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The PlayStation 2 (PS2) is a
home video game console A home video game console is a video game console that is designed to be connected to a display device, such as a television, and an external power source as to play video games. While initial consoles were dedicated units with only a few game ...
developed and marketed by
Sony Computer Entertainment Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC (SIE) is an American video game and digital entertainment company that is a major subsidiary of Japanese conglomerate Sony, Sony Group Corporation. It primarily operates the PlayStation brand of video game co ...
. It was first released in Japan on 4 March 2000, in North America on October 26, in Europe on November 24, in Australia on November 30, and other regions thereafter. It is the successor to the original PlayStation, as well as the second instalment in the PlayStation brand of consoles. As a sixth-generation console, it competed with
Nintendo is a Japanese Multinational corporation, multinational video game company headquartered in Kyoto. It develops, publishes, and releases both video games and video game consoles. The history of Nintendo began when craftsman Fusajiro Yamauchi ...
's
GameCube The is a PowerPC-based home video game console developed and marketed by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on September 14, 2001, in North America on November 18, 2001, in Europe on May 3, 2002, and in Australia on May 17, 2002. It is the suc ...
,
Sega is a Japanese video game company and subsidiary of Sega Sammy Holdings headquartered in Tokyo. It produces several List of best-selling video game franchises, multi-million-selling game franchises for arcade game, arcades and video game cons ...
's
Dreamcast The is the final home video game console manufactured by Sega. It was released in Japan on November 27, 1998, in North America on September 9, 1999 and in Europe on October 14, 1999. It was the first sixth-generation video game console, prec ...
, and
Microsoft Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational corporation and technology company, technology conglomerate headquartered in Redmond, Washington. Founded in 1975, the company became influential in the History of personal computers#The ear ...
's
Xbox Xbox is a video gaming brand that consists of four main home video game console lines, as well as application software, applications (games), the streaming media, streaming service Xbox Cloud Gaming, and online services such as the Xbox networ ...
. Announced in 1999, Sony began developing the console after the immense success of its predecessor. In addition to serving as a game console, it features a built-in DVD drive and was priced competitively with standalone
DVD players A DVD player is a machine that plays DVDs produced under both the DVD-Video and DVD-Audio technical standards, two different and incompatible standards. Some DVD players will also play audio CDs. DVD players are connected to a television to wa ...
of the time, enhancing its value. Full
backward compatibility In telecommunications and computing, backward compatibility (or backwards compatibility) is a property of an operating system, software, real-world product, or technology that allows for interoperability with an older legacy system, or with Input ...
with original PlayStation games and accessories gave it access to a vast launch library, far surpassing those of its competitors. The console's hardware was also notable for its custom-built
Emotion Engine The Emotion Engine is a central processing unit developed and manufactured by Sony Computer Entertainment and Toshiba for use in the PlayStation 2 video game console. It was also used in early PlayStation 3 models sold in Japan and North Americ ...
processor, co-developed with
Toshiba is a Japanese multinational electronics company headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. Its diversified products and services include power, industrial and social infrastructure systems, elevators and escalators, electronic components, semiconductors ...
, which was promoted as being more powerful than most personal computers of the era. The PlayStation 2 remains the best-selling video game console of all time, having sold 160.63 million units worldwide, nearly triple the combined sales of competing sixth-generation consoles. It received widespread critical acclaim and amassed a global library of 10,987 game titles, with 1.54billion copies sold. In 2004, Sony revised the console with a smaller, lighter body officially known as the "Slimline". Even after the release of its successor, the
PlayStation 3 The PlayStation 3 (PS3) is a home video game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE). It is the successor to the PlayStation 2, and both are part of the PlayStation brand of consoles. The PS3 was first released on ...
, in 2006, it remained in production and continued to receive new game releases for several years. Manufacturing officially ended in early 2013, giving the console one of the longest lifespans in video game history.


History


Background

Released in 1994, the original
PlayStation is a video gaming brand owned and produced by Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), a division of Japanese conglomerate Sony. Its flagship products consists of a series of home video game consoles produced under the brand; it also consists ...
proved to be a phenomenal worldwide success and signalled Sony's rise to power in the
video game industry The video game industry is the tertiary industry, tertiary and quaternary industry, quaternary sectors of the entertainment industry that specialize in the video game development, development, marketing, distribution (marketing), distribution, ...
. Its launch elicited critical acclaim and strong sales; it eventually became the first computer entertainment platform to ship over 100 million units. The PlayStation enjoyed particular success outside Japan in part due to Sony's refined development kits, large-scale advertising campaigns, and strong
third-party developer A video game developer is a software developer specializing in video game development – the process and related disciplines of creating video games. A game developer can range from one person who undertakes all tasks to a large business with em ...
support. By the late 1990s Sony had dethroned established rivals
Sega is a Japanese video game company and subsidiary of Sega Sammy Holdings headquartered in Tokyo. It produces several List of best-selling video game franchises, multi-million-selling game franchises for arcade game, arcades and video game cons ...
and
Nintendo is a Japanese Multinational corporation, multinational video game company headquartered in Kyoto. It develops, publishes, and releases both video games and video game consoles. The history of Nintendo began when craftsman Fusajiro Yamauchi ...
in the global video game market. Sega, spurred on by their declining market share and significant financial losses, launched the
Dreamcast The is the final home video game console manufactured by Sega. It was released in Japan on November 27, 1998, in North America on September 9, 1999 and in Europe on October 14, 1999. It was the first sixth-generation video game console, prec ...
in 1998 as a last-ditch attempt to stay in the industry. Fuelled by a large marketing campaign, it sold over 500,000 units within two weeks.


