New PS2 coming to Japan: same price, same size

by Scott Jon Siegel { Nov 6th 2007 at 6:00AM }

Sony has announced a new model of the Playstation 2 for release in Japan, which features an internal power supply and weighs less than the current slim-line model. Despite these changes, the unit will not receive a drastic cosmetic makeover, and will sell at the same price as the current PS2 (16,000 yen, or approximately $139.70 USD).

The new unit weighs 720 grams, down from the 820 grams the current model weighs (including its external AC adapter). The new(ish) PS2 will launch on November 22 in three colors, with peripherals to match, including a vertical stand (pictured with consoles) for 1,500 yen (approx. $13). No word yet on releases outside of Japan, although it seems likely that the new units will eventually make their way to other regions.

Gallery: PS2 (SCPH-90000)

Read -- Sony to launch new PlayStation 2 model in Japan [Reuters]
Read -- Official Press Release [Playstation Japan]

Tags: breaking-news, breakingnews, japan, ps2, sku, sony

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

� PINION CORPORATION � @ Nov 6th 2007 6:17AM

Perfect time to ditch the PS3.

x876543 @ Nov 6th 2007 8:13AM

Is it me, or has sony gone off the deep end? I just don't know what they are trying to do. What's the point of a new PS2 at the same price? Does it have component cables included now? Changing the color and building the power supply internally should have happened 2-3 years ago! Then you might have seen sales jump a little. Now? No one cares. I suspect that they will drop the price after the holiday, to $99.

Negativecool @ Nov 6th 2007 8:55AM

x876543-
Yes, but now it's LIGHTER!!...For when you're carrying around your PS2 and TV as your handheld...

If Sony can get the PS3 down to this size and bundle it with MGS4, and GT5, and price it at $99....I might consider thinking about possibly maybe buying one. j/k

severian00 @ Nov 6th 2007 9:38AM

x876543,
They need to make some money off of something. Now that they've got a $400 model they are still losing well over $200 on, they need to get every last dime from the PS2. Maybe that's why they plan on a 10 yr lifespan, so they can pay $40 to make a console that they can sell for $129.99 and sells by the millions.

x876543 @ Nov 6th 2007 11:21AM

But my point is nothing changed. I mean if they bundle it with a car adapter and LCD screen and sell it for about $200 bucks then I could see this flying off the shelves for the family caravan etc. I just don't see the point in just releasing it because the got rid of a power brick.

GamerG @ Nov 6th 2007 6:19AM

This plays every game that is worth playing on the PS3

Jump in

frozengod @ Nov 6th 2007 6:22AM

And it actually PLAYS them.

Ted @ Nov 6th 2007 6:39AM

I don't understand their thinking behind this, surely they are only going to slow adoption of the PS3 by introducing new PS2s?

Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Nov 6th 2007 7:36AM

Yet Sony has to profit from something. Otherwise there would be no money to sink into PS3 anymore.

Korova @ Nov 6th 2007 6:48AM

Yes, but the 100 grams they take out of every new PS2 they put into new PS3, making the latter an even better paperweight deal. Its the most advanced paperweight in the world, capable of withstanding Hurricane 3 force winds.

James @ Nov 6th 2007 7:02AM

Same price? No buy here then. Not when the slim PS2 already costs the same as a friggin DS Lite. It could weigh next to nothing but if the price hasn't changed...

Rob Accomando @ Nov 6th 2007 7:22AM

they should just duck tape a BluRay drive to the PS3

Rob Accomando @ Nov 6th 2007 7:22AM

err, I mean PS2

Jtenma @ Nov 6th 2007 7:35AM

NO.

Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Nov 6th 2007 8:54AM

YES!!!

And then with next revision of PS2 add a cheaper version of Cell.

And with another revision - support for PS3 games ^_^

Jtenma @ Nov 6th 2007 9:15AM

U SIR R ILLOGICAL!

