is a race car. It's going to kick @ss. Everything you hear people complaining about on this system is just whining. PS2 has everything. You can program anything on this system. It's more like a computer than ever before."
Full article

PS2 F1 game from Psygnosis? - Comments (4)
Posted by @ 3:07 PM, EST
dug up some info:

There's a very good chance they're working on an F1 game for the PlayStation2 launch," said a highly placed insider on the showfloor of the Games Developer's Conference, Thursday. "WipEout is coming along nicely."

X-Box announced - Comments (47)
Posted by @ 3:06 PM, EST
It is now official, MS’s X-Box is real.
Head over to http://www.xbox.com/ for more info.

Misc news - Comments (18)
Posted by @ 3:06 PM, EST
According to Core there will be a USB based PlayStation2 keyboard released in 2001.

Take-Two is working on Hidden & Dangerous 2 for the PS2.

March 9, 2000

PlayStation2 sold 720,000 in first three days - Comments (18)
Posted by @ 4:10 PM, EST
They didn't sell the 980 000 first stated. And it has to do with the memorycards...
Here’s an article from Nikkei Electronics:

March 9, 2000 (TOKYO) -- Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) said it sold 720,000 units of its PlayStation2 video game machine in the first three days after the March 4 launch in Japan.

Ordinary retail outlets accounted for 600,000 of the units sold, and another 120,000 were sold over the Internet via online retailer PlayStation.com (Japan) Inc.

At first, SCE had planned to ship a million of the PS2 machines over the first two days, but a company spokesperson explained that there was a problem with the supply of flash memory chips used in the memory cards for the PS2. SCE said it had to lower its initial sales target. The company now says that increased production of the flash memory chips will allow it to reach the 1 million mark some time mid-month. For the time being, sales of memory cards other than those supplied with the PS2 machine itself have been halted. They are scheduled to become available again in the latter part of the month.


...Neo, one of PS2 Central’s foreign correspondents, has had problems with his memory card, his DVD driver got erased after playing RRV so he had to reload it from the utility disc to the memory card again to be able to watch DVD movies.
He just sent me a message saying that: "the memory cards for PS2 are being changed, the cards shipped with the machine are faulty, but Sony are working on the new cards right now, the chips inside are being changed, also the utility disc will be updated..."

New Dead Or Alive 2 screens - Comments (4)
Posted by @ 4:08 PM, EST
kicked up some new screens of Temco’s Dead Or Alive 2.
A few of them:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5, pic #6

Coca Cola the choice of the gamer generation? - Comments (2)
Posted by @ 4:05 PM, EST
Coca Cola is giving away 1000 PS2s (in Japan).
Here's a bit of an article Chris wrote:

Coca Cola is losing market share to Pepsi, with its never-ending Star Wars Episode One promotion, here in Japan in a very bad way. Not that I am sad for Coke, I’ve been a Pepsi as long as I can remember but that is another tale to be told later. But now Coke has something that has me flocking to the red vending machines a little bit more often. Coke is giving away free Playstation 2s, yep not just one or even hundred but one thousand of those bad boys. Make you want to say Coke is it! This is all part of Coke’s new TSU NA GA RU promotion which when translated means "Connect with Coke".
Full article + pics

PS2 impressions/reviews - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 4:04 PM, EST
Kessen Impression (Core)

Ridge Racer V Impressions (Core)
Don't miss our review of this game.

