PlayStation 2 officially announced

[09.13.99] » Sony finally unveils the PlayStation's successor. First information on the system's specifications, games, developers, and accessories. (Picture included!)

   Sony finally announced the PlayStation 2 today, ending months of rumor-mongering regarding the system's name, release date, and system specifications. The system will be simply titled the "PlayStation 2," and will go on sale in Japan on March 4th, 2000 for 39,800 yen (about $370 US). A total of one million systems will be available at the initial launch date -- Sony is certainly setting its sights high! The North American and European releases should follow in the fall.

   Weighing in at 4 lbs 10 oz and measuring 12" by 7" by 3", the PlayStation uses Sony's 128-bit, 295 mHz "Emotion Engine" chip. Said chip features 32 MB of RAM; an additionial 4 MB is available in the graphics processor (147 mHz), 2 MB in the input/output processor, and 2 MB more in the sound processor. 48 channels of sound are available -- in other words, up to 45 sounds or instruments can be playing at once.

   Contrary to previous reports that the PlayStation 2 would not play DVD movies, the system's 4x DVD-ROM drive (24x CD-ROM) will play DVD music and movies in addition to PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games.

   Sony also hinted at its online strategy. Details on this area are still vague, but it appears that users with Ethernet or other high-speed connections will be able to purchase and download software onto special PlayStation 2 hard drives.

   The PlayStation 2's controller is the aptly-titled Dual Shock 2. While identical in appearance to the PlayStation's Dual Shock, every Dual Shock 2 buttons except for Start and Select features analog support. (The Dual Shock only features analog control on the two thumbpads.) What does this mean? Games will be able to judge how hard you're pressing the Triangle button, or even which side of it you're pushing -- a feature sure to allow for more detailed control schemes. Sadly, the system still features only two controller ports, less than ideal for multiplayer mayhem.

   The memory cards also appear identical to the PlayStation's, but, again, appearances can be deceiving. The new memory cards are capable of storing up to 8 megabytes of save data, and can transfer data more than 250 times as quickly as a PSX1 memory card -- good news for gamers tired of long waits on save and load screens.

   But what of the most important feature: the games? The PlayStation 2's early line-up of games is extremely impressive; among the most noteworthy titles are Star Ocean 3, Jade Cocoon 2, Bust-a-Groove 3, Onimusha (originally planned to be a PSX1 title), Street Fighter EX 3, Gran Turismo 2000, Bloody Roar 3, a Resident Evil (Biohazard) game, Bomberman 2001, Popolocrois III, Tekken Tag Tournament, and new Ninja Gaiden and Gradius games. All in all, 89 Japanese developers have signed on to develop games for the system, as well as 46 North American companies and 27 European ones.

   "PlayStation2 is charting a path toward the future of networked digital entertainment," said Ken Kutaragi, President and CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. "Just as the PlayStation brought interactive gaming to an unprecedented mass market, PlayStation2's combination of breathtaking digital graphics, superb sound and DVD video will open the doors to a new computer entertainment experience in the home."