Retro collecting. Should I get a PS1 fat or slim?

Mal-Adjusted

the title pretty much says it all. Wondering if i should get a Playstation or a PSone slimmed version. If anybody has both or knows much about them, is there any chance of the pros and cons of each?
I'm just wondering how they compare and which one would last longer before needing to be replaced.
thanks

eddhorse

I'd try the Arcade and Retro forum for this.

I'm not savvy on the PS1 sorry.

the groutch

better to get a slim ps2 which will play ps1 games anyway, and double your gaming capacity.

RedXIV

If you decide to start collecting, I'd do what I did. just get both. Chances are you could pick up two in good condition for less than €40. Keep an eye on adverts.ie etc.

In terms of pros and cons, the only real ones that I know of would be its easier to install and external mod chip on the old fat one, but the screen mount will only fit on the new one, otherwise its quite hard to see any other differences

F1ngers

From Playstation.

Mal-Adjusted

the groutch wrote: »

better to get a slim ps2 which will play ps1 games anyway, and double your gaming capacity.

I actually have the slim of the PS2 already but it has some sort of block on 3rd party memory cards, which inadvertently blocks official PS1 memory cards as well! meaning it will play the game but being unable to save, i'd have to playthrough in one sitting and not did!

edit. Any ideas on which would last longer? My girlfriend's PS1 died recently after pretty much crumbling due to age.

o1s1n

Original first model Playstations have the best audio output. So that's a huge bonus in picking one of them up. They're also easier to mod chip if you're inclined to go that way.

And they look nicer

However if you're like me and end up with a mountain of consoles under the TV then the small form factor of the PSone really is a godsend.

Andrew76

PS2 slim would get my vote as it takes up less space and looks nicer imo. PS1 memory cards work fine on mine as does that Matrix modchip yoke.

I know retr0 has had bad experiences with lasers wearing out on the phat but I've never had problems with phat or slim. Maybe it depends on usage.

Retr0gamer

Andrew76 wrote: »

PS2 slim would get my vote as it takes up less space and looks nicer imo. PS1 memory cards work fine on mine as does that Matrix modchip yoke.

I know retr0 has had bad experiences with lasers wearing out on the phat but I've never had problems with phat or slim. Maybe it depends on usage.

I'm on my third phat. They really are dreadful when it comes to lasers, the same with the PS1. There's a reason the US took out a class action lawsuit against Sony, it's as bad as the 360 RROD. For PS1 games I'd recommend a late model PS1 or a PS2 slim since they have better lasers. For PS2 get a phat and get a HD mod to save on laser wear.

Myrddin

I've seen a ton of Phat PS2's with laser failure too. I think as Andrew mentions usage is a factor, but on the whole they don't seem up to much punishment

TechnoFreek

PS1 phat for me. Plus a digital only controller if you really want that old school blistered thumbs vibe.

o1s1n

Plus also remember the expansion port early model PS1s have. There's an interesting device being worked on called PSIO which takes advantage of this port.

http://ps-io.com/

penev10

I've gone through 3 PS2 phats. The part that aligns the laser (the name escapes me now) is very vulnerable to wear and tear. Starts making a whirring noise and you know the machine hasn't got long to go. It's allegedly easy to repair but I never bothered as people were always willing to throw their old consoles my way

deathrider

I reckon get both. Nothing wrong with having more Playstations.

TechnoFreek

o1s1n wrote: »

Plus also remember the expansion port early model PS1s have. There's an interesting device being worked on called PSIO which takes advantage of this port.

http://ps-io.com/

That is all sorts of awesome. I have a heap of roms across a load of dvds. Save burning each one to cd in order to play.

CiDeRmAn

The PS phat is a lot more straight forward to mod, as Kerb' will attest.

Atavan-Halen

If you have to go for a ps1 get a fat model 1. Anything with the model number ranging from SCPH-7000 to SCPH-9000 should be fine as they're the later models and a bit more reliable. While the earlier model "audiophile" consoles give great sound, they're very unreliable due to plastic parts in the laser mechanism wearing out very quickly over the years. The PSone (slim) is a nice machine but feels a bit cheap and mine has some issues reading discs sometime. Then again could just be my particular one.

KeRbDoG

I'd get a PS1 phat, looks and feels less cheap than the slim model.

o1s1n

o1s1n wrote: »

Plus also remember the expansion port early model PS1s have. There's an interesting device being worked on called PSIO which takes advantage of this port.

http://ps-io.com/

Absolutely brilliant! Will be on that like a fly on sh*t. No need to mod the PSOne then. I remember back in day getting some guy in UL (of all places) to mod mine and it was horrendously unreliable. I'm not sure if it was the modder or the tech but some backups would play, some wouldn't and oddly some would stutter and freeze partially! I think it couldn't have been the laser as legit games worked fine. I suppose it could have been the backup media.

zilog_jones

o1s1n wrote: »

Original first model Playstations have the best audio output.