Development

Though
Sony is a Japanese multinational conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered at Sony City in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The Sony Group encompasses various businesses, including Sony Corporation (electronics), Sony Semiconductor Solutions (i ...
has kept details of the PlayStation 2's development secret,
Ken Kutaragi is a Japanese engineering technologist and businessman, currently president and CEO of Cyber AI Entertainment. Formerly the chairman and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE), the video game division of Sony, Kutaragi is known as "The Father ...
, "the Father of the PlayStation", reportedly began working on a second console around the time of the original PlayStation's launch in late 1994. At some point during development, employees from
Argonaut Games Argonaut Games is a British video game developer founded in 1982. It was known for the Super NES video game '' Star Fox'' and its supporting Super FX chip, and for '' Croc: Legend of the Gobbos'' and the '' Starglider'' series. The company wa ...
, under contract for semiconductor manufacturer
LSI Corporation LSI Logic Corporation was an American company founded in Santa Clara, California, was a pioneer in the ASIC and EDA industries. It evolved over time to design and sell semiconductors and software that accelerated storage and networking in dat ...
, were instructed to design a rendering chip for Sony's upcoming console.
Jez San Jeremy Elliott "Jez" San OBE (born 29 March 1966) is an English game programmer and entrepreneur who founded Argonaut Software as a teenager in the 1980s. He is best known for the 1986 Atari ST game ''Starglider'' and helping to design the Su ...
, founder of Argonaut, recalled that his team had no direct contact with Sony during the development process. Unbeknownst to him, Sony was designing their own chip in-house and had instructed other companies to design rendering chips merely to diversify their options. By early 1997, the press was reporting that a new PlayStation was being developed and would have backward-compatibility with the original PlayStation, a built-in
DVD player A DVD player is a machine that plays DVDs produced under both the DVD-Video and DVD-Audio technical standards, two different and incompatible standards. Some DVD players will also play audio CDs. DVD players are connected to a television to ...
, and Internet connectivity. However, Sony continued to officially deny that a successor was being developed. Chris Deering, then-president of
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Team Soho was a British video game developer based in Soho, London. It was formerly the video game development division of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe before being spun off to develop ''The Getaway'' series; a second unit at Cambridge ...
(SCEE) recalled that there was a degree of trepidation among Sony leaders to produce a console which would recapture or exceed the success of its predecessor. As such, Sony aimed for a consecutive market success, noting that neither Nintendo nor Sega had achieved back-to-back console victories. Deering compared the goal to winning "two gold medals in two back-to-back Olympics". Sony officially revealed the first details of the PlayStation 2 on 2 March 1999, confirming in a press release that its processor would ensure full backwards compatibility with original PlayStation software, significantly boosted performance, four-fold increase in data transfer rates, and a 20-times faster serial interface. Kutaragi affirmed that the new console would allow video games to convey "unprecedented emotions". Indeed, Sony estimated the PlayStation 2 could render 7.5 million to 16 million polygons per second, whereas contemporary independent estimates ranged from 3 million to 20 million, compared to Sega's estimates of more than 3 million to 6 million for the rival Dreamcast. Later in the year, Nintendo announced their next console, the
GameCube The is a PowerPC-based home video game console developed and marketed by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on September 14, 2001, in North America on November 18, 2001, in Europe on May 3, 2002, and in Australia on May 17, 2002. It is the suc ...
, and Microsoft began development of their own console, the
Xbox Xbox is a video gaming brand that consists of four main home video game console lines, as well as application software, applications (games), the streaming media, streaming service Xbox Cloud Gaming, and online services such as the Xbox networ ...
. Rumours soon emerged suggesting that, despite its technical capabilities, the PlayStation 2 was notably difficult to develop for.
Capcom is a Japanese video game company. It has created a number of critically acclaimed and List of best-selling video game franchises, multi-million-selling game franchises, with its most commercially successful being ''Resident Evil'', ''Monster ...
designer
Shinji Mikami is a Japanese video game designer, director, and video game producer, producer. Starting his career at Capcom in 1990, he has worked on many of the company's most successful games. He directed the Resident Evil (1996 video game), first installme ...
, known for creating the ''
Resident Evil ''Resident Evil'', known as in Japan, is a Japanese horror game series and media franchise created by Capcom. It consists of survival horror, third-person shooter and first-person shooter games, with players typically surviving in environments ...
'' and ''
Dino Crisis is a survival horror and action-adventure video game series created by Shinji Mikami and developed and published by Capcom. The plot focuses on recurring outbreaks of deadly dinosaurs in closed environments, such as a laboratory on an island. T ...
'' franchises, criticised the lack of adequate development tools provided by Sony. Having worked on titles for multiple fifth-generation platforms, Mikami described the PlayStation 2 as the most challenging system he had encountered. Likewise,
Konami , commonly known as Konami, , is a Japanese multinational entertainment company and video game developer and video game publisher, publisher headquartered in Chūō, Tokyo, Chūō, Tokyo. The company also produces and distributes trading card ...
's Hideo Kojima expressed disappointment with the console's power, feeling it had not met his expectations. The PlayStation 2 was officially unveiled at the
Tokyo Game Show , commonly known as TGS, is a video game trade fair and convention held annually in September in the Makuhari Messe, in Chiba, Japan. It is presented by the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA) and Nikkei Business Publication ...
on 20 September 1999, in the presence of around 1,500 journalists. Although no physical console was shown and the name had yet to be finalised, Sony presented a series of visually striking—if somewhat overstated—technical demonstrations that generated considerable media attention. A press release issued the same day described the hardware as featuring "the world’s fastest graphics rendering processor", capable of producing "movie-quality 3D graphics in real time". One of the event's most symbolic moments came when Sony president
Norio Ohga , also spelled Norio Oga, was a Japanese businessperson who was the president and chairman of Sony Corporation. He is credited with spurring the development of the compact disc (CD) as a commercially viable audio format. Biography Early career ...
expressed pride in formally associating the Sony name with the PlayStation brand—a notable reversal from the company's cautious stance during the development of the original console, when concerns about entering the video game industry had led executives to distance the corporate brand from the project. By this point, the PlayStation had sold over 50 million units worldwide and become one of Sony's most profitable divisions, accounting for roughly a quarter of their operating income. Shortly after its unveiling, Sony announced a major restructuring that included workforce reductions and a shift in focus towards PlayStation as a core part of the company's future. Kutaragi, once considered a maverick for championing the original PlayStation, remarked: "We’re just going to be forced to educate the Sony Corporation a bit". On 1 April 1999, Sony and
Toshiba is a Japanese multinational electronics company headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. Its diversified products and services include power, industrial and social infrastructure systems, elevators and escalators, electronic components, semiconductors ...
established a joint venture in
Nagasaki Prefecture is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan, mainly located on the island of Kyūshū, although it also includes a number of islands off Kyūshū's northwest coast - including Tsushima and Iki. Nagasaki Prefecture has a population of 1,246,4 ...
to manufacture the PlayStation 2's central processor, known as the
Emotion Engine The Emotion Engine is a central processing unit developed and manufactured by Sony Computer Entertainment and Toshiba for use in the PlayStation 2 video game console. It was also used in early PlayStation 3 models sold in Japan and North Americ ...
. Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) held a 49 per cent stake in the new company, which was formed to ensure a steady supply of the chip and avoid production issues similar to those faced by rivals such as Sega and
NEC is a Japanese multinational information technology and electronics corporation, headquartered at the NEC Supertower in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. It provides IT and network solutions, including cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), Inte ...
. The Emotion Engine was central to Kutaragi's vision for the console. Designed specifically for gaming, it featured strong floating-point performance and could deliver 6.2 gigaflops at 300 MHz—twice the speed of the leading PC processors at the time. Kutaragi envisioned the chip as enabling more lifelike and emotionally resonant gameplay. According to then-Worldwide Studios head
Phil Harrison Phil Harrison is a British video gaming and corporate executive. He was a member of the original PlayStation team at Sony Computer Entertainment before and after its launch, and would hold positions at its European, American and global divisions ...
, the processor's architecture was initially met with scepticism when presented at a chip design conference, with some experts doubting it could be manufactured at scale. Sony ultimately invested over $1 billion in production during the console's first two years. The ultimate success of the Emotion Engine helped elevate SCE's profile from a game developer to a serious player in semiconductor design. Incorporating a DVD player in the console proved to be a pivotal decision. While Sony presented it primarily as a gaming device, the DVD functionality would prove influential in expanding its appeal. Ray Maguire, then-managing director of SCE UK, later said that although the DVD feature was acknowledged in marketing, the focus remained on games. In contrast, Deering noted that in regions such as Southern Europe, where gaming was less prevalent, the DVD capability was to be promoted more heavily. This strategy proved successful in increasing console penetration in markets like Spain, where the PS2 significantly expanded the installed base of video game hardware.


