PlayStation 2 Special Report: Peripherals
There may be a lot of talk about the power of the PlayStation 2, but as with any game system, it's designed to entertain you while you play games. It can also read DVDs so that you can go beyond interactive media and actually watch movies - something new for the consoles. But in order to take advantage of the system's main function, game playing, you'll need to have peripherals to make things happen.
By Justin Speer
There may be a lot of talk about the power of the PlayStation 2, but as with any game system, it's designed to entertain you while you play games. It can also read DVDs so that you can go beyond interactive media and actually watch movies - something new for the consoles. But in order to take advantage of the system's main function, game playing, you'll need to have peripherals to make things happen.
While the PS2 is compatible with most of the original PlayStation peripherals, there is a new crop of products specifically designed for use with the new system. We'll take a look at the first- and third-party peripherals you can expect to see for Sony's new machine, along with the capabilities and pricing for each. From peripherals that let you control a game or the PS2 DVD player from the couch, to peripherals that simply enhance the audio and video quality of your games, we feature the accessories that are available or will be available once the PlayStation 2 ships to stores.
Standard Controllers
Without an input device, a piece of hardware is practically useless. What a keyboard is to a PC, a controller is to a home console. Sony's own Dual Shock 2 control pad is included with the PlayStation 2 system, and third-party controllers follow the same basic formula, sometimes tossing in extra features with a reduced price tag. Take a quick look at some of the standard controllers that are available or will be available for the PS2.
Developer: Sony
Price: $34.99
Release Date: 10/25/00
Produced and manufactured by Sony, a Dual Shock 2 controller will come with every PlayStation 2 system sold. The controller setup is identical to that of the original Dual Shock: left and right analog sticks, a directional pad, four main buttons (triangle, circle, square, and x), and four shoulder buttons (L1, L2, R1, and R2). What separates the new controller from its predecessor is that every button, with the exception of the start and select buttons, is analog, meaning the controller can sense how hard you press the buttons. The two analog sticks on the Dual Shock 2 have been reported as being slightly tighter than those on the original Dual Shock, and the D-pad is supposedly a bit more comfortable.
Shock 2 RF Controller
Developer: Thrustmaster Inc.
Price: $34.99
Release Date: TBA
This wireless controller by Thrustmaster, well known for its PC game controllers, features radio frequency technology that will offer you more freedom and stability. It features a two-motor force feedback system and rubber textured handles. For use with both the PS and PS2, the controller also features DVD remote features when used with the PS2. The button configuration is comparable to that of the Dual Shock 2. The Shock 2 RF Controller will also be available in radio frequency and corded versions.
Developer: Electro Source
Price: $39.99
Release Date: 10/26/00
The Freedom Shock 2 is a fully analog wireless (900MHz frequency) PS2 controller by Electro Source. The rather large controller features a standard button layout (like the original Dual Shock), has a range of 30 feet, and operates on batteries (included with the controller).
Retro Shock 2 Controller
Developer: Electro Source
Price: $19.99
Release Date: 10/26/00
The Retro Shock 2 looks to be another close adaptation of the Dual Shock 2 controller. All of the buttons and the D-pad are analog. The controller is also vibration compatible and has tactile palm grips.
Developer: Interact
Price: $34.99
Release Date: 10/26/00
The ergonomically styled StormChaser Gamepad differs in configuration from the standard Dual Shock 2. It features a one-piece directional pad, six main front buttons, and two shoulder triggers. Each of these is analog sensitive, and each button's individual sensitivity level is adjustable.
Developer: Interact
Price: $19.99
Release Date: Available Now
Interact's affordable Dual Impact 2 controller has a switch that allows it to work with either the PlayStation or the PlayStation 2. The button configuration is comparable to that of the Dual Shock 2. The Dual Impact 2 features strong built-in rumble capability.
