Playstation 2 Slim vs Original Playstation 2 July 5, 2006
Posted by Tell it like it TI is! in PS2, PS3, Playstation.trackback
My 11 year-old son and I are having a major debate regarding the differences in the Playstation2 Slim and the Playstation2! My son continues to tell me that there are several upgrades, and wants to purchase a PS2 slim! The only difference besides being slimmer) that I can come up with is that there is an ethernet connection for online gaming, which he is not really into. I have been to several websites and can’t find direct comparisons. Is this just a waste of money, or are there some real differences. What about the PS3?? Wouldn’t this be a better decision? Help!
Sounds like your son just wants a new Playstation. Let’s face it, when the PS3 arrives, he’ll want that as well.
When does the PS3 arrive anyway?
I finally compromised with my son. I purchased a used unit off of ebay for half price. I must admit, as an old-school gamer myself, that the Playstation 2 Slim is a LOT smaller and easier to move around. It’s no bigger than a paperback book! Now he wants some type of screen that goes on the top of the thing and wireless controllers. During long car rides, I can see his point. Also, I have noticed that the game loading times are faster. Not sure why this is, though. You are probably right, he will probably want the PS3, as well. We have a PS1, PS2, PS2 Slim, PSP, Nintendo DS, in addition to my original Nintendo, Sega, and Nintendo 64. Like father, like son, I guess. I still remember the days when I used to spend hours with Fast Follower kicking his butt in Defender, and Asteroids. I was even the guy at school that played Pac Man until half the screen would disappear (999,999)! Now the all important question…. KNOW OF ANY GOOD DEALS ON THE GAMES!!???
go to gogamers.com or on ebay at gogamerscom and you will find some really cool deals on games. the slimline does load faster and it has a better processor and a slightly better graphics card than the original. it doesn’t have a powerful fan like the original so I would suggest getting a mini fan that plugs into the usb port. the slimeline is quite a bit better the the original. the specs might not be that different but the slimline ps2 is made with new, re-designed parts. hope I helped.
I’m not the gamer I used to be back in our college days, so I don’t know about good deals on games. I’ll ask my son, however. By the way…. I distinctly remember that I was the Defender and Asteroid champ back in college!
Just Dont Tell Your Son About The USB Extreme Program Which Lets You Store All Of Your Games On A External Hard Drive. You Save Big Bucks With It! No Wear & Tear. I Have It Its Worth It. I Only Buy The Best Games Such As Halo, Battlefield Series, And Red Faction Series. Thats What I Recommend. But Anyways About The USB Xtreme I Would Only Recomend It If You Have Over 20-25 Games Otherwise Its A Waste. Unless You Rent Games! Then You Could Just Play Them For Ever! How Cool Is That? At TigerDirect.com Look At The Hard Drive Section, Scroll own And You Will See Calvary 120GB HD $67.99 its worth it! Plus The USB Extreme Program Costs $25 or so! About $100 in total(totally worth it! you can store at least 100 ps2 games on there!!!!). E-mail Me For more info. vinogradovvitaliy@yahoo.com
My Man Vinne! That’s what this site is all about. Useful information. You hear that Fast Follwer??? Stuff we can use. Vinnie I will look into this tonight with my son. I will email you if I have questions. Thanks.
ps3′ll release on nov.16 in n. america
lol ps3 is gonna suck! the real fight will be the nintendo wii vs. the x-box360! i however will get them both (no ps3) soo yeah
idiots
its ps2 slim vs ps2 original, not ps3
I hear that ps2 slim overheats and alot of units have been defective, also would it realy be worth buying 1 if im just doing it to find a networok adaptor i get 50 bucks trade in for my original ps2 problem is even on ebay a network adaptor the cheepest iv seen with shiping is 55 bucks…so thats a 129,99 ps2 slim – 50 bucks for the old ps2 i trade in – 55 bucks form adaptor…so im only spending realy 30 bucks on it but im still wonering if its worth it just for that reason?
Not sure if the PS2 overheats or not. To tell you the truth, it hasn’t even been plugged in since the new arrival of his XBOX 360. Probably all moot points at this time! He hasn’t even looked at the PS2 slim or fat! Looks like I can pull out all of my old games and get some old school play time in!
Same situation over here as well….since the Xbox 360 arrived, PS2 is not on the play radar.
MMMMMM, so nothing about the differences between ps2 slim and normal
Good point Ismael. This started as a post about the differences between PS2 and PS2-Slim. I still don’t know the answer. Just like Ismael. What’s up with that TI?