Launch


Japan

Sony launched the PlayStation 2 in Japan on 4 March 2000, at a price of . Reported scenes of "hysteria" contrasted with the relatively subdued launch of the original PlayStation in 1994. More than 10,000 people queued across Tokyo on its launch day, some of whom had started waiting four days earlier. Demand was exceptionally high, with all one million launch units selling out over the course of the first weekend. A
black market A black market is a Secrecy, clandestine Market (economics), market or series of transactions that has some aspect of illegality, or is not compliant with an institutional set of rules. If the rule defines the set of goods and services who ...
had quickly opened up in
Akihabara is a neighborhood in the Chiyoda ward of Tokyo, Japan, generally considered to be the area surrounding Akihabara Station (nicknamed ''Akihabara Electric Town''). This area is part of the and Kanda-Sakumachō districts of Chiyoda. There is an ...
, with most consoles on
eBay eBay Inc. ( , often stylized as ebay) is an American multinational e-commerce company based in San Jose, California, that allows users to buy or view items via retail sales through online marketplaces and websites in 190 markets worldwide. ...
selling in excess of $2000 each. One Japanese man committed suicide after failing to purchase one. Despite very strong hardware sales, the Japanese launch was not without issues. Software sales were initially low, with reports suggesting that many consumers purchased the console primarily for its DVD playback capabilities. Additionally, early complaints about faulty memory cards contributed to a dip in Sony's stock price on the
Tokyo Stock Exchange The , abbreviated as Tosho () or TSE/TYO, is a stock exchange located in Tokyo, Japan. The exchange is owned by Japan Exchange Group (JPX), a holding company that it also lists (), and operated by Tokyo Stock Exchange, Inc., a wholly owned sub ...
in the days following the release. Former Worldwide Studios president
Shuhei Yoshida is a Japanese businessman and gaming industry veteran. He was the President of SIE Worldwide Studios for Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) from 2008 to 2019, and was the head of PlayStation Indies from 2019 until his retirement from the co ...
acknowledged that Sony had been "awfully unprepared" for the transition from the original PlayStation, noting the company's limited experience in managing generational console launches. Due to a lack of launch software, much of the early consumer interest centred on the console's ability to play DVDs. According to Yoshida, in Japan, the best-selling title during the launch period was not a game, but a DVD of ''
The Matrix ''The Matrix'' is a 1999 science fiction film, science fiction action film written and directed by the Wachowskis. It is the first installment in the The Matrix (franchise), ''Matrix'' film series, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Ca ...
''. He remarked that while standalone DVD players were still expensive at the time, the PlayStation 2 offered comparable functionality at a significantly lower price point, contributing to its immediate commercial success. The PlayStation 2 launched with eleven "underwhelming" titles, including ''
Ridge Racer V is a 2000 racing video game developed and published by Namco for the PlayStation 2. It was released as a launch title for the console and later followed by an arcade version subtitled ''Arcade Battle''. ''Ridge Racer V'' is the fifth main title ...
'', ''
Tekken Tag Tournament is a 1999 fighting game developed and published by Namco for arcades. It is a spin-off the '' Tekken'' series. Not canon to the main storyline, ''Tekken Tag Tournament'' features nearly all the characters in the previous ''Tekken'' games and int ...
'', and '' Street Fighter EX3''. By 31 March 2000, the PlayStation 2 had sold its entire inventory of 1.4 million units in Japan.