Developer: Nyko
Price: $24.99
Release Date: Available Now
This dual analog controller by Nyko has been officially licensed by Sony Computer Entertainment America and has some extra features that the standard Dual Shock controller doesn't. The pad features built-in rumble capability and dual analog control, and you can toggle between digital, analog, and steering wheel modes. The directional pad is raised, as on the Super NES controller, and the fire buttons have individual turbo function with LED indicators. The gamepad is available in the five translucent colors shown and is widely reported to be comfortable and easy to use.
Developer: Mad Catz
Price: $29.99
Release Date: 10/26/00
The Dual Force 2 is a full (all buttons) analog-compatible controller designed for use with the PlayStation 2. Its most striking feature is its ability to use macroprogramming to execute complex button sequences at the press of a single button. Other features include rubber grips and a built-in vibration function.
Specialty Controllers
Although you can play almost any game with a standard controller, some games are enhanced greatly by the use of a specialized controller. Others absolutely require specialized controllers. Here are those that have been announced for the PlayStation 2.
Developer: Interact
Price: $19.99
Release Date: October 2000
Aside from playing video games the PlayStation 2 also offers DVD movie-playing capability. While it is possible to control DVD playback with the included Dual Shock 2, many users will want a more familiar and easy method of controlling their movies. Interact's DVD Wireless Master Remote uses an infrared sensor that connects directly to the PS2 memory card port. The remote features 16 function keys and a range of 23 feet, easily within standard couch-to-TV distance.
Developer: Electro Source
Price: $14.99
Release Date: 10/26/00
Published by Pelican, Electro Source's Wireless DVD Remote for the PlayStation 2 plugs into one of the system's controller ports and allows the controller to be plugged directly into the receiver. The remote is backlit and features all the standard playback functions you would expect.
Developer: Mad Catz
Price: $19.99
Release Date: 10/26/00
This Universal DVD remote from Mad Catz is compatible with the PS2, and it can control your TV and VCR as well. Like most remotes it uses infrared technology.
Developer: Nyko
Price: TBA
Release Date: TBA
Nyko's Wireless remote for the PS2 offers more than a compact design. The receiver plugs into a controller port and allows a controller to be plugged into the receiver itself. Its range is about 50 feet, and like Nyko's Viper 2, it features a translucent design.
Developer: Mad Catz
Price: $39.99
Release Date: 10/26/00
The Panther P2 is based on Mad Catz's PC controller, the Panther XL. The controller was designed with deathmatch play in mind. The PS2 version will offer four axes of analog control and 18 digital action buttons as well as a trackball.
Developer: Interact
Price: $59.99
Release Date: October 2000
The ShadowBlade gives you a die-cast metal joystick and eight analog buttons. You'll be able to program the desired degree of sensitivity for each button, activate the autofire feature with a button on top of the joystick, and program combination moves for individual buttons in the controller's digital mode.
Developer: Thrustmaster Inc.
Price: $69.99
Release Date: TBA
Designed for serious fans of skateboarding and snowboarding games, the Freestyler is an oblong board you place on the floor and stand on. There are two programmable buttons on the board itself, and it has an all-digital one-hand controller. A list of which titles are expected to support this controller and the exact specifics on how the board will be used have not yet been announced. The Freestyler will supposedly ship before the PlayStation 2 though, so you should have plenty of time to practice your balance.
Developer: Interact
Price: $69.99
Release Date: November 2000
The Blue Thunder Racing Wheel has been developed by Interact specifically for the PlayStation 2, even though it is compatible with the PlayStation. The adjustable steering column is the mount for a contoured rubber steering wheel with 300 degrees of rotation and autocentering. The steering column also holds an analog gearshift, and analog brake and gas pedals are included in a separate unit. Additionally this controller also includes a D-pad, the same number of analog buttons as the Dual Shock 2, and vibration feedback. The Blue Thunder Wheel has digital and analog modes.
Developer: Interact
Price: $49.99
Release Date: October 2000
The V3 FX Racing Wheel 2 by Interact is basically a PS2-compatible version of the original V3 FX Wheel. Aside from a few cosmetic differences and the absence of an analog stick shift, the product is very similar to Interact's Blue Thunder Racing Wheel.
