firstly does your friend have a glass stomach because his head is that far up his arse he must find it difficult to see where he is going otherwise.
now onto my main point. the two consoles differ quite a lot. in terms of graphics the consoles are pretty much the same however the ps3 has a SEPERATE RSX Synthesizer for processing the graphical commands. the CUSTOM built cell processor is capable of 218 Gigaflop calculations a second. It runs at 3.2 GHz and has 512 MB of graphics independant memory.
don't get me wrong the xbox 360 is a powerful machine but my judgement is not clouded by bias. I have even warmed to the nintendo Wii. your friend seems like he doesn't have the maturity to take the new nintendo console seriously. Nintendo are at the fore front of innovation in games, just look at the Nintendo DS. Anybody can now own a dog and not have any of the mess of a dog thanks to the wonders of Nintendogs.
All i am saying is that people have to get all the facts BEFORE they start to pass judgements on things
n/a
DaVince This fool just HAD to have a custom rating
Yes, your friend's a tool... He's attempting to pull off the 'cool', sharp witted, dry, sarcastic approach, just like millions of other wannabe 'pro bloggers' / 'reviewers'.
He's hoping some "company exec." will find his site on page 5,069 of a google search for 'shit' and send him an email asking him to write for the company because his material is sooooo fucking unique.
WOW CONTROVERSIAL! I WILL MAKE A TOTALLY CONTROVERSIAL ARTICLE AND IT WILL MAKE ME POPULAR AND I WILL BE AN INTERNET CELEBRITY!!! OH LOL FUCK LOLOL!!!e9dfhun vzn/536 =
ps. ur mate is gay and my granny cud beat his dad up in a fite LLLLMMMFFFAAAOOO
Edited by the Author.
By a route obscure and lonely,
Haunted by ill angels only,
Where an Eidolon, named night,
On a black throne reigns upright,
I have reached these lands but newly
From an ultimate dim Thule
From a wild clime that lieth, sublime,
Out of space
Out of time.
I know for sure that'll be buying the PS3 over the Xbox 360..
So what if it's expensive? It's better than the 360 - so it costs more money.
I find it funny how that article tries to make the reader think that the PS3 sucks just because its the same controller as the PS2 (based on looks) and because a hippy guy did a presentation on Warhawk. Why the hell would that make any difference to the console itself?
Probably the most biased, and most rubbish I've heard in a long time..
Also tell you're friend that the 360 sucks just as much as the PS3 does.
By a route obscure and lonely,
Haunted by ill angels only,
Where an Eidolon, named night,
On a black throne reigns upright,
I have reached these lands but newly
From an ultimate dim Thule
From a wild clime that lieth, sublime,
Out of space
Out of time.
On paper, the Xbox360 and PS3 are roughly equal in power except for the Blu-Ray drive, so if you're looking at it from a technical perspective the 360 probably gives you more bang for your buck. Unless of course you WANT a blue-ray drive for an extra $200, but anyone with foresight can see it's destined to be a failed format just like all of Sony's previous efforts.
However, the biggest difference between the consoles will be the games, and that all comes down to personal preference. PS3 will offer a much greater selection of Japanese software (RPG's in particular, along with anything of substance from Konami, Capcom, and Namco). The 360 will naturally get the major American support -- the difference being that American companies will actually port their stuff to the PS3 since Sony's consoles don't flop in their home turf the way Microsoft's consoles do in Japan. At the same time, Microsoft's first-party software is better than Sony's IMO (but they lack major third-party exclusives).
The 360 vs PS3 debate is really a wash. You can't go wrong with either system, but buying both could get really expensive ($1000 for next-gen gaming is pretty absurd). Most people will probably just get one or the other, so if you like first-person-shooters and RPG's you're pretty much fucked.
I think the system with the most potential for success is the Nintendo Wii. It may be underpowered compared to the PS3 and 360, but it can offer gameplay experiences that neither of the other two can. In fact, I would argue that the Wii is far more "next-gen" than the Ps3 and 360 which only offer prettier versions of last year's game designs. The Wii is rumored to launch at as little as $170 (altho $200 seems to be the most commonly quoted price). At that price it's almost an instant choice among gamers on a tight budget, and certainly a viable choice as a secondary system. Nintendo may not have the most gamers using their console as their primary gaming device, but I'd be willing to put money on the table saying they sell the most units worldwide.
