Playstation Zone News Section

News Archive:

PS Zone Current News

More Playstation 2 specific information are revealed in the latest Japanese Playstation magazine:

When running Playstation software on PS2, the CD-ROM speed will remain in double speed, the same as the Playstation.
When running Playstation software, the new functions of Dual Shock 2 controllers will be disabled, it will behave like a Dual Shock controller.
In the Dual Shock 2 controller, the analog buttons can sense 256 levels of pressure.
The 8MB Memory Card will not be compatible with Playstation software that run on the Playstation 2, i.e. you cannot save your PS game data under the 8MB Memory Card, you have to use the original PS Memory Card.
The original Memory Card will not be compatible with Playstation 2 software, you have to use the 8MB Memory Card to save / load PS2 game data.
PocketStation will be compatible to both PS and PS2 games. There are currently no plans for a next generation PocketStation.
When you turn on the Playstation 2, the machine will automatically enter either PS2 or PS Mode, depending on the software in the DVD-ROM, you cannot manually change the mode after the machine is booted up. A single CD cannot contain games for both PS and PS2 at the same time, i.e. Playstation games will not have any enhancements running under Playstation 2.
Playstation 2 will not support the Playstation Communication Link Cable, you will not be able to play multi player games over the link cable, such as the 4 player mode in Ridge Racer Type 4.

Countdown Vampire, Bandai's survival horror adventure game, for Playstation is now scheduled to release in Japan on December 22. Similar to Biohazard, you play as a cop to battle against zombies and monsters in Las Vegas. There is a new rescue system in this game, you can use the holy white water to turn the zombies back to human, you can also turn yourself into Vampire, with higher attack and defensive power.

Konami will release Tokimeki Memorial 2 for Playstation on November 25 in Japan. This 5-CD game features the Emotion Voice System, in which the main characters will call out your name and speak to you in different emotions. However, only the two of main characters will be using the Emotion Voice System. There will be append discs in the future, for the other characters to make use of the Emotion Voice System.

Namco's action RPG Dragon Valor is scheduled to release in Japan on December 2. You play as the dragon buster warrior Kurovisu, during your quest you have to search for the magic sword which holds to the power to defeat the dragons, there are different types of dragons in this world, each carries an elemental attribute, such as fire and ice. You will come across two female characters: Seria and Carorina, you can choose to marry either character. This game features a Descendant Legend System, the game will take place in multiple generations, the son of Kurovisu will become the hero of the next chapter, he will inherit the abilities of his parents.

Here are the latest images of Square / Dream Factory's first Playstation 2 title The Bouncers, this game features movie alike intense action fighting scenes, giving the game a strong Jacky Chan action movie style.

wpe1.jpg (6636 bytes)

Enix will be establishing a new subsidiary company in Seattle, Washington USA in November, could this mean Enix will be bringing its own brand of RPGs in US again?

Activision announced that they will be releasing the US version of Alundra 2 for Playstation, a 3D action RPG from SCE, the US version will be coming out in Spring 2000.

Gaming Age has posted a recent Famitsu poll results, about their thoughts to Playstation 2 and other console systems, here are some of the details: (From Gaming Age)

