Sony PlayStation 2

Pros: Loads of games, nice looks, DVD right out of the box, nice controller, backward compatibility (PS1), USB and Firewire, last true 128 bit system, CD/DVD tray, and price.

Cons: Reliability(the first generation systems), doesn't come with memory card, newer ones don't support the horizontal stand,.

Summary: Alright, before I review PS2, I'm not a huge supporter of Sony in any way(I usually stick with Panasonic, RCA/GE, or Pioneer for electronics). I own and play NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, Sega Saturn, Sega Dreamcast, Playstation, Playstation 2, Xbox, Nintendo 64, Gamecube, and tomorrow I'll be getting the Xbox 360. With that said, I'll get on with the review.
I was one of the lucky people to buy my first PS2 on October 26, 2000. I remember it very well because it was my first year of High school and I my first job that year. I ended up buying the system with Timesplitters and Midnight Club Street Racing with 2 months of paychecks. Since then, I've accumulated 25 games and gone through 4 systems.
I'll admit, first run of the systems had their flaws(I remember that I had to reset the system to switch from DVD to CD games). But they have definetly improved in quality. The first PS2 bought, I played the hell out of it. I also used it as my main DVD player(DVD players were expensive back then). After 2 and a half years, I could barely get it to work. So I gave it away and bought a brand new one. I also owned 2 systems of the redesigned consoles. They're smaller, but they tend to overheat. Also, the way the newer one has a flip top seems kind of cheap and would break over time. I would definetly go with the older system if you can find one in great shape, or brand new somewhere. I ended up buying a used old PS2 that was in great shape to replace the newly designed ones.
Anyways, the graphics started off decent(just like every other every system), but they have definetly gotten better over the years. Back then, it was hard to believe that you would see nice graphics on a game like Gran Turismo 4 Killzone when the system launched with only games like Midnight Club or Smugglers Run. I wouldn't say that the graphics are better than Xbox or Gamecube, but the graphics are great either way.
There has to be atleast 500 games to choose from now. There are RPG's, Action, First Person Shooters, Racing games, Classic Collections, fighting games, kiddie games, adventure, Crime Simulation, Flying games, Sports games, and RTS games. Like I said, there's many games to choose from. My personal favorite games include the Gran Turismo series, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2, Metal Gear Solid series, Midway Arcade Treasures Series, Dynasty Warrior series, Soul Calibur Series, Killzone, GTA series, Midnight Club series, Timesplitters Series, Capcom Classics, ATV Offroad Fury series, God of War, Simpsons Hit and Run, and many other great games to choose from.
Regarding the newer console generation, I honestly would like to see how PS3 does before I spend money on it. The way Sony is going with the PS3, it could really go either way. Xbox 360 won't live up to it's real potential for another 2-3 years atleast. The Nintendo Wii looks great, but it might not be for everybody. With that said, I can see PS2 lasting atleast another 3-4 years before Sony stops supporting for it. PS3 costs alot to make(BluRay, enough said) and they have to fix their losses somehow.PS2 can be a way to get them back on track.
In conclusion, PS2 is one of the best systems I've ever played. It's easily the best console of this generation. I would reccommend it to anyone who plays videogames and doesn't own one yet.

PS - I know I gave it a 10. To me the, PS2 is perfect. But if you look at any system, old or new, you will find flaws somewhere. Plus, I want to help even out the moronic and extemely biased reviews.