Not sure. The original post was me asking the question. The only difference that I can see is that it is smaller and easier for my son to take with him. It is about the size of a sprial notebook, so it works great on trips and it can be moved around much easier. Other than that, I don’t see the difference. I am so glad that I got a used eBay unit, instead of paying full retail!
the playstation slim is 5 meg hertz faster and has a built-in ethernet
These three words when you’re gettin busy….WHOMP, THERE IT IS (don’t worry if you don’t understand… it’s from the old school!).
Ismael,
There’s your answer. Thanks to sdferfr.
hey im thinking of trading my PS2 original for a slim one so i can play online do you think that right or its a waist of money. what money did you guys have to pay when you traded your original for slim????????
Actually, I kept and still have the original. The bigger unit is now a permanent fixture in my family room entertainment make-up. The Slim moves from room to room to car to friend’s homes. My son hasnt done much with online PS2 play. I will consult with Tell It Like It Is Jr. and let you know.
I think the slim supports multichannel audio while the old doesn’t
I guess my son wasn’t just scamming me….there seem to be some real differences between the two. I owe him an apology!
To get multichannel on the fat ps2 you have to use the optical audio which I believe is the same for the the slim. From what I can tell the speed increase and the ethernet port are the only two changes. I do think/feel that when the slim is working the ethernet port works better/more reliable/faster than the one you can get for the fat ps2. The only thing though that you can really quantify is the speed up from the processor. On some games you can time the load times and see the differences. I also think that the slim has upgraded software which helps process some load/game processes faster.
Sweet. Now I Know the difference. Thanks!
[...] – Cheat Code Central: Message Boards tom18230: …it was much quiter. The old ones were so loud… Playstation 2 Slim vs Original Playstation 2 Pardon the Interaction Pardon the Interaction » Playstation 2 Slim vs Original Playstation 2 Tell it like it TI is!: [...]
I have noticed the sound level too. This is a major difference.
I would personally go for the PS3 regarding the price. It’s got internet, music, movies, photos and amazingly good graphics.
If you think that it is too much money (which I’m not denying, it’s insanely expensive) than I would go for the PS2 slim.
Jack,
Havn’t heard much about the PS3 since some initial problems were discovered and the somewhat botched launched late last year. Has PS3 solved all of the problems?
Jack,
PS3 IS way too much money. I like your term: “insanely expensive.”
hey, tell it like it is, can i have your son’s old ps2? i think my family would use it
Actually, we are now getting a lot of use out of it. We have it hooked up permanently to our main television and the slim moves around from room to room. This way we are not always moving and unplugging units from our main entertainment center. It is actually working out great. Sorry.
Take care and remember to always Tell It Like It Is.
so…
PS2 original vs. PS2 Slim
loud – quiet
bulky – small
slow – slightly less slow
no usb – 2 usb
no network – network
black – black/pink/blue/etc
Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. I was looking at the post and it has been around for a while. My son was actually 11 when I wrote it..he is now 13! He is still getting plenty of use out of it. Now it hasn’t been quite two years, though. He was a few months away from his 12th birthday when I wrote it.
Any other comments from any PTIers???
With the price reduction, what about the PS3?
this is one VERY old post, so why keep talkin about it?…especially if its about the ps2, mostly evry one now are tryin to get a ps3 which has alot more features so wuts the point of gettin a ps2?…yea i kno the ps3 is more xpensive but u get alot from it…so i suggest start savin ur $$$ asap
the PS3 is a bust a total rip off it graphics are crap the Xbox 360 uses MAX of 32MB of it ram for the system where as the PS3 uses over half its ram (over 300MB) for the system and OS and everything the PS3 has a nVIDIA GPU the Xbox 360 has ATI, the LEADER in gaming graphics where is the GameCube and Wii also have ATI the origional Xbox had nVIDIA also it sucks too i prefer the GameCube myself it has the BEST graphics of its generation ive played the Wii graphics (Although ATI) are really weak on the Wii its dull and blunt like the ps3 where as the Xbox 360 and GameCube are crystal clear and sharp The Legend of Zelda: Twilight princess is way better (graphics wise) on the GameCube then it iss on the Wii my advise is got with the cube and the 360 and take a sledge hammer to the PS2, PS3, and origional Xbox (that cant even play burned discs)
XtremeGamer, why don’t you tell us what you really think
I like your passion and knowledge, however. That’s a good educational, PTI post.
Did you hear that, PTIers: “Get the GameCube and take a sledge hammer to the PS2, PS3, and original Xbox.”
