High-tech toy has the fans queuing

By GREGG WYCHERLEY

PlayStation 2 took off with a rush early today as Sony's latest offering to the teenager in all of us hit the New Zealand market.

An air of excitement, mixed with the aroma of free beer and sausages, prevailed on Symonds St in central Auckland earlier as buyers waited excitedly for PlayStation 2's midnight kick-off.

A crowd of more than 100, mostly young men, packed into Gamezone and queued for a try-out.

Manager Gary Wright said the store had pre-sold 150 and had 50 more to sell, which he expected to go fast despite the $999.95 price tag.

He said the price would be pushed up to around the $1300 mark by the time punters had forked out for games at $130, extra controller, $60, and a memory card for $90.

But most of the people the Herald talked to baulked at the idea of parting with so much cash. They were content just to have a play or enjoy the free beer and sausages.

Kyle Linton said he was biding his time until the price came down. "I can't afford that much money right now ... They're going to get much better - I'll wait for the price war."

Ryan Dyson and Neil Standley enjoyed their game, but echoed his comments.

Court Sayer-Roberts said: "I'm going to wait and see what Microsoft do - they haven't come up with the really good games yet."