I'll close with this:
Gamers today care WAY TOO MUCH about graphics and technical specs and not enough about how fun games are. I had a lot more fun on my Super Nintendo than I have yet on my Xbox 360 (unless you count playing Halo 2 on it, which was a last-gen game). It's gotten to the point where art direction and game design are infinitly more important than the differences in power between systems.
By a route obscure and lonely,
Haunted by ill angels only,
Where an Eidolon, named night,
On a black throne reigns upright,
I have reached these lands but newly
From an ultimate dim Thule
From a wild clime that lieth, sublime,
Out of space
Out of time.
DaVince This fool just HAD to have a custom rating
That pointlesswasteoftime thing is right. People are stopping playing consoles now. I hardly ever play them, the only time when I do is for big multiplayer football games. I own a PS1 and that's it.
For quick fixes of gaming you can download an emulator for free and get just as much enjoyment.
This is true. I can't be arsed to plug my ps2/gamecube in half the time. I usually play DS or Psp but even then they require charging lol. However, I will save up for Wii and it will be a permanent part of my setup, Im sure Like when angler fish mate, the male becomes a living organ for the female and they stay stuck together forever!
don't get me wrong the xbox 360 is a powerful machine but my judgement is not clouded by bias. I have even warmed to the nintendo Wii. your friend seems like he doesn't have the maturity to take the new nintendo console seriously.
Well, Microsoft's and Sony's machines are based on performance and not controller gimmicks.
And the Fanboy article DaVince linked to rocks! I just love this part:
I keep hearing from Nintendo loyalists how cheap the Revolution will be. Well, it's not as cheap as a PS2 or an XBox (both $149 right now, probably $99 this fall) and both of those machines have libraries 100 times larger than the Rev will have on opening day.
- Ok, you must admit that was the most creative cussing this site have ever seen -
Well, Microsoft's and Sony's machines are based on performance and not controller gimmicks.
Why the hell is that a gimmick? Its the new way of playing, the majority of the games will depend upon this technology, I see it more as a leap forward.
n/a
DaVince This fool just HAD to have a custom rating
Registered 04/09/2004
Points 7998
22nd August, 2006 at 20:01:35 -
SNES CPU: WDC 65C816 16 bit processor running at 1.79, 2.68 MHz, or 3.58 MHz (Changeable), with 128 KB of RAM
If the other hardware is good, or if there are certain replacement chips to take some processing power out of hands, I don't think the processor power matters THAT much.
I'd have to agree that the PS3 is overpriced and I can't see why anyone would buy one, I mean so far, I don't see a lot of new features that make me really even kinda want it. But also, the Xbox 360 isn't great either. I hate Xbox, I'm so sick of military shooters, and the wii looks new and kinda interesting, but I feel like people think it's stupid because of it's name. And I'd have to agree, Nintendo is the best around at at innovation, whereas the other companies just add woman, gore, and urban combat and sell the same old crap.
PS3 is expensive not because of the "high power" features, it is expensive because it was made by Sony. If you buy PS3, I bet it will just rot in your room after playing for a couple months because you cant find anymore good games to play. Xbox 360 has a better and cheaper SDK which attracts more developers, also it has many possibilities because it was made by Microsoft. Sony is just a brandname, thier software and hardware sucks.
n/a
Dustin Gunn Gnarly Tubular Way Cool Awesome Groovy Mondo
Registered 15/12/2004
Points 2659
22nd August, 2006 at 23:03:32 -
"I keep hearing from Nintendo loyalists how cheap the Revolution will be. Well, it's not as cheap as a PS2 or an XBox (both $149 right now, probably $99 this fall) and both of those machines have libraries 100 times larger than the Rev will have on opening day."
That doesn't even make sense. David Wong should stop writing about videogames. He's a crotchety old man (Well, 30) and uses assumptions and correlation=causality arguments to make his points, which usually aren't very coherent and come off as a biased rant.
Why yes, old systems are cheaper, and have many old games, but they're dead and most importantly old. He writes in one article that people aren't content with old consoles then says this? John Dies at the End was a fantastic book but David Wong shouldn't write blogs (Ugh).
n/a
Peblo Custom ratings must be 50 characters or less
Registered 05/07/2002
Points 185
23rd August, 2006 at 00:09:21 -
David Newton (Wong)
I keep mistaking the two .
