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New low-price ‘compact’ PS2 to arrive in 2008

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New low-price ‘compact’ PS2 to arrive in 2008

Redesigned model boasts built-in power supply; 25 per cent price drop likely

Thought PlayStation 2 hardware sales were going to quietly disappear after the revenue frenzy of Christmas? Think again – Sony is preparing to introduce a new, cut-price model of the console in early 2008.

MCV can exclusively reveal that this ‘compact’ PS2 will hit the US at just $99 in the New Year – a reduction of $30 from its current selling price of $129.

If a similar percentage cut is introduced in the UK, retailers can expect to sell the revamped system for just £75 – or maybe lower.

The new version has a built-in power supply – unlike the current Slim model – allowing the platform holder to manufacture it more economically and sell it at the bargain price.

The news will surely come as a blow to Sony rivals Nintendo and Microsoft, who have see sales of PS2 suffer somewhat due to the introduction of Wii and Xbox 360 in recent years.

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PS2 this week celebrated its seventh anniversary, during which time it has sold over 120 million units worldwide. Yet this cut demonstrates Sony’s belief that the system’s market is far from exhausted.

Last month, publisher bosses from the likes of Eidos, Ubisoft and Atari suggested to MCV that a price cut on the console could massively reinvigorate its sales figures.

A Sony spokesperson refused to comment when contacted by MCV.

PS2 still significant

posted by L Nov 02, 2007 at 10:42 am
1
L

This is great news, it shows that Sony are still backing the format and so they should. This should ensure continued publisher support and in turn this can only be a good thing for retailers and consumers alike. PS2 still has a significant part to play in the console mix

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Re: PS2 still significant

posted by Darius Enigma Nov 02, 2007 at 12:22 pm
2
Darius Enigma

This would explain why they are making PS3 consoles that don't play PS2 now.

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Re: PS2 still significant

posted by Jaguar Nov 02, 2007 at 11:26 pm
3
Jaguar

Sony could even make it smaller...by making it a module for the ps3...and even possibly sell a combo kit...!
(thereby increasing sales figures for both units)

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Sony will always be a force to reckon with

posted by Adamski Nov 03, 2007 at 6:52 pm
4
Adamski

Sony shows again why it is the number one player. with this new pricepoint and (speculation) and WII- mote clone on the shelf they would knock out the WII and offer their subtantial user base (120M) a similar procuct with more software....
I rest my case!

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Re: Sony will always be a force to reckon with

posted by Randomrat Nov 03, 2007 at 7:34 pm
5
Randomrat

Whats the point... The PS3 is just trashed. Won't this just ruin PS3 sales. who's gonna really buy it anyway. Sony should have just put the PS2 features in the PS3 and just make a 20GB model of it and sell it cheaper than the 40GB model (£299). Problem sovled. Won't that up Sony's profit?

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Re: Sony will always be a force to reckon with

posted by John Nov 04, 2007 at 6:32 am
6
John

I think that the ps3 was just release to early, with the 360's advantage of coming out before it the ps3 was rushed out in a hurry. IT is over priced yes but in time that will level itself out but inorder of that to happen they MUST HAVE ps2 compatibility. Until there is a large group of games for the ps3 being able to play ps2 games better is its biggest selling point asind from the bluray aspect.

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Re: Sony will always be a force to reckon with

posted by Nov 04, 2007 at 9:48 am
7

i think they should work on the ps3 rather than worry about the ps2 thats been out years the ps3 needs work on it to sell i think john is right is what he is saying

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Re: Sony will always be a force to reckon with

posted by Peabody Nov 04, 2007 at 12:03 pm
8
Peabody

Doesn't the PS2 still outsell the Xbox 360 month after month?

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Re: Sony will always be a force to reckon with

posted by RedEagleEX Nov 04, 2007 at 12:31 pm
9
RedEagleEX

I think John is wrong. Not all PS3's needs to have PS2 Compatibility. The fact that 40GB PS3s are selling disproves his made up theory. The PS3 is geared to compete against the X-Box360 for High Performance (Which has poor Backwards Compatibility for X-Box yet the 360 is selling well reguardless.). The PSP is geared to compete against the DS in the Portable Gaming. But what is competing against the Wii which is known for inexpensive and unique game play? Technically none. Wii has a price advantage over the PS3 and X-Box360 not just for the consoles, but the games itself are inexpensive too. The only home console that can compete against the Wii in price atleast is the PS2. Of course I am not saying the PS2 will defeat the Wii nor do I think it ever will sicne the Wii still has unique gameplay. But what it can do is slow down the adaption rate for the Wii until the PS3 price and its library of games meets consumer's appeal.

