The name Gameshark has been synonymous with cheat devices over the past number of years. InterAct, the company behind the Gameshark, has continued to thrive over the years by expanding their product line-up to include a host of peripherals for each new console on the market. While its Gameshark division has come under some fire from various Internet groups for being too exclusive with generating codes, InterAct still continues to bring out products that are alternatives to the usually more expensive first party products.

In its latest outing, InterAct has released what it simply calls Gameshark 2 for the Playstation 2 console. For those who have used previous incarnations of Gameshark on the original Playstation, Gameshark 2 will appear slightly different in design but essentially the same in terms of functionality. Due to the lack of an expansion port on the Playstation 2, InterAct had to think of a different approach in order for the Gameshark 2 to work. Using the same concept they used for the Gameshark for the Sega Dreamcast, Gameshark 2 consists of a memory card and a pre-load CD. Simply insert the Gameshark memory card into slot one of your PS2 and insert the Gameshark CD into your PS2 drive. The system quickly loads and it brings you to a main menu. Moving around the menus are made easy thanks to a completely menu-driven interface.

Once into the heart of the menus, you can choose to add codes, play with existing codes or play without codes. Adding new codes is possible by logging onto the official Gameshark website and checking for the latest codes from the Gameshark hackers. They are usually up to date and have codes available within two to three days after a title release. Alternatively, you can fork out some more money and pick up the SharkPort, which enables you to transfer codes to and from your PC with the USB cable and SharkPort Software. We have not tried this method but would assume it would be much more convenient. In order to enter your own codes, you have two options. One, you can enter them using the Dual Shock 2, which can take some time if you are entering a number of codes. Alternatively, you can use the USB on the PS2 to plug in a keyboard and enter codes that way. Please Note: You must obtain Gameshark 2 Version 1.4 to take full advantage of the USB support option. Previous versions will not work. Check with your retailer or with Gameshark directly for an upgrade software.

What about the cheat codes? Well it is a cheat device and all of the codes we have tried have worked nicely. A good test run was used with Onimusha codes. There was nothing like walking through that game with fully loaded weapons destroying everything in site. Quake 3 Revolution was another fine example by using invincibility or maximum kills. If you are a busy person who does not necessarily have the time to play every game right through, then Gameshark 2 is definitely for you. Not everyone has 30 hours to clear a game, or time to clear a one or two day rental. Gameshark 2 will easily be your best friend in these cases. And I will dismiss any hopes anyone had that the Gameshark 2 would allow you to play Japanese imports in the same manner the Gameshark VCD did for Sega Dreamcast. It will not play imports. It will however, work on any PS2 model.

As an added bonus, InterAct has included an extra disc that contains over 3,000 Playstation One game codes. A very comprehensive list to say the least. In the end, Gameshark 2 is still the King of cheat devices.

Functionality: 8
Value: 8
Overall Score: 8

By Mike Weatherup.