"Isn't it always amazing how we characterize a person's intelligence by how closely their thinking matches ours?"
~Belgarath
Wii is good just because of the low price tag and amusing control system (plus there's the classic controller for those who don't like that).
Pfft.. I still prefer the PC over the other two consoles. As always, the console market is targeted towards casual gamers, which means that guys like me who like the freedom to place 20 hotkeys, aim with a mouse, and have 4 fingers on all the attack buttons at the same time will always be happier with a keyboard and mouse. Besides, I spend all my money on either my girlfriend or my computer and with graduation a year away, looks like my comp will get a serious upgrade once it works .
AND Circy, you can play big multiplayer football games on an old comp and a bunch of generic USB gamepads. The ones with vibration are a bit more expensive, but there are PS2-USB converters. I just figured that out when someone bought me a gamepad on my birthday, and I waste over 4 hours a day on football games now :/.
The X360 and PS3 are practically the same, just because one has better specs and can show 20% more sweat at the same frame rate on a character means nothing. The only real difference I see is that X360 will have Halo, but I'd still prefer it with a mouse on WinXP .
Disclaimer: Any sarcasm in my posts will not be mentioned as that would ruin the purpose. It is assumed that the reader is intelligent enough to tell the difference between what is sarcasm and what is not.
Even in my Nintendo fanboy days, I would have winced while reading this. It's so apparently obvious he's in league with the gaggles of bobble-headed morons yapping about why everyone should by THEIR favorite console.
As I see it, sure:
-PS3 is WAY too expensive.
-BluRay Technology is a doomed format.
-PS3 has a few hardware development flaws.
That should not keep people from buying it, though. If they have the money, or see the sense in earning and spending that much on a game console, I say let them. It's not his job nor yours to intice people away from buying a PS3. However, I won't be buying one personally until the price point comes way down and a few killer apps are released. That may be a year or two out the gate, but from what I've read and the information I've gathered, the PS3 isn't worth a "release day" buy.
I know it's your friend's purpose to "inform the masses", but he's doing it the wrong way. The whole article was filled to the brim with bias and ill-formed opinion. He did little or nothing to back up his claims, and even if he did, without comparing the two consoles technologically, his article would still sound incredibly "fanboy"esque.
Your friend should leave the hardware reviews up to the pros and find a new day job.
ChrisD> Employer: Say, wanna see a magic trick?
ChrisD> Employee: Uhh… sure, boss.
ChrisD> Employer: Your job! It just disappeared! Pack your things and leave! Pretty good trick, huh?
Dustin: Phredreeke took him out of context. The full quote is this:
About half of gamers have more than one console in the home... if you count PS2 owners who still have their PS1 in the closet and GameCube owners who still have their N64 under the bed. But no more than 20% of gamers have bought two of the current-gen consoles.
And it's not about the price. If that's the issue, we shouldn't be sitting here talking about buying a next-gen machine this year. Just take the money you were going to spend on a next-gen machine and buy a second current machine instead. I keep hearing from Nintendo loyalists how cheap the Revolution will be. Well, it's not as cheap as a PS2 or an XBox (both $149 right now, probably $99 this fall) and both of those machines have libraries 100 times larger than the Rev will have on opening day.
Have to admit..
I use to play consoles a lot, but as I got older I shifted to simply playing games on my PC. I don't have to pay for that Xbox live stuff, and I can just leave my PC on all the time and play games whenever I want with a mouse and keyboard (better than a controller imo). And I can upgrade my PC quite cheaply.
In my opinion, the 360 is also overpriced for what it is - I don't see anything about the 360 that is next gen. The graphics are a bit better, but that's all. I played on one in Gamestation and I wasn't tempted to want one. As for the PS3, that is also probably overpriced - but you must be an idiot to judge a console 3 months before it's even released. The Wii is simply something that isn't for me - I don't like exercise, and I don't want to swing my arms around the room.
Basically, Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony have missed a huge chance to actually advance to 'next gen' - they've just made the graphics better and changed their controllers, and claimed that is next-generation. Well it's not really. Gameplay will still be the same on the PS3 as it was on the PS2 - and same for the Xbox and the 360. You still press X to accelerate or w/e don't you? Nintendo have clearly tried the hardest to actually advance and go in a different direction - but I think they've just come up with a random idea thats easy to do, rather than actually thinking about what people really want in video games.