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Sony Loves the PS2

posted by Ralphy Leone Nov 04, 2007 at 1:41 pm
10
Ralphy Leone

Sony still cares about the PS2 because if (and this is a big "if") the PS3 sales drop to an all time low, Sony will use the PS2 as it's backup plan to make up for lost PS3 profits.Therefore, making the PS2 an emergency sales kit until possibly 2010.

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The new PS2 is a Move

posted by Chuck Norris Nov 06, 2007 at 3:51 am
11
Chuck Norris

The new PS2 is a Move to Counter The Wii not Just to Give the PS2 one last Boost of Power.

I have Gotten the Official Dimensions of the Compact.
It is exactly the Size of Two DVD cases stacked.

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Re: The new PS2 is a Move

posted by maninatrunk Nov 06, 2007 at 10:20 pm
12
maninatrunk

Making a new ps2 will be good for people like me, that can't afford a ps3 by a long shot, but this will be basically pointless, major game releases for ps2 in 2008 are practically none, if theres not enough new content coming out (especially to invest in making a new ps2 unit) then the sales for the ps2 will be generally the same, its almost like a waste of time. I mean who would want to waste 100 bucks on something that will only have 5-10 new games availibe for it, espeically for someone who might all ready have a ps2.

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Re: The new PS2 is a Move

posted by Haruku Nov 08, 2007 at 7:00 am
13
Haruku

maninatrunk, people like me, who...*ahem*...accidentally sliced their PS2 in half while practicing kendo indoors...would be more than happy to purchase a new and slimmer version of the PS2. Currently, I don't even want to shell out $400 for a PS3 just to play my PS2 games, but I don't want to spend $120 for a new PS2...and I'm too snobby to buy a used PS2 (I got my fat PSP for only $50 NEW way back when.)

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Re: The new PS2 is a Move

posted by Haruku Nov 08, 2007 at 7:02 am
14
Haruku

$50 PSP??? I meant $50 PS2...although I do have a white PSP. =D My "next-gen consoles" are actually handhelds: the PSP and DSL.

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PS2 benefits

posted by Bruce Everiss Nov 09, 2007 at 11:42 am
15
Bruce Everiss

PS2 is probably the best market for a game developer or publisher to be in right now. It is so well known that games can be developed very efficiently. Then you sell them to an installed base of 120 million machines.
And because so many short sighted publishers have deserted it there isn't so much competition.
PS2 has something like 4 years more production to go. It will be a $99 entry level system in the west and the console of choice in developing countries.
And Sony c****e the very healthy profits to help s**** up massive PS3 losses.

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Re: PS2 benefits

posted by adam Nov 13, 2007 at 5:29 pm
16
adam

shut up buy aps3 n dont be tight

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Re: PS2 benefits

posted by jon wayne Nov 13, 2007 at 5:30 pm
17
jon wayne

shut up n dnt be tight go buy a ps3

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Re: PS2 benefits

posted by Trish Nov 14, 2007 at 3:02 am
18
Trish

Walmart used to have a PS2 on their website for 149 dollars that was small like the new slim ps2 console, and it had an 8 inch monitor built on top of it that opened up like a laptop. It came with a car plug to plug it into your cigarette lighter. They no longer have these consoles listed on their website. Anyone know where I can get one?

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Re: PS2 benefits

posted by milen Nov 15, 2007 at 7:08 pm
19
milen

hey dudes about the playstation2 sllim
i'm from Bulgaria could you tell me how much will it cost if you send it to me.And what do i have to do.

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Re: PS2 benefits

posted by Nov 15, 2007 at 9:57 pm
20

j

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Re: PS2 benefits

posted by Ggd07 Nov 23, 2007 at 12:06 am
21
Ggd07

Yo MILEN!
Im From Bulgaria too...
It will be a big waste of money if you buy a ps2 out of europe Just to get it cheaper...

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Re: PS2 benefits

posted by akile Nov 24, 2007 at 7:44 pm
22
akile

word word word

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Meh

posted by Death Wombat Nov 26, 2007 at 9:54 am
23
Death Wombat

It seems this should hit up well with those looking to replace their old units after all these years. Not to mention, its extremely small size should offer taking up less space so that it can be used in long car rides, vacations, small dorm rooms... it'll be great for portabilty. Though, I must say, when you have to downgrade the specs of your best console (PS3) several times, and re (PS2)-re (PS2 Slim)-release (PS2- EVEN SMALLER) your best- selling one... things can't be looking so good. I'd say Sony is just looking to pick up the scraps of their 'oopsy.' As far as I can tell, PS2 is gonna be good to go until a 4th generation comes out. I just don't see Sony catching up, let alone winning-- especially with the crushing blows of losing a lot of their star titles to Microsoft as well. Perhaps round four will see Sony making a console for gaming, instead of DVD playing... seeing as, it is a 'gaming console.'