Street Fighter EX3 review (Gamespot)
Street Fighter EX3 impressions (Core)

DVD Impressions (IGN)

Enternal Ring moive - Comments (12)
Posted by @ 3:58 PM, EST
Incitegames posted a new of the Eternal Ring that shows some gameplay.
Movie (10 MB)

Ridge Racer Evolution - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:52 PM, EST
IGN posted an interesting article where they compare RRV with RR4 and N64 version RR64.
Here’s a bit:

Obviously, Ridge Racer V is the best looking of them all, but it's surprising to see just how close the graphics are in past Ridge Racers compared to the cutting-edge Ridge Racer V. Each game has night and dusk courses, tunnels with lighting effects, complex architecture for even roadside detail (even far off the track, buildings and bridges can be seen in each game.) Even the trees in Ridge Racer V aren't too far removed from its PlayStation and N64 cousins -- it seems that branches are still rendered in 3D by crossing multiple sprites on the PS2. Granted, we had to look really closely to decide this, as the new routine used to render the trees and the multiple axis used makes the leaves look very real. However, only the palm trees are rendered in full 3D (which was the case, strangely, in the original Ridge Racer).
Full article

March 8, 2000

PS2 Memory Card Impressions - Comments (11)
Posted by @ 1:28 PM, EST
Chris, one of PS2 Central’s foreign correspondents, messed with the new PS2 memory card to find out just how good the backwards compatibility really is.
Here’s a bit of his impressions:

Backwards compatibility. That’s what Sony promised we would have with the PS2 and more importantly the peripherals. We’ll I’ve done some testing on different save and load situations and here is what I have found.

PS2 games require the PS2 memory card period. Although this may seem obvious to some most of the PS2 games out right now would fit on a standard Playstation memory card no problem. But this just doesn’t work. If you attempt to save a game to a standard card it will give you an error message and tell you to insert a PS2 memory card. You can copy a Playstation game save to a PS2 memory card though without a problem but more on that a bit further down. You cannot copy any PS2 file to a Playstation memory card through the normal copy and delete we are all familiar with.

Playstation memory cards are a whole other mess to deal with. First off original Playstation games will not work with the new PS2 memory cards. It doesn’t recognize the card as being there. So even though you can copy your Playstation game files to a PS2 memory card it really does you no good other that a backup of some sort. Secondly if the Playstation memory card is not in the first memory card slot then the game cannot recognize it as being there.
Full article

PS2 problems... - Comments (9)
Posted by @ 1:27 PM, EST
Found some info over at NCS, that doesn’t sound very good...
Here’s what they say:

"Vendors in Japan and Asia have notified NCS of numerous issues with the Playstation 2 8M memory card. It appears that playing Ridge Racer V will cause corruption of the card data which in turn destroys the DVD drivers that are loaded onto the card. DVD functionality is thus removed from the PS2 and the user will have to re-load the DVD drivers onto the 8M card. Sony have issued an official recall of the PS2 memory card in Japan.

More limited are reports of problems with the PS2 overheating and "freezing" after a certain amount of time. Looks like we'll have to do what we did with the Japanese DC launch where every unit had to be tested and validated for integrity before shipping..."

RPGFAN - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:26 PM, EST
If you're looking for info, pictures, movies, reviews, etc of RPGs for the Playstation 2 console or any other console like the Dreamcast, Playstation or any other past systems, head on over to GameFan Network affiliate RPGFAN.

DOA2 Impressions - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:26 PM, EST
Dead Or Alive 2 will be released for the PS2 March 30 in Japan. The game will also be released for the DC in a week.
Segaweb posted some impressions of the DC version of DOA2. Here’s a slice:

"The first thing worth noting is that DOA2 is absolutely NOT all look and no play. When creator Itagaki-san came up with the original Dead or Alive in the arcades, he took the standard Virtua Fighter formula and added a twist - the hold button. It counters, grabs and counter-counters all at the same time, and makes for a very flowing feel to the battle perhaps missing from rival fighing games.

Regardless of the fantastic playability of the title, it features - let's face it - probably the best damn visuals yet seen on Sega's super system. Instantly comparable to the epoch-making Shenmue in terms of sheer 'wow-factor', DOA2 is the kind of game you have to question whether it's running on a Dreamcast or not. But it was like this on Naomi - and it sure as hell is still like it now."
Full article

Konami to release 100 games this year - Comments (11)
Posted by @ 1:25 PM, EST
Konami of Japan has announced that it will be releasing a hundred console titles this fiscal year.
Of those 100 games 25 are PS2 titles. The rest will go to the PSX, N64, DC and GB.
Two big titles, Metal Gear Solid 2 and Silent Hill 2 for the PS2 will be released this year.
Thanks to Gamespot for the info.