North America

The United States launch on 26 October 2000 received a mixed reception. Sony reduced their initial shipment from one million units to approximately 500,000 due to supply constraints and manufacturing issues with a new, smaller version of the Graphics Synthesiser chip, leading to widespread shortages. This sparked rumours of intentional stock manipulation to drive hype, especially as small supplies remained available in Japan. Retailers, who had taken pre-orders based on the higher estimates, were forced to cancel many reservations. Despite the frustration, the scarcity created a media frenzy, with widespread coverage of long queues and eager buyers camping outside stores. Technology analyst
Michael Gartenberg Michael Gartenberg is an American technology journalist, analyst and blogger. He is a former Apple Inc. employee, and was previously a Research Director at Gartner, focussed on the world of the interconnected consumer. Gartenberg now writes as A ...
remarked that "you could not get a PlayStation 2 in the US in that first holiday season", and felt that its demand could have harmed Sony's image when consumers were looking to purchase, but ultimately could not. However, the launch was supported by a broader selection of games compared to Japan.
Electronic Arts Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) is an American video game company headquartered in Redwood City, California. Founded in May 1982 by former Apple Inc., Apple employee Trip Hawkins, the company was a pioneer of the early home computer game industry ...
sold 40,000 copies of '' Madden NFL 2001'' prior to the console's release, and
Rockstar Games Rockstar Games, Inc. is an American video game publisher based in New York City. The company was established in December 1998 as a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive, using the assets Take-Two had previously acquired from BMG Interactive. Foun ...
saw early success with '' Midnight Club: Street Racing'' (2000) and '' Smuggler's Run'' (2000). Despite some criticism of the launch itself, Rockstar's
Sam Houser Samuel Houser (born November 1971) is an English video game producer. He is a co-founder and the current president of Rockstar Games, and is one of the creative driving forces behind the ''Grand Theft Auto'' franchise, having been its producer ...
remarked that it marked the "beginning of a new era" for the video game industry. American sales of the console generated $250 million on the first day, beating the $97 million made on the first day of the Dreamcast. Sony's strategy of shipping approximately 100,000 PlayStation 2 units per week to the American market did little to ease consumer frustration. While the console was readily available in Japan, it remained largely sold out in the United States until March 2001 due to manufacturing delays.


Europe

The PlayStation 2 had a yet more troubled launch in the United Kingdom and rest of Europe on 24 November 2000. The
BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...
's consumer advocacy programme ''
Watchdog Watchdog or watch dog may refer to: Animals *Guard dog, a dog that barks to alert its owners of an intruder's presence * Portuguese Watchdog, Cão de Castro Laboreiro, a dog breed * Moscow Watchdog, a breed of dog that was bred in the Soviet U ...
'' criticised the console's £299 price as part of a "Rip-off Britain" segment. Additionally, some media outlets speculated that Sony had deliberately limited supply to create artificial demand. This perception was intensified by the decision to allocate only 80,000 preorders to the European market, despite Sony having previously identified Europe as its largest PlayStation territory, with 28 million original PlayStation units sold—compared to 27 million in North America and 17 million in Japan. Particularly serious were complaints about faults with the new consoles, many of which purportedly failed to work on Christmas Day. The European launch of the PlayStation 2 was marked by stock shortages, which led to an unusual scene on release night as journalists searched unsuccessfully for the kind of large-scale consumer queues seen in Japan and the United States. Early resale attempts online saw ambitious asking prices of up to £1,500, though most units ultimately sold for closer to £500. Post-launch criticism emerged online, with some gaming outlets focusing on the console's lack of anti-aliasing and developers voicing frustration over the system's programming complexity. At the time, Phil Harrison dismissed the backlash as indicative of the "worldwide cultural significance" of the console's arrival.


Market domination

Despite its problematic launch, the PlayStation 2 was an immediate financial and competitive triumph. Its success at the end of 2000 compounded Sega's serious financial issues; having sold 6.5 million Dreamcast consoles over a period of 22 months, Sony managed to ship 10 million PlayStation 2 units in under 15 months, with sales continuing to accelerate. As the PlayStation 2 increasingly dominated the market, and with Nintendo and
Microsoft Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational corporation and technology company, technology conglomerate headquartered in Redmond, Washington. Founded in 1975, the company became influential in the History of personal computers#The ear ...
preparing to enter with new consoles, Sega chairman
Isao Okawa (May 19, 1926 – March 16, 2001) was a Japanese businessman and the former chairman of Sega. History Okawa was born in Osaka, Japan. As a young adult, he studied at Waseda University in Tokyo. After graduating from Waseda, he formed Com ...
made the decision to exit the hardware business. The Dreamcast was discontinued on 31 March 2001. On the same day, Sony announced that over 10.6 million units had been sold worldwide. Sony soon faced a new challenge from Microsoft's entry into the gaming sector with their release of the
Xbox Xbox is a video gaming brand that consists of four main home video game console lines, as well as application software, applications (games), the streaming media, streaming service Xbox Cloud Gaming, and online services such as the Xbox networ ...
in November 2001. Internally, Sony executives recognised the scale of the threat, aware that Microsoft held significantly greater financial resources. Whilst the Japanese team were less alarmed, SCEE's Chris Deering anticipated intense competition and took a cautious approach. However, Microsoft's US-centric strategy resulted in the Xbox struggling to gain traction outside North America, despite hiring talented staff. Sony's emphasis on building strong relationships with third-party publishers, and attractive incentives such as reduced platform fees, marketing support, and access to advanced development kits, secured key exclusives that helped maintain their market lead. This initiative was heavily emphasised by Ken Kutaragi, who advocated for a diverse ecosystem of software support. He advised that Sony should not dominate more than a third of its own software market to avoid alienating third-party developers. By 2001, Sony had established a commanding lead in the gaming market, bolstered by the break-out success of Rockstar's ''
Grand Theft Auto III ''Grand Theft Auto III'' is a 2001 action-adventure game developed by DMA Design and published by Rockstar Games. It was the first 3D game in the ''Grand Theft Auto'' series. Set in Liberty City, loosely based on New York City, the story follo ...
'' and
Konami , commonly known as Konami, , is a Japanese multinational entertainment company and video game developer and video game publisher, publisher headquartered in Chūō, Tokyo, Chūō, Tokyo. The company also produces and distributes trading card ...
's '' Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty''. The game's
open-world In video games, an open world is a virtual world in which the player can approach objectives freely, as opposed to a world with more linear and structured gameplay. Notable games in this category include ''The Legend of Zelda'' (1986), ''Grand ...
design captured the attention of a broad audience and marked a turning point in the PlayStation 2's momentum. The console's growing library reflected the same wide-ranging appeal that had defined the original PlayStation, offering something for "every type" of consumer. Sony also positioned itself at the forefront of innovation. Early trade show demonstrations showcased the PlayStation 2's
USB Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an industry standard, developed by USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), for digital data transmission and power delivery between many types of electronics. It specifies the architecture, in particular the physical ...
capabilities, with developers experimenting with motion controls long before they became industry standard. This experimentation would eventually lead to the release of the
EyeToy The EyeToy is a color webcam for use with the PlayStation 2. Supported games use computer vision and gesture recognition to process images taken by the EyeToy. This allows players to interact with the games using motion, color detection, and als ...
, a camera-based peripheral that introduced a new form of interactive play and inspired a wave of titles aimed at broader, non-traditional audience. Many analysts initially predicted a close three-way matchup among the PlayStation 2, Xbox and
GameCube The is a PowerPC-based home video game console developed and marketed by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on September 14, 2001, in North America on November 18, 2001, in Europe on May 3, 2002, and in Australia on May 17, 2002. It is the suc ...
. While the Xbox boasted the most powerful hardware, and the GameCube least expensive of the three, the PlayStation 2 continued to rapidly outsell both platforms. By October 2002, it had sold 40 million units worldwide. Market research firm In-Stat projected that Sony would sell 120 million consoles by 2006, reaffirming the platform's commercial dominance. The report highlighted the expanding scale of the video game industry, characterising it as an increasingly significant segment of the consumer electronics market. Sony cut the price of the console in 2002 from $299 to $199 in North America, undercutting both the Xbox and GameCube. Further price drops in Japan followed in the following year. In early 2004, Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) reported over 25 million PlayStation 2 units had sold in North America. Of these, approximately 2.6 million were equipped for online play, with one million users actively engaging in online gaming services. While hardware sales were expected to decline as the PlayStation 2 entered its post-peak sales period, software sales remained strong. Analysts projected continued growth in the platform's game library and online engagement, particularly as new online-compatible titles were released and existing users looked to extend the utility of their consoles. In September 2004, Sony revealed a newer, slimmer model of the PlayStation 2 dubbed the "Slimline". An apparent manufacturing issue and underestimated demand caused initial slowdown in producing the new unit caused in part by shortages between the time Sony cleared out the old units and the new units were ready. The issue was compounded in the United Kingdom when a Russian oil tanker became stuck in the
Suez Canal The Suez Canal (; , ') is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, Indo-Mediterranean, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea through the Isthmus of Suez and dividing Africa and Asia (and by extension, the Sinai Peninsula from the rest ...
, blocking a ship from China carrying PlayStation 2s bound for the
Port of Felixstowe The Port of Felixstowe, in Felixstowe, Suffolk, is the United Kingdom's largest container port, dealing with 48% of Britain's containerised trade. In 2017, it was ranked as 43rd busiest container port in the world and 8th in Europe, with a ha ...
. During one week in November 2004, British sales totalled 6,000 units—compared to 70,000 units a few weeks prior. Sony remedied the issue by hiring Russian
Antonov AN-24 The Antonov An-24 (Russian/ Ukrainian: Антонов Ан-24) (NATO reporting name: Coke) is a 44-seat twin turboprop transport/passenger aircraft designed in 1957 in the Soviet Union by the Antonov Design Bureau and manufactured by the Kyiv ...
cargo planes to airlift units twice a week. There were shortages in more than 1,700 shops in North America on the day before Christmas. It became the fastest game console to sell 100 million units by 2008, accomplishing the feat within 5 years and 9 months from its launch; though this was surpassed 4 years later when the
Nintendo DS The is a foldable handheld game console produced by Nintendo, released globally across 2004 and 2005. The DS, an initialism for "Developers' System" or "Dual Screen", introduced distinctive new features to handheld games: two LCD screens worki ...
reached 100 million shipments in 4 years and 5 months from its launch.