Fast Follower me saying “take a sledge hammer to the PS2, PS3, and original Xbox.” was a figure of speech meaning that compared to the GameCube and Xbox 360 they are useless
hahaha, wow! ur sayin that a gamecube is better than a ps3, now thats a good one…im sure any one would choose a ps3 over the gamecube…its even funnier B-kuz it seems like ur just basing it off of graphics…if you really believe that G.C. graphics are better than ps3 graphics then u must really be sum kind of moron
Way back in the messages you guys were talking about buying the hard drive and the usb extreme software. I am still playing the ps2 and was wondering where you buy the software and also will any usb external hard drive work?
Also forgot to ask when you do hook up the external drive, do you still have to use the little memory cards or can you store your information on the hard drive. The cards are expensive when you keep having to buy them. Thanks a lot
Loved this whole post. Hardly answers the original question. Great to read pre and post PS3 post. Turned out to be the worst system ever made. Happy to hear your PS2 is still in action. XBox 360 rocks.
Yeah, Steamy, this post took a little bit of a different, yet interesting turn. I started this when my son was trying to convince me that there were REAL differences (other than slimness and size). I think PTIers helped me to help my son with his decision, cause he finally got the slim.
Glad you like the post. Keep commenting.
Just telling it like it is.
You mean you finally got the slim for him, don’t you?
Nope. He used his own cash, but only after I was convinced that there was a REAL difference. He actually got a system off of eBay for about 60% of the retail price.
Just tellin it like it is.
so he FINALLY got the slim? didn’t the slim come out like 5years ago?…i woulda gone with a ps3, yea its xpensive but o well…
Noooo…he actually got the slim PS2 back in 2006. That’s how long this post has been up. We haven’t removed it, because we continue to get quite a few views and comments.
Still am not sold on the PS3… primarily based on word of mouth and the lack of consumer hype.
We’ll see.
i really dont care wut ppl say about the ps3, i’ll still get one mainly for the blu-ray player but thers also a few games that i want for it, plus it has compatibility with psp
xXa,
Let us know what your experience is. I was just saying that I find it odd that there is really not a lot of raving about the system. I remember the big Xmas hype in 2006, I remember that there were some initial complaints, but I really haven’t heard a lot about it. I find that really odd.
Let us know. I am always willing to listen to a non-biased assessment.
Just telling it like it is….
What’s the PSP compatibility with PS3?I’m askin around, this might be off topic but I need help.
Ps1 had album art but for some reason I can’t figure it out on my ps2 (fat) can any 1 help me or is album art not avaliable on ps2?
Why are you bidding on a slim?? What are you going to do with it? Why in 2008 would you be doing that? I did this over a year ago…you are not even living up to your Fast Follower nickname!!!
Just telling it like it is.
I brought a PS2 few days ago and I was wondering how to connect it to the internet using a laptop with wireless connection. Thanks!
My son suggests going to this website.
http://www.i-hacked.com/content/view/118/62/
He says he was able to get it working. Good luck. I don’t know much about this, but give it a try.
Just telling it like it is……
So a Conclusion, the OLD PS2 has 2 USB ports in the front as well.
Okay well i have the fat PS2, i just got rock band and was gonna play. i put it in and let it load but it said disk error if i got the PS2 slim do you think it would work in it?
I’m glad you left this post up. I just RETURNED my PS3. It was one of the last 80gb versions in town (the 120GB versions coming in june are rumored to not be compatible with ps2 games just like the 40GB). I was indeed wondering this same question, as I’m looking at getting a PS2 now.
Why you ask? Well, first of all, I have an older (though decently large) TV. The PS3 games did NOT look good. I THINK for the PS3 to be worth it, you need a nice and big new HD TV. The other reason is that most of the games I wanted to play were in fact on PS2. The releases that I wish to play for PS3 are very few and far between. Why should I dish out that much money for a system that doesn’t look hot on my ol’ TV, and has limited game selection?
Oh and I almost forgot. While I was playing “Ratchet & Clank Future Tools of Destruction” the PS3 crashed with a nice assembler code error. The controller was then locked out, and I had to do a hard reboot of the system. That was only after approximately 12-15 hours of playtime on the unit.
I’m with you Monster…one of the most reliable, enjoyable gaming experiences has been with the PS2. You can’t always improve by changing the last number!!!
Just telling it like it is!!!
blaH blaH wutever. . . .