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Backwards compatibility

posted by El Cattivo Nov 26, 2007 at 10:05 am
24
El Cattivo

The important thing about backwards compatibility is that people still want to play their favorite games from yesteryears, and unfortunately the old hardware tends to breakdown after replacements are no longer available. I've still got a functioning Sega Genesis, and I still love playing those old 2D games which will never be re-release in the same form on a next-generation system. My brother still has a functioning ATARI console, and his son, who enjoys playing 3D shooters on the PC, also enjoys playing those old games from the dawn of home video gaming.

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Re: Backwards compatibility

posted by Scott Nov 26, 2007 at 11:25 am
25
Scott

Lets just face it: Sony screwed up this generation of gaming (meaning the PS3) and is going back to old technology and back to their biggest product in order to get some money out of peoples wallets again. Let the PS2 be the PS2, dont come back to it. Try and fix the PS3 again instead of coming back to the PS2. Im a hardcore gamer, and I doubt what sony is trying to do will work.

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Re: Backwards compatibility

posted by Dukenator Nov 26, 2007 at 11:54 am
26
Dukenator

What the hell? I got my slim PS2 in 2005 for $149, before it was dropped down $20, and now I hear Sony releasing a slimmer PS2 for $20 less. It even sounds like they going to take the original PS2 and squeeze into an even slimmer design.

Any smaller, and I would be able to hang it on the wall next to the flat screen TV. In reality, I don't plan to buy either one.

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Re: smaller ps2

posted by sati Dec 21, 2007 at 9:58 pm
27
sati

i think that if you take sumthing that was once great and bring it back even smaller , it might sell pretty well , and will make a great gift for sum 1 who wants a cheap dvd player but also works well as a games console. also why spend silly amounts on an 60gb ps3 when u can buy a 20gb ps3 and spend xrta £30 on 250gb hdd put that in the ps3!! , in tokyo there a 24 ct gold ps3 with a 1TB hdd!

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Re: smaller ps2

posted by fudgeknocker Dec 30, 2007 at 7:42 am
28
fudgeknocker

haha thats halarious, my opinion on the matter is that sony makes the best products bar none, even if it was pushed out early, i mean seriously its crazy

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I Will Be Buying One

posted by Mary Lou Dec 31, 2007 at 8:29 pm
29
Mary Lou

My slimline stopped working, but I still have my Guitar Hero 2 and DDR to play. Yeah, that's like $130 in games right there, without counting the other games I own. This new system will be the option for me.

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Sony all in all

posted by StR1Fe1983 Jan 17, 2008 at 10:26 am
30
StR1Fe1983

In my opinion, Sony know exactly what they are doing, how do you think the ps2 became so great, they took their time to make sure there weren't so many flaws! (xbox 360 - ring of death) In time the ps3 will be on top (just like ps2) you'll see! and hopefully, other playstation fans will know what i'm talking about!

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Re: Sony all in all

posted by StR1Fe1983 Jan 17, 2008 at 10:28 am
31
StR1Fe1983

And what I mean by that is that ps2 is still goin strong after 7 years! ps3 will be the same!

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Re: Sony all in all

posted by your name here! Feb 17, 2008 at 5:01 pm
32
your name here!

sony did the same thing with the psone so no surprise there.
they do it for the mony this is just like the psone with bilt in lcd screen that will probly be the next thing they do with it.
lets be honest sony is know for this! plus ps3 with no ps2 playback = more money ppl will opt out for the cheaper ps3 and buy the new ps2 when theres breaks and ps2 are natorius for breaking not just the first model bouth fat and slim line!

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Re: Sony all in all

posted by your name here! Feb 17, 2008 at 5:17 pm
33
your name here!

don't get me wrong i loved my ps2 but if u **** the next gen console up dont take it out on the last gen redising meens more bugs! sony is losing money on the ps3 cus the sold them for less that they ar actualy worth and the price is still too expecive pll are gonna buy a wii or xbox360 cuz there cheaper my advie to sony is down grade the **** out of the ps3! take out the hard drive make a mem card git rid of online play and if posable blu ray play back and boom maby 300 to 350 bucks! hopefull sony will do this or were gonna have a almost dreamcast on our hands!

