To start things off right and proper, we are taking this opportunity to mention that SONY is LAUNCHING their PLAYSTATION 2 console THIS WEEK.

Many moons ago, back in March to be exact, we brought you a Hands-on-Review of the Japanese version of the Sony PlayStation 2. With Japanese titles in hand, including Ridge Racer V and Street Fighter EX 3, we slogged through the tough and demanding work of playing video games for a living.

Well, for all us United States types, the PlayStation 2 has finally arrived here in the US of A. This time, the games use English instead of Japanese, you don't have to sneak through customs or pay through the nose to get a machine, and you can play US DVDs on it. Oh, wait a second, you could play US DVDs on the original Japanese version as well. Oops, our mistake.

And if you aren't one of those early order types, go get in line tomorrow morning at your local purveyor of fine gaming hardware or you won't get one now either.

For those of you that hanker for hardware, here are some sexy shots of the US PlayStation 2 all dolled up for tomorrow's launch: