Is it stupid to buy a PS2 now? Just for one Game?

[Compile 'em all]

Okay, I wanted to start out with a disclaimer that I am not a avid gamer of any kind. I never owned a gaming console before too. The only game that I used to play for extended periods of time (4 years ago) was Red Alert.

Yesterday, A friend of mine invited me to his house to play Guitar Hero. I never played it before and he insisted that it is a lot of fun, and a lot of fun it was. Now, I am seriously thinking of buying a PS2 just to play Guitar Hero.

A PS2 costs around here 120 euros and I think Guitar Hero is 70 euros including the guitar, that is 200 euros give or take. My question is, does it make sense to buy a console just for one game? :o

[Cloudgazer]

I wouldn't think its a great idea to buy a PS2 for just one game.
Are you certain you wont buy other games?

I think a better question would be, is it worth it to buy a PS2 at all?

[hollerz]

Haha! I bought a ps2 for one game, and that game was Guitar Hero!! It's an awesome game lol, I say get it!

[MacRumorUser]

Maybe you could get a second hand PS2 to help drive down the cost ?

[Compile 'em all]

I wouldn't think its a great idea to buy a PS2 for just one game.
Are you certain you wont buy other games?


Well, if there are other games that are fun as Guitar Hero then I would sure buy them, but the main motivation to buy a PS2 is just this game :o.

[Compile 'em all]

Maybe you could get a second hand PS2 to help drive down the cost ?

I am currently living in Germany and used PS2s on ebay sell for almost the same price as new ones (what are those bidders thinking :confused: ).

I have another question regarding Guitar Hero. Can you change the language of the menus...etc?. I know for the PS2 itself you can, but what about the game? when I played it at my friend's the menus were in German but I didn't ask him if it was possible to change it.

[MacRumorUser]

I am currently living in Germany and used PS2s on ebay sell for almost the same price as new ones (what are those bidders thinking :confused: ).

I have another question regarding Guitar Hero. Can you change the language of the menus...etc?. I know for the PS2 itself you can, but what about the game? when I played it at my friend's the menus were in German but I didn't ask him if it was possible to change it.

usually most european released have a language change.

[NewbieNerd]

Not being an avid gamer, you probably aren't going to be getting PS3 for years, if ever, so what would be wrong with getting a PS2 now? A gaming console, like a car, isn't an investment...it depreciates as soon as you buy it and continues to, whether the PS3 is coming out or not.

I have no idea if PS2s are region locked or anything, but if they aren't, I'd wait just a couple of weeks, maybe even until just after Christmas, and see if you can get one used from the US, perhaps even in the MR Marketplace. But even if you're not interested in doing it that way, I still don't see anything wrong with an investment in a new PS2 now.

[MacRumorUser]

I have no idea if PS2s are region locked or anything,

they are. :o

[NewbieNerd]

they are. :o

hmm, well that's poop on a stick.... :rolleyes:

[GimmeSlack12]

I was actually thinking of getting a PS2 as well. The number of games on that system is massive and there are many very good ones that I never got to play (*choke* cough** Grand Theft Auto *choke*) :(

What? I've been busy.

[Compile 'em all]

Looks like I will go for it then. One last question regarding the PS2? What kind of cables come bundled with it for connection to a Monitor?. I have a 2007WFP Dell.

[MacRumorUser]

Looks like I will go for it then. One last question regarding the PS2? What kind of cables come bundled with it for connection to a Monitor?. I have a 2007WFP Dell.

It comes with just the composite phono cable.

You could get an svideo cable for better picture quality, or better qualty again would be a component cable into a VGA adapter and then VGA into your monitor.

[Compile 'em all]

It comes with just the composite phono cable.

You could get an svideo cable for better picture quality, or better qualty again would be a component cable into a VGA adapter and then VGA into your monitor.

How much better the quality will be? I mean, does this increased quality worth buying the component/VGA cable?