There is a lot of mis-information about this out there. All PS1's up until at least the 550x (and maybe 555x) have the same DAC as the first model, they just don't have the built-in RCA outputs (which due to the signal path actually deliver worse sound than the "AV Multi Out" connector). It's a good DAC for something from the early '90s but in this day and age is not great. "Audiophiles" are generally idiots

I wouldn't recommend an early model because the lasers are generally less reliable. SCPH-550x and newer should be better, although my original 5502 is a bit flakey after heavy use back in the day (seems to work better upside down). I have another SCPH-5552 which probably saw less use and have had no trouble loading games, and installing a modchip was easy enough.

Mal-Adjusted

Well, I took all your advice and got two Bought the slim in Dublin yesterday and a friend actually found a fat in the back of a press and gave it to me (gave me a handful of games as well).

I thought there was a problem with the slim when i played Spyro on it because there was no sound, but the same thing happened with the fat so i'm fairly sure it's either the TV or the way they're connected. Anyone else have a problem with no audio?

edit: false alarm. there was a switch on the cable itself that was the wrong way...all working fine now, I can play all the Spyro I want!

CiDeRmAn

I suppose the good thing is the parts are easy to find, so if stuff goes peculiar you can obtain replacements to effect a repair.

CiDeRmAn

I suppose the good thing is the parts are easy to find, so if stuff goes peculiar you can obtain replacements to effect a repair.

o1s1n

zilog_jones wrote: »

There is a lot of mis-information about this out there. All PS1's up until at least the 550x (and maybe 555x) have the same DAC as the first model, they just don't have the built-in RCA outputs (which due to the signal path actually deliver worse sound than the "AV Multi Out" connector). It's a good DAC for something from the early '90s but in this day and age is not great. "Audiophiles" are generally idiots

I wouldn't recommend an early model because the lasers are generally less reliable. SCPH-550x and newer should be better, although my original 5502 is a bit flakey after heavy use back in the day (seems to work better upside down). I have another SCPH-5552 which probably saw less use and have had no trouble loading games, and installing a modchip was easy enough.

Yeah when I said 'best audio output' I was referring to output RCA jacks. They're dead handy for hooking the console up to a proper sound system. Such a shame more consoles didn't follow suit.

I guess at the time, Sony were looking at covering the audio CD market as well with the console.

CiDeRmAn

I still prefer the original GUI , perhaps it's simply nostalgia but it's nicer!

Myrddin

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

I still prefer the original GUI , perhaps it's simply nostalgia but it's nicer!

Same, the newer one is too cartoony

o1s1n

I love the original PS1 startup and boot jingle, one of my favs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31ivdML1Xes

CiDeRmAn

o1s1n wrote: »

I love the original PS1 startup and boot jingle, one of my favs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31ivdML1Xes

I was about to say something smug about people with too much time on their hands also probably getting nostalgic about the old playstation tv ads....
Then I started getting nostalgic about the old playstation tv ads!
Society Against Playstation FTW!

Guyanachronism

Mal-Adjusted wrote: »

Well, I took all your advice and got two Bought the slim in Dublin yesterday and a friend actually found a fat in the back of a press and gave it to me (gave me a handful of games as well).

Where did you get the Slim and how much? I am in the market for a PS2 slim. Not so much a retro collector (yet) as a lagging gamer who switched from consoles (last was PS1) to PC and now want to go back and pick up where I left off.

Are CEX reliable? Their site says 6 month guarantee*. and I have a few games that I would like to trade in. I am a little reluctant to go over donedeal or adverts.ie.

This thread has been useful so cheers.

*12 month warranty

the groutch

CeX would be very reliable, they fully test every console before they buy them, usually someone selling to them is asked to come back in an hour after it's been tested.

Mal-Adjusted

Guyanachronism wrote: »

Where did you get the Slim and how much? I am in the market for a PS2 slim. Not so much a retro collector (yet) as a lagging gamer who switched from consoles (last was PS1) to PC and now want to go back and pick up where I left off.

Are CEX reliable? Their site says 6 month guarantee*. and I have a few games that I would like to trade in. I am a little reluctant to go over donedeal or adverts.ie.

This thread has been useful so cheers.

*12 month warranty

Not sure if I can say the shop and price online, so PM sent.

I have no idea about CEX, as iv'e never bought a console there, but if you're getting a PS2 Slim, be careful because (and I learned this the hard way) Sony updated some models of their slims not to recognize any 3rd party PS2 memory cards. Unfortunatly, this lock was so good that it blocks many of Sony's own official PS1 memory cards, effectively removing any practical way to play PS1 games (unless you want to cruise through Metal Gear Solid in a single sitting and hope you don't die even once!) From what iv'e read online, some PS1 cards will work on them, but it's pot luck which ones. I think there's a list online for which models are affected.