John @ Nov 6th 2007 8:00AM

hardly gona buy it haha

itd be different if they maybe updated the operating system on it or something, maybe put an XMB on there with a web browser and the ability to play music and videos

that and some built in memory, and compatability with PS3 wireless controllers, all sorts of stuff like that would be cool

but nooo, not gona buy a new one coz its 100grams lighter lol

Brandon @ Nov 6th 2007 8:14AM

You just described a ps3.

nook @ Nov 6th 2007 9:45AM

Hahahaha. The combination of these two post is a major win.

John @ Nov 6th 2007 9:55AM

I just mean it sucks the psp has a better interface than the PS2

They could easily put an XMB on to the PS2 as well to give it some more features, and give it maybe a 10GB Hard Drive

Id be a lot more likely to buy one if they did that

Brandon @ Nov 6th 2007 8:13AM

It really amazing that they can make the power supply internal AND make it lighter. Its difficult to make the thing any thinner and smaller, Controller ports and other ports cant shrink and you still need the dvd bay to be big enough to hold a dvd.

The exterior is slightly different, instead of their being a glossy strip along the side (or top if you have it horizontal), the entire bottom half of the system is glossy.

My 7yr old fat PS2 with the tumor-like network adapter on the back is still working rather handsomely, and it seems to not be inclined to stop any time soon. But as soon as it does, I will definitely snatch one of these up if they make it here in the states, and buy a 40gb PS3. Who needs Backwards Compatibility when your ps2 is almost as small as the controller you play it with.

Blast Processing Megadrive @ Nov 7th 2007 3:44AM

Hmm! Didn't notice the change in the glossiness! Well, there's at least ONE external difference then...
Oh, and the base is slightly different, too.

I still think having a PS2-compatable PS3 is the best way to go. This way, you only need one PlayStation plugged into the TV to play games from all three consoles.

8Balling @ Nov 8th 2007 10:16PM

Just when I get myself a PS2....

So, basically they take out PS3's BC, and introduce new version of PS2 to keep people happy.

If they have dropped PS2's price down to $100, that'd be funny. Drop PS3 by $100, and introduce $100 PS2.

Gangsta Smurf @ Nov 6th 2007 8:49AM

$139.70 USD for a PlayStation 2? in 2007!!? Is this Bizarro World?

This is what makes it VERY difficult for me to invest in a PS3.

Michael C. Sherrin @ Nov 6th 2007 9:07AM

I love the PS2. But come on. It's sold a ton, still sells a lot, and is frankly more over priced than the PS3. It's got to be all profit now. Just think how much better it would sell - sales that wouldn't go to Wiis or Xbox 360s - and make people fall in love with the Playstation brand. Sony, you're already losing money. Get this new PS2 into holiday sales racks and win the console war from the back and the front.

********

Michael C. Sherrin
http://www.prodigeek.com/

Night Elve @ Nov 6th 2007 9:37AM

Well my old PS2 still works and my PS3 is getting all my love but early next year I'm gonna buy a new PS2 that's for sure.

WiNG @ Nov 6th 2007 10:18AM

Hey IMO this is great news to anyone who wants to buy a PS2.

Also, it's another kick in the face to anyone who owns a PS3.

See, people used to get mad at SEGA for discontinuing support for old systems in favor of new ones. I have to laugh since now, Sony is spending more effort on its old systems and neglecting their new grills. I mean systems. You know.

Now read how to get a free Wii or PS3:
http://www.helium.com/tm/672698/super-mario-galaxy-turismo

GRANTED @ Nov 6th 2007 10:35AM

i don't think you realize how little effort this requires. no new software, no first-party titles, no marketing blitz required (this is all the advertising they need, plus the price sells itself), and the games are all there--great ones. theres still a lot of money to be made with almost no overhead. as an actual ps3 owner, why should i care that sony has alternate sources of revenue?

Brandon @ Nov 6th 2007 10:22AM

Oh after seeing the high-res shots, it seems that they have gotten rid of the PS2 ridges that wrap around the sides of the old ps2 and old slim. Its kinda sad to see them go, but the new smooth face without the ridges is nice too, a little more sleek.

