8/19    Playstation II or DreamCast? Pros/Cons? Are Playstation I games
        compatible with Playstation II?  Also, is it possible to play Japanese
        CD with the US Playstation? Thanks...                   -game newbie
        \_PSX I games are compatible w/ PSX II, further they are enhanced!
          Jpn PSX games will NOT work on PSX II (territory lockout)
          For short term (1.5-2yr) get the Dreamcast, for long therm (3-4yr)
          get the PSX2.
             \_ Very short term (< 1 year) for the DreamCast, most game
                companies are developing for the PSX2 or X-Box at this point.

             \_ the does lie the possibility for "mod chips" that can
                be soldered into the ps2 to enable u.s. units to play
                japanese games, but that can't be determined for certain
                at this time since the ps2 doesn't come out until oct. 26.
                if you can't wait until oct. 26, buy the dreamcast,
                otherwise wait for ps2.  or if you have lots of money,
                buy them both, then you don't have to worry about system
                A vs. system B.   Playstation games should play on ps2
                b/c apparently, there is a ps1 inside the ps2, that's
                why the two units are backwards compatible (at least
                that's what I last heard, which was awhile ago).
                ALSO:
                you need a ps2 simply b/c metal gear solid 2 is coming out
                in 2001 (see the 90 MB trailer at http://psx.ign.com).  Hopefully,
                this game will kick much ass compared to the original.
        \_ Don't get another box, use your PC/Mac:
           http://www.virtualgamestation.com
           There's even a modchip so you can play CD-R and Japan games
           MacAlly and Gravis sell the PSX controllers in USB format so
           you even get that (controllers ~ $19).
                 \_ don't listen to this guy.  you can't emulate dreamcast
                    or ps2 yet (duh!).  it works ok for most games on
                    playstation, except some games looks really bad.
                    ("silent hill", you see the box mappings around
                     characters, gran turismo  has texture problems...
                    hmm...might've forgot to adjust my memory on that one).
                    Metal gear solid has slowness problems...so the emulation
                    isn't really perfect.  the box is cheap enough..
                    unless you happen to be a CHEAP ASSHOLE like some
                companies announced future products will be for PS2/XBox. -oj
                    sodans I know.
                    \_ Okay, so it doesn't do PSX II or DreamCast, but
                       PSX II isn't out yet and DreamCast suxs! PSX still
                       has great games. Gran Turismo and Gran Turismo II
                       run exteremely well on my PB G3 400. So does Driver
                       and Super Puzzle Fighter II.
        \_ http://www.xbox.com

        \_ Only PSX games "written to the proper standards" will work.  The
           \_ isn't the xbox going to cost >$500? pretty unfair to compare
              that to the playstation 2
        \_ The above post is simply not true.  Most, estimating approx. 98%,
        \_ http://www.chipzone.com
           from Sony and Gaming News Agencies.  The only games with issues
        \_PSX I games are compatible w/ PSX II, further they are enhanced!
          Jpn PSX games will NOT work on PSX II (territory lockout)
          For short term (1.5-2yr) get the Dreamcast, for long therm (3-4yr)
          get the PSX2.
             \_ Very short term (< 1 year) for the DreamCast, many game
                companies announced future products will be for PS2/XBox.
                Oh yeah JPN PSX1 will work on JPN PS2.  US PSX1 discs and
                CDR's won't.  I assume similar things for US PS2 -oj
             \_ the does lie the possibility for "mod chips" that can
                be soldered into the ps2 to enable u.s. units to play
                japanese games, but that can't be determined for certain
                at this time since the ps2 doesn't come out until oct. 26.
                if you can't wait until oct. 26, buy the dreamcast,
                otherwise wait for ps2.  or if you have lots of money,
                buy them both, then you don't have to worry about system
                A vs. system B.   Playstation games should play on ps2
                b/c apparently, there is a ps1 inside the ps2, that's
                why the two units are backwards compatible (at least
                that's what I last heard, which was awhile ago).
                ALSO:
                you need a ps2 simply b/c metal gear solid 2 is coming out
                in 2001 (see the 90 MB trailer at http://psx.ign.com).  Hopefully,
                this game will kick much ass compared to the original.
        \_ Only PSX games "written to the proper standards" will work.  the
           games written by folks who ignored the rules won't always work.
           Only about 1/4th of em will work I've read.
        \_ the above post is simply not true.  Most, estimating approx. 98%,
           of PSX I games will play on the PSX II based on various reports
           from Sony and Gaming News Agencies.  the only games with issues
           are basically only 1st generation Japanese games.  Sony has
           issued a list of games (~20) that are not compatible which futher
           proves this point, see: http://www.vnunet.com/News/106992
           \_ Not what I read.  YMMV.
           \_ spoken like a true Sony monkey
        \_ http://www.modchips.com