Export of PlayStation 2 Prohibited - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:24 PM, EST
Might be hard to get hold of a Japanese PS2…

TOKYO -- Exporting Sony Corp.'s newly-released PlayStation 2 game console is prohibited without permission from Japan's Trade Ministry, company and government officials said Wednesday.

The console and accompanying 8-megabyte memory cards are subject to controls under Japan's Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade law because of high-powered encryption technology used in the system, Sony Computer Entertainment spokeswoman Yuko Takano said.

Takano also said, however, that the system to be marketed overseas later this year will be produced for use in other countries.

Sony, which plans to release PlayStation 2 in the United States and Europe in autumn, will have to get a special permit from the Trade Ministry before doing so, ministry officials said.

March 7, 2000

Ridge Racer V review - Comments (6)
Posted by @ 4:40 PM, EST
Thanks to one of PS2 Central's foreign correspondents, we can give you guys a fat Review of Namco’s launch game, Ridge Racer V.
Here's a bit:

"The racetracks are beautifully made, the surrounding of the tracks are amazing. But I think that the tracks could have been more fun to play. More sharp corners, more twists and thinner roads. Most of the tracks in the game are very wide, and easy to maneuver around, I think that it adds to game play when the track width changes in and out of the corners. But the tracks in R.R V. are very easy to race, and it doesn't take long at all to learn them. This is a good thing though, because the user will soon learn the perfect race line."
Full review

Playstation2 Reviews - Comments (16)
Posted by @ 3:27 PM, EST
Chris Burke got hold of two new Japanese gaming mags and sent in the scores of the PS2 games.
First mag out is Gamewalker:
(5 is the highest score)

Dead or Alive 2
Game play: 4
Graphics: 5
Excitement: 5
Originality: 5
Realism: 4


Tekken Tag tournament
Game Play: 5
Graphics: 5
Excitement: 5
Originality: 4
Realism: 5


Ridge Racer 5
Game play: 4
Graphics : 5
Excitement: 5
Originality: 4
Realism: 5


Driving Emotion Type S
Game Play: 4
Graphics: 5
Realism: 4
Learning Curve: 4
Party Game: 4


At the End of Century 1999 (Square Baseball)
Game Play: 4
Graphics: 5
Excitement: 4
Realism: 5
Party: 5

Click here for all the reviews

PlayStation2 To Access Internet Via Cell Phone - Comments (10)
Posted by @ 3:25 PM, EST
From The Nihon Keizai Shimbun Wednesday morning edition:

TOKYO --Users of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.'s new PlayStation2 game console will be soon able to use the machine to access the Internet via cellular phones, Ken Kutaragi, president of SCE, said Tuesday.

By connecting a portable phone to the game console, users will be able to order goods or play games against online opponents without using a modem or a fixed phone line, Kutaragi told The Nihon Keizai Shimbun.

SCE plans to ultimately link the 128-bit game console, which debuted on Saturday, to the high-speed cable television network, which will start from 2001. The firm intends that cellular phone systems will be used to link the console with the Internet until the cable TV network comes on stream.

PlayStation2 has a multipurpose port so "the service can be started immediately after sales begin of special software and a cable to connect a portable phone with PlayStation2," Kutaragi said.

Because the cellular phone system handles digital signals, there will be no need for a modem to convert to and from analog signals.

"The data transmission speed of the portable phone system will reach 64 kilobits per second by the end of this year and will soon be double that again, which is comparable to the level of digital subscriber lines," he said.

