One of Sony's main selling points for the PlayStation2 is its "backwards compatibility," its ability to play original PlayStation games. Many a concerned gamer has been curious as to how well the PS2 would perform this task, and now that the system has been released in Japan, gamers have been able to test this new feature first hand. To give you an idea of how the PlayStation2 will affect your favorite games, here is a list showing the performance levels of many Japanese PlayStation RPGs as played on the PS2:
Game:
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Loading Speed:
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Graphic Performance:
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Chrono Trigger
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faster
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improved Mode 7 graphics
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Chrono Cross
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faster (menus only)
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better graphics, less jagged polygons, character faces are clearer
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Dew Prism
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same
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no polygon breakups, no broken lines within polygons
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Final Fantasy 5
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faster (menus only)
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same
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Final Fantasy 8
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faster
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improved textures, some pop-up problems
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Front Mission 3
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faster (menus only)
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character details improved
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Parasite Eve 2
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slightly faster
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textures slightly improved
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Saga Frontier 2
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same
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black border around characters eliminated
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Star Ocean: 2nd Story
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same
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characters and maps are more detailed
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Tales of Phantasia
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same
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map screen is more detailed
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Vagrant Story
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faster (menus only)
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fewer jagged polygons, improved textures and details
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Valkyrie Profile
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same
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characters are more detailed
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Xenogears
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faster
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better textures, improved feeling of 3D depth
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As you can see, all of these games were in some way enhanced by the power of the PlayStation2, and only one game was affected adversely. Although these tests were done on Japanese PlayStation games using a Japanese PlayStation2, gamers should expect a similar performance on domestic titles when the system hits North America later this year. Stay tuned to RPGamer for all the upcoming revelations concerning the PlayStation2 as its North American release approaches.
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