You transfered your PS1 data to your PS2 memory card? I didn't even know that was possible.Lyphe2k

This can be done from within the PS2 browser, where you can view, delete, or copy your game saves between memory cards. You can copy PS1 save data to PS2 cards, but only for backup and storage purposes, you will still need your PS1 memory card to load and save from within games.

I have had a memory card become corrupted before, but as I recall the PS2 still recognized it, only it read as being full of blank purple cubes labeled corrupted data.

Does your PS1 card still read properly?

Unfortunately for HDTV owners, the vast majority of ps2 games were designed to be displayed on standard definition sets in a 4:3 aspect ratio. So while results vary between different TVs and games, in general most ps2 games are going to look better on the old standard definition CRT sets.

The problem lies in the fact that most ps2 games will only output a 480i signal in a 4:3 ratio (which is the native resolution and aspect ratio of SDTVs). Your new LCD HDTV must de-interlace and interpolate this signal for display on a higher resolution screen, which can result in image degradation. In addition, the difference in aspect ratios between the 4:3 game and your 16:9 widescreen TV will cause the picture to be slightly stretched horizontally, (probably the distortion you are noticing).

To get the best picture quality and to be able to take advantage of higher display resolutions in supported games, your ps2 will need to be connected with component cables. Also, be sure to enable progressive scan (480p) on any games that support it. When displaying in progressive scan mode, games should look noticeably better than they did even on your old television.

Some TVs have options to correct differences in aspect ratios by adding black bars to the top or sides of the screen. Be sure to use this feature on your TV if possible to correct the stretched 4:3 games, and be sure to enable widescreen mode to fill the full screen when playing widescreen capable games.

Here is a good online database to find which games will support progressive scan and widescreen.

The Gamecube is very similar to the ps2 with scarce 480p and widescreen support. The Xbox however will output 480p on most games with some even capable of 720p and 1080i. Your Xbox will also need to be connected with component cables, and then you will be able to enable HD resolution modes and widescreen display from the Xbox dashboard.

Correction, a Japanese number cruncher giant. Too many people don't even know what makes a real RPG anymore. The deep quest, the character customization, power of which destiny to choose, the imagination left on the player, etc. Japanese number crunchers are simplified versions of what a real RPG is. They are often as deep as a kiddy pool. Often have no control on the story and destiny. Often have too much emphasis on BAD stories. Often have UGLY looking CRAPNIME characters. Often have too much androgyny. All Japan did is bastardized real RPGs in order to make them accessible to the Japanese audience which are a bit more dimwitted when it comes to role playing games. Mind you some number crunchers are good (FFXII), but to call the PS2 as an RPG giant is just pure ignorance. 2deluxe

*Troll Appears!*
Command?

A: Fight

B: Spell

C: Item

D: Run

A turn based battle system is one which involves players taking actions in designated turns. This means that each player will have an orderly opportunity to act, during which no other players can take actions (like a chess game). Turn based systems can have time limits on turns to keep things moving more quickly (like competitive chess), but players still take actions according to a turn order.

FFX has this type of battle system, which Square called the CTB system (conditional turn based battle). In battles, each character takes actions during their turn and has an unlimited amount of time to do so. When your turn comes up you could go and make a sandwich, come back, and everything would be just as you left it. Turns are "conditional" because certain actions will change a player's placement in the turn order (i.e. haste or slow), but the system still revolves around ordered turns, and paying close attention to the turn order is a crucial element of the strategy.

All of the numbered FF games from IV to IX used the ATB sytem (active time battle). This system eliminated turns, and instead uses time meters to determine when characters can act. The battles play out in real time, as the game does not wait for the player to input commands, and enemies will continue to attack regardless of whether or not the player has acted (no time to make sandwiches).

All of the numbered FF games up to XII have a menu driven interface in which the player does not directly control the movement and action of the characters during battles, but instead issues commands by selecting them from a menu. I think many people confuse this menu driven interface with turn based gameplay as though they were synonymous. This is understandable because most turn based video games are also menu driven, while most real time games are controlled directly by the player. Visually, a game like FFVII looks much like any other turn based rpg, but it is the way in which the game deals with time and attack order which determines whether it is turn based or real time.

This is why I didn't find the battle system in XII to be so radically different from the old FF games, because apart from giving the player direct control over character movement (which is mostly a superficial difference) the way the battles play out is very similar to the old real time ATB system. By the way, I'm sorry that i keep writing a five paragraph essy every time I make a post, I took an english class in college that basically rewired my brain to write like this.

With the exception of FFX (the only turn based FF game since III), every FF game since the snes era has had a real time combat system, so FFXII isn't a sharp departure in that regard. Apart from some mostly superficial differences, I thought the battle system in XII played like a hybrid of the ATB system of IV - IX and the CTB system of X.

I too prefer turn based battle systems (I really like the battle system in X), and I like that XII had a "wait" option which can be selected to make it play more like a turn based game. However, I thought what XII really lacked was a fully "manual" option which would automatically pause the action and bring up the battle menu for each character every time their action meter filled.

This would eliminate the need to rely on gambits, as every action would be selected by the player when each turn came up. The gambits could even still be used to speed up menu navigation by having the default gambit action already selected when each menu pops up, then the player can choose to accept it or override it with a different command.

An encounter system like the one used in Chrono Trigger might have also worked well in FFXII. This would mean that visible enemies are encountered and fought seamlessly in the same environment, but once a battle initiates all combatants stand in formation until the battle has ended.

All in all though I think the most important thing about the many changes seen in FFXII is that in contrast to what some other RPG series have done to "innovate" their gameplay, FFXII did not attempt to become an action game. There are no swing meters, dodges, or button combos. The gameplay remains about strategy and stats instead of reflexes and button mashing. As long as that continues to be the focus of the series, then I am glad they are trying new things; otherwise we would end up playing the same game over and over with a different story.

According to an article at RPGFan, Atlus will be releasing Persona 4 in Japan for the PS2 sometime during the first half of 2008.

As usual there is no mention of any release outside of Japan.

That could be a very long list, so I'll just throw out three that come immediately to mind,

Dragon Shadow Spell

FFXII International Zodiac Job System

Front Mission 5

and I'll second KH II Final Mix+. Chain of Memories was by far my favorite game in the series, it would have been nice to see the ps2 remake get released in other territories.

For 5.1 surround sound with a ps2 it is important that you have a receiver which is capable of decoding Dolby Pro Logic II, as this is how surround sound is encoded in ps2 games (I think there are also some games that use Dolby Digital during cut-scenes.)

Pro Logic II will give you full 5.1 separation even when using the standard red and white composite audio cables, but since all ps2s have built in optical digital audio output, you might as well use that as it will offer better sound quality, and is capable of sending Dolby Digital and DTS signals which are used in DVD movies.

One more word of advice if you are looking to buy a digital audio cable, don't buy one from an electronics store or you will most likely get ripped off. Cables which transmit analog signals are subject to interference and signal loss in the cable, meaning there is a lot of variation in the resulting audio/video quality depending on how well the cable is shielded and constructed. Cables which transmit digital signals however do not have this problem (over short distances), and have only two levels of performance: working and not working. This means that the digital audio cable you can get on eBay for $2 will work just as well as a fancy name brand one that an electronics store will try to sell you for $20.