PlayStation2 debuts in North America

NEW YORK - This isn't child's play.

Sony's eagerly anticipated PlayStation2 video game console goes on sale Thursday in North America. The launch, which includes 26 new game titles, is considered the most ambitious in the industry's history and the $299 console is expected to be a top seller.

However, the leader in the worldwide $20 billion video game market admits it won't be able to meet initial demand. And some of PlayStation2's top functions won't be accessible until a Sony modem becomes available next year. Even then, consumers still will need high-speed Internet connections.

Rivals are already on the attack.

Next year, Microsoft, armed with a $500 million worldwide marketing budget, will launch its Xbox video game player and Nintendo will unveil GameCube.

Sega is pushing the graphics and Internet connection in its Dreamcast console, and cut its price by $50 last month to $149. In a marketing campaign begun this week, it also uses a rude red-haired kid to stick a big red tongue out at Sony.

Chris Gilbert, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Sega, said the company is just taking advantage of Sony missteps.

''We feel great,'' Gilbert said. ''It's nice to have help from friends.''

PlayStation2 is part of a new generation of consoles where consumers can eventually play DVD movies, download music, play games with friends in another city and surf online - all through their TV sets.

But a shortage of electronic processing parts slowed production and Sony had to halve the number of consoles provided to stores before the holidays. The company will not sell the console on its Web site, but says it will meet its target of shipping 10 million units worldwide by March, of which three million are slated for North America.

Chris Byrne, an independent toy consultant, cautions that all the fuss over PlayStation2 may be slightly exaggerated.

''There are always the early adopters, the true gamers, who will want to have bragging rights, but that is the fraction of the market place,'' Byrne said. The rest, he said, will be willing to wait until after the holidays or will turn to Sega Dreamcast to get their fix.

On the Net:

http://www.sega.com

http://www.sony.com

http://www.nintendo.com