I played it for a while and it's cool. But I can't see any evidence that there's "focus mode", you know, the slow-mo mode that makes it easier to trick and balance. It's really hard to balance on a grind now, the more you ollie on a grind the faster you go and it gets outta control pretty easy.
Is it really gone? I'm hoping I just haven't unlocked it yet or something.

yea there is its the nail the trick, and nail the grab using L3 and R3

quote shorties rock

Does the PS2 version have the Lounge and Video Editor?

I've just gone through all the menus and I don't see either option. As you said, always special, it is pretty weird after having to work for special before.
I've now played up to Baltimore Inner Harbor, haven't come across focus yet. But I didn't play any tutorials either, so maybe I'll start again. Nail the trick and nail the grab are ok, but no substitute for focus. Let me know if you find it, please.

There IS focus. And it is not Nail the Trick/Grab. It is just real hard to activate. I've just done a few times.

Not sure if it has it or not, I've really found no need for it unlike P8. If it's not in it, i think they more than made up for it with the new Nail the Grab feature.