Wild Wild Racing Screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:25 PM, EST
Imagineer released a few new screens of the Wild Wild Racing:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3

Impressions of the PS2 games - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:24 PM, EST
I gathered all the impressions of the PS2 games I could find:

Ridge Racer V
Gamespot
IGN
Dailyradar
Game Informer
Be sure to check out this movie of RRV Incitegames posted:
Movie (9 MB)

Street Fighter EX3
Gamespot
IGN
Dailyradar
Game Informer

Kessen
Gamespot
Dailyradar

Eternal Ring
Gamespot

DrumMania
Gamespot

Stepping Selection
Gamespot

A-Train 6
Gamespot

Mahjong Taikai III
Gamespot

Morita Shogi
Gamespot

Kakinoki Shogi IV
Gamespot

Final Fantasy IX in July - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:21 PM, EST
Square announced that FFIX for the PSX is scheduled for a July release in Japan and that FFX will be out spring 2001 in Japan. FFXI is scheduled for a fall 2001 release.
Thanks to Gamespot for the info.

Importing a PS2.... - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:20 PM, EST
I have gathered some links to importers from all over the world:

http://www.projectk.com
http://www.ukplaystation2.com
http://www1.cex.co.uk/default.asp
http://www.therage.com
http://www.lik-sang.com
http://ionark.com/catalogue.html
http://www.evotna.co.uk/main_pages/home.html
http://www.tronixweb.com/
http://www.ncsx.com/
http://www.buyrite1.com/
http://www.japan-direct.com/
http://www.hkgtoys.com.hk/
http://www.playstation2.no/
http://www.burn.com.au/
http://www.dockgames.ch/
Neo, one of PS2 Central’s foreign correspondents told me he will export PS2s; his email address:

Also, don’t forget to check with your local importers.
And remember:
The PS2 DVD is region 2, so all Europeans should be able to watch their region 2 DVD movies on it.
The PS2 is using NTSC signals, so Europeans, which use PAL, need a TV that supports NTSC or some converter.

CNN PS2 coverage - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:20 PM, EST
If you missed it on CNN, here's your second chance to see that 2 min. long video:
Movie (57 MB)
Thanks to PS2 Insider for the movie.

Final Fantasy The Movie - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:19 PM, EST
Sony pictures just opened the official Final Fantasy (the movie) site:
http://www.finalfantasy.com/
Go there to check out some trailers and info about the movie.

March 6, 2000

PlayStation2 Predicted to Become Hit Product of 2000 - Comments (1)
Posted by @ 2:53 PM, EST
The verdict comes from a "Nikkei Electronics" annual poll of readers' hit product picks.
Here are a few lines from Asiabiztech's article:

"March 6, 2000 (TOKYO) -- An overwhelming number of voters chose the PlayStation2 as the product most likely to be a bestseller in Japan in 2000.

PlayStation2 the Standout Winner for Year 2000

Of the products voted most likely to succeed in 2000, the PlayStation2 from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) took first place, a hands-down victory with nearly 80 percent of voter support. Competing products trailed far behind in the ratings, with the Dolphin from Nintendo Co., Ltd. at 62nd place and the Dreamcast from Sega Enterprises Ltd. at 86th place. If the high hopes for PlayStation2 become a reality, SCE in 2000 will probably increase its present share of more than 60 percent of the home video game machine market in Japan.

Other hit product choices for the year 2000 reflected consumers' keen interest in online music distribution. Portable music players with semiconductor memory came in at second place, and services for delivering music over the Internet came fourth."
Full article

PS2 improves PSX game graphics - Comments (1)
Posted by @ 2:52 PM, EST
How much does it improve the games?
Gamespot already made some comparisons with PSX games on the PS2 and on the PSX.
Here’s a bit of their article:

"The first game we tried was Vagrant Story, and from the start there was noticeable difference. All objects on the screen were much cleaner, instead of the somewhat rough appearance the game normally has. The next title we tried was Ace Combat 3, and while the ground was slightly blurrier, we didn't find an exceptional degree of visual enhancement to the title on the PS2."
Here's a screenshot of Vagrant Story, both on the PSX and the PS2.

Full article + more screens

Sony Sold Nearly One Million Playstation2's - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:35 PM, EST
Straight from Reuters:

TOKYO - Sony Corp said on Monday it had sold 980,000 of its PlayStation2 video game consoles since the Saturday launch, nearly matching its sales target of one million for the first two days.

That is more than 10 times the sales scored by the original PlayStation console in the same period when it was launched five years ago, the company said in statement. The figures, however, included consoles sold over the Internet which had not yet been delivered to customers.

Sony's shipments seemed to have fallen short of demand and it admitted that production was 10 days behind schedule due to a shortage of memory cards, which are used to store games.

Of 380,000 units sold online, only 120,000 had actually been delivered, the company said, adding that the deliveries should be completed in two weeks.

Sony said it expected the memory card shortage problem to be resolved by mid-March and that it expected total PlayStation2 shipments to reach 1.4 million units by the end of the month. It had originally forecast shipments of 1.5 million by that time.

It also said it had shipped 1.3 million PlayStation2 games and that the console, which can play digital video discs, had boosted DVD sales with video stores having ordered double to quadruple their usual number of DVDs since Saturday.

Many analysts have said the console, priced at 39,800 yen ($370), takes home entertainment to a new dimension with life-like animation as well as the capacity to play DVDs and surf the net.

Its ``emotion engine'' processor has been billed as creating film-like quality, enabling it to depict the most subtle images and movements from hair blowing in the wind to sparks flying from the undercarriage of speeding race cars.

Sony is betting heavily on the success of the new machine. The original PlayStation, and the games that go with it are a high-profit haven for Japan's leading high-tech firm, which already holds a dominant 70 percent share of the world game console market.

March 5, 2000

Inside the PS2 - Comments (9)
Posted by @ 6:08 PM, EST
If you want to know what the PS2 looks like "inside", check out these screens:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5, pic #6, pic #7, pic #8, pic #9, pic #10

More launch stuff... - Comments (4)
Posted by @ 3:35 PM, EST
Gamespot kicked up some Ridge Racer V impressions.
Here’s a bit:

"I'm addicted. Just as the previous installments before it, Ridge Racer V has me hooked - big time. I spent the better part of yesterday afternoon exploring the game - trying different cars, different portions of the track, and different racing tactics. It has that perfect Ridge Racer feel that makes you want to play it again and again. Most of us anticipated that RRV would come out on top as the best game to own for the PlayStation2 at launch. In my opinion, there's no contest whatsoever - RRV is light years beyond any of the other launch games in terms of gameplay experience."
Full article + new movies

IGN also posted up some impressions of RRV. To check them out go here

Tim Horst, IGN’s foreign correspondent wrote up a lunch day report.
Some of it:

"As far as units received by stores around Japan, the magic number seems to be in the 30s-40s. The Tsutaya Book/CD store where I reserved my PS2 got 37 units in. The small game store I reported on yesterday got 45. Convenience stores, like 7-11, touted as "the way" to get things from now on, had an average of six per store. No matter where I went, every store was sold out of units, and the clerks had no idea when they would receive their next shipments. Another item that flew off the shelves were the stands, both horizontal (what's the point?) and vertical (looks way cool)."
Full article

GIA posted some impressions of the PS2:
A slice:

"Hooking the system up and switching it on, the boot-up sequence appears. The black screen fills with a blue smoke and grey boxes, as well as swirling lights. These lights zoom in and become part of the on-screen display, swirling and playing around in a circle. While the boot-up sequence is nice on its own, what makes it even nicer is the fact that it is all rendered real-time. After the boot, two choices appear on-screen: Browser and System Configuration. Selecting the latter causes the screen to morph once again, with more abstract shapes appearing. Five boxes appear in the forefront, each containing different options."
Full article

They also posted first impressions of Eternal Ring.
A bit:

"There are two kinds of unfinished games that get released. The first is a game that is rushed to the market, but hasn't been fully debugged. A recent, well-known example of this would be Sony's racer Gran Turismo 2, which shipped with only 98.2% of the game completable. The second kind of unfinished game is a game that has potential, but is rushed to the market lacking features that really should have been implemented. From Software's PS2 action RPG Eternal Ring fits the latter description perfectly.

