've got to admit, I'm feeling a little bit guilty. I forgot a birthday. Two weeks ago, my PlayStation 3 turned a year old, and I didn't even buy it a new game. I'll be firing up a copy of Uncharted: Drake's Fortune soon enough, so it shouldn't feel too jilted. Still, I've noticed an interesting phenomenon taking place in recent months. It seems as though I actually fire up my seven-year-old PS2 more now than I did a year ago. Guitar Hero is partially responsible, but there are actually a number of great bargain titles and classics to be had for Sony's "other" system.
Truth be told, not every household can afford to drop $60 (and sometimes more) on a single software title. Although the PlayStation 2's graphics and online functionality are easily trounced by today's competition, it's amazing how much support the system still has. For instance, the new music game Rock Band shipped for PS2 alongside Xbox 360 and PS3 versions – it would have been foolish for Harmonix to overlook what is unquestionably the largest base of installed users in the world of console gaming, even if the price of their newest title exceeds that of a brand new PS2. As one looks at the release schedules of most major publishers, they're bound to notice one constant: they're still producing games for Sony's old workhorse.
Of course, even if there weren't new titles on the horizon, the PS2 still sports one of the largest libraries in gaming history. Whatever the genre you're looking for, chances are you'll find something. Those titles which aren't still widely available as "Greatest Hits" games can probably be found online at drastically reduced prices. I must admit – I've been having field days on eBay purchasing armloads of classic PS2 games. The best part is, these aren't used titles. They're brand new, mostly overstocked games being sold for one-tenth their original asking price. I still marvel at the five sealed copies of ICO I picked up last year for $20.
Getting to the point: that "Guitar Hero machine" you keep boxed up in the closet isn't dead yet. Considering this week's a slow one for new game releases, this might be the perfect time to fill a few holes in your PS2's library. You might even be able to overlook those "hideous" standard-definition graphics when you realize that $60 will buy you a dozen great games instead of just one.
