Hardware Question - Best PS3 for RPGM2?

[Rodak]

OK - not sure where this should have been posted, but it wound up here!

When I was last active here the PS3 was kinda new, and people were talking about how RPGM2 had issues on some versions of the console, but not others.

Wish I could remember specifics, but all I can remember is "80 GB Version" and I don't even recall if that was the good one or the one to avoid!!

I found all the bits to my old PS2, but it no longer powers up.

AND I finally got paid for an animation job I already wrote off as a loss quite a while ago!! (check arrived Thursday, and is now cleared)

PLUS - I am on vacation this week - the place I work at has a plant shutdown week once a year, so despite not having money to do much - I have a week off. So I may run down to the local Gamestop to price up a new console.

I was thinking about blowing the mere couple hundred dollars I got on a PS3 (because despite finding everything I'd need to make a game if my PS2 worked, I never did find the max drive disc, and I hear the PS3 takes a usb flash drive directly for this (and can even connect to the webby for uploading somehow).

I'm years removed from any such discussions though.

Anyone have any advice on whether to even bother with a PS3, or see if I can get a used PS2 with the Max Drive disc if I plan to use it mostly for RPGM2 (with maybe some 3 or 1, but few other games)?

[Wavelength]

Re: Hardware Question - Best PS3 for RPGM2?

I think you want a refurbished 60GB (or 20GB) version. I don't think the 40 or 80 will play it.

Maybe someone can answer it better for you, though. I'm the idiot who (because nothing else was available locally) bought the recent slim version which doesn't seem to play PS2 games at all.

[Rodak]

Re: Hardware Question - Best PS3 for RPGM2?

Thanks for the quick reply!

Any advice on how to determine which one I need? Like what questions to ask the salespeople?

Or maybe even just bring in the RPGM2 Disc?

How exactly did the "bad" PS3 fail? I think it was moving the characters really fast or something...

[Wavelength]

Re: Hardware Question - Best PS3 for RPGM2?

I believe the difference is that the oldest models used Hardware Emulation (allowing you to play like 95%+ of PS2 games) whereas the newer models used Software Emulation (making the number more like 60%)--and then there were the newest models, some (but not all) of which apparently use no Emulation. So "which type of emulation" might be what you want to ask, if you're buying it somewhere the salespeople know what they're talking about. But I don't think you'll find any new PS3's which use Hardware Emualtion for under four digits, so that's why I recommended a used/refurbished one.

Some games will play on the Software Emulation but experience bugs, varying in severity from occasional graphics flaws to ubiquitous hanging. I think that might be what the things about "fast text" you've heard stem from?

Sony's website actually has a page where you can type in the name of the game and it will tell you which models play it. It's located here. Also, I think Wikipedia might have a list that's even better than that.

[Rodak]

Re: Hardware Question - Best PS3 for RPGM2?

Couldn't figure out what to do on that site... I typed RPG Maker 2 into the search field, but just got the 2003 promo pages...

I need to run out that near the local gamestop anyhow, so I may just look for a used PS2 if they actually have a max drive disc still available to go with it. They should be around $200 or less, I hope!

I should have my max drive disc someplace, but I have no clue where, and far too much junk to root through it all without air conditioning!

I'll go get myself together, check back here for last minute advice, and then leave on The Quest.

I'll just try to make sure that I can return it for an upgrade to a 3 if I return to advice which changes my mind


Oh yeah - If I recall correctly; it was the Player Characters that moved around real fast, not the text. That sort of killed the game more than just fast text would have...


EDIT - I'm a COWard.

It's just too Fluffing HOT.

I'll go tomorrow - we are scheduled for rain late this afternoon, and all night. Should be cooler then.

Plus, it gives me an excuse to do nothing for a change

[Valkysas]

Re: Hardware Question - Best PS3 for RPGM2?

Max Drive discs are impossible to find now outside of ebay, and they're stupidly expensive there. and people don't do a good job of letting you know if it's a NTSC disc or a PAL disc.

The only PS3 models that play the entire RPGM series pretty much perfectly are the 20GB and 60GB launch systems. the FIRST 80GB system plays PS2 games via hardware emulation, and yeah, that one has some trouble with 2. everything made after the first 80GB system, including the, uyh, second 80GB system, will not even play PS2 games.

the first model PS3s have some cooling issues, just so you know. the right side of them is completely dedicated to an exhaust fan, and you need to keep that clear, along with the vents on the front and the intake fan on the back. often, the fans will start sounding like a very loud jet engine. this is normal, and not an indication that your console is going to fly away.

there's also a little problem with a "yellow light of death" on the PS3, so if gamestop offers an extended warranty on a used system, you may want to take it if it's not stupidly expensive.

My PS3 is a launch 60GB system, and it's never failed me in the three years I've owned it.

and if you get a PS3, you may want to check out LittleBigPlanet. it's awesome. you can really let your creative side go crazy in that.

