I decided I want a PS2. Mostly, I want to play Dragon Quest 8 and one of the Katamari games, and neither are coming out for the GC any time soon.

I do not want a PS3. I am not spending 300+ bucks to get that DRM-bloated albatross that is Blu-Ray in the house.

Now, my local used book/game/software/etc. shop will sell me a console for 80 USD second-hand. They warrant it for a week.

It seems like most shops want 130-150USD for a new one; instead of discounting the console, they'll offer a bundle with games I don't want for the same price.

And then there's Craigslist, where between 60 and 150USD will get you a wide array of different bundles, but few, if any people are offering with the games I want.

Discussion Questions:

1. How is the reliability of PS2 hardware? Should I feel safe buying a used one (if it works when he shows it to me, will it likely work three years on?)

2. Is there any place which tends to be cheaper? I thought for a while they were selling PS2s at 100USD new, but I guess it was a temporary loss-leader.

3. Why are so many people unloading PS2s on Craigslist owners of wrestling-themed games?

4. Is there any advantage to the thick or thin model? I thought there was something about being able to install a hard disc, but then most games didn't exploit it.

I don't have a lot of experience with PS anything I'm a PC gamer.
But if you can get a 1 week guaranty then you have options.
Buy it play the hell out of it for 4 days, more than you would normally,
if it works as expected then keep it. if not then return it.

Nothing lasts forever although game machines have a long life even after the original owner has no use for it.

It seems like reliability is getting suckier.

My NES lasted from 1987 to 2005.

My SNES lasted from 1989 to 2007.

Meanwhile, my GC's controllers are already shot and some discs read poorly.

The PS2 is finally losing it's software edge, their overall sales went down like 3% last quarter. So if you really want a new PS2, I would expect the price to drop soon. Hang in there.