I have a problem that has nothing to do with disc reading errors - my Playstation 2 refuses to load them at all....I checked on a repair site, and said that if I had this problem that I probably had a dead laser (it doesn't play movies either); I also noticed a big sign that said "if I had my PS 2 for under 2 years and am already having problems getting the discs to load, that I should check my power source". I did this and moved the whole thing to my desk, where now it works something like 40% of the time (but not for too long as it skips and can freeze - If I do get it working and switch disc's or turn the power off it goes corrupt again). Once I accidently pushed the top of the PS 2 (right above the disc, and with the pressure I could hear the disc begin to move and the screen came up and said "reading disc" - when I stopped... it stopped; I didn't try again because I was afraid of scratching the disc.

I have just finished cleaning up my room before this happened and have reason to believe that I got some excess dust in the PS 2 or I may have accidently knocked it when I dropped a phonebook on the floor - I don't know as I didn't see it happen. I have heard of lens alignment problems but if that was the case, I can't understand why it reads sometimes at all. My only other idea is that a bug may have crawled in and can't find it's way out (!!).

I have had my Plastation 2 (slim model 77001) for just over a year, and was considering that the the thing busted as the warranty had expired; now the company can make money off of me having it repaired...but I have no idea what is wrong with it. This happened once before a month ago, but I became obsessed with trying different discs until finally one worked, and then they all worked (which adds to my trapped bug idea).

Since this has happened before I am considering that the laser may have died or is dangerously close to dying. I have also heard that the system can overheat with some ease, and as I play an average of 8 hours or so a day (sometimes I don't, sometimes I play much, much more), I can understand fairly easily that I have worn out my my system, or atleast the laser.

I have also heard that playing too many movies can cause corruption with the laser...is that true? :(

I have contacted Sony, as I am very frustrated (especially since I was going to pick up Sly Cooper 3 and SSX On Tour this month), and am waiting for them to contact me. Before I do anything I will try a disc cleaning system (and lens cleaner of course) as I have only cleaned my system once since I've had it (hmm!). Although if the motor is not turning the disc I don't see how the lens can effect it, perhaps I have an internally blown fuse.

I just wanted to know if this has happened to anyone else and if they had problems getting it fixed...i.e. should I bother sending it away when I may have burned out the system altogether or can Sony replace Laser's, motor's...!!!!!!

Otherwise I think the System rocked, I got my PS 2 last year, and bought more than 45 games for it so far, and imagine I could go way past 60 or so.

Should I buy a new PS2 (or a refurbished one) or should I just send it in for like $60 and have it fixed!!!

I just picked up a Gamecube at Christmas ($30 plus $5 for a year warranty at Gamestop) and am more than agreeable about it. Let me spare a dollup of insight. I got a Playstation 2 last year for Christmas and have purchased close to 45 games for it so I do not have too much in the area of third party games for it, but I still recommend the Gamecube even if it is solely for it's own games.

1) The First and Second Party Games kick butt.

2) The cost - $35 for a workable system (plus the $20 or so for s working memory card, although...you can check around if you want to) is outrageous.

3) It's just good to hang out with Nintendo again....

I picked the Cube up with both Zelda (Wind Waker) and Metroid Prime (the highest rated game for the Cube for like $5) and was delighted with both of them; I am a pretty loyal Sony man, even if Nintendo and Super Mario were first, and the hardest thing for me to swallow from the media is the continued statements that have regarded the Playstation 2 as having the worst graphic abilities. They were just excellent, and I had a hard time believing you could top the system by too much; but Nintendo looks realistically a little better (really a lot perhaps) in terms of colors and detail; I think it's really neat. (The Gamecube also has pretty good sound)

Shorty Game Review

Like I said, I picked up the Wind Waker and Metroid Prime and were very pleased with them; the Wind Waker was a little long in the sailing department but overall great (and had near-perfect Dungeons), Metroid Prime I whole heartedly recommend as well, now that I have had some time to play it; Sci-fi done to a good tune (I have never before played a Metroid game) with what looks like a Quake 2 or 3 engine; still first person adventuring may not be for everyone, but you can definately have a good time here.

Super Marios Sunshine; Gerstman is a drag. He spouted off about the inconsistancies of the Camera, and I have to tell you - I found very little problems with it (Sigh! If it isn't GTA III...). This is a great first party game and I enjoy it; perhaps slightly short but options on your replaying help a fair amount, besides the game stands at $15 right now. Go get it!!

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; Whoops!! Clicked on the wrong button on Amazon and ended up wih this bad boy. Really liked it, in fact I played the whole game through in one evening (until 2:30 in the morning, anyways) until I had beaten it!! Potter may not be for everyone, but I am personally having a hardtime imagining that - I even enjoyed the Quidditch matches!!

That's it for me although I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my own copy of Eternal Darkness.... hope you enjoy your new Gamecube!!

Recommendations!