Hey Big D here I believe from What ive seen with ps2 and ps3 problems is that the ps3 isnt backwards compatible cause ive got tons of psx and ps2 games i still play to this day could anyone tell me which year and version is most backward compatible of the ps3?
cause my ps2 slim is completly crappin out and i dont think i can fix it.
(and the 360 does rock)
Wow, there is a lot of misinformation in here… Some of you are either misinformed or simply in denial — I can’t tell.
)
XtremeGamer, the PS3’s graphics are anything but “dull and blunt.” I play my games on my 37″ 1080p LCD monitor as well as our 50″ 1080p plasma TV, and XBOX 360 / PS3 graphics are amazing on them. I do not recommend basing opinions off of playing these consoles on a standard definition set, but even then the graphics should appear much better than Gamecube or even Wii.
It is true that a lot of games released for both consoles run better on the 360 than on the PS3, but that is changing as the developers learn how to program for the PS3. Recent games such as Grand Theft Auto IV, Burnout: Paradise, etc. are doing much better in this regard. And let’s not forget the PS3 exclusives like Metal Gear Solid 4, Gran Turismo 5, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, etc.
I’m not a PS3 fanboy, but I recently purchased the 60GB version and it has proven to be a fantastic console so far. It runs cooler and quieter than my XBOX 360. I love the X360 but they run hot, loud, and the amount of them that have failed due to the “Red Ring of Death” is absurd. I know a lot of people with the XBOX 360, and nearly ALL of them have experienced this failure. Some research on the internet will verify that this is a very widespread problem, although newer models are better in this regard and run cooler due to CPU/motherboard revisions.
To comment on the PS2 issue, I bought a launch console the night of the release and it was a great console for some time, although I eventually experienced the laser problem that affected a number of those units (disc read errors). I bought a lightly used PS2 slim that my son has been using for a couple of years without a problem. It has seen a LOT of playtime, still functions normally, and doesn’t seem to run as hot as people are saying. Perhaps other revisions of the slim fared worse in that regard?
Big D, the 40GB PS3 is not backwards compatible with PS2 games (but it is BC with PS1/PSX games). The 80GB PS3 does have backwards compatibility with PS2 games via software emulation, but it isn’t as good as hardware emulation and certain titles have issues. The original 20GB and 60GB PS3 models are becoming more sought after since they are fully backwards compatible with PS1 and PS2 titles; they actually contained the hardware from the PS2 and therefore can play virtually all of the titles without glitches or other abnormalities.
You can check this page to see which PS2 titles have issues with the 80GB model:
http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/CompatibleStatus
Hi Thank you so much for this you have answer many of my questions. I would like to know if there is any difference on the laser to read the disc between the ps2 or ps2 slim????
I know is almost 2009 but I don’t want to buy a ps3 yet, and I can get one or the other for about 50 bucks.
thanks
Hey, I’m a bit of an old-school gamer and I have all the original Nintendo consoles, and an Atari 2600, so I was looking at buying a PS2 mainly for Tekken and Metal Gear Solid (I have the Twin Snakes the Gamecube version, and really enjoyed it).
My first thought was get the original console, because although bigger, it’s original and fits the rest of my collection, but then I thought because I’m buying it used, wouldn’t the Slim be more reliable because it is guaranteed to be newer? Also, I don’t have any other Playstations so it wouldn’t really be part of the collection. I am not worried about the price, I am getting one from gamestop.com used and there is only a $10 difference.
What would you guys suggest? Buying new isn’t an option, neither is buying a PS3
cheers
ps2 slim get a little hot. sometimes to much.
I Bought an old ps2 about 8 months ago and I have already gotten the disk read error problem. I am having to buy a ps2 slim just because I can’t afford a next gen system.
ps2 sux…i have a 60gb ps3 n plays ps1 and ps2 games but i dont have any.. but thats where my psp comes in handy.. now dat its hacked i can play ps1 games(usualy play marvel v. capcom, marvel v. strt. fighter, MGS, R.E.2 ) as well as nes, snes, sega, atari, gb/gba, n64..and a psp gameplay is pretty close to a ps2..so yea, ps2 sux
ok, i would like to say that there is solutions in repairing your systems but this will void your warranty on your ps2 console. to fix the dise read error, i took apart the system(its very simple) and what a did is basically took a piece of very soft tissue paper and rubbing alcohol and wipped the lens very softly to make sure it doesnt get damaged, i put it back together and so far its working and trust me, it works, i still have the ps2, i had it since the month after its release.