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Re: Sony all in all

posted by Yamaha Feb 28, 2008 at 6:32 am
34
Yamaha

of course PS3 is much better, but i have some problems with the disks...
do somebody know if it is possible to download it and then use as a real game?
becuse i founded it http://loadingvault.com/search.php?q=ps3" onclick="window.open ( this.href ); return false;" class="comment_url" >http://loadingvaul...q=ps3
and want to test, but scaried!!!!

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Re: Sony all in all

posted by DAY Mar 14, 2008 at 2:34 pm
35
DAY

WHEN WHAT MOUNTH WILL PS2 BE 100$

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Re: Sony all in all

posted by RyAn Mar 28, 2008 at 4:56 am
36
RyAn

**** the ps.....get an x-box

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Re: Sony all in all

posted by Joana Apr 09, 2008 at 9:42 pm
37
Joana

Not surprising since they did the same thing with psone.

http://www.winhelpforum.com/

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Re: Sony all in all

posted by steven Apr 10, 2008 at 10:21 pm
38
steven

hi

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Re: Sony all in all

posted by jai May 30, 2008 at 6:28 am
39
jai

see if play station wanted to revamp their sales, they should have at least added a small 10gb hdd to the existing ps2 system, and/or adding a small 1.8 hdd to the slimline, eliminating the memory cards all together.

See they have 10gb mini hdd's that are about the same size or a little larger than the processor ps2 is using now. they've been using those mini hdd's in cameras and ipods for a couple of years now and they can also boost the graphics by adding a graphic card of some sort or a better graphics accelerator , the ps2 is essentially a small computer w/o an operating system.

Another thing, the new ps2 will be much more fragile than the original system that came out. so i don't see it being sold as much as sony claims it'll be w/o adding some new products to the existing line. and that online adapter box, what a waste, they have wireless cards that are 3 times smaller than the *internet box* they've provided, hell, if they really wanted to keep things cheap they could incorporate some of the psp parts to the new slimline ps2 system, like the wireless card adapter..allowing it to sign online, without hampering the size at all. And another cool thing they could add is a UMD drive, so those that have a psp can also play their games without a tv-out connection on their *slim* psp's (some people still don't have the new slim's yet, so a umd assembly in the slim psp will aloow them to play their games on the big screen), since the psp is a portable system anyway. That would make the new slim ps2's more intriguing to the general gaming public. Yeah the price would be around 140 dollars with all those mods, but look at the cool factor, you could get online, play your ps2, watch dvd's STILL, and play your psp games without breaking out all that useless stuff to play different things. And no *** memory cards to fool with either. But allow a port to use Memory cards, if those that have them can still use them, transferring their saved data to the mini hdd. for a backup they'll still have their memory cards.

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Re: Sony all in all

posted by jai May 30, 2008 at 6:32 am
40
jai

ugh, rephrase, i meant adding a umd assembly to the existing ps2 compact, without hindering size and making the ps2 more versatile.

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Re: Re: Sony all in all

posted by john Jun 06, 2008 at 12:19 pm
41
john

iwant to buy a sony play station 2

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Re: Re: Re: Sony all in all

posted by jay Jul 06, 2008 at 9:37 am
42
jay

sony are really slipping just goes to show as they have to remake the ps2 to bring up sales cause they cant do sod all with the very dissapointing ps3 they have really pulled a sega.

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Sony all in all

posted by Joey Aug 01, 2008 at 7:11 am
43
Joey

Sony need worry about the PS3 not the PS2. I work in my local game shop and the amount of PS3 we get back every week with faulty Blu ray drives is a joke. All our stock of ps3 just seem to replace the faulty ones. Sony have pulled a sega

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Sony all in all

posted by Dave Aug 10, 2008 at 4:39 am
44
Dave

I think a lot of people may already have a ps2 lol. But who is to say the new model wont be cheaper to manufacture than the current ps2? If sony are making this move for that reason then in essence, theyre saving themselves money in the future!

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Sony all in all

posted by T-G-virus Aug 11, 2008 at 2:07 am
45
T-G-virus

i love sony..

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Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Sony all in all

posted by zon Sep 14, 2008 at 6:31 am
46
zon

sony jst simply rocks
sony touhes the heigt of sky

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Re: Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Sony all in all

posted by Moni Dec 23, 2008 at 8:09 pm
47
Moni

Hi Milen and Ggd07
I'm from Bulgaria too :D
If you want it cheaper go to amazon.com or
ebay.com most of them ship worldwide

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MCV is the leading trade news and community site for all professionals working within the UK and international video games market. It reaches everyone from store manager to CEO, covering the entire industry. MCV is published by Intent Media, which specialises in entertainment, leisure and technology markets

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