Later years and discontinuation

The PlayStation 2 remained the best-selling and most played console by 2008, even surpassing the
PlayStation 3 The PlayStation 3 (PS3) is a home video game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE). It is the successor to the PlayStation 2, and both are part of the PlayStation brand of consoles. The PS3 was first released on ...
. By July 2009, the system had sold 138.8 million units worldwide, with 51 million of those units sold in
PAL region Phase Alternating Line (PAL) is a color encoding system for analog television. It was one of three major analogue colour television standards, the others being NTSC and SECAM. In most countries it was broadcast at 625 lines, 50 fields (25& ...
s. Later that year, Sony announced that it had discontinued all console colours, however sales remained consistently strong. In 2010, Sony introduced a
Bravia Bravia (stylized as BRAVIA) is a brand of Sony Visual Products Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony, and is used for its television products. Its name is a backronym for "Best Resolution Audio Visual Integrated Architecture". All Sony high-defin ...
television with a built-in PlayStation 2. Sales dropped significantly to 600,000 units by the beginning of 2012, partly due to the global launch of the
PlayStation Vita The PlayStation Vita (PS Vita) is a handheld game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on December 17, 2011, then in other international territories on February 22, 2012, and was produced ...
a few months prior. By 31 March 2012, twelve years after its launch, over 155 million units were sold worldwide. Sony officially stopped supplying updated sales numbers of the system in the same year. Production was officially discontinued on 4 January 2013 after almost thirteen years of production—one of the longest lifespans of any video game console. Sales in the fourth quarter of 2012 reached an "astonishing" 1.6 million units, totalling to 5 million units sold that year, surpassing the previous year's sales of 4.1 million units. New games continued to be made until the end of 2013, including ''
Final Fantasy XI also known as ''Final Fantasy XI Online'', is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), originally developed and published by Square (video game company), Square and then published by Square Enix as the eleventh main installme ...
'' for Japan, and ''
FIFA 14 ''FIFA 14'' is a football simulation video game developed by EA Canada and published by Electronic Arts worldwide under the EA Sports label. It was released in September 2013 for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, PlayStati ...
: Legacy Edition'' for North America and South America. The last game ever released for the system was ''
Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 ''Pro Evolution Soccer 2014'' (officially abbreviated as ''PES 2014'', also known in Asia as ''World Soccer: Winning Eleven 2014'' and ''World Soccer: Winning Eleven 2014 - Aoki Samurai no Chousen'' in Japan only) is an association football video ...
'' for the United Kingdom on 8 November 2013. Repair services for the system in Japan ended on 7 September 2018 due to a shortage of parts. In February 2024, Jim Ryan (CEO of
Sony Interactive Entertainment Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC (SIE) is an American video game and digital entertainment company that is a major subsidiary of Japanese conglomerate Sony, Sony Group Corporation. It primarily operates the PlayStation brand of video game co ...
) confirmed on the Official PlayStation Podcast that the PlayStation 2 had sold 160.63 million units worldwide. This statement was not directly corroborated by Sony themselves until eight months later, when this figure officially appeared on the PlayStation 30th Anniversary website in November that year.


Hardware


Technical specifications

The main
central processing unit A central processing unit (CPU), also called a central processor, main processor, or just processor, is the primary Processor (computing), processor in a given computer. Its electronic circuitry executes Instruction (computing), instructions ...
(CPU) is the
64-bit In computer architecture, 64-bit integers, memory addresses, or other data units are those that are 64 bits wide. Also, 64-bit central processing units (CPU) and arithmetic logic units (ALU) are those that are based on processor registers, a ...
R5900-based "
Emotion Engine The Emotion Engine is a central processing unit developed and manufactured by Sony Computer Entertainment and Toshiba for use in the PlayStation 2 video game console. It was also used in early PlayStation 3 models sold in Japan and North Americ ...
", custom-designed by Sony and
Toshiba is a Japanese multinational electronics company headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. Its diversified products and services include power, industrial and social infrastructure systems, elevators and escalators, electronic components, semiconductors ...
. The Emotion Engine consists of eight separate "units", each performing a specific task, integrated onto the same
die Die, as a verb, refers to death, the cessation of life. Die may also refer to: Games * Die, singular of dice, small throwable objects used for producing random numbers Manufacturing * Die (integrated circuit), a rectangular piece of a semicondu ...
. These units include a central CPU core, two Vector Processing Units (VPU), a 10-channel DMA unit, a
memory controller A memory controller, also known as memory chip controller (MCC) or a memory controller unit (MCU), is a digital circuit that manages the flow of data going to and from a computer's main memory. When a memory controller is integrated into anothe ...
, and an Image Processing Unit (IPU). There are three interfaces: an input output interface to the I/O processor running at a clock speed of 36.864 MHz, a graphics interface to the graphics synthesiser, and a memory interface to the system memory. The Emotion Engine CPU has a
clock rate Clock rate or clock speed in computing typically refers to the frequency at which the clock generator of a processor can generate pulses used to synchronize the operations of its components. It is used as an indicator of the processor's s ...
of 294.912
MHz The hertz (symbol: Hz) is the unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI), often described as being equivalent to one event (or cycle) per second. The hertz is an SI derived unit whose formal expression in terms of SI base u ...
(299 MHz on newer versions) and 6,000 MIPS, with a floating point performance of 6.2
GFLOPS Floating point operations per second (FLOPS, flops or flop/s) is a measure of computer performance in computing, useful in fields of scientific computations that require floating-point calculations. For such cases, it is a more accurate measu ...
. The system's I/O processor was based on the PlayStation's CPU and was designed to provide full backward compatibility with the PlayStation. The system has 32 MB of
RDRAM Rambus DRAM (RDRAM), and its successors Concurrent Rambus DRAM (CRDRAM) and Direct Rambus DRAM (DRDRAM), are types of synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM) developed by Rambus from the 1990s through to the early 2000s. The third-generati ...
. The
GPU A graphics processing unit (GPU) is a specialized electronic circuit designed for digital image processing and to accelerate computer graphics, being present either as a discrete video card or embedded on motherboards, mobile phones, personal ...
is likewise custom-designed for the console, named the "
Graphics Synthesizer The PlayStation 2 technical specifications describe the various components of the PlayStation 2 (PS2) video game console. Overview The sixth-generation hardware of the PlayStation 2 video game console consists of various components. At the ...
". It has a
fillrate In computer graphics, a video card's pixel fillrate refers to the number of pixels that can be Rendering (computer graphics), rendered on the screen and written to Video random access memory, video memory in one second. Pixel fillrates are give ...
of 2.4 gigapixels per second, capable of rendering up to 75 million polygons per second. The GPU also runs with a clock frequency of 147.456 MHz (which is half the clock speed of the Emotion Engine), 4 MB of
DRAM Dram, DRAM, or drams may refer to: Technology and engineering * Dram (unit), a unit of mass and volume, and an informal name for a small amount of liquor, especially whisky or whiskey * Dynamic random-access memory, a type of electronic semicondu ...
is capable of transmitting a display output of 1280 x 1024 pixels on both
PAL Phase Alternating Line (PAL) is a color encoding system for analog television. It was one of three major analogue colour television standards, the others being NTSC and SECAM. In most countries it was broadcast at 625 lines, 50 fields (25 ...
and
NTSC NTSC (from National Television System Committee) is the first American standard for analog television, published and adopted in 1941. In 1961, it was assigned the designation System M. It is also known as EIA standard 170. In 1953, a second ...
televisions. The PlayStation 2 has a maximum
colour depth Color depth, also known as bit depth, is either the number of bits used to indicate the color of a single pixel, or the number of bits used for each color component of a single pixel. When referring to a pixel, the concept can be defined as bits ...
of 16.7 million true colours. When accounting for features such as
lighting Lighting or illumination is the deliberate use of light to achieve practical or aesthetic effects. Lighting includes the use of both artificial light sources like lamps and light fixtures, as well as natural illumination by capturing daylight. ...
,
texture mapping Texture mapping is a term used in computer graphics to describe how 2D images are projected onto 3D models. The most common variant is the UV unwrap, which can be described as an inverse paper cutout, where the surfaces of a 3D model are cut ap ...
,
artificial intelligence Artificial intelligence (AI) is the capability of computer, computational systems to perform tasks typically associated with human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and decision-making. It is a field of re ...
, and
game physics Computer animation physics or game physics are laws of physics as they are defined within a simulation or video game, and the programming logic used to implement these laws. Game physics vary greatly in their degree of similarity to real-world phy ...
, the console has a real-world performance of 25 million polygons per second. The PlayStation 2 also features two
USB Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an industry standard, developed by USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), for digital data transmission and power delivery between many types of electronics. It specifies the architecture, in particular the physical ...
ports, and one
IEEE 1394 IEEE 1394 is an interface standard for a serial bus for high-speed communications and isochronous real-time data transfer. It was developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s by Apple in cooperation with a number of companies, primarily Sony a ...
(Firewire) port for SCPH-10000 to 3900x models only. A
hard disk A hard disk drive (HDD), hard disk, hard drive, or fixed disk is an electro-mechanical data storage device that stores and retrieves digital data using magnetic storage with one or more rigid rapidly rotating hard disk drive platter, pla ...
drive can be installed in an expansion bay on the back of the console, and is required to play certain games, notably the popular ''
Final Fantasy XI also known as ''Final Fantasy XI Online'', is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), originally developed and published by Square (video game company), Square and then published by Square Enix as the eleventh main installme ...
''. The system has 4 MB of
Video RAM Video random-access memory (VRAM) is dedicated computer memory used to store the pixels and other graphics data as a framebuffer to be rendered on a computer monitor. It often uses a different technology than other computer memory, in order to b ...
in the form of
eDRAM Embedded DRAM (eDRAM) is dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) integrated on the same die or multi-chip module (MCM) of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or microprocessor. eDRAM's cost-per-bit is higher when compared to equivale ...
. Software was distributed primarily on
DVD-ROM The DVD (common abbreviation for digital video disc or digital versatile disc) is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 1995 and first released on November 1, 1996, in Japan. The medium can store any kin ...
s, with some titles being published on blue-tinted CD-ROM format. In addition, the console can play audio CDs and DVD films and is
backward-compatible In telecommunications and computing, backward compatibility (or backwards compatibility) is a property of an operating system, software, real-world product, or technology that allows for interoperability with an older legacy system, or with inp ...
with almost all original PlayStation games. The PlayStation 2 also supports PlayStation
memory card A memory card is an electronic data storage device used for storing digital information, typically using flash memory. These are commonly used in digital portable electronic devices, such as digital cameras as well as in many early games conso ...
s and controllers, although original PlayStation memory cards will only work with original PlayStation games and the controllers may not support all functions (such as analogue buttons) for PlayStation 2 games. The standard PlayStation 2
memory card A memory card is an electronic data storage device used for storing digital information, typically using flash memory. These are commonly used in digital portable electronic devices, such as digital cameras as well as in many early games conso ...
has an 8 
megabyte The megabyte is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information. Its recommended unit symbol is MB. The unit prefix ''mega'' is a multiplier of (106) in the International System of Units (SI). Therefore, one megabyte is one million bytes ...
(MB) capacity and features
MagicGate MagicGate (MG) is a Digital rights management, copy-protection technology introduced by Sony in 1999 as part of the Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI). It works by encrypting the content on the device and using MagicGate chips in both the s ...
encryption. The PlayStation 2 can natively output video resolutions on
SDTV Standard-definition television (SDTV; also standard definition or SD) is a television system that uses a resolution that is not considered to be either high or enhanced definition. ''Standard'' refers to offering a similar resolution to the ...
and
HDTV High-definition television (HDTV) describes a television or video system which provides a substantially higher image resolution than the previous generation of technologies. The term has been used since at least 1933; in more recent times, it ref ...
from
480i 480i is the video mode used for standard-definition digital video in the Caribbean, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Myanmar, Western Sahara, and most of the Americas (with the exception of Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay). The ...
to
480p 480p is the shorthand name for a family of video display resolutions. The p stands for progressive scan, i.e. non-interlaced. The ''480'' denotes a vertical resolution of 480 pixels, usually with a horizontal resolution of 640 pixels and 4:3 a ...
, and some games, such as ''
Gran Turismo 4 ''Gran Turismo 4'' is a 2004 sim racing video game developed by Polyphony Digital and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. It is the fourth main installment and the sixth overall in the ''Gran Turismo'' series. It was ...
'' and '' Tourist Trophy'', are known to support up-scaled
1080i In high-definition television (HDTV) and video display technology, 1080i is a video display format with 1080 lines of vertical resolution and Interlaced video, interlaced scanning method. This format was once a standard in HDTV. It was particular ...
resolution. The PlayStation 2 supports the following standards:
composite video Composite video, also known as CVBS (composite video baseband signal or color, video, blanking and sync), is an analog video format that combines image information—such as brightness (luminance), color (chrominance), and synchronization, int ...
(480i),
S-Video S-Video (also known as separate video, Y/C, and erroneously Super-Video) is an analog video signal format that carries standard-definition video, typically at 525 lines or 625 lines. It encodes video luma and chrominance on two separate chann ...
(480i),
RGB The RGB color model is an additive color model in which the red, green, and blue primary colors of light are added together in various ways to reproduce a broad array of colors. The name of the model comes from the initials of the three ...
(480i/p),
VGA Video Graphics Array (VGA) is a video display controller and accompanying de facto graphics standard, first introduced with the IBM PS/2 line of computers in 1987, which became ubiquitous in the IBM PC compatible industry within three years. T ...
(for progressive scan games and PS2 Linux only), component video (which display most original PlayStation games in their native 240p mode which most HDTV sets do not support), and D-Terminal. Cables are available for all of these signal types; these cables also output analogue stereo audio. Additionally, an
RF modulator An RF modulator (radio frequency modulator) is an electronic device used to convert signals from devices such as media players, VCRs and game consoles to a format that can be handled by a device designed to receive a modulated RF input, such ...
is available for the system to connect to older TVs.