Dudes,
Hold u’r horses. I’ved just end this entire forum and… my suggestion and my respect remains to tha ppl who appreciate PS2 slim. I’ved tryed all consoles possible at every of my friends and i realised that the PS2 slim it’s better than any console who is newer on tha CONSOLE MARKET.
The thing is that tha PS2 has less technical problems, wich satisfies a client more then a realistic graphic or a better sound qality or else…
I mean… what id you’ll se the most beatifull graphic on u’r TV, but in a few hours it will shut down, gamepad blocked instantlly, game crackin just when you’re “tasting” it or else… so No. 1 for me is a PS2 slim.
I’m playing on a no prob. console for a long time ago so you can call me The Busy One.
I got all the way the the end of this and found out it is between a 47″ 1080p HD TV for my XBOX 360 or a PS3 160 GB to go with my XBOX 360 on my small 37″ 1080p HDTV
i have a ps2 slim and it works fine it does not over heat at all!!!! my favorite game is eyetoy and gta series
Took a long time to read this entire post, geeze. I feel like I’ve just experienced 3 years of gaming talk within an hour. In my opinion the PS2 is the best console to own mainly because I’ve had it for 7 years and not once have I had a problem with it. Another reason is because I can think of over 70 games that I enjoy on the PS2, where Xbox and PS3 I can only name under 15. With PS2 games being only about $15 each, that’s another reason for me to continue playing it rather than dump my money away on a newer console. My girlfriend did buy a Wii though xD
It is kind of painful to think about all the PS2 and Gamecube games that I’ve spent $50 each on back then when they’re so damn cheap now. I’ve been buying lots of say 20 games for $40.
having fun with Champions of Norrath right now
Wow, nice long post. I was just googling about the PS2 Slim and found this post, and it was very helpful. I’m gonig to buy a PS2 Slim tomorrow for $99.99 at Wal-Mart brand new. Only thing is that a lot of online games for the PS2 are being terminated, as in they will no longer be able to be played online because Sony or whoever pays for the servers isn’t gonig to continue with there games online functions. I can’t believe how long this post has been going on, lets keep it going forever!!!! We haven’t heard from the creator of the post in a while!!! What happened to him!!!
Yay PS2 Slim!!! Yay Xbox360! Yay PS3??? Yay Wii!(I have one and the graphics SUCK!!!)
The third of August 2009 – still – PS2 rules over ps3 and the new consoles!
There are over 6 000 games for ps2 and more than 500 are incredibly good…
The price of the newer consoles compared to the ps2’s … it’s like a fly next to an elephant…
Not much people have new TV’s with Full/Ready HD…And surprisingly i found that a lot of new TV’s with these extras doesn’t have HDMI outs which is pathethic but true….
Of that we can consider PS2 as the leader and maybe a few years later the new generation will take place…
Thanks a lot guys. All this stuff is very instructive.
You can’t imagine how much years it’s been since I lost contact with the gaming world…
I think I’ll go for a PS2 Slim myself, yes, in august 2009, mainly because I would never think of getting a HD/whatever TV, plus I have a goddam laptop so I don’t need a stupid hard drive on the PS3 nor wifi cause it’s not like I’m gonna move the machine around in hot spots and try to connect to the internet; having to recharge the controller is another hassle I won’t worry about in PS2, and man, I have a damn laptop so why add another system like it that also allows playing with videos, photos and music? That’s so consumerist. The PSP-compat part too.
Hi guys,
Great discussion,but i wanna ask something.I’m hesistant about buying a computer or buyng a PS2 with chip.Which will be better?Help me please!
Thank you!
P.S.I am BG so excuse my writing if i made a mistake!
PS3 Slim is here.
I think it was a little lazy and greedy not to include Backwards compatibility, considering the new consoles will make profit for Sony now. Why would they risk bringing more distrust upon them by trying to convince people to buy a PS2 instead?
Nevertheless, Bye bye Xbox 360. Killing off the Pro pack and putting Elite down by a 100 bucks will just turn the tables and make MICROSOFT look like the desperate strugglers.
wow this old
my son wants to get the new ps3 slim. is it worth it?
ooooo i forgot… Just telling it like it is!!!
i got my ps2 when it first came out (fat one) and till this day it still going
and i also had the xbox it just didnt want to play the games any more after 1year
what im trying to say is that PlayStations are better then the xboxs
and i just got my ps3 slim pretty nice
the ps3 is the best system ever i live eat and breath it,the online is crazy,i love it,you get to meet so many ppl all over the country and link up and play you cant beat that,i say get the ps3, the online you can go head to head with ppl and and get your name on leader boards an everything,its the best.