Finally, here is where the real test begins. Did Sony live up to the hype? Or is the PS2 just a hyped up DVD player? Since it’s debut in March of ’99 the PlayStation 2 has been "The Machine" to own. After all, getting it’s own cover on Newsweek magazine must mean that the console. PSGF’s definitive rank card for what could possibly be the most influential entertainment machine in history is here – read on for the grade.

The GAMES: Let’s face it: the PlayStation 2-launch software really doesn’t claim home to that special killer app. Even with the likes of SSX and Madden 2001, both being pretty good games, none of them truly strike me as a "Gotta have that!" title. While the Sega Dreamcast had numerous AAA-games at launch (Soul Calibur, NFL2K, Powerstone, and Sonic Adventure, to name a few), the PS2 is still sorely missing a killer app. Not that what they have is pure bunk – Tekken, Ridge Racer, EA’s sports games – they’ll all have their niche fanbases to support. Then again, is there truly any revolutionary software as seen in the Dreamcast lineup? Sadly, the answer is no. The PlayStation 2 games all have an average of "good" to "near great", but for most gamers SSX is not exactly the great launch game we’ve all been waiting for. Still, many good titles are coming out in November, however, that is a month away, and I’m not critiquing it.

The HARDWARE: One year ago most gamers would find you utterly insane to say the PS2 was inferior in it’s hardware power. But now, after seeing the potential of GAMECUBE and Xbox (not to mention the complaints of many a developers), the whole aura over the much-hyped strength of the Emotion Engine has dimmed slightly. Still, the PS2 has untapped power, plus the middle ware and support of Sony itself to back up the needy developers.

The SUPPORT: It’s impossible to deny the amount of love that Sony is receiving from nearly every 3^rd party developer under the sun. No matter what publisher it is, Sony has got at least a few titles in development for the PlayStation 2.

The ATMOSPHERE: Sony’s got more hype riding on this machine than any other console in history. With so much to live up to, how can the PlayStation 2 possibly succeed? With the initial shipment sliced in half to 500,000, there will be some very angry hardcore gamers at the beginning, not to mention the upset parents of little Jimmy down the street that can’t get the PS2 for Christmas. But if Sony can indeed supply the market – not to mention keep a steady flow of hit games – then the entertainment juggernaut will create media hysteria that will keep the Sony brand under the headlines for weeks upon weeks.

The EXTRAS: DVD player, USB support, broadband vision – when it comes to the complete package, Sony isn’t hiding any cards. Being able to play movies, listen to CDs, use the latest PS2 software – all on the same machine? It’s quite a marketing slogan, and one that will sell many, many units to customers. If there’s one thing that Sony’s good at it’s promoting their products as items you simply can’t live without. Their main goal is to put a PS2 in every American household, and by the looks of the additions … they just might do it.

The MARKETING: Did Sega ever beat Nintendo in the 16-Bit era because of better games? No. It was mostly because of Sega’s cutting-edge, hardcore advertising. While Nintendo stuck with its kiddy gimmick, Sega went ahead with the timeless "Sega!" scream to promote it’s Genesis, which, for the most part of the war, had an advantage over the SNES. While Sony really didn’t need to rely on it’s marketing for the 32-Bit wars, they still had an impressive amount of commercials and print ads. Starting with the mysterious "E" theme (which no one understood what it meant), Sony was able to produce a feel of the PSX being something cool to own, not a kiddy machine like the N64, and, to a lesser extent, the Saturn. With the PS2, however, Sony has a tough road ahead of it. Now they need to not only market to the hardcore gamers to keep their interests, but at the same time appeal to the casual gamers that are more easily influenced than the real players. But with their money and advertising credibility, I know that Sony can pull off another task – though, be forewarned, Sony: it will be a tough one.

The FINAL VERDICT: No, Sony doesn’t have the strongest lineup of games initially. And no, most people will not like Sony after the stiff arm they are going to give this fall. Still, no matter how biased and Anti-PS2 you are, no gamer should underestimate Sony. They have the money, they have the marketing, and they surely have the games. The PlayStation 2 will most likely not be everything we all hoped for, but realistically is any console really that? Sony’s on top of the world right now, so that means Nintendo, Sega and Microsoft are all gunning for their spot. They’ve got a bumpy road ahead, but if any of the companies can pull through, it’s going to be Sony.

Grade: 9/10

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