Category: PS2

Sony to launch even slimmer PS2 in India

PS2 Logo

Sony, abiding perfectly to the “believe in the sales” maxim has decided to release a fourth version of their immensely popular PlayStation 2 console in India by Diwali – the festival of Light, which occurs somewhere around late-October or early-November. While the Wii and Xbox 360 compete neck-to-neck in the International market and the PS3 slowly catches up, here we have Sony selling the PS2, the first version of which was released in *drum roll* 2000. That’s 8 years ago, people. 2 years shy of a decade.

AC adaptors will be integrated into the console itself now, but even then, the PS2 will be “slimer, sleeker and more suave” [sic]. It will be priced the same as before, at Rs. 6990 (approx. $165). The PS2 has become the best selling console in India very recently because of this cheap price, easy availability, combined with the fact that there are still games being made for it. The Xbox, on the other hand, was nowhere in sight until the 360 came along with its humongous price tag.

Another reason why the PS2 is big here is, that pirated games for the PS2 are pretty much everywhere. For the Xbox 360 though, you need to buy original titles, which cost somewhere around Rs. 2000, which no sensible Indian consumer will be willing to spend. The PS3 is too downright costly and the Wii isn’t available officially (I don’t remember the last Nintendo console available officially here…)

In addition, Sony will also be introducing the PlayStation Network for India by the end of this fiscal year, which should bring India into the realm of online PS2 gaming.

Sony Country Manager (awesome title there) Atindriya Bose said, when asked about whether it will affect the PS3 market:

“We do not market it as a PS-2 or PS-3. It is the experience of the PS that we market. PS-3 is for the next generation. People who are first timers in the gaming market want to pick up PS-2 and experience that, before upgrading to PS-3,”

Now that’s funny. “How do we make money off of casual gamers?” they asked. “I know, milk the PS2 until we’re totally out of stock, release the PS4 and then release PS3, because it’s the console for the better gamers which the Indian crowd has become! Perfect plan!”

Source: The Economic Times

TAC’s Widow Maker Bass Guitar Controller Is 100% Compatible With Guitar Hero & Rock Band Features For PS2 and PS3

The Ant Commandos (TAC), a leading provider of innovative wireless video game music peripherals and
accessories, announced today its Widow Maker Wireless Bass Guitar is now available at retail for an SRP of $69.99. The Widow Maker Bass Guitar is the first bass guitar controller on the market to feature 4-1 compatibility with all Guitar Hero and Rock Band games for PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3.

TAC’s Widow Maker Wireless Bass Guitar is one of the most advanced controllers on the market, featuring AutoSense wireless technology using 2.4GHz radio connectivity and offering a largest and longest body design, resembling the classic body style of a real bass guitar. The bass guitar controller features FeatherTouch Fret Buttons which are undercoated with new, stronger rubber cushions for a “clickier” feel when pressed. Using the Widow Maker to lay down their bass rhythms, gamers will be able to rock out to all versions of Rock Band or Guitar Hero for the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3. “TAC is committed to providing the best possible peripherals to players for their favorite music video games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band, and with the Widow Maker, gamers are getting the best quality wireless bass guitar on the market today,” said Jesse Manwill, Senior Manager, Product Management at TAC. “The Widow Maker is 100% compatible with all versions of Guitar Hero and Rock Band for the PS2 and PS3-including rock Band’s effects switch and solo functions– so consumers are truly getting their money’s worth for a top-notch bass guitar that they can rely on for years to come.”

Bass guitar fans will love all of the special features that the Widow Maker is equipped with. One of the hottest new elements is the 360 FLY Function Clip where special button clips allow for strap-free game play and the wild spinning of the controller so gamers can perform similar moves just like their most idolized guitarists. A unique button cluster with a recessed Start button will enable players to let loose and go wild without accidentally pausing the game during a jam session. Additionally, its new PowerThief power saving mode automatically conserves precious battery power for extended hours of play. For the comfort of gamers, the Widow Maker features a specially-designed contoured edge which provides a more comfortable grip on the neck, reducing finger fatigue after a late-night jam session. Realistic to the slightest detail, the Widow Maker Bass guitar controller features a stylish headstock with five tuning pegs, and it even functions as a six-string controller if necessary.

For more information about TAC or the products it sells please visit www.theantcommandos.com.

WALL-E Now Available

THQ Inc. today announced WALL-E, the video game based on the highly-anticipated Disney/Pixar film, has shipped into retail outlets throughout North America for Wii, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PSP system, Nintendo DS, Games for Windows, Mac and mobile phones. Developed by Heavy Iron Studios, the game will also be made available worldwide in more than 69 countries including UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan and Australia over the coming months. WALL-E is rated E for everyone and is now available for the suggested retail prices of $49.99 (Wii, Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system), $39.99 (PlayStation 2 system), $29.99 (PSP system, Nintendo DS) and $19.99 (Games for Windows, Mac).

THQ’s long-running and successful relationship with Disney/Pixar has achieved shipments of more than 35 million units worldwide. The launch of WALL-E marks the second installment in the company’s well-established and successful association with Disney/Pixar, which includes rights to create games based on four newly created Disney/Pixar film properties. Last year’s Ratatouille video game was the first property released by THQ under this agreement and was a top performing kids title in 2007.

Tomb Raider: Underworld Portal launched

Eidos Interactive has officially launched the new Tomb Raider portal – a destination for fans of the series to find the latest news, art, and announcements regarding Lara Croft’s newest adventure, Tomb Raider: Underworld. Developed by Crystal Dynamics, this entry marks the first Tomb Raider title built specifically for next generation consoles, bringing Lara Croft and her world into life-like detail.

Continuing the thrilling legacy of Tomb Raider: Legend and Tomb Raider: Anniversary, Tomb Raider: Underworld represents an advancement in exploration-based gameplay, delivering an epic adventure that offers a new level of challenge and choice. Using every weapon in her arsenal – from her signature dual guns and expanded kit of archeological tools to her own physical prowess and the environment itself – Lara embarks on a quest that circles the globe to uncover the secrets of the Norse underworld and a forgotten power that, if unleashed, could lay waste to all civilization.

Visit www.tombraider.com to uncover exclusive developer podcasts and blogs, screenshots and other media, and all of the latest news.

Tomb Raider: Underworld launches November 2008 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, Wii, PlayStation 2, and Nintendo DS platforms.

Metal Gear Solid Retrospective

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 With all the hype of Metal Gear Solid 4 and its soon to be released status sometimes its
hard to recall just how the franchise has got to this point. For most it is assumed that
MGS began on the Playstation 1. This is a common mistake and can be easily corrected
in a fun way.
Continue reading “Metal Gear Solid Retrospective”