Models

The PlayStation 2 underwent many revisions during its lifespan. It is primarily differentiated between models featuring the original "fat" case design and "slimline" models, which were introduced at the end of 2004. In 2010, the Sony Bravia KDL-22PX300 was made available to consumers. It was a 22" HD-Ready television which incorporated a built-in PlayStation 2. The standard colour of the PS2 is matte black. Several variations in colour were produced in different quantities and regions, including ceramic white, light yellow, aqua, metallic silver, navy blue, opaque blue, midnight black, pearl white,
sakura The cherry blossom, or sakura, is the flower of trees in ''Prunus'' subgenus '' Cerasus''. ''Sakura'' usually refers to flowers of ornamental cherry trees, such as cultivars of ''Prunus serrulata'', not trees grown for their fruit (although ...
purple, satin gold, satin silver, snow white, super red, ocean blue, and pink, which was distributed in some regions such as Oceania, and parts of Asia. In October 2004, Sony released the "Slimline", a smaller, redesigned version of the original PlayStation 2. It includes a built-in
Ethernet Ethernet ( ) is a family of wired computer networking technologies commonly used in local area networks (LAN), metropolitan area networks (MAN) and wide area networks (WAN). It was commercially introduced in 1980 and first standardized in 198 ...
port and an internal power supply. Due to its thinner profile, it does not contain the 3.5" expansion bay and therefore does not support the internal hard disk drive. The removal of the expansion bay was criticised as a limitation to software, due to the existence of titles such as ''
Final Fantasy XI also known as ''Final Fantasy XI Online'', is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), originally developed and published by Square (video game company), Square and then published by Square Enix as the eleventh main installme ...
'', which required the HDD use. The slimline model features a top-loading disc mechanism, replacing the motorised tray-loading system of the original version. Like its predecessor, the slimline console is designed to operate in both horizontal and vertical orientations; however, vertical placement requires a dedicated stand for stability. Sony also manufactured a consumer electronic device, the PSX, which was marketed as an all-in-one home media centre. Integrating nanotechnology, the system combines the PlayStation 2's Graphics Synthesiser and Emotion Engine processors into a single chipset, known as the 90 nm EE+GS. In addition to its gaming capabilities, the PSX features an integrated
analogue television Analog television is the original television technology that uses analog signals to transmit video and audio. In an analog television broadcast, the brightness, colors and sound are represented by amplitude, phase and frequency of an analog ...
tuner, as well as the ability to record both television programmes and DVDs. The device also supports broadband internet connectivity and features a memory card slot, enabling users to view digital photographs and play MP3 audio files directly on a connected television. It was released exclusively in Japan on 13 December 2003 in two models: the DESR-5000, featuring a 160 GB hard drive, priced at ¥79,800, and the DESR-7000, with a 250 GB hard drive, priced at ¥99,800.