[MacRumorUser]

How much better the quality will be? I mean, does this increased quality worth buying the component/VGA cable?

to be honest, I'd just get the S-Video cable. Its a lot better quality than Phono and the extra small difference in quality with component probably isnt going to be worth the €€ to you (especially for 1 or two games).

[Compile 'em all]

to be honest, I'd just get the S-Video cable. Its a lot better quality than Phono and the extra small difference in quality with component probably isnt going to be worth the €€ to you (especially for 1 or two games).

Alright, thanx a bunch for the input. I will go with the svideo then. Do I need a specific svideo cable (I mean like PS2/sony branded) or any svideo cable will do?

[MacRumorUser]

Alright, thanx a bunch for the input. I will go with the svideo then. Do I need a specific svideo cable (I mean like PS2/sony branded) or any svideo cable will do?

Any 3rd party cable. Probably cost a lot less too.

[Haoshiro]

Well Guitar Hero II is coming to Xbox 360, complete with downloadable songs on Xbox Live; I'm sure that will be a more expensive route though.

As for the PS2, now is probably a great time to get a PS2. You might find yourself with a library of games before you know it since they are so cheap now ($5-$20). There are also hundreds of games available, so that is another plus.

[bobber205]

I'm buying the Wii, of twice the price, must to play Zelda. So no, it's not stupid. :p

[atari1356]

I say go for it.

I bought a used GameCube a few months ago even though everyone says the "GameCube is dead" - just to play a couple of Zelda games. I don't game much, so it's fun and I don't care about having the latest and greatest thing.

I have no plans on getting a Wii/PS3/XBox 360... if you don't either, then go for a PS2 if that's what you want.

[jdechko]

If you can wait another week or two, you might be able to get a used PS2 for even cheaper. The PS3's being out in the market should drive down the cost of a used PS2 a little bit.

[atszyman]

If you can wait another week or two, you might be able to get a used PS2 for even cheaper. The PS3's being out in the market should drive down the cost of a used PS2 a little bit.

I'd wait until just after Xmas to make the purchase. Holidays being over will probably result in a decrease in the used price of PS2's and once PS3 production starts ramping up I'd expect another PS2 price drop.

[fireball jones]

I was sooooo close to buying a PS2 (again) for Guitar Hero 1+2. Couldn't do it though, $200 is most of what the Wii will cost, although if you have no intentions of getting a new system, go for it!

[aholden12592]

here's a little story: I got guitar hero around january 2006. Great exclusive game, loads of fun. Then as i started to pick it up again more recently i noticed that I would much rather just play a real guitar. And now I can play yankee doodle on a REAL guitar.

Anyways, you will have a blas with that and other exclusives: Shadow of the Colossus, Metal Gear Solid, GOD OF WAR, and more. I am guessing you're a kid because a friend invited you over to play guitar hero. So god of war might be tough for convincing. My friend tried, got really close, but failed.

[thejadedmonkey]

My friend was going off to college, and sold me his PS2 for $25 (usd)

I bought a dance pad and DDRMAX2.

That's the only game I own for PS2, and I don't regret it. but I also got a killer price on the PS2...

I also own a Gamecube, and Super Smash Bros.

yes, 2 games, 2 consoles.

Guitar Hero looks interesting... what exactily is it though? Does it teach you to play guitar at all?

[Compile 'em all]

If you can wait another week or two, you might be able to get a used PS2 for even cheaper. The PS3's being out in the market should drive down the cost of a used PS2 a little bit.

PS3 will be released in Europe in March 2007. So I guess waiting for its release to get a cheaper PS2 wont' be an option for me :(.

[Compile 'em all]

I am guessing you're a kid because a friend invited you over to play guitar hero. So god of war might be tough for convincing. My friend tried, got really close, but failed.

