or “Is Playstation 2 the best choice?”

By Gus Bode

Choosing a gaming console is a lot like buying a car. There are pros and cons to every model. Some have this, others have that, and no matter what your final decision is, you’ll wish you had chosen differently.

With tax returns on their way, I’d like to spend the next few weeks helping you decide which system is right for you.

The system of choice right now is unquestionably Playstation 2. Sony has such a lead on Microsoft and Nintendo that it could personally insult every citizen of the United States and still be in first place. There have been more than 20 million PS2s sold worldwide, so support from third-party companies is in full force.

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And games are where the PS2 excels. Any genre you want is covered, usually by several different games and franchises. Even if by chance you hate every existing PS2 game, you still can choose from some 600 PS One titles available.

Playstation 2 owners are currently enjoying “The Getaway” and “Devil May Cry 2,” both exclusive to this platform. “The Getaway” is Sony’s answer to “Grand Theft Auto,” only it takes place in London and features much better graphics. Many reviews have compared “The Getaway” to a big-budget film with the game play to back it up.

Movies are no stranger to the PS2 anyway, because it will play DVD movies right out of the box. Playback is on par with most DVD players, but you miss out on some of the extras actual players may offer.

The PS2 isn’t immune to deficiency, though. It was released in 2000, which puts it behind both XBox and Gamecube in terms of hardware power. Games that are available for all three platforms typically look worse on the PS2, but not always.

Graphics, however, do not a great game make.

To play multiplayer titles you’ll need a multitap, which allows up to four people to play simultaneously. The opposing consoles both have four controller ports, the PS2 only has two; consider the multitap essential for first-person shooters and party games.

Sony has delayed the hard drive accessory again, so saving your progress must still be done with memory cards. The hard drive is said to allow internal saving as well as extra features for online gaming. The PS2 supports both dialup and high-speed connections for online multiplayer goodness.

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In the end you can’t go wrong with a video game system, but informed decisions always fare better. Next week we’ll take a look at the XBox and see how it stands against the current industry leader, Playstation 2.

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