PS2 -- Engadget

PS2 posts

Sony patents new Cell-based PS2 emulator

by Joseph L. Flatley, posted Jun 30th 2009 at 12:38PM

At first glance, we thought this all sounded a little too familiar: as you know, some PS3s had software-based PS2 emulation way back in 2007. So it was a little bit of a surprise when Siliconera unearthed patent docs dated last December (and only published by the patent office late last week) for the technology to decode and recompile software written for the PS2's Emotion Engine on the current device's Cell Processor. There's been some speculation that this functionality might be included in the rumored slim PS3 at some point -- either in the form of support for your old school PS2 discs or for digital downloads. Who knows? You might be playing your old copy of Shrek: Super Party! on your PS3 sooner than you think.

[Via Joystiq]

Video: Katamari controller hack for PS2

by Joseph L. Flatley, posted May 25th 2009 at 2:39PM

What better way to remember all of those people who died when the moon and the stars were destroyed by the King of All Cosmos than a Memorial Day game of Katamari? Rather than continue to half-ass it with her PlayStation controller, hackster and NYC Resistor member Kellbot has put together a real life spherical controller, utilizing such items as a large mirror ball (sadly, the Yoga ball proved too pliable to roll on the ball bearings), a mouse, a gutted PS2 controller, a digital pot, and -- of course -- the world famous Arduino. Interested in building your own? Hit that read link to get all the details, but not before you peep the video after the break.

[Via Hack A Day]

Continue reading Video: Katamari controller hack for PS2

Logitech's $199 Black Edition wireless Guitar Hero controller shreds like cheddar

by Thomas Ricker, posted May 12th 2009 at 5:27AM

Check it poseurs, Logitech's Wireless Guitar Controller Premier Edition for Guitar Hero is back and ready to take on international ~~pretenders~~ shredders. The new Black Edition prop for the PS3 and PS2 still features the same rosewood fingerboard, wooden neck, and metal frets and tuning peg handles of the US-only original. However, it now carries a lower, $199 price tag (was $250 at launch) and "minor construction updates" based on user feedback. Oh, and it's now black... black like the heart of Chuck Schuldiner. If that sounds like a "a great value" as described by Ruben Mookerjee, Logitech's director of product marketing for gaming, then by all means, have at it when it ships to the US and Europe in June.

[Via BLogitech]

Gallery: Logitech's $199 Black Edition wireless Guitar Hero controller shreds like cheddar

Qtv launches console IPTV platform on the PlayStation.... 2

by Richard Lawler, posted Apr 21st 2009 at 7:22AM

In one of the more unexpected developments from NAB 2009, Qtv is pushing its streaming media player platform for consoles. Not an altogether radical idea we know, but what's different here is a plan to launch first on the PlayStation 2 and move to newer hardware later. From the makers of the Qcast technology behind the GameShark Media Player, Qtv includes YouTube and access to streaming video from other sources, plus pictures, music and video (DivX, h.264, XviD & more) from USB devices or networked computers. The PS2 may not be the first HD set-top box we thought of, it does have the highest installed base. The Qtv player launches later this year and will be available on Mac and PC as well for "less than $50," although thanks to the free 30-day trial the hardest part may be remembering where we left our PS2s.

Sony PlayStation 2 just $99.99 starting tomorrow

by Thomas Ricker, posted Mar 31st 2009 at 7:36AM

We're really hoping that this isn't Sony's global announcement. Nevertheless, starting tomorrow April 1st, the PlayStation 2 will be available for less than $100 (down from $129.99), exactly as rumored. Hoozah?

[Thanks, Ris]

Sony: 'no plans' for a PS3 price cut

by Ross Miller, posted Mar 30th 2009 at 4:27PM

That PlayStation 3 price drop rumored to be coming tomorrow? Not happening, according to Sony. In a statement given to Joystiq, SCEA public relations manager Al De Leon says, "we do not have plans for a PS3 price drop, and any rumors to that effect are false and are the result of speculation." Although we wouldn't put it past the company to deny it up until the second before an official announcement, we seriously doubt Sony would announce any sort of price cut on the day it's most likely to get drowned out by fake PSP2 mockups. No word on that speculated $100 PS2, but we wouldn't get our hopes up here, either.

Global Sony announcement rumored for tomorrow, unicorns practically a lock

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 30th 2009 at 9:04AM

Take it for what it's worth, but Smarthouse has it on authority that Sony Computer Entertainment is gearing up to make a worldwide announcement tomorrow, and believe it or not, it could involve the PlayStation 3. Analysts (and patient consumers) have been anticipating a PS3 price drop ever since, oh, December 26th of last year, but we've seen absolutely zero evidence to make us believe that one is coming within the next 24 hours. And as Joystiq points out, each Sony region sets its own PS3 price independently. At any rate, we reckon a joint PS2 / PS3 price slashing could be on the table, but we'd highly recommend not getting your hopes up too high. Who knows -- we could be getting all worked up over a new firmware that unlocks HD DVD support.

[Via Joystiq]

Sony's PlayStation 2 rumored to hit $99.99 in April

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 29th 2009 at 10:31PM

We've nothing to go on but a good man's word, but we're hearing that the permanent retail price of Sony's aged PlayStation 2 console will soon fall below the magical $100 mark. And really, it'd be about time. If you'll recall, Sony last adjusted the price of the PS2 in (surprise!) April of 2006, and if this here tip proves true, the company will select April of 2009 to push the MSRP down to $99.99. The image above comes from a generally trustworthy Kmart pricing system, and while we're certain you'd all love a PS3 price drop to follow suit, we've no reason to believe that one is close enough to touch.