Why would I be a kid if a friend of mine invited me to play some game?. I'm 26 btw :D. If you think Guitar Hero is for kids and wanna be guitarists then I highly recommend you to read this (http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB116277707759314102-cKPNcc1a743_xak43LNLlyfBXl8_20061113.html?mod=blogs) article.

[mdntcallr]

yeah, but on the other hand, gluck finding a PS3 right now. you will be able to get tons of cheap deals on ps2. i recommend getting a used unit. then getting PS3 when u can. i can play ps2 titles.

[jdechko]

PS3 will be released in Europe in March 2007. So I guess waiting for its release to get a cheaper PS2 wont' be an option for me :(.

Oops, sorry. :o

[smitty330]

Okay, I wanted to start out with a disclaimer that I am not a avid gamer of any kind. I never owned a gaming console before too. The only game that I used to play for extended periods of time (4 years ago) was Red Alert.

Yesterday, A friend of mine invited me to his house to play Guitar Hero. I never played it before and he insisted that it is a lot of fun, and a lot of fun it was. Now, I am seriously thinking of buying a PS2 just to play Guitar Hero.

A PS2 costs around here 120 euros and I think Guitar Hero is 70 euros including the guitar, that is 200 euros give or take. My question is, does it make sense to buy a console just for one game? :o

I personally LOVE Guitar Hero, and play it often at my friends place. I would say buy the ps2 for guitar hero because chances are if you like it alot you will prolly buy guitar hero 2. Also neither guitar hero one or two will be compatible with the PS3 so I would definetly not go that route. Oh and by the way Red Alert ROCKS!!! I played it when I owned a PC.

-Matthew

As a sidenote I think that Command and Conquer sould come up with a game for the Wii...that would be awesome!!!

[Abulia]

Well Guitar Hero II is coming to Xbox 360, complete with downloadable songs on Xbox Live; I'm sure that will be a more expensive route though.
I'm stoked for this. Early rumors are that GH2 for the 360 would likely have the GH1 songs as a download off XBL.

Being able to upgrade your GH2 song collection? Priceless. :D

[Malus]

Go for it, there are a lot of great games for ps2...however I hear that they are making guitar hero II for the next gen systems as well (360, ps3 and wii)

[aj98]

Okay, I wanted to start out with a disclaimer that I am not a avid gamer of any kind. I never owned a gaming console before too. The only game that I used to play for extended periods of time (4 years ago) was Red Alert.

Yesterday, A friend of mine invited me to his house to play Guitar Hero. I never played it before and he insisted that it is a lot of fun, and a lot of fun it was. Now, I am seriously thinking of buying a PS2 just to play Guitar Hero.

A PS2 costs around here 120 euros and I think Guitar Hero is 70 euros including the guitar, that is 200 euros give or take. My question is, does it make sense to buy a console just for one game? :o

I'm not an avid gamer either, and I resisted game consoles b/c, for what I was interested in, I thought 'hey, I can get those for either my Mac or my Windows box, and not have to invest in hardware.' and 'I like strategy, not action, games, and most vid games are action. (ala the myst series)

And that worked for several years.

However,

I bought a PS2 (and memory card) in January just for GH1.

For the amount of time we have spent playing just GH, it has more than paid for itself.

I picked up GH2 last week, and it's just as much fun as the original.
Even more so in multiplayer mode.

That said, since acquiring GH, I've added a number of other games to the collection.

Why for the PS instead of my CPUs?
1. No fear about "breaking" the game when updating the OS
(which has happened more than once)
2. can get PS2 games used for as little as 4$ - Except GH1/2, mine were bought used or on sale
3. there are many good (IMHO) strategy/action combination games.
(brothers in arms, for example)

The PS2 is currently running 129 USD, and I'd guess it'll be lower after tomorrow. And, new games are still being released for it.

I've read RedOctane will have a guitar controller adapter for the PS3, as well as a wireless controller.

