Console Build Quality

[Hobie-wan]

I have encountered a few dead Sega Master Systems, do these things break a lot for anyone else?

I've got 2 with no issues, though they both appear to have been cared for properly.

[Betamax001]

I know my PS2 I got in 2002 is built like a tank. A few cosmetic scuffs, but works great! I have never ever had a problem with it : D I do think that rule of thumb is that catridge based systems fare better over age then CD based ones.

[BoringSupreez]

There is one model of PS2 that was built like a tank. Um the 5001 maybe? i forget which one exactly. And I don't feel like checking right now. Some Facty McFacterson will back me up.

Yup, any of the 5000 series PS2's are built to an incredibly high standard that surpasses that of any other PS2 including the slim models.

Why were they built so good? And how can I tell what model I have?

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

There is one model of PS2 that was built like a tank. Um the 5001 maybe? i forget which one exactly. And I don't feel like checking right now. Some Facty McFacterson will back me up.

Yup, any of the 5000 series PS2's are built to an incredibly high standard that surpasses that of any other PS2 including the slim models.

Why were they built so good? And how can I tell what model I have?

They were built to a higher standard and overseen during development by Ken Kutaragi himself for the express purpose of providing gamers with a highly durable PS2 that was compatible with the HDD, was tailored to suit the needs of Final Fantasy XII MMO players, and the core gamers the PS2 was aimed at before the launch of the slim PS2 and successive marketing push towards making the PS2 a more casual and open platform for everyone a year later.

The 5000 series Original PS2's feature a built in IR sensor for the remote control, support for remote power on/off via the remote, the ability to use the remote control as a controller in simple games that only require the D-Pad etc... via activation in the PS2's system configuration, progressive scan in DVD playback, 75% more silent fan and drive operation than older PS2 models, DVD + or - R/RW playback, CD-R/RW playback, a refined DVD drive that has a very low to nonexistent failure rate, native hardware generated optical out instead of the software generated optical out from older PS2 models, DVD/MPEG-2 hardware decoding vs. the software decoding of earlier PS2 models, lower power consumption for energy star compliance, cooler operating temperature, a 299mhz processor vs the original speed of 294.912 on older PS2 models, and a single unified motherboard that is far less prone to issues as it ages instead of the older series of two or more daughter-boards interconnected by parallel cables that was used in earlier PS2's.

The only real setbacks to the 5000 series are these:
1.) The removal of the iLink firewire port (The tiny square port next to the USB ports on the front of the PS2) which prevents the use of games which utilize system links such as Gran Turismo 3's 6 screen multiplayer mode (5 separate individual racing screens and one interactive digital announcer on the sixth, or a 6 screen wrap around cockpit mode), or the Time Crisis 2/3 individual multiplayer screen mode. It's not rally a big loss, but if you're the type to run system links or multi-screen gaming often it's something to consider.

2.) The 5000 series is the first series of PS2 to be manufactured in China (All previous PS2's units had been manufactured in Sony's native Japan), but aside that fact the quality of the 5000 series is still top notch and completely surpasses that of any PS2 before or since.

Now, to distinguish which model PS2 you have or to know what you're buying when you're out shopping at your local GameStop/Pawn Shop etc... all you have to do is look at the label on the back of your PS2 above the Expansion bay, or on some models on the bottom or side of the unit. This label should say SCPH-5001 (SCPH-5000 in Japan, and SCPH-5002 in Europe) and if it does then congratulations you've found yourself a 5000 series PS2 and now have the most reliable and multifunctional PS2 ever produced!

[Droid party]

I bought a scph-3502 (I think) ps2 back in 2002 and it has been awesome. Never given me any trouble at all and it has gotten one hell of a workout over the years.

But to throw out a piece of bad hardware I'd have to say that the N64 analogue stick was at the top of my list. The n64 itself is an amazing piece of hardware but those sticks are rubbish.

Oh, and another piece of good hardware is the megadrive 6 button controller. I've still got my first one from 1994 and it is amazing. It still works and feels just as good now 15 years later as it did when it was new.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

I bought a scph-3502 (I think) ps2 back in 2002 and it has been awesome. Never given me any trouble at all and it has gotten one hell of a workout over the years.

But to throw out a piece of bad hardware I'd have to say that the N64 analogue stick was at the top of my list. The n64 itself is an amazing piece of hardware but those sticks are rubbish.

Oh, and another piece of good hardware is the megadrive 6 button controller. I've still got my first one from 1994 and it is amazing. It still works and feels just as good now 15 years later as it did when it was new.

The sticks for the N64 were a pretty bad design from a longevity standpoint, but when you're using a good one with a tight stick then it's one of the best designed sticks ever made.

Hopefully as more and more of the original N64 sticks start wearing out we start seeing a permanent or high quality easy to do replacement solution such as putting a Gamecube stick in an N64 controller or similar fixes.

[d123456]

They were built to a higher standard and overseen during development by Ken Kutaragi himself ........

I award this post gold status. I love to read about this kind of stuff.
Cool you included the info about the ilink since that is something I want to try with Battle Gear 2 (Tokyo Road Race)

[Curlypaul]

Early DS lites had issues with the case being weak around the hinges. Also the early touch screens allowed bits of matter to get inbetween in the coloured plastic frame and the screen which rendered the touch screen useless.

I have no idea of model numbers where this is fixed although mine originally suffered both these problems and the model number is USG-001

[Niode]

The launch DS Lite in this country was notorious for having crap hinges. I don't know about any other country.

The Gamecube is ridiculously durable, and pretty much any Nintendo system before the DS lite and Wii is.

Don't get me started on Sony's ridiculously bad products.

[Gnashvar]

I would be a nice article for Racket Boy. What console model of each type is the best for collectors. From a value stand point and and from which one will last the longest. I rather have something that I can play for years to come than a rare pink Dreamcast that will stop working in a few years.