"There are so many problems with Eternal Ring that it is hard to know where to start. A few hours into the game, play control is probably the biggest downfall so far. Sony's excellent Dual Shock 2 controller is used so very poorly here. The most glaring problem is the lack of analog control. In a first person game, the Dual Shock 2's twin analogue sticks are a perfect solution to the control problem: use one stick to move, the other to look around and strafe. From chose not to use either stick, and instead decided that the digital pad and L & R buttons would work just fine (hint: they don't). All of the human characters, including the main character, Kain, have exactly one speed: slow."
Full article


Movies
Gamespot posted an Armored Core 2 movie, it is the same that was shown at the PS festival but this one has better quality:
Movie (5.8 MB)
They also posted a few movies of From Software’s RPG, Eternal Ring:
Movie (3.6 MB)
Click here for more Eternal Ring movies.
Here's a new movie of Gran Turismo 2000:
Movie (1.7 MB)

March 4, 2000

PS2 launch - Comments (23)
Posted by @ 11:07 AM, EST
As you all know, the PS2 has been released in Japan.
I have gathered some screens and info:

People paying for their PS2
Tons of PS2s
Three guys showing off their PS2s
Huge line of people waiting to get their hands on a PS2
More people waiting
Gamespot reporters showing off their PS2s
PS2 hooked up to a TV
(thanks to Core and Gamespot for the screens)


Core posted pics of an opened PS2, they also have pics of an opened controller and an opened memory card.
Go here it check it out


Playstation Europe posted a small interview with the Sony President, Ken Kutaragi:

"Five years ago, there were not as many people as today. This morning, I have been to Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Akihabara, and I was surprised by the number of people waiting to buy their PlayStation2, and also, particularly, by the impressive number of media.

This impressive number of journalists shows that everyone and every media, not only the games media, is focusing their attention on the PS2, and I am very glad and happy of it. Today, fortunately it didn't snow and it didn't rain, but it is cold, so I hope that everyone waiting here will get their PS2 quickly and play on it."


Want to see more people waiting for the PS2?
Check out this movie Geisen posted


Article on the PS2 launch from The Nihon Keizai Shimbun Saturday evening edition:

PlayStation2 Clears Shelves On Debut
TOKYO --Tokyo was hit by PlayStation2 fever Saturday morning when Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.'s latest home video-game console went on sale. Thousands of young people lined the streets of the capital in an effort to purchase the follow-up to Sony Computer's hit PlayStation terminal.

One million units are expected to be sold in the first two days of release.
The new game machine, priced at 39,800 yen, offers high quality visuals and can also play DVDs. The device can also be linked to the Internet.
Sony Computer's Web site has already received a flood of orders and some 200,000 units are likely to be sold online.

More than 2,000 consumers were queuing up for the device by 5 a.m. Saturday in front of four outlets of major computer retailer Sofmap Co. in Tokyo's electronics district of Akihabara. The stores had sold out of their 2,000 machines within three hours of opening.
Streets in front of a Shinjuku outlet of Yodobashi Camera Co. were crowded with more than 1,600 game fans by 0:00 a.m. To control the heavy congestion, the store distributed numbered tickets and moved up its opening hours to 5 a.m. from the initially planned 7 a.m.


Another article on the PS2 launch from Reuters:

PlayStation2 fever swept Japan on Saturday as thousands of excited game fans who had braved the cold and queued through the night rushed to get their hands on Sony's new dream machine as stores opened.

