The PlayStation2 (PS2) comes with the PS2 unit, a Dual Shock 2 analog controller, an 8MB Memory Card, a utility Disc, an AV Multi Cable, an AC Power Cord and a manual.

We'll go right into things with a detailed breakdown of the PS2's specifications:

• CPU: 128-bit "Emotion Engine"
• System Clock Frequency 294.912 MHz

Yes, we like to start with desert. The PS2's design is centered around the Toshiba-produced 128-bit Emotion Engine. Running at 294.912 MHz, the Emotion Engine gives the power to create complex 3D scenes. Sony is claiming the CPU can do 6.2 GFLOPS, and we've heard it said that the Emotion Engine is capable of drawing up to 66 million polygons per second. However, we've also heard much lower real world numbers in the area of ten million, after lighting, shading, and other details of normal images are rendered. Either way, the numbers are impressive.

In comparison, the Sega Dreamcast, with its 200MHz Hitachi SH4 processor, 64-bit FPU and a 32-bit integer unit, can do 1.4 GFLOPS and runs in at a (relatively) weak three million polygons per second.