Sporting a sleek black design,
the PS2 ups the ante on gaming consoles with an
incredibly powerful video subsystem based around
a 128-bit processor dubbed the Emotion Engine.
With a 300MHz CPU, 32 megs of RAM, twin 3D
graphics chips, a DVD drive, and USB ports,
the PlayStation2 is ""outfitted much like a
powerful PC"".
But with an internal architecture designed
specifically for media and graphics, this $299 system is able ""to pump out polygons faster than any gaming console or PC available today"".
""The architecture that handles the PS2´s
internal data traffic differs significantly
from that of your standard PC"" and could
""pose problems for software developers who must
learn to work within this new structure"".
Porting titles from other systems over
to the PS2 may also prove challenging,
but the PS2 does have an ace (or two)
in the hole.
We tested the PS2´s gameplay with a copy
of Ridge Racer V-- the game that is included with the Japanese unit.
This title features fast-paced driving
through beautifully rendered city streets.
The cars were well detailed with lighting and reflection effects adding to the experience.
Frame rates were silky smooth as we raced
against computer-controlled opponents or against each other in two-player mode.
You are able to select the time of day for
a race, which allows you to change how the surrounding environment is lit.
This literally alters the entire
mood of the track as the sense
danger when racing 160 mph down a dark
city street is far greater when compared
to the same race played at midday.
The differences in lighting also altered
the cityscape in general, creating a unique environment for each time of day.
While this title did ""show off"" some of what
""the PS2 has the potential to do"", the hardware
features we wanted to see in use, ""such as full-scene anti-aliasing, were absent"".
Sony has commented that ""FSAA is a feature
of the PS2"", but that developers need time
""to unleash the new hardware´s full potential"".