At 7 a.m., video game shops in Tokyo pulled up their shutters to reveal stacks of gleaming blue PlayStation2 boxes and let the eager but orderly crowds in to claim their consoles, one of the most hotly hyped electronic gadgets in history.

``Cold, tired, excited,'' said U.S. air force enlisted man Dan Champion, describing his emotions as he emerged from one store clutching a box.

Many game fanatics, including some who traveled thousands of miles from Europe and North America, had camped out for two nights in Tokyo's Akihabara electronics district to make sure they would be one of the first lucky owners.

The object of their desire, priced at around $360, is a console that many analysts say takes home entertainment to a new dimension with life-like animation and the capacity to play DVDs and surf the net.

Its ``emotion engine'' processor has been billed as creating film-like quality, enabling it to depict the most subtle images and movements from hair blowing in the wind to sparks flying from the undercarriage of speeding race cars.

``The turnout is definitely above expectations. We've worked all night to ensure a smooth launch, but compared to Windows 95, when we had 500 to 600 customers lining up, this time seems to be four times as many,'' said Matsuda Nobiyuki, a spokesman for Sofmap, a big electronics shop in Akihabara.

To ensure no one would be disappointed, customers were limited to one console each.

Second Coming
The launch of the PlayStation2 has been treated on a par with the Second Coming in game-mad Japan and television crews were on hand to give live coverage of the event.

``I am the first Frenchman to buy a PlayStation (2)!'' boasted Tom, who traveled from Paris to buy the console, as he displayed his prize.

``Why would I come all the way here today? I just couldn't miss it... But frankly I am exhausted, dead. Fifteen hours with no sleep, the cups of coffee...the jetlag.''

Sony aims to sell a million PlayStation2s in the first two days and is betting heavily on the success of the new machine.

The original PlayStation, and the games that go with it are a high-profit haven for Japan's leading high-tech firm, which already holds a dominant 70 percent share of the world game console market.

If the initial reaction of fans is any guide, it has little to worry about.

``In gaming terms, this is up there with the invention of the steam engine,'' said Steven Kent, a video-game writer from Seattle who had queued through the night to be sure of buying the console.

Kent, currently writing a book on the history of gaming, said the U.S. launch would be even more spectacular as by that time there would be more games on the market.

``The potential is unbelievable, there's just so much you can do with this system...the U.S. launch will be unbelievable,'' he told Reuters.

PlayStation2 is due to be launched in the United States and Europe late this year.


If you already have a PS2 or will be importing it feel free to reviews of the PS2 games

Movies - Comments (9)
Posted by @ 11:01 AM, EST
Core kicked up an awesome TTT movie:
Movie (7 MB)
Gamespot posted a movie of Konami’s soccer game:
Movie (1.7 MB)
They also posted two new movies of Namco’s Ridge Racer V:
Movie 1 (4 MB)
Movie 2 (2.8 MB)

March 3, 2000

PS2 in japan today! - Comments (45)
Posted by @ 1:27 PM, EST
The PS2 will be released in Japan Saturday morning, (about right now).
Gamespot US and Gamespot Japan posted some pics from the stores where they are putting up all the hardware and software, also a few pics from crowds waiting for the console:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4

Type-S movie & screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:26 PM, EST
Incitegames posted a new Type-S movie:
Movie (5 MB)
And Core posted a few new screens:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3

PS2 slots - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:25 PM, EST
DailyRadar posted an article on the PS2's different slots and all the crazy stuff you can connect to them.
A slice:

PCMCIA
This slot will accept most type III PCMCIA cards (those are the best kind), and there are dozens of possibilities. The most obvious are network cards -- modems, Ethernet adapters, even cable modems. All of these devices can plug neatly into the PlayStation2's PC card port, located discreetly on the rear of the system. Other possibilities could include flash ROM storage or, better still, high capacity hard drives, something Sony is already promising. Iomega already makes a tiny 40MB Clik! drive, removable storage smaller even than the Sony memory card.
Full article

