Why Sony PS2?

In 2006, the PlayStation 2 passed the first PlayStation as the best-selling console game system of all time with more than 106 million units shipped worldwide. This is more than four times what the Microsoft Xbox and Nintendo GameCube were able to ship. Simultaneously, DVD became firmly established as the home-movie format of choice and going online became a mainstream activity.

So why did the PS2 succeed? What mattered to consumers was that it provided incredible entertainment value for the entire family. While Nintendo focused on its big-name, kid-friendly franchises and the Xbox resonated with the PC-centric acne crowd that love their games violent and bloody, the PS2 had something for everyone. Sports, action, racing, kids' products, karaoke, the EyeToy camera, and, yes, virtual bloodshed—all could be found on the PS2. This was the game system for the masses, which, in its prime years, sold in the very consumer-friendly $200 (RM800) price range.

The challenge Sony faces is that the competition is not sitting still. The goal for Sony is to keep the PlayStation 2 base happy and content for the next several years as they gradually migrate to the PlayStation 3. Microsoft (MSFT) and Nintendo (NTDOY) would like to speed up that migration pattern, not to the PS3 but to the Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii.

The key to selling game consoles is good games. The Xbox 360 has built a solid library of software in its first year. With the Wii, Nintendo has almost nowhere to go but up and the system may have potential to appeal to not only the loyal Nintendo base, but also to a more casual adult audience. Meanwhile, developers are just now learning the complexities of writing code to the PS3's Cell processor and its eight SPE processors.

by David Cole in Business Week

I have been playing computer games since 1986 and has developed quite a good idea on how to find games that I like and played for a long time.I started with PC games since consoles were expensive back then.I started with PSOne in 1990 and have developed quite a good 'know how' on what games are good for my interest.

Basically, I play strategy base games on a PC and action based games on a console.

How to look for good games?

1. Read game reviews
- Game reviews give a general idea of the games I like. I usually go to excellent game sites such as IGN (www.ign.com) and read reviews.The article will give a good general idea of the game and if it sounds good to me, I will buy them.The gamesites has video snippets of the games and I can see if the gameplay is fun to me.The game reviews gives a rating to each games and anything above 8 out of 10 in a given sub-genres is good.

2. Game specification.
- This is not difficult for console games but it can get tricky with PC games.You see, PC games are very reliant on the specs of your PC.I have basic AGP and RAM powered PC so I usually stick to classic games such as RTS, Strategy or simulation games.It can be quite frustrating when you have bought a PC game and it failed to install, load or faulty when you are about to get into the game.Nowadays, I stick to console games to past my time.However, console games nowadays comes in various coloured DVDs. My old PS2 machine cannot read the purple coloured ones so I have to stick to gold coloured DVD games.

3. Relevant games.
- I play games that I have a fair idea about. For example, I like submarines and so I play Silent Hunter. Or I like golf so I play Tiger Woods Golf etc.I don't like beating people so I find playing games like BEAT DOWN a total waste of time.Maybe BEAT DOWN is an alternative universe for some of those who wants to whack people but it is not for me.Some of the games resembles real life and it can be an educational tool. For example, I played a game of Brian Lara's Cricket before a friendly game of real cricket the next day.It updated me with the rules so I don't look like a fool and seems to be knowledgable in it.Cool trick, eh?

I guess those are the basic tips. I hope you will be able to enjoy gaming for a long time.