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The PlayStation 2 turns 20 and our readers have feelings
The PlayStation 2 came out in Japan 20 years ago today, with Sony selling 155 million units over a lifespan of almost 13 years. It's actually the best-selling console of all time, which means it's likely quite a few of you owned one and have strong feelings about it. Which is great, because the PS2 was released four years before Engadget even existed — we celebrated our 16th birthday this week — and we never gave Sony's second console generation the full review treatment. While you can check out my thoughts on the PlayStation 2 as a DVD player, for a deeper dive we're turning to the user reviews left on our PS2 product page. Between its long lifespan and impressive library of games, you had some interesting things to say.
PSP hack allows for DualShock 2 control
Has your PSP's weary nubbin got you feeling down in the dumps? A new day -- nay, a better day approaches. A French console modder by the name of Flasheur managed to hook a DualShock 2 up to his PSP, allowing for the use of the controller's more responsive (and elevated) analog stick. It'd be a great solution for the handheld's non-ideal control interface -- if only it were a bit more portable, and easier for non-modding experts to attach.Of course, this isn't the first time we've seen such a mod -- last year, someone managed to hook an original DualShock up to sony's portable console. However, this mod uses a DualShock 2, which is obviously far superior, because ... it has a "2" on the end of its name, we guess.Check out the painfully long video demo of the mod after the jump.[Via Engadget]
Midiator lets you use a PS2 controller as a MIDI controller
We've seen plenty of attempts to use game console hardware as MIDI controllers, but they've usually involved complicated hacks and strange software kludges, so we're pretty curious to see if Curious Inventor's Midiator actually works as promised. The nondescript black box is supposed to map virtually any PS2 controller -- including wireless models and partial support for Guitar Hero axes -- to various standard MIDI controls, including use of the analog sticks as pitch bends and modulators. Not only that, but if you don't feel like buying the assembled kit for $79, you can get the schematics for free, and if you're handy with a soldering iron, you can even earn some cash by adding requested features like pressure-sensitivity and direct USB support to the unit. Check it all out at the read link, and make sure to cruise past the break for the sweet demo video.[Via MAKE]
PS2 controller on Xbox 360, keyboard n' mouse too
At $79.99, TeamXtender's XFPS 360, a keyboard and mouse adapter that also sports a PlayStation 2 device port, is no impulse buy. But, aside from being an obvious investment for PC-trained gamers, XFPS 360 promises some bizarre possibilities by way of its PS2 port. Never mind that wielding your Dual Shock 2 to rip apart the Locust is so inappropriately rad, dude, try pluggin' in your (Guitar Hero) guitar and thrashing RAAM to death!The XFPS 360 is scheduled to ship in early January via Video Game Advantage (official retailer of TeamXtender products).[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
PS3 pad loses DualShock name and vibration but picks up Wii-esque motion detection and wireless connectivity
In a shocking turn of events, the PS3 controller has gone from banamerang to wireless DualShock 3, except without the DualShock name and vibration.If you take a good look at the back of the new control pad (see the close-up above), you'll notice that the DualShock 2 brand name imprinted on the old controller has now been supplanted by a row of LED lights to show which input has been set, either wirelessly or via the wired USB recharge port. Sony's now the only name in-line for PS3 controllers either on the pad or in the press releases (see "the new PS3 controller").