Developer: Interact
Price: $29.99
Release Date: TBA
Though there have been no light-gun games announced for the PS2 so far, Interact has readied a PS2-compatible gun with an analog trigger. The ThunderStrike also features manual and auto reload functions and two speeds of rapid fire.
Developer: Interact
Price: $29.99
Release Date: TBA
Yet another PS2-compatible product by Interact, the Reel Pro Fishing Controller has eight full analog buttons (probably more than enough for your fishing needs). Like other fishing peripherals, this controller is motion sensitive and has a vibration function to let you feel like you're casting the line or reeling in a fish.
Memory Cards
While it's possible to play some games without a memory card, every type of game can be played with memory cards so you can save your progress, remember secrets you've unlocked, record records you've set, and save the options the way you want them set up. There is no memory card included with the PlayStation 2, so you'll have to choose from one of the following cards.
Developer: Sony
Price: $34.99
Release Date: 10/25/00
Sony's PS2 Memory Card is more expensive than previous PlayStation memory cards, but it offers a sizeable 8 megs of game information, while the original PS memory card only held around 1 meg. The data transfer rate between the card and the console is roughly 250 times faster than current memory cards, which means much faster saving and loading of data. Sony uses magic gate authentication and encryption to keep files transfers effective and clean. Since no memory card is included with the console, the sure-to-be-reliable first-party Sony 8MB card will be worth picking up.
Developer: Electro Source
Price: $34.99
Release Date: TBA
This third-party memory card seems to be identical to the official Sony card in every way, including price. Potential buyers should note that many third-party memory cards for the original PlayStation had reliability problems, but that doesn't mean the PS2 cards will have the same problems. We'll have reports on these cards once the system ships.
Developer: Interact
Price: $49.99
Release Date: TBA
Interact's Mega Memory Card holds 16 megabytes of RAM, twice as much as the standard card and with only a slight increase in price. This is most likely accomplished through compression technology. Maybe worth noting though is that so-called "Mega" memory cards for the original PlayStation were notorious for mysteriously being cleared of all their data.
Other Peripherals
Developer: Pelican
Price: $39.95
Release Date: Available soon
Similar to other game enhancement devices like the Game Shark, the Code Breaker will let you create codes or find preset codes on the Internet for PlayStation 2 games. The Code Breaker is available for the Game Boy and Game Boy Color as well.
Developer: Sony
Price: $34.99
Release Date: 10/25/00
Since the PS2 only has two controller ports built in, a multitap will be necessary to take advantage of games that support three or more players. A single multitap will allow up to five simultaneous players, while two multitaps could allow for eight-player gameplay. There are many upcoming games that will feature multiplayer, and since most other consoles have four controller ports built into the design, the PS2 Multitap is a must-have for serious PlayStation 2 gamers.
Developer: Electro Source
Price: $29.95
Release Date: 10/26/00
Electro Source's multitap is a few dollars cheaper than Sony's, and it's vertical to boot. Like the first-party version, the PlayStation 2 Vertical Multitap will be available at the system's launch.
Developer: Electro Source
Price: $9.99
Release Date: 10/18/00
From the peripheral developer Electro Source comes the PS2 Designer RF Switch. If you don't have an available AV hookup, you can connect the PlayStation 2 to your TV cable via this peripheral.
Developer: Electro Source
Price: $7.95
Release Date: October 2000
An alternative to a wireless controller for playing at a distance, this totally self-explanatory peripheral extends your controller's reach by 10 feet.
Developer: Interact
Price: $9.99
Release Date: October 2000
Interact's take on the controller extension gives you an extra 6 feet of cable.
Developer: Interact
Price: $9.99
Release Date: October 2000
If you have an S-Video-capable television, using an S-Video cable to connect your TV and PS2 will give you a slight boost in picture quality.
Developer: Nyko
Price: TBA
Release Date: TBA
Nyko's AVS cable will connect your PS2 to an S-Video-capable television to give you improved picture quality.
Developer: Electro Source
Price: $29.99
Release Date: 10/18/00
If your television has a fiber-optic-ready receiver, the PS2 Optical Audio cable can give you increased sound quality over a standard connection.
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