Psx Review by Independent (IND)
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1995 June 19
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- Peter Lind, writer credits
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@database PSX-Rev.guide
@$VER 1.0 19.06.95
@node MAIN "PS-X Review"
Welcome to this PS-X Review Amiga Guide Written By Peter Lind 19.06.95
@{" What Is The PS-X? " link "1"}
@{" Technical Specifications Of The PS-X " link "2"}
@{" How Do I Connect It? " link "3"}
@{" How Does It Compare To Other Platforms? " link "4"}
@{" Games Reviewed " link "5"}
@{" Final Words " link "6"}
@endnode
@node 1 "What Is The PS-X?"
The PS-X, or the Playstation as it's also known, is Sony's
step into the video-games market. The small machine wields
incredible power from its small frame.
It was released in Japan last november, and sold 300,000
copies during christmas alone.
Sony have poured millions into this project. They've
streamlined the production, and are now finishing the US and
PAL versions of the machine. Although why the US version
hasn't surfaced yet, can only be a question of marketing
strategy.
Sony is a company IMMENSELY more powerful than it's nearest
competitor; Sega. Nintendo, on the other hand are busy making
their ULTRA64 work!
@endnode
@node 2 "Technical Specifications Of The PS-X"
CPU
33 MHz 32bit R3000A chip, with a clearing capacity of 30 MIPS
The CPU also contains the 66 MIPS GTE (Geometry Transfer
Engine), DMA controller and Sony's 80 MIPS MDEC video
decompression scheme.
The MDEC circuit decompresses graphics on the fly (in 1 frame
or less), in fullscreen. It is also capable of decompressing
MPEG-1 files, although these are inferior to Sony's own MDEC
scheme. It will also be possible to view DVD encoded
Video-discs. DVD is the standard for CD movies, agreed on by
both Sony and Philips. It is also compatible with the oddly
named H.261 files, and of cause JPEG.
GPU
The GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) handles all sprites etc.
SPU
The sound hardware is as impressive as anything. The machine
has a 16bit SPU (Sound Processing Unit) delivering 24 channel
ADPCM at 44.1 KHz (CD quality).
MEMORY
The machine has 2Mb DRAM, 1Mb VRAM (screen(s)), 512Kb sound RAM
and 512Kb CD buffer RAM.
The Machine has 2 RAM card slots, allowing anything from
hiscores to how far you got, to be stored.
CD
The CD drive in the PS-X is by default a dual speed drive
giving it 300Kb per second. The CD's themselves can hold
790Mb. The dual speed, can be misleading as the amount of data
read off the cd is more like 600-700Kb, due to everything being
so well compressed. And when we're talking graphics being
pulled off the CD - forget it. That must be MEGABYTES/ second.
The philosophy behind Sony's choice of drive is that it's
'cheap, and easy to replace with a new one.'
The CD controller also holds a DSP and contains a CD-ROM XA
converter.
The CD's themselves are black and encrypted.
OS
The PS-X's Operating System is only 512Kb in size, and is
therefore very programmer friendly. It recides in a single
chip.
GRAPHICS
The machine uses 24bit (of cause) at resolutions of either
256*224, or 640*480. It can handle 4000 8*8 pixel sprites with
individual scaling and rotation. Since everyone develops in C,
and since Sony's supplied libraries are in C, some kind of
speed increase WILL occur once core routines are written in
assembler.
OUTPUT
Taking a look at the machine's backside, is truly HEAVEN. From
left to right: External I/O connector, Link connector, L+R
audio out (jacks), DC out 5V 25ma (????), Composite Video out
(jack), S-VHS out, RGB out (encrypted), AC in.
The RGB lead is by far the best option, but it's not cheap.
Expect to pay around ú30 for it. The RGB lead has the advantage
of working on a TV which accepts 60Hz, directly off the
machine, because RGB is NOT NTSC or PAL - it's RGB, and gives
by far the best picture quality to boot.
BUS BANDWITH
132Mb/sec
@endnode
@node 3 "How Do I Connect It?"
Let's say you're going to buy a japanese PS-X. How will you
know if it'll work on your telly?