For lots more info, check the forums at www.guitarherogame.com

[Compile 'em all]

Thanks guys for all the input. I picked up today after work a brand new PS2 and Guitar Hero 2. I have been playing for 2 hrs non-stop now :D.

http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/381/photo03801tn0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Sorry for the crappy quality, I took it with my phone...I wanted to share it with you nonetheless :).

[Malus]

Awesome dude, have fun with it...I love playing 2 player. I need a flat screen for a tv....

[MacRumorUser]

holy moses thats the guitar that comes with it ?

Does this work for left handed users ?

[Compile 'em all]

holy moses thats the guitar that comes with it ?

Does this work for left handed users ?

Yes, but you can buy the game without the Guitar controller if you already have one. About being left-handed, you can switch that from inside the game.

Guitar Hero 2 is freakin' awesome I tell you. The new tracks include songs from Nirvana, Rage Against The Machine and Lamb Of God :cool:.

[ReanimationLP]

A very nice and very good game to play on the PS2 is Final Fantasy XII.

Its amazingly beautiful, and a really great game.

My brother has had to rerent it for me 4 times now. Luckily its free for him. :p

[MacRumorUser]

Yes, but you can buy the game without the Guitar controller if you already have one. About being left-handed, you can switch that from inside the game..

That's a relief. Theres so many games out I want to play... But not enough time (or money) ;) :D

[MacAnkka]

For those of you who don't want to spend ~200€, you can also download Frets On Fire (http://louhi.kempele.fi/~skyostil/uv/fretsonfire/) for your PC/Mac, the winner of the Game compo of Assembly 2006. It's possible to create your own songs or download songs created by others. Someone has also imported the original GH songs (whether or not it's legal is another matter, though...).

It does look a LITTLE bit nerdy and weird, though :p, so it might not be good for a serious Guitar Hero player...

[pionata]

Get a real guitar and a good guitar teacher instead... ;) At least think about it!

[Compile 'em all]

Get a real guitar and a good guitar teacher instead... ;) At least think about it!

Man, whenever Guitar Hero is mentioned anywhere, some post like yours must pop up :rolleyes:. See below for an appropriate answer...

This (http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB116277707759314102-cKPNcc1a743_xak43LNLlyfBXl8_20061113.html?mod=blogs) article mentions some musicians who have songs in the game, but also other musicians who are not affiliated with it whatsoever, and they are all obsessed with the game. I'm sure that your $300 starter guitar won't sound anything like Black Sabbath, even if you did take years practicing Iron Man.

With Guitar Hero, you can spend a short amount of time practicing, and feel like a lead guitarist on tons of classic songs. Maybe I don't want to spend years learning to master the guitar. Maybe I just want to play for a while, feel like a lead guitarist, and then get back to my life. What's wrong with that?

As to why a real guitarist would play this game, it's the same reason why my pilot friend plays flight-simulator games in his spare time: because it's fun. You might as well ask why someone would play a fighting game, instead of studying martial arts and becoming a black belt, or play a first-person shooter, instead of learning to operate a real firearm. No matter how long I practice, I will never fight hordes of enemies in hand-to-hand combat, single-handedly repel an alien invasion, or flawlessly play the entire solo to Free Bird in front of a packed arena audience. But like many others, I play video games as an escape, to do things I could never do in real life. And apparently, even Real Musicians agree with me.

[aj98]

Get a real guitar and a good guitar teacher instead... ;) At least think about it!

Yea, GH1 has a between the songs line to the effect of "you really should think about getting a real guitar. :)

Problem is, for left handers, real guitars, at least in a recognizable name brand, aren't cheap. :(

[pionata]

Yea, GH1 has a between the songs line to the effect of "you really should think about getting a real guitar. :)

Problem is, for left handers, real guitars, at least in a recognizable name brand, aren't cheap. :(

I teach in a music school both guitar and piano, you can get a left handed guitar for just a little more and the choice is a little more limited. But it is really not a problem you should think about.