More than 12 years on the market, 155 million units sold, one of the most complete catalogs in the history of video games... the PlayStation 2 is a beast, so much so that Sony Japan ended its repair services in 2018. However, with so many years of use, it's logical that many of these consoles don't look their best. The person behind the Odd Tinkering channel recently bought a white PlayStation 2 Slim, and except for one or two details, he left it almost as good as new...
Real Hardware vs. Emulation
If all you care about is accessing the vast catalog of the PlayStation 2, the most direct shortcut is emulation. The PCSX2 emulator made a giant leap in quality with version 1.6.0, and the main games for that console not only run perfectly, but we can also multiply their original resolutions, improving image quality.
However... connecting the console to a TV and inserting the DVD still feels like a very special ritual. Perhaps because it takes us back to simpler times, and why not, happier ones. Personally, I never owned a PlayStation 2, and I always considered it a pending matter. Now, if you're in the same situation as me, or on the contrary, you already own a PS2 that needs some cosmetic improvements, why not explore the steps for its restoration?
How to Restore a PlayStation 2
The person behind the Odd Tinkering channel bought a white PlayStation 2 Slim (SCPH-79001) for just $7, in a state that we can certainly call sorry. In addition to dust and grime covering everything, it also has marks from what appear to be crayons, and a sticker of the character Nemo. The good news is that the console had a game inside, DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi. The bad news is that the disc looks like a skating rink, and the console threw up the (inevitable?) red screen. After a few attempts with other games, he ended up replacing the optical drive (which requires a small modification with a soldering iron).
An interesting detail is that the console had never been opened, as it still had its warranty seal. The amount of dust (and other materials) inside is quite impressive, but as far as electronics and ventilation, he limited himself to basic cleaning. The real heavy lifting is reflected in the casing, washed with water and detergent, using a brush to penetrate the porous surface of the PlayStation 2 Slim. Even so, that wasn't enough, and the console's true white returned after a session with the most common variant of Retr0bright, based on peroxide and ultraviolet light.
Alternatives and Conclusion
I think that if I were to reproduce this process, I would try to deepen the cleaning on the PCB and confirm that the thermal pad is in good condition. Replacing the battery is definitely a good idea, and it's recommended in all cases. If the casing is very deteriorated or suffered major damage, it's not very hard to find complete replacements on portals like Aliexpress, but this white casing definitely deserved the restoration and cleaning it received. Do you have a PS2 stored away? What are you waiting for?
Odd Tinkering on YouTube: Click here
https://old.neoteo.com/construyendo-una-carcasa-transparente-para-la-playstation-2-clasica/