Tekken Tag Stick - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:23 PM, EST
IGN scored a picture of the arcade stick that will be released for the PS2 alongside Tekken Tag Tournament on March 30. It will be priced at 3,980 yen (US $37)
Tekken Tag Stick pic

March 2, 2000

Weekly Famitsu scores PS2 games - Comments (24)
Posted by @ 3:25 PM, EST
The Japanese gaming mag Famitsu reviewed some PS2 games; the scores:
Ridge Racer V 9 10 8 8
Kessen 9 8 7 8
Stepping Selection 7 9 8 8
Street Fighter EX3 9 8 8 7
Drum Mania 7 7 8 8
Fantavision 8 7 8 8
(Famitsu has 4 reviewers review each game)

New Screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:24 PM, EST
kicked up a few screens of Temco’s Dead Or Alive 2:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3

They also slapped up some screens of Sony’s Be On Edge:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3

PS2 DVD article - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:22 PM, EST
IGN posted a nice and juicy article about the PS2’s DVD features.
Here's a slice:

Sony has confirmed that the system is as function as any of the high-end, stand-alone DVD players currently on the market. "So, can I do the cool things I did with the Matrix movie on my PS2?" According to Sony, in a word, "Yes."

Multi Language Voice Tracks: You can watch the DVD movie of your choice in several languages, including English, Spanish, French, German and Japanese, or whatever other languages the movie-maker has included on the DVD.

Multi Language Sub-titles and Close Captioning: Movies in foreign languages that have subtitles will indeed have subtitles in text on the PS2.

Multi Angle Playback: You can watch the DVD movie from different angles, but only when the DVD is programmed to do so. This function is most common DVDs such as live concerts and, um, porn. It can also be used for hidden goodies, such as the "How the movie was made features" found in DVD version of The Matrix.
Full article

Tekken Tag Tournament movie - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:21 PM, EST
Core posted a sweet movie of Tekken Tag Tournament:
Movie (5 MB)

March 1, 2000

Movies - Comments (1)
Posted by @ 2:24 PM, EST
Core posted two new movies:
Armored Core2 (7 MB)
American Arcade (5 MB)

Incitegames also kicked up some new movies:
Maximo (character renderers only) (4 MB)
Dark Cloud (8 MB)
Kessen Ad (2 MB)
Gun Griffin Blaze (4 MB)

PS2 stuff... - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 2:22 PM, EST
Nihon Keizai Shimbun Thursday morning edition had an article on the PS2, some spicy stuff from it:

"TOKYO --Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. plans to sell 250,000 PlayStation2 home video-game consoles, or 25% of the initial shipment, directly to consumers via the Internet, it was learned Wednesday

SCE will also adopt a variable retail pricing strategy for online sales in which prices of the machine and compatible game software can be changed according to demand.

Significant sales of the console along with the adoption of variable pricing may seriously affect traditional retail channels in Japan as well as retailer-led pricing, industry sources said.

SCE also plans to lower the price of video games and DVD movies for a limited time some months after their release.

The release of PlayStation2, which can also be used as a DVD player, is expected to double the DVD player market. "The release of PlayStation2 will also trigger a DVD software boom," a top official of Culture Convenience Club, a DVD software rental firm, said.

Anticipating a surge in demand, DVD retailers and rental shops are increasing their inventories of discs.

Globally, SCE plans to ship 12 million PlayStation2 machines by the end of this year, popularizing an easy-to- use Internet terminal that could replace personal computers, industry sources said."

Madden 2001 pics - Comments (5)
Posted by @ 2:22 PM, EST
Gamespot posted two scans of EA’s Madden 2001 game from the latest Newsweek issue:
pic #1, pic #2
Also, if you read the articles from Newsweek I posted earlier you know that EA is working on a new WCW game and a new FIFA game :)
They are actually working on 10! PS2 games ready for release by the end of 2000.