My Rarest PS2 Game - Final Fantasy XI Beta

In the summer of 2003, I was given the lucky opportunity to beta test Final Fantasy XI on Playstation 2 before its official release date. Only reputable playstation users who applied for the beta program and the press were able to receive this version of the game. Because the playstion network is no longer available on ps2, this version of the game is no longer playable.

In order to install a Hard Drive to a Ps2, it first needed to be formatted. Because Ps2's had never used Hard Drives before this game, all beta testers were given a Hard Drive Utility disc which included formatting tools and developer debug tools. They were also given a beta Network Adapter which Sony was testing parallel to Final Fantasys beta.

Disc 1 contained the "PlayOnline Viewer" which allowed you to choose which server to join, install updates and receive important messages from sony. It also contained "TetraMaster" which was a card game that eventually became a mini-game within the official Final Fantasy 11 release.



Disc 2 only contained the base game install files, and even after this disc was installed, there was 24 hours of updates required to be downloaded before you were able to boot into the game. This disc was only required for the first initial install, and the game could be booted from the Hard Drive without either disc.

Once the Beta test was finished, testers were suppose to send in their beta software in exchange for a free copy of the full retail version. I tried to send mine in, but it was sent back to me due to a postal service error. I had already received my full copy of the game after telling Sony I had sent them my beta software but was lost in the mail. Because testers were not suppose to keep the beta software, this version of the game is considered Super Rare.

Listing

It is unknown how many copies of the beta version still exist in the wild, but it is speculated there are less then 1000 complete copies floating around in the world. Because this copy is considered unplayable, only complete gameset collectors or collectors of Final Fantasy memorabilia see a value in owning it. Because of this, its impossible to determine a definitive price on this game, but it is considered one of the rarest PS2 games available.

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