I'd rather play on my Mega Drive/Genesis to be honest
If you're going to stay with your PC it could probably cost you more than a PS3, because you'll have to keep buying newer versions of your stuff into eternity. It's like an endless vcious cycle. And Bill Gates is rubbing his hands together and laughing in a dark lair.
But apparently the PS3 is considered not a console but a computer in it's own, which means you might have to buy upgrades every year.
Zach said: "If you're going to stay with your PC it could probably cost you more than a PS3, because you'll have to keep buying newer versions of your stuff into eternity. It's like an endless vcious cycle. And Bill Gates is rubbing his hands together and laughing in a dark lair.
But apparently the PS3 is considered not a console but a computer in it's own, which means you might have to buy upgrades every year."
Yeah, that TOTALLY makes sense, Zach! Pfft!
If Sony expected consumers to upgrade hardware on a yearly basis, they'd turn into the new Sega. Sega, on the other hand, never required upgrades or addons for their consoles to keep new games running. They merely released CRAP TONS of perhipherals that nobody wanted to buy.
That's the great thing about consoles. You buy the basic setup, then you don't have to buy ANYTHING for 5 years if your thrifty heart so desires. With all the ignoramus stuff Sony has been pulling lately, the last thing that'd keep people buying on release day is the thought of having to upgrade.
ChrisD> Employer: Say, wanna see a magic trick?
ChrisD> Employee: Uhh… sure, boss.
ChrisD> Employer: Your job! It just disappeared! Pack your things and leave! Pretty good trick, huh?
Flava said:Have to admit..
I use to play consoles a lot, but as I got older I shifted to simply playing games on my PC. I don't have to pay for that Xbox live stuff, and I can just leave my PC on all the time and play games whenever I want with a mouse and keyboard (better than a controller imo). And I can upgrade my PC quite cheaply.
In my opinion, the 360 is also overpriced for what it is - I don't see anything about the 360 that is next gen. The graphics are a bit better, but that's all. I played on one in Gamestation and I wasn't tempted to want one. As for the PS3, that is also probably overpriced - but you must be an idiot to judge a console 3 months before it's even released. The Wii is simply something that isn't for me - I don't like exercise, and I don't want to swing my arms around the room.
Basically, Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony have missed a huge chance to actually advance to 'next gen' - they've just made the graphics better and changed their controllers, and claimed that is next-generation. Well it's not really. Gameplay will still be the same on the PS3 as it was on the PS2 - and same for the Xbox and the 360. You still press X to accelerate or w/e don't you? Nintendo have clearly tried the hardest to actually advance and go in a different direction - but I think they've just come up with a random idea thats easy to do, rather than actually thinking about what people really want in video games.
I'd rather play on my Mega Drive/Genesis to be honest.
I think consoles still have quite a bit more "play" left in them.
Personally, I'd rather be seated in my lounge chair, infront of my TV with a controller in my hand then be stratling a keyboard and mouse, sitting in an uncomfortable computer chair... and my computer chair is pretty damn comfortable as far as most computer chairs go.
While I've found that PC's offer a better setup and gaming experiance for complicated RTS games and precision FPS's, I couldn't imagine playing a good RPG for hours on end without developing some serious ass-sores. Adventure games seem to be better left for consoles too. Don't get me wrong. I loves me some klik side scrolling platformers, but games like Mario, Sonic, Ratchet and Clank, Ect... they just wouldn't feel the same played on a keyboard. Until there's a whole generation that grows up gaming almost exclusively on computers, I think the console industry is going to continue to thrive.
ChrisD> Employer: Say, wanna see a magic trick?
ChrisD> Employee: Uhh… sure, boss.
ChrisD> Employer: Your job! It just disappeared! Pack your things and leave! Pretty good trick, huh?
True true.
Although I'm an FPS person myself - which is probably why consoles don't appeal to me that much anymore. I love games like the old sonic and crash bandicoot and all that stuff. I still have a PS2 and a PSP - but I won't be buying a next-gen console. I'd much rather upgrade my PC.
This is a signature. Have this one on me.
Dustin Gunn Gnarly Tubular Way Cool Awesome Groovy Mondo
Registered 15/12/2004
Points 2659
23rd August, 2006 at 08:10:02 -
"If you're going to stay with your PC it could probably cost you more than a PS3, because you'll have to keep buying newer versions of your stuff into eternity. It's like an endless vcious cycle. And Bill Gates is rubbing his hands together and laughing in a dark lair."