Iv'e gotten plenty of stuff on Adverts. only once was i let down when a copy of FF7 i bought was scratched to s**t, but otherwise it's been grand. Actually, that reminds me, i must bring that game in to get re-surfaced.

the groutch

where do you get your discs resurfaced?

Mal-Adjusted

the groutch wrote: »

where do you get your discs resurfaced?

A few places will do it. Smyths do, I don't think Gamestop do anymore. PC World might. There's also a gel you can buy and do it yourself if you want. (though I haven't done that myself so I'm not sure how good it is)

Retr0gamer

Apparently Smyths and CEX. Gamestop won't do it. Better to get it done professionally, the DIY kits are kind of useless.

Guyanachronism

Mal-Adjusted wrote: »

Not sure if I can say the shop and price online, so PM sent.

I have no idea about CEX, as iv'e never bought a console there, but if you're getting a PS2 Slim, be careful because (and I learned this the hard way) Sony updated some models of their slims not to recognize any 3rd party PS2 memory cards. Unfortunatly, this lock was so good that it blocks many of Sony's own official PS1 memory cards, effectively removing any practical way to play PS1 games (unless you want to cruise through Metal Gear Solid in a single sitting and hope you don't die even once!) From what iv'e read online, some PS1 cards will work on them, but it's pot luck which ones. I think there's a list online for which models are affected.

Iv'e gotten plenty of stuff on Adverts. only once was i let down when a copy of FF7 i bought was scratched to s**t, but otherwise it's been grand. Actually, that reminds me, i must bring that game in to get re-surfaced.

I checked out a few Dublin city centre places at lunch time today and I am happy with the pricing and availability of PS2 consoles and games. I should be able to get about 80% of the games that I want for less than €10 each and many less than €5. CEX on Liffey St. has an ok selection and R.A.G.E has a 3 for €15 offer. There are a ton of medicore titles that I want for the series (LOTR, Star Wars, Avatar TLA etc.) that I can pick up for peanuts.

Surprised by the pricing of some PS1 games! Although obviously the JRPG games are all pricey.

I asked about the memory card thing and they weren't sure but they said they had PS one original memory cards in stock anyway. I still have fully functioning PS1 fat at home with a memory card so hopefully that will do. Googling it I gather 90s sony memory cards are fine but that later ones aren't.

Your lucky that you still have your FFVII, gave it to a friend and have never got it back. He denies having it but then I have a couple of his things that I am holding hostage that will accumulate value

Retr0gamer

You'll be better off looking online rather than going to RAGE. I find a lot of their games in bad condition which isn't great for disc based games. That and they are quite pricey. Maybe check out retropolis and super Hoshi whoc are more reasonable and have stock in better condition.

I'd be very particular about the condition of my disc based games because unlike carts they aren't near invincible.

Guyanachronism

Retr0gamer wrote: »

You'll be better off looking online rather than going to RAGE. I find a lot of their games in bad condition which isn't great for disc based games. That and they are quite pricey. Maybe check out retropolis and super Hoshi whoc are more reasonable and have stock in better condition.

I'd be very particular about the condition of my disc based games because unlike carts they aren't near invincible.

Thanks for that, I didn't know about the other two places, I will check them out. Have you any experience of R.A.G.E for consoles?

CiDeRmAn

Super Hoshi has some great examples of Japanese games for most retro formats, and they are located on Abbey street in Dublin.
Retropolis have a store on the southside, both shops have a Facebook presence so worth checking then out.
They are smaller shops and need our support.

Retr0gamer

Guyanachronism wrote: »

Thanks for that, I didn't know about the other two places, I will check them out. Have you any experience of R.A.G.E for consoles?

Nope but you have to be very careful of what ps1 or 2 you get because early models are disasters for disc drive failures and I wouldn't really trust rage to check them properly. They would let you look at the serial numbers so you can get a late model. They are usually overpriced for consoles but their ps1's are an exception and quite cheap.

You shouldn't spend much on a console my advice is to ask friends and family if they might have one in the attic. You usually can get one for next to nothing with a heap of games.

Flaregon

ps2 slim or a ps3 (both will play ps1) 60gb ps3 will play the ps1-2-3.

Mal-Adjusted

Retr0gamer wrote: »

You'll be better off looking online rather than going to RAGE. I find a lot of their games in bad condition which isn't great for disc based games. That and they are quite pricey. Maybe check out retropolis and super Hoshi whoc are more reasonable and have stock in better condition.

I'd be very particular about the condition of my disc based games because unlike carts they aren't near invincible.

I agree here. Iv'e gotten 5 games off of them and one is faulty. there's a few little scratches on it and one big(ish) one that can be seen from the top if you look closely enough. (another game I have to get re-surfaced. Christ, I think it's like 6 discs altogether!)