Okay, I'm buying a PS2

[lazarus]

Should I get a refurb (120 bucks) or one of the new slim ones for 150?

What accessories should I look for besides a second controller? What sort of memory card, etc.?

Finally, games. I'm in love with the Zelda games, any games like that for the PS2? I mean the sort of RPG/action blend the 3-D Zeldas use.

Oh, the reason for buying a PS2: My daughter got a DDR pad for XMas. Not a big problem, as her mother has a PS2.

But I've gotten custody of her, and will have her here starting next weekend, hooray!

[7th_Sephiroth]

1. go for the slim

the DVD components and processor have been upgraded

[lazarus]

2. thanks!

I'll do that. Will i need to upgrade the memory card, or is what it comes with okay usually?

[7th_Sephiroth]

4. memory cards are seperate

and dont go with a third party, i did and it needed a disk to activate, also, any existing PS2 format memory cards WILL work

[mourningdove92]

3. I don't think a memory card comes with it. You will have to

buy it. I love my PS2 and yes there are many RPGs available. Nothing in Zelda yet, that I am aware of....I LOVE THE ZELDA GAMES. They were the only reason for owning a Nintendo 64.

[nickgutierrez]

5. If you want to laugh your ass off, get The Bard's Tale

It looks a bit childish, but the dialogue is anything but.

[lazarus]

6. This is getting frustrating

I've checked 7 stores yesterday and today. Nobody's got one.

[NuttyFluffers]

7. look online, buy online. also buy slim.

almost no console has been sold with a memory card included. don't expect this to change. a few consoles have been sold with internal memory, but ps2 requires you to get a memory card. go for a bigger memory card by the way, and yes, go for 1st party (aka: made by manufacturer of said console as well) as your first memory card.

considering you've checked 7 stores, save some gas and just go buy online and have it shipped fast. also get a slim ps2. a refurbished one might be a first model ps2 and might have a problem playing the modern dual layered dvds that some games are now made (a friend had to sell his old one and buy a new one to play a new game. sucks hard to do that).

start with a second controller, she should have the DDR pad. ask her if she wants to play DDR with you, or with friends, and maybe get a second DDR pad. if you do get a second pad allow her a DDR sleepover or mini house party with a friend of hers or two. call it a housewarming.

won't need fishing rods, keyboards, or light guns anytime soon. buy such things as you need them.

the type of games you are looking for are called (now) action RPGs. in fact the particular type you are talking about is called "3rd person, behind the back, Action RPGs." most will look at you glassy-eyed when you say that, but a few would get it and they'll give you the most advice. those that don't get that, just say "stuff like the new 3D Zeldas" and then they'll be able to help.

next, what level of gore, violence, adult material are you comfortable with in such games? some people love the genre, but prefer a more 'toon-ish feel (a la Zelda), but others love their games dripping in ichor and ooze. that'll be another major issue in choosing a game.

[lazarus]

8. gore/violence, no big deal

She used to watch over my shoulder when I played System Shock 2, thought it was fun when I blew up the bad guys.

I know the Gamecube came with a memory chip, but it was a small one, and may have just been part of a bundle.

I'm going to go ahead and try a sports game, too. I've heard the PS2 is much better for sports than the GCN.

If a slim PS/2 isn't in tomorrow at any of the convenient stores, I'll definitely be buying it online. I was going to avoid refurbs, anyway, just because I have the money right now, and like buying new when I can.

Oh, and thanks for the advice. :hi:

[NuttyFluffers]

9. quick tip, phone ahead.

you wouldn't believe how many times i wasted driving all over the place when my fingers could've done the walkin'. so when checkin' tomorrow, call first -- and ask if one of the clerks can be nice enough to put one 'on the side' (technically casual holds don't happen in stores, but if you ask real nice, sometimes the clerk will be nice and help you. i was once a clerk myself ;) ). maybe share a bit of the story/reasoning why and most would be kind-hearted enough to do so.

a classic action rpg-esque is devil may cry, and i'd probably check a few websites for recommendations. oh, and here's a useful site, just in case you ever get stuck on stuff.

www.gamefaqs.com

the reviews and message boards are often horrible, but the sites dedication to all that is video games is quite admirable. and their FAQs and walkthrus are invaluable. and every now and then you might find an interesting gamer with similar interests.

[lazarus]

10. Yeah, we're doing that today

For an hour or so before Haele gets off, I'll be calling every store between here and there.

And I love gamefaqs.com. It's really helped me a lot. I'd still be working on Wind Waker.

[lazarus]

11. I got it!

called, found one, picked it up along with a mem card, controller, and EPSN NBA. :D

[NuttyFluffers]

12. congratulations!

hope your daughter loves it. some of my happiest memories were when my parents spent time playing games with me. it wasn't very often, but it was fun and memorable when it did.

one of the games i like, but it's a *very acquired taste*, is Romance of the Three Kingdom series. it's a historical strategy simulation about the 3 Kingdoms period in china. i found that the 7th and 8th enstallment on the ps2 are fantastic versions. in fact it takes up a slot in one of my top 5 games i must have if i get a ps2 (i've yet to fill out the list). it's a more mature -- and time consuming -- taste, but sometimes someone finds it's just what they are looking for. i'd recommend a rental if you have time to waste.

[lazarus]

13. I'll give it a shot

That's the only reason I can think of to go to a Hollywood Video/Blockbuster place since I joined Netflix: renting games to try 'em out.

[slestak]

14. Gamefly

Gamefly is basically the Netflix of videogames. I think subscription prices start at $13.95/month. That gets you one game at a time. If you want two at a time, it's $22.95/month.

I'm not currently a subscriber, but I'm planning on signing up in the next week or so.

[NuttyFluffers]

15. thanks for the info, haven't heard of them before.

netflix and gamefly... good things to remember.

[lazarus]

16. I can't recommend Netflix highly enough

Incredible service.

[DrGonzoLives]

17. Slim, definitely

The "Disc Read Error" nightmare is fixed, better processor, and you don't have to buy the network adapter to go online - just plug it right in (I haven't tried yet because online gaming doesn't much appeal to me, but that's how I understand it).

No Zelda games on PS2, unfortunately - only on Nintendo systems, which sucks. Games like it, plenty, but not really my genre.

If you have the DDR pad, you might want to check out Athens 2004 - it's compatible with it, at least some of the events, and it's a pretty fun party game - many of the games resort to masshing O and X really fast (though Equestrian and the Floor Exercises are harder than shit).

Just grab a couple 8MB standard cards - unless you start playing things like Madden (or other EA Sports games with franchise-like modes), most games just need a few kilos of space to save. I have no idea how good NBA 2005 is from EA, but since you're a fan of basketball, you might want to check it out, it's supposed to be good.

[lazarus]

18. "games like it"

That's what I'm looking for. I've got the Cube for my Zelda fix, I'm just looking for games with the same play style. RPG, but actual combat instead of turn based.