Here's a test:
1. Get the TV's manual. If it states that it can handle NTSC
3.58, then you're home free.
2. If you can't find the manual, or you don't think it can
handle NTSC 3.58, get a friend to bring his japanese or
american SNES over. It must not be PAL modified. Hook the
SNES up to your TV using the RF lead! If the picture rolls
over endlessly, then you have a CRAP TV, and should replace
it immediately, as it's no use. If the TV displays a
FULLSCREEN image in color. Then it's capable of receiving
NTSC 3.58, as that's what it's doing. If on the other hand,
it displays a FULLSCREEN b/w image. Then you TV is NOT
capable of receiving NTSC 3.58, but indeed capable of
receiving a 60Hz signal. This is the most normal, and next
best thing.
Following is a list of what equipment you'll need if you live
in a PAL country.
TV PS-X 220-110 NTSC-PAL NEW TV
NTSC 3.58 X X
Only 60Hz X X X
Roll over X X X
PS-X = NTSC PS-X (Probably japanese)
220-110 = Step down transformer (220V - 110V) with US/JAP type
2 pin input (from the PS-X's AC in)
NTSC-PAL = NTSC - PAL signal converter. All it does is code the
NTSC signal's color component for PAL. The output is
STILL 60Hz, otherwise it wouldn't work.
NEW TV = Obviously you'll by a Sony multistandard TV.
Some of you might say 'Why don't I wait until the official
european launch? That way I'll get it cheaper, and I don't have
to fiddle with NTSC signals etc.' Well first off, the PAL
machine runs at 50Hz instead of 60Hz, giving a speed reduction
right there, plus it might not be able to play JAP/US games,
because of 50-/60Hz, and or NTSC/PAL problems.
So, the best bet would be to either buy a JAP machine on
import, or wait for the release of the US machine.
@endnode
@node 4 "How Does It Compare To Other Platforms?"
PS-X vs SEGA SATURN
The PS-X has more computational power, and far more impressive
overall graphical capabilities, better video playback etc.
The Saturn has a better sprite engine, and better sound
hardware.
The PS-X is CHEAPER than the Saturn.
The Saturn has longer joypad cables.
You can buy a wide range of third party controllers for both
machines, eliminating the PS-X's short joypad leads. You can
even get extender cables for the PS-X.
There are more games in the works for the PS-X, and the PS-X is
leading in terms of quality at the moment.
Big, REALLY big software houses have signed on as developers
for the PS-X. CAPCOM, NAMCO, KONAMI, PSYGNOSIS (bought by
Sony), BULLFROG, VIRGIN, MIDWAY etc. etc. etc. I fact everyone
except Sega and Nintendo - basically.
Sega is depending mostly on in-house teams.
Alledgedly 700+ PS-X development kits have been shipped
worldwide. there's 200+ japanese developers alone!
PS-X vs JAGUAR
The PS-X compared to the Atari Jaguar? Don't make me puke! They
claim the Jaguar is 64bit - Don't believe it! 32+32 might be
64, but not 64bit!
PS-X vs 3DO
Don't make me laugh!
PS-X vs 3DO-M2
The new upgrade for the existing 3DO, named M2 (formerly
Bulldog) could be a serious contender for best next-gen
hardware. But as it has been known in the past, 3DO are no
marketing geniouses.
PS-X vs ULTRA64
We'll simply have to wait and see. ULTRA64 could have the edge,
but with Nintendo's typical tyrannic rule over its developers,
the software for it could suffer.
PS-X vs THE REST
Again, don't make me laugh!
@endnode
@node 5 "Games Reviewed"
I've only had the pleasure of playing 4 different games on it
yet, so here's a review:
TEKKEN
It's a 3D beat 'em up in the same mould as Virtua Fighter, only
better, with better graphics, better sound and better gameplay.
Access time 10/10
+ While the game boots, you can play a few levels of Galaga
+ No NOTICEABLE access
Presentation 9/10
+ ABSOLUTELY great rendered intro - HAS to be seen!