Eternal Darkness

Resident Evil 4 (although, you may eventually tire of it)

Resident Evil 0 and the REmake (I heard these were really great and I mostly enjoyed 4)

Prince of Persia (the entire series; I got these for the Playstation but have to recommend them for any system)

Tony Hawk (Just about anything you can get your hands on - just ignore Gertsman, anything but Downhill Jam is truly exceptional and will have you playing for a very long time)

Final Fantasy 10

Final Fantasy 11

Final Fantasy 12

Just taking a guess; but that should about do it, I think!!

sorry - getting a little late; 2 mistakes in last blog

1) The statement about the family orientation was not a qupte on the Wii (and more than justly focused my thought's on the Xbox)

2) the 80-120 new titles were exclusives for the Wii, which Nintendo says were in developement (although their own quote didn't give a timetable for the games htey had in developement); however that was a direct quote from a market analyst on Gamespot and I should say that it still sounds like faulty info.... (the post regarded the Wii's increase in popularity and it's expected sales over the 4th quarter - way back in October or September??)

The PS3 has over 50 games on the system; over a dozen at 9.0 or higher, close to twenty adding in the 8.0-9.0's and not a single one under 7.0. The next year ofcourse will be better for Sony, although personally I have nothing against Xbox (or Wii) except for a general lack of family oriented games.

By the Way it is past New Years and has anybody seen the 80-120 new titles that Gamespot quoted as being out over the Holidays!! that's a total rip...although I believe I may have misrepresented Gamespot as it was really a a market analyst who said that, but... WHERE ARE THEY!!!

Tony Hawk kicks a@@...that's it!!

By the way I don't care if skate is the coolest game on the block, ramps the birdman, or brings more gamers into the sport than ever before; it just means that there are going to be two (2) great games every year (whhooo - hooo!!). 3's company, 4's a crowd, but 2... 2 ain't even anything yet....

I haven't played anything beyond THUG 2 yet, although I will be getting THAW next month (3 weeks away, baby - whhoooo-whooo!!). Project 8 sounded slightly lame, although is probably still great!! Proving Ground sounded just fine and more like they were following what I have heard about THAW. I like the idea of insane Skate competitions in EA's game and I wish them success, even if I don't buy it I will probably rent...

I was slightly (but nott too greatly) disappointed oin THUG 2's overall story, and mostly the fact that the game had like 6 levels (not counting classic mode) and would have really PO'd me if I had bought brand new. But THUG 1 and THAW (from what I hear) had pretty good story's and I would definately like more of that... the good stuff

What do I want - free babes with the game

levels like Hawaii and Tamp Bay from THUG (athough Russia was cool)

more FOCUS!!

more music!! (whoo-hoo!!) (at these prices, these games have the best sound track - ace of spades in THPS 3)

Since I have not played anything after THUG 2, I must say that I would like to see more skating competitions (and longer sessions - let the guys hang out, test tricks, personal rivalries, etc.)!!

Better voice acting!!

more Bam Margerine!!

The Games are basically puzzle-adventure; i.e. not for those who do not enjoy exploration and puzzle solving - it takes patience, encouragement, and a fair dose of curiousity to enjoy the Tomb Raider games. Adventure like that was just great; I own 1-4 and Legend, and personally favor number 4 and Legend.

The only true fault to Legend was the shortness and the storyline with Lara's sister which was very poor in my regards. Otherwise the game was A+ and I think everyone knows it - a few more levels and it would have been fine.

Still I would not have picked the games up for their $50 - I bought one for my brother (number II) and was dismayed when he said he didn't even want it (mostly because he would have to get me something in return); I kept the game, and mopstly enjoyed myself before I eventually got frustrated with it and let someone else have it.

In fact I don't think I would have ever picked the game up again (which I did just last week for less than $2 in near mint condition at Gamers), but eventually found myself with an eBay account where a person can now find the games for $5.00 on the average - which in the end makes it very accessible. #1 has it's problems (graphically speaking), but I really enjoyed number 3 and especially number 4. Legend blew me away but in the end was just very short and I don't think that the mansion made up for it. (Reallym though, one more level and I would have been fairly satisfied - they threw a lot of ground into the individual levels; like Peru and Russia)

worms - great game; realy enjoyed... u should try worms 3d for ps2 (Great!!); which is probably the best game I have ever seen from acclaim.

Parasite eve - I rented this once with idea in my head to buy it... in short I have had more fun with a cold...

time crisis - while I wouldn't give this game an A (or even a B) I thouhgt it was fair

Dino Crisis - this game was so lame... I bought this game for $3 and took it back the next day

how about;

Fear Effect (great Game)

there was an old game that came out just a little after Resident Evil set in outer space (not sentient) - I wish I could remember the name as it was probably a little better than dino crisis; and certasinly looked entertaining!!

All the time'as my neighbors would contest - my latest; Resident Evil 4 (marathon basically), Jak and Daxter, Sly Cooper, Prince of Persia (don't forget the original I unlocked in sands of time), Zelda: Wind Waker, and many many others.

Most recently I did the Chamber of Secrets til 3 a.m. and would have pulled an all nighter but didn't care to replay the Quidditch matches (Harry Potter rocks)