[Wavelength]

Re: Hardware Question - Best PS3 for RPGM2?

When I entered RPG Maker 2 on the 20/60GB models, it brought up the game title without any description. I'm not sure what that means--I think it means that it plays fine, though? See if this happens with a game like God of War that you KNOW will work fine on the PS3.

When I entered RPG Maker 2 on the 80GB model, it brought up the game title with a descriptor that said "hangs [freezes] at a specific point in gameplay".

When I entered RPG Maker 3 on the 20/60GB model, it brought up the game title with a descriptor that said "HDD functionality does not work" which is no big deal.

Unfortunately, the Wikipedia entry for compatibility between PS2 and PS3 was unhelpful as far as I could find.

[Valkysas]

Re: Hardware Question - Best PS3 for RPGM2?

When I entered RPG Maker 2 on the 20/60GB models, it brought up the game title without any description. I'm not sure what that means--I think it means that it plays fine, though?

I've been playing the RPGM series exclusively on the PS3 for about 2 years now. PS2 just sticks around for file conversions. All three work on the 60GB model without any problems at all.

[Rodak]

Re: Hardware Question - Best PS3 for RPGM2?

Cool Stuff!

I just hope they have a 60 GB (or lower) model in stock.

It's either that or go rummaging through the rooms with all the boxes for the old max drive disc...

That could take WEEKS!!

But it may not be a bad idea, all my memory cards are nowhere to be found either! That means no Clean Underwear Quest, no Videogamedrome, not even Clown Killers or Doctor Who: Waste of The Daleks (I think that game is still uploaded, and maybe even a demo of one or two of the older ones - I'll have to check!). The disc and mem cards are likely all together.

Hmmmm... Are Playstation 2 Emulators for the PC available? Might be a good alternative if they are out there and not too expensive! If so, do they work?

[Valkysas]

Re: Hardware Question - Best PS3 for RPGM2?

there are PS2 emulators. I have no idea how well they run.

if you do end up getting a PS3, pick up a memory card adapter too, so you can move all your saves from your memory cards over to the PS3.

[Perversion]

Re: Hardware Question - Best PS3 for RPGM2?

I'm doubting they have a 60 gig in stock. Chances are, most people who have one know of their value, and would not be stupid enough to trade it in to Gamestop.

[orius]

Re: Hardware Question - Best PS3 for RPGM2?

What Perv said. The 60GB is the only one I know that's going to run it reliably, and good luck finding one. The really hardcore games are going to snatch those up fast because of the BC, and I think that they're going to stay fairly expensive because of supply and demand.

And Max Drives, yeah, you're not going to find them at Gamestop. I've been looking for them ever since I got the PS2 and that's over 3 years now. But then I'd given up looking for RPGM2 when I found a copy back in December, though likely the game is going to be easier to find.

And I feel Rodak's pain. I cleaned the lens on my PS2 but it only worked for about a month before refusing to play the blue discs again. I frequently curse Sony for making those damn things in the first place.

[Valkysas]

Re: Hardware Question - Best PS3 for RPGM2?

20GB are the same actual hardware as the 60. they'll work too. it's pretty much just less chrome and a smaller hard drive.

[Rodak]

Re: Hardware Question - Best PS3 for RPGM2?

I had a thought after sleeping on this - I may bring my PS2 with me, and if they don't has a 20 or 60 GB PS3 - I'll ask to try my old PS2 with new wires!

It's possible that it won't power up because of a bad power cable.

And I know that I have a max drive disc around here someplace, it may be worth saving the money and just getting the old PS2 working if it's just a cable problem.

But ideally, I guess the 20 GB PS3 would be best as I really don't need the hard drive space and only thought about the new console for easier moving of games directly from usb...

[Rodak]

Re: Hardware Question - Best PS3 for RPGM2?

I dood it.

After getting to gamestop, and finding that they had a 20 GB PS3 for like $300 and a PS2 for $40 - and knowing that I must have that Max Drive disc around here SOMEPLACE...

I bought a used PS2.

It works just fine, and I have RPGMaker 2 open right now!

I think it's time to make a quickie game with little purpose other than re-familiarization with the system.

Maybe go through my own tutorials at the VFX Editor Guide!! I am amazed that site is still there... (click the link in my signature to see it).

Hopefully my Max Drive Disc, and all my old memory cards will turn up this week sometime. But I also grabbed one memory card, just because I'll need at least one of those!

I have One Week to return it for a full refund if I decide I really want to spend hundreds of dollars just for the RPGMaker series. Right now, I have little interest in commercial games and think this was the best route (even if I has to ultimately spend $100 on ebay for a max drive disc, it's still cheaper than a 20 GB PS3 would be!).

But if I get really into it, and can't find the Max thingy... I may "waste" the money on the shiny newer toy

OK - enough rambling...

Time to see how much of this I actually remember how to do.