Bill Gates makes SOFTWARE. Try a little harder to have dumb, sensationalised opinions, Daily Click.
Dustin Gunn said: Bill Gates makes SOFTWARE. Try a little harder to have dumb, sensationalised opinions, Daily Click. ----------------------------------------------------
I was going to say the same thing, but I thought it was too easy an insult to chuck his way. To be totally frank, I doubt Bill Gates has written any software himself since the very early 90's.
ChrisD> Employer: Say, wanna see a magic trick?
ChrisD> Employee: Uhh… sure, boss.
ChrisD> Employer: Your job! It just disappeared! Pack your things and leave! Pretty good trick, huh?
What impress me the most is the amount of time those people at "Pointlesswasteoftime" pointlessly wasted at writing really, really long and boring articles. They had one or two valid points, and the rest was just stupid attempts at being funny. Regarding the article that started it all, it was just biased bullshit. At least it was only 1/10th the size of the PWT-articles, though... bonus points for that.
Whispers Within said: What impress me the most is the amount of time those people at "Pointlesswasteoftime" pointlessly wasted at writing really, really long and boring articles. They had one or two valid points, and the rest was just stupid attempts at being funny. Regarding the article that started it all, it was just biased bullshit. At least it was only 1/10th the size of the PWT-articles, though... bonus points for that. ----------------------------------------------------
Have you noticed that the less a person has to say, the more they usually type? I sure have.
ChrisD> Employer: Say, wanna see a magic trick?
ChrisD> Employee: Uhh… sure, boss.
ChrisD> Employer: Your job! It just disappeared! Pack your things and leave! Pretty good trick, huh?
"AND Circy, you can play big multiplayer football games on an old comp and a bunch of generic USB gamepads. The ones with vibration are a bit more expensive, but there are PS2-USB converters. I just figured that out when someone bought me a gamepad on my birthday, and I waste over 4 hours a day on football games now :/. "
--
You think about me too much dude, discounting this post I haven't posted at all in this thread
But, we all LOVE you, Circy. Hell, I even copied your old avatar.
...hickory smoked horse butt hole.
ChrisD> Employer: Say, wanna see a magic trick?
ChrisD> Employee: Uhh… sure, boss.
ChrisD> Employer: Your job! It just disappeared! Pack your things and leave! Pretty good trick, huh?
I'm chocked full of light-hearted yet petrifying one-liners.
ChrisD> Employer: Say, wanna see a magic trick?
ChrisD> Employee: Uhh… sure, boss.
ChrisD> Employer: Your job! It just disappeared! Pack your things and leave! Pretty good trick, huh?
DaVince This fool just HAD to have a custom rating
Registered 04/09/2004
Points 7998
23rd August, 2006 at 13:48:04 -
I'm collecting consoles nowadays. That means ANY console, not just Nintendo or Sony specific, because almost ALL consoles had their good games. Doesn't matter to me who made the console...
One of the worst articles I have ever seen. Let's forget the fact that he's obviously biased, and forget the fact that over half his info is completely WRONG, and forget the fact that the other half of his information seemed to be pulled from his rear-quarters.
As a pointless rant, it's ok, but masquerading as an article; it's complete tripe.
the Final Fantasy bit was a laugh and made me realise a few truths. There will never be another FF7, Square don't have that talent anymore. FF needs to read Noel Edmond's book.
It's all about the games. and I've seen nothing to get me excited about a PS3 other than the failed bastard child of a 360 and Wii, spurred on by the damned lies of Sony execs.
"I'm collecting consoles nowadays. That means ANY console, not just Nintendo or Sony specific, because almost ALL consoles had their good games. Doesn't matter to me who made the console... "
I'm pretty sure all of the games for the Philips CDi were abysmal, and have only become more so due to the passage of time.
Anyone remember that stupid Skull shooting game they always demo-ed for that thing.
The most entertaining thing about it was shooting the Pirate skulls twice fast enough to cut off it's "Well blow me down!" so it just declared "Well blow me!" over and over again. I think that's the most fun I ever had with the CD-i.