GRANTED @ Nov 6th 2007 10:28AM

people who complain about how stupid a decision this is need to shut up or get an mba. "sony needs teh moneyz" is not why they are doing this--they are offering an alternative to the wii and building brand awareness/loyalty so that 1-3 years down the road, those who buy this will be wanting a ps3.

as for adding feature sets like xmb or hdd--that's not going to save much money. sony shouldn't bother with dumping funds into redesigning the whole system. software is where it gets expensive. instead, hire some engineers to make the individual parts smaller (and, incidentally, they are now probably even cheaper than the bigger versions).

the 100g lighter and new colors are just spin so that you all don't notice what they really removed: the ps2's soul.

ok not really--but it's at least a reason to put out a press release that basically says "hey, remember me! still here! (w/the same games as the wii)"

emmzee @ Nov 6th 2007 10:29AM

Thanks for nothing Sony!

killbot13 @ Nov 6th 2007 10:39AM

No price drop = no sale. :-(

ark_v2 @ Nov 7th 2007 12:07AM

I really don't think so. It's a PS2 we're talking about afterall.

wendalweetskin @ Nov 6th 2007 11:15AM

GRANTED-

do you have a job?

the team of artists, engineers, consultants, and janitors who worked on this thing/brought coffee to the design room probably billed more for this project in digits of dollars than I have in my bank account.

not that I care what Sony does with its coin. I'll buy one (on layaway) just because it's new.

maybe I will ask santa claus too

wendalweetskin @ Nov 6th 2007 11:20AM

ahh, that was directed at your "i don't think you realize how little effort this requires" comment. it's a wonderful business idea. and no, having people work on PS2 doesn't take away from people working (or not working) on the PS3. that's just dumb.

mr mobius @ Nov 6th 2007 11:26AM

I'll not be getting this. Gonna wait til PS1 has a new version released which is 100g heavier but has forward compatability. Thats what'll make Sony the real money.

Cellien @ Nov 6th 2007 11:49AM

Lol...

Derek @ Nov 6th 2007 11:31AM

I bought a PS2 slim this summer and have been loving every second. There's a million great games on this system!

They should drop the PS3, and bring out a version of the PS2 with a wireless controller and a hard drive.

Sean @ Nov 6th 2007 11:32AM

And lines will be around the block for it, for some reason.

Cellien @ Nov 6th 2007 11:47AM

Build in the power supply build up hype and get tons of press for nothing. Sounds like typical Sony PR.

AmishPhysicist @ Nov 6th 2007 11:52AM

What they should've done is got rid of the flip-top loader for the thing. While it takes up laess space, it uses more to let the lid swing up. so dumb.

WiNG @ Nov 6th 2007 12:00PM

It would be cool if the PS2 had an autoloader like the Wii. Though 2 times it didnt' work, but otherwise it's awesome, haha.

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Nov 6th 2007 11:58AM

PS2 Phat had the power supply built in also. They've now come full circle.

WiNG @ Nov 6th 2007 12:00PM

The PS2 has become more powerful than you could ever imagine.

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Nov 6th 2007 12:10PM

yeah, I was gonna try and work in that star wars reference, but it seemed to much effort to make it flow.

whymog @ Nov 6th 2007 12:22PM

Thanks to you, Joystiq, I won't get fooled again by the PS2. :p

ThornedVenom @ Nov 6th 2007 2:39PM

They need not to lower the PS2's price, for not only it would further rival their favourite child, the PS3, but it's still the only real source of income and pride from their Games division.

I'd still buy a PS2 over a PS3.

Shattercross @ Nov 6th 2007 8:37PM

So how long have you trolls been under this bridge?

Jay @ Nov 6th 2007 11:09PM

I got my current slim and have no need to upgrade it. I just wish I could still find a vertical stand for it anywhere. I didn't have it vertical for awhile, now I'm in a dorm with limited space, but I lost the stand.

Also, I'm predicting a trend in the future

Playstation > PSOne
Playstation 2 > PSTwo > PSTwo2
Playstation 3 > PSThree* > PSThree2** > PSThreeThree***

*The PSThree will be 6% smaller with and external power supply

**The PSThree2 will shave 12grams and put the power supply back in

***There is no difference between the PSThree2 and the PSThreeThree except the removal of both remaining USB ports, the hard drive, and the ability to play PS3 games. As well as a 150 dollar increase in price