Update: As a couple of tipsters and commenters have pointed out, that screen's most likely from a K-Mart Remote Management Unit (RMU) screen. That'd make EVT SP "Event Special" -- or in other words, a sale price for the listed days of April 5 to April 11.

PlayStation-induced palm lesions identified by Swiss scientists

by Ross Miller, posted Feb 24th 2009 at 7:38PM

It's no Wiiitis, but Swiss scientists have ID'd a new skin disorder they believe came from prolonged gaming sessions. Dubbed "PlayStation palmar hidradentitis," the condition is marked by painful lumps that appear on the palms. This Dr. House diagnosis came from a 12-year old girl who visited Geneva hospital with hand lesions allegedly from hours-long gaming marathon, and that she fully recovered after a ten-day PlayStation hiatus. While being careful not to discredit the findings, Sony spokesman David Wilson chimed in to say they had never heard of a case like this, despite hundreds of millions consoles sold, and as with any leisure activity, "there are possible consequences of not following common sense, health advice and guidelines." Hey, at least she didn't break her arm.

Trojan PS2 made of wood earns store credit for craftsman, shame for retailer

by Tim Stevens, posted Feb 6th 2009 at 10:24AM

Ever wonder why retail boxes for videogame consoles have windows in them? It's so that retailers can scan the serial numbers when you buy them and then do so again should you decide to make a return, in theory preventing you from pulling a switcheroo. They're also supposed to take a peek inside and make sure that you're not trying to return a plastic shell and two turquoise weights, or a hunk of wood with a bar code sticker slapped on the back. Joystiq has acquired photos of what happens when they don't, submitted by a worker at a Sony distribution center, also showing an empty PS2 case full of towels and another with a flip-top cover still installed that (with a boot disc) enabled its former owner to circumvent that console's lackluster copy protection. All were returned by customers to retailers who then passed them right on to Sony, asking for credit. Surely the above craftsmanship is worth something, right?

Sony sells its 50 millionth PlayStation 2 in North America

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 14th 2009 at 8:31PM

Joining the all-important 50 million club today is Sony, which has just recently moved its 50 millionth PlayStation 2 game console here in North America. For those with short-term memories, the PS2 hit the scene in the year 2000, well before the iPod, Windows XP and America's current president took their rightful places. NPD numbers estimate that around 43 million of these 50 million units were sold here in the US of A, and if you're really looking for some staggering numbers, get a load of this: In November 2008, 206,000 PS2s were moved in America, while just 172,000 more PS3s were sold in the same window. Talk about longevity / sluggish adoption, respectively.

Update: We meant 172,000, not 1,720,000.

dreamGEAR unveils Warbeast guitar controller, Quad Dock controller chargers

by Ross Miller, posted Jan 3rd 2009 at 12:33AM

The perfect complement to ION's Drum Rocker kit, dreamGEAR has unveiled the WarBeast wireless guitar controller for PlayStation 3 and PS2. It's compatible with Rock Band, Guitar Hero, and Rock Revolution games and features a removable faceplate for customization and removable neck and headstock for easier transport. Officially licensed by B.C. Rich, the company is touting this axe as the first and only full-sized guitar controller on the market -- although we bet Starpex and maybe even Gene Simmons would beg to differ. It's now available on the company's website for $130, though if you can't afford that Rock n' Roll lifestyle, Amazon's got it for $90. They've also got a new Quad Dock Xbox 360 controller charger and some refreshed versions of their PS3, Wii lineup, which aren't out yet -- according to Electronista they'll go for around $30 or $40.

[Via Electronista]

Read - dreamGEAR WarBeast product page
Read - Amazon WarBeast product page

Sony's PS2 effectively becomes "an open platform" in Europe

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 29th 2008 at 4:11PM

Seriously, calm down a minute. Your world has not just gotten infinitely better, although hearing the words "PlayStation" and "open platform" in the same phrase may make you think otherwise. In a relatively quiet announcement made at Casual Connect in Kiev, Ukraine, Sony Europe's George Bain proclaimed that developers would "no longer have to submit a game for content approval," effectively making the PS2 "an open platform." He pointed out examples from Russia and India, noting that they could now "create low-development cost titles and release them in their market." In all honesty, we have our doubts that this decision will make any real waves in North America, though Bain did mention a "global approval system" to replace the separated processes currently serving Europe, Japan and America. Now, if SCEA comes out and says something similar about the PS3, then you'll hear some real excitement in our voice.

[Via Joystiq, image courtesy of GamesAreFun]

Guitar Hero World Tour now rocking store shelves everywhere

by Darren Murph, posted Oct 27th 2008 at 11:26AM

This day has been a long time coming, but Activision's next iteration of the Guitar Hero ~~cash cow~~ franchise is officially available. Truth be told, the game (and requisite instruments) was sitting on a-many of store shelves yesterday, but there's nothing like a formal announcement to really push you to take a few hours from work and rock out this evening. There's a variety of bundles out there ranging from the game alone ($49.99 to $59.99), the game and a guitar ($89.99 to $99.99) and the full-on band kit ($179.99 to $189.99), so make sure you choose wisely when heading out to drop some dough.

Logitech's Premier Edition Guitar Hero wireless axe is ready to commit rock fraud

by Thomas Ricker, posted Oct 23rd 2008 at 4:40AM

How much would you spend to be a fake rock star? $250 you say? Good, this is the guitar for you. As rumored, Logitech's Wireless Guitar Controller Premier Edition for Guitar Hero: World Tour is now official with features like a wooden neck, metal frets and tuning peg handles, and a rosewood fingerboard. It's compatible with the PS3 or PS2 consoles (via 2.4GHz wireless USB receiver) and claims a range of 30 feet and "hundreds of hours" of battery life off a pair of AAs. December, that's when \m/.