Online support

The PlayStation 2 introduced optional online functionality via a dedicated network adaptor, which enabled both
Ethernet Ethernet ( ) is a family of wired computer networking technologies commonly used in local area networks (LAN), metropolitan area networks (MAN) and wide area networks (WAN). It was commercially introduced in 1980 and first standardized in 198 ...
and
dial-up Dial-up Internet access is a form of Internet access that uses the facilities of the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to establish a connection to an Internet service provider (ISP) by dialing a telephone number on a conventional telepho ...
internet connections. The hardware component of the adaptor was compact—smaller than a standard paperback book—and installed easily into the expansion bay at the rear of the console. Once secured with two screws and connected to a telephone line or Ethernet cable, the adaptor was ready for use. Sony did not operate their own subscription-based online service for the PlayStation 2, instead allowing users to connect through existing
internet service provider An Internet service provider (ISP) is an organization that provides a myriad of services related to accessing, using, managing, or participating in the Internet. ISPs can be organized in various forms, such as commercial, community-owned, no ...
s. However, some providers, such as
AOL AOL (formerly a company known as AOL Inc. and originally known as America Online) is an American web portal and online service provider based in New York City, and a brand marketed by Yahoo! Inc. The service traces its history to an online ...
, imposed additional charges for console connectivity—typically around $4.95 per month. A key distinction in Sony's approach was their support for both
broadband In telecommunications, broadband or high speed is the wide-bandwidth (signal processing), bandwidth data transmission that exploits signals at a wide spread of frequencies or several different simultaneous frequencies, and is used in fast Inter ...
and
dial-up Dial-up Internet access is a form of Internet access that uses the facilities of the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to establish a connection to an Internet service provider (ISP) by dialing a telephone number on a conventional telepho ...
connections, in contrast to Microsoft's broadband-only requirement for the Xbox. While broadband provided a significantly smoother experience, Sony's decision ensured greater accessibility for users with limited internet infrastructure. For households with established home networks, connecting the PlayStation 2 via Ethernet to a router was straightforward and efficient. Sony also delegated the responsibility for online functionality to individual game developers and publishers. Each third-party developer was required to manage their own servers and infrastructure for their respective titles. This decentralised model meant that users often needed to create separate login credentials for each game, and the quality of online services varied depending on the developer's expertise and resources.


Controllers

The PlayStation 2's
DualShock 2 The DualShock (originally Dual Shock, trademarked as DUALSHOCK or DUAL SHOCK, with the PlayStation 5 version as DualSense) is a line of gamepads developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment (formerly Sony Computer Entertainment) for the PlayStat ...
controller retains most of the same functionality as its predecessor, with several key enhancements. The most significant functional upgrade is the inclusion of pressure-sensitive inputs across all primary controls. Unlike the original
DualShock The DualShock (originally Dual Shock, trademarked as DUALSHOCK or DUAL SHOCK, with the PlayStation 5 version as DualSense) is a line of gamepads developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment (formerly Sony Computer Entertainment) for the PlaySta ...
controller, which featured only digital input for the directional pad and face buttons, the DualShock 2 allowed for 255 levels of pressure sensitivity on the directional pad; four face buttons, and four shoulder buttons. Aesthetically, the DualShock 2 is distinguished by its black colour scheme and minor adjustments in weight and internal components. It is marginally lighter than the original, due in part to a reduction in the mechanical complexity of the vibration motors. The DualShock 2 maintained the overall layout and ergonomics of the original controller. Like its predecessor, the DualShock 2 controller has
force feedback Haptic technology (also kinaesthetic communication or 3D touch) is technology that can create an experience of touch by applying forces, vibrations, or motions to the user. These technologies can be used to create virtual objects in a computer s ...
, or "
vibration Vibration () is a mechanical phenomenon whereby oscillations occur about an equilibrium point. Vibration may be deterministic if the oscillations can be characterised precisely (e.g. the periodic motion of a pendulum), or random if the os ...
" functionality. Specialised controllers include
light gun A light gun is a pointing device for computers and a control device for arcade and video games, typically shaped to resemble a pistol. Early history The first light guns were produced in the 1930s, following the development of light-sensi ...
s (
GunCon The , known as the G-Con in Europe, is a family of gun peripherals designed by Namco for the PlayStation consoles. The original controllers used traditional light gun technology, while newer controllers use LED tracking technology. Background Th ...
), fishing rod and reel controllers, a ''
Dragon Quest VIII ''Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King'' is a 2004 role-playing video game developed by Level-5 and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 2. It was first released in Japan in November 2004, followed by North America in November ...
'' "slime" controller, a ''
Final Fantasy X-2 is a 2003 role-playing video game developed and published by Square for the PlayStation 2. Unlike most ''Final Fantasy'' games, which use self-contained stories and characters, ''X-2'' continues the story of ''Final Fantasy X'' (2001). The s ...
'' "Tiny Bee" dual pistol controller, an ''
Onimusha 3 ''Onimusha 3: Demon Siege'', released in Japan and Europe as , is a 2004 action-adventure game developed and published by