+ 8 rendered endings for the main 8 characters
+ No japanese text in the game
Graphics 8/10
+ 60fps SMOOTH texture mapped 3D fighters
- Texture glitches now and then, especially with very complex
charcters meeting eachother (like Kuma)
Sound 9/10
+ INCREDIBLE sound
+ You can select the original arcade sound as well
Gameplay 9/10
+ Better gameplay than Virtua Fighter. Many more moves per
fighter
+ Loads of secret moves
Gamelife 8/10
+ 17 fighters in all. 8 initial, 8 special and 1 boss. ALL
selectable I might add!
+ If you play with the boss (Heihachi) you get to meet the 8
special fighters instead of the initial 8
- No rendered endings for the 8 special fighters, and none for
the boss either
Options 9/10
+ Many options to tweak the gameplay. 5 difficulty levels
ranging from easy to ultra hard
+ Saves best times etc. on memory card
Impress factor 9/10
+ Watch your freind's jaws drop as the see the intro, and as
they play the game - AWESOME!
Overall 9/10
GUNNERS HEAVEN
Straight platform shooting game.
Access time 8/10
- Noticeable delay after a level is completed
Presentation 7/10
+ Okay intro, showing the characters.
- Not much else
Graphics 8/10
+ Nice animations, and very colorful
Sound 8/10
+ Okay most of the time
Gameplay 8/10
+ Easy to get into, not TOO hard (in the beginning)
Gamelife 7/10
- Once you've completed it I wonder if you'd do it again
Options 5/10
- Not many
Impress factor 6/10
+ Massive explosions all over the screen, very impressive
Overall 8/10
PARODIUS DELUXE
Weird shoot 'em up - VERY weird!
Access time 7/10
- The action freezes sometimes when the disc is accessed
Presentation 7/10
- Weird, and looking 16bit
Graphics 7/10
- Very Very weird. Nicely drawn, but again - very 16bit
Sound 9/10
+ Incredible sound, TOTALLY crazy renditions. Hear the 3 pop
songs!
Gameplay 8/10
+ Easy to play. Even FUN! 2 Players simultaneously
Gamelife 7/10
- Again, once you've completed it...
Options 8/10
+ Loads, you can even play the Super Famicom version of the
game!
Impress factor 4/10
- Close to no-existant, except for the music
Overall 7/10
KING'S FIELD
Doom style game with RPG elements.
Access time 5/10
- Very slow at boot-up
Presentation 5/10
- Poor
Graphics 7/10
- Nothing to drool at. Very smooth though
Sound 7/10
- Atmospheric - nothing more
Gameplay 7/10
+ If you REALLY make up your mind, that you're gonna play it,
it's probably fun
Gamelife 8/10
+ Seems very big, with many levels etc.
Options 6/10
- Not many, You can save, and little else.
Impress factor 7/10
+ Looks promising, but then...
Overall 7/10
GAMES TO LOOK OUT FOR
Wipeout Futuristic flying racing game
Mortal Kombat III What can I say?
Vampire Hunters Darkstalkers 2 (Beat 'em up!)
Syndicate Wars Molyneux strikes again!
Magic Carpet And again!
Philosoma Shoot 'em up
Toh shin den 2 3D beat 'em up
Crossfire Sequel to flashback
Eleventh hour Adventure
Boxers road Boxing simulation
Alien Trilogy Alien - Doom style - KEEEEWL!
Demolish 'em Derby Racing game with a twist
? Tron style game
Ace Combat Afterburner style flying game
Ridge Racer 2 Racing game
Thunderhawk 2 Chopper game
+ many, many, many, many, many, many more!
@endnode
@node 6 "Final Words"
If you (like myself) likes to stay informed of what goes on in
the videogames industry, you won't go wrong by reading:
EGM, EGM▓, C&VG, EDGE and any other kind of colsole mag.
Here's the only store in Denmark I know of, selling the PS-X:
GAMESHOP
N░rregade 38
1165 K░benhavn k.
Phone: +45 33339151
If you have any PIRATE PS-X (CD-R copied) games info, please
send it to me at the following adress:
Peter Lind
Finnsvej 34 st
9900 Frederiksavn
Denmark
@endnode