Cyberspace gaming: A space-y idea

(CNN) -- Sony is giving gamers a world of options with its new online adapter for the PlayStation 2. With battles taking place in cyber-space, and not necessarily in the same physical space, gamers can play against a variety of opponents, and -- when things go bad -- yell at them with anyone hearing a word.

Microsoft and Nintendo plan to take their consoles online later this year.

Dan "Shoe" Hsu, editor in chief of Electronic Gaming Monthly and technology anchor Renay San Miguel go big video game hunting.

San Miguel: As far as the adapter -- the network adapter that you need to take your PS 2 online -- is it easy to install? Am I looking at any other charges besides the $40 that it is going to cost me to buy the adapter?

Hsu: It is easy to install if you can find one. They are sold out everywhere, but there are more coming. But it is real easy. Just stick it in the back of your PlayStation 2 and beyond buying the games and the piece of hardware itself, all you are looking at is paying for your I.S.P.

San Miguel: "Twisted Metal: Black Online" - the killer cars, as it were. Does it take good advantage of the online capabilities of the PS 2?

Hsu: Yeah, especially if you have broadband; you can play up to eight players. This is strictly an online version of the car combat game released a year ago. But it is perfect for multi-player. You drive motorcycles, ice cream trucks, tanks, sedans -- everything with guided missiles, rockets, flamethrowers, and machine guns. Basically you are just trying to destroy the other guys on screen. It is a lot of fun

San Miguel: "SOCOM: U.S. Navy Seals." What do you think about this for online?

Hsu: It is a terrific game. You can play up to 16 players, eight-on-eight where one side plays the U.S. Navy Seals; the other plays the terrorists. You have to use stealth camouflage, you have to listen for sounds, and use the environment to your advantage because one shot to the head can eliminate your character. So it is really a Tom Clancy-ish kind of game where you are just not shooting everything in site, you actually have to go on tactical special-op missions.

San Miguel: I can't wait to try it out.

And, if you can't wait to try the games out -- go hunting. Both are currently on sale.