I myself am an X-Box fan(not fanboy ), but I must say Xbox 360 isn't as great as some people make it out to be. Xbox was great, xbox 360 is decent/pretty good.The game selection for 360 isn't great atm - and it doesn't look like it's going to get a whole lot better for a while. Theres actually a few RPGs coming out that I'm looking forward to though and I'll just let the good games find me. Also not to mention, the backwards compatability fucking blows. I've played a few xbox games on my 360 and they have major framerate problems. Ninja gaiden has constant framerate probs when fighting, causing progression to be slow and annoying. Halo 2 has framerate problems when theres 2-3 people on-screen shooting at once, when someone is invisible, or when someone has the sword.
Anyways, I agree that the PS3 Price is retardedly high, but thats no reason to say someone is "retarded" for buying one. PS3 will definitely have larger selections in certain genres than 360 and wii (duh) and 360 and wii will have their own too. Personal preference.
Though I do believe that the wii is going to do very well, because of it's very nice pricetag.
Help me decide. I have 30 ps2 games and a psp with 6 games i have no problem with the price of the ps3 only $599 ( something like $850 AU) thats nothing lol. Ive always hated that evil microsoft company but the xbox 360 looks better than ps3.
n/a
Dustin Gunn Gnarly Tubular Way Cool Awesome Groovy Mondo
Registered 15/12/2004
Points 2659
24th August, 2006 at 05:46:54 -
I wonder if people who ask the internet which console to buy actually expect good advice?
Ok, you can buy a PS3 for $599 OR you can buy an Xbox 360 for $399 and save $200 to buy nice games for. Unless you want the PS3 exclusives badly, the 360 is obviously the better deal.
Or you can buy an Xbox (w. Forza) for $179, a slim PS2 for $129, a GameCube for $99 and a Nintendo DS for $129 and still have spent less than you would have had on that god damn PS3.
- Ok, you must admit that was the most creative cussing this site have ever seen -
$599 is a lot for a console firespell.
I think the 3do was that much on release though.
But since you will get comparable power from the Xbox360 and something different from the Wii, you would be better off keeping an open mind about your choice.
Thing I find quite amusing is how people are saying "If you buy a PS3, you're an idiot" - when the PS3 hasn't even been released. You can't judge any console before you've played on it. It's the games that matter - not the price or the company who made the console, or even the specs. It's like - Eternal Daughter had superb graphics, was worked on by a team for a long time and was a larger file size than, for example, Seek and dread online - but I'd much rather play Seek and dread any day.
My point is - that I have played several games on the X360 and they are not amazing, they are nothing new and they are not worth the money of what the X360 costs. That doesn't mean that the PS3 is worth the money - the PS3 hasn't been released, so I can't judge whether it is worth my money or not.
I have seen several of these articles slamming all 3 consoles - and one thing they don't take into consideration is that people have different tastes and opinions. Some will want a PS3, some a 360, some a Wii, some a PC and some will just play on older consoles. Calling a person an 'idiot' because they prefer something over another, is immature in my opinion.
people who say that you are an idiot if you buy a ps3 are just offended by the announced release price.
A) Get a job and make some bux
B) Deal with it and smoke some wee
C) Get real angry and tell everyone they are idiots.. wait =/
I tend to find (and I'm sure everyone else does too) that I actually end up spending more on the games than I do on the console. I think the RRP price of the xbox 360 games is pathetic to be honest - that's actually what put me off buying it. I had to spend £50 to buy ONE game - I know that price has now reduced in most places, but I still think games should only be £30 max. I'm expecting PS3 games to be rather expensive as well - considering they're on that new format and everything.
When i had a gamecube, i paid whatever it was that it originally cost (£200 i think) but ended up spending over £1000 on games (i had quite a few games though)
Strange, none of my consoles have ever stopped working. Ive never had to replace any of them.
Even the Atari 2600 my grandparents gave to us worked perfectly up unitl we threw it away.
Only console that stopped working for me was my Sega Megadrive - and that was after 12 years of use. Never did find out why it stopped working.. I just went to Gamestation the next day and bought another for £10
My Atari still works. The Xbox was iffy when I got it. (I asked a friend if he knew where to get a cheap one, and he magically produced one and said "here").
Had my PS2 for years - never had a problem with mine. Maybe it's just a problem with US models or something??
Then again, I've hardly ever played on my PS2 - the only games I really play on it are Timesplitters and GTA.