What do you think of the outlook of Playstation 2: 22.2% Like it very much 34.4% Like it 31.5% Neutral 7.1% Don't like it 1.6% Really don't like it 2.8% No answer.	What do you think of the price of Playstation 2? (Gamers) 13.2% Way too high 37.3% A bit too high 30.4% About right 9.0% Good 5.9% Really Good 4.2% No Answer
What do you think about the price of Playstation 2? (Developers) 1.6% Way too high 19.4% A bit too high 56.5% About right 12.9% Good 9.6% Really good	What do you think about the price of Playstation 2? (Retailers) 4.7% Way too high 21.2% A bit too high 54.7% About right 8.2% Good 9.4% Really good 1.8% No answer
Would you buy a Playstation 2? 34.4% Buy it at launch 38.1% Wait to see how it turns out first 14.4% Wait till a price drop 2.3% I will not buy it 6.0% I don't know 4.9% No Answer	Reasons for not buying a Playstation 2? - Too expensive - Like Sega a lot more than Sony - Don't trust Sony's quality - Like Nintendo more than Sony - Don't like the look - Don't like the front loading tray - Don't like the name
Which part of the PS2 is the most attractive? 64.8% System performance 53.6% DVD Playback 22.0% Expandability 16.2% Announced titles 15.0% Announced developers 3.8% Others	Who do you think will be most popular after 3 years? (Gamers, Developers, Retailers) 79.2% / 67.7% / 83.5% - Sony 8.2% / 4.8% / 2.9% - Sega 5.2% / 3.2% / 5.4% - Nintendo 4.7% / 6.4% / 2.9% - Other 2.7% / 17.9% / 5.3% - No Answer
Which PS2 title interests you the most? (Gamer) 1. Gran Turismo 2000 2. Tekken Tag Tournament 3. Drum Mania 4. Kessen 5. Shin Ridge Racer 6. A-Train A6 7. Dark Cloud 8. Street Fighter EX3 9. Armored Core 2 10. Eternal Ring	Which PS2 title interests you the most? (Developers) 1. Gran Turismo 2000 2. Den Sen 3. The Bouncer 4. Kessen 5. Tekken Tag Tournament (Retailers) 1. Gran Turismo 2000 2. Tekken Tag Tournament 3. Shin Ridge Racer 4. The Bouncer 5. Kessen
What genre do you want the most on PS2? 61.0% RPG 46.3% Simulation 35.0% Action 33.0% Fighting 26.3% Adventure 24.8% Racing 21.0% Shooting 14.6% Sports	Which developer are you looking forward the most? (Gamers) 1. Square 2. Namco 3. Konami 4. Enix 5. Sony (Developers) 1. Namco 2. Sony 3. Square 4. Enix / Konami / Capcom (Retailers) 1. Namco 2. Square 3. Sony 4. Konami 5. Capcom
Do you own a Dreamcast? 29.3% Yes 30.1% No, but probably will buy one 34.2% No, and I won't buy it 5.4% No answer	Reason for not buying a Dreamcast? - None of the games interest me - Too expensive - I like my Playstation just fine - I want to buy a Playstation 2 instead - Had a bad experience with Saturn - Controller is too bulky - Square is not a developer - Too few RPGs / software - New system came out too soon, and not backward compatible - Too many digital comic style games - My friends don't, so I don't want it.
Do you own a Nintendo 64? 31.5% Yes 18.0% Don't have one, but probably will buy it 43.2% Don't have one, and won't buy it 7.3% No Answer	Reason for not buying a Nintendo 64? - System / Software price are too high - Too few games, games are too childish - None of the upcoming games interest me - Don't like the controller / cartridge format - No RPGs announced.
Will you buy Dolphin? 5.1% Buy it at launch 25.1% Wait to see how it turns out 7.5% Wait for a price drop 13.4% Won't buy it 38.1% Don't know 10.8% No Answer	Which handheld system do you own right now? 57.7% Gameboy 46.1% PocketStation 35.2% Gameboy Color 21.8% WonderSwan 20.9% Visual Memory System 4.5% Neo Geo Pocket Color 3.0% Neo Geo Pocket 13.1% None
Will you buy a GameBoy Advance? 10.7% Buy it at launch 37.1% Wait to see how it turns out 7.4% Wait for a price drop 8.9% Won't buy it 29.9% I don't know 6.0% No Answer	Reasons for not buying a Gameboy Advance? - Don't think I will use it, no desire - Don't like the idea of PHS attachment - Don't know what games I want for it - I'm happy with the current systems - Don't like carrying handheld systems

Square will release Chocobo Collection for Playstation in Japan on December 22. The package will include Dice de Chocobo, Chocobo Stallion and Chocobo Racing. Dice de Chocobo is a board game based on the concepts of Monopoly, you use dice to decide the number of steps to move in the board, you can purchase the place you stand on.

SNK has released new info on their 3D Fighting / Sword Drama game Samurai Spirits: The New Chapter of Blade, scheduled to release in Japan on December 2. The story takes place 20 years after Samurai Spirits 2 for Hyper NG64. There are several new elements in the fighting system, there is a bounce back system, when the opponent hits you, press the attack button at the right time will allow you to evade the attack, and make the opponent stunts for a short time. You can also perform side stepping in the game, you can sneak to the back of the opponents and give them a critical blow. This game will also come with two PocketStation mini games: Samurai Watch and Nakoruru RPG. Samurai Watch is a timer / alarm clock for the PocketStation, both Nakoruru and Rimururu will talk to you at specific time. Nakoruru RPG is a 3D dungeons RPG, in each stage you control Nakoruru to search for the dungeon exit, collect treasures while fighting with the enemies.

Here are some of the recent review scores from Famitsu:

DewPrism (Square) - 34 / 40
Jojo's Venture (Capcom) - 31 / 40
Robbit Mon Dieu ~ Jumping flash 3 (Sony) - 31 / 40
Brightis (Sony) - 29 / 40
Fighting Illusion K-1 Grand Prix 99 (Xing) - 28 / 40
Derby Stallion '99 (ASCII) - 34 / 40

BPS is working on a new Tetris game for Playstation called The Next Tetris DLX, scheduled to release in Japan on December 16, for 4800 yen, this game will feature several game modes, including Puzzle Mode, Single Player, and Fighting Mode.

THQ has cancelled the release of Shao Lin for Playstation, a multi-player fighting game known as Lord of Fists in Japan.

Working Designs announced that they will stop producing the PS RPG Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete on December 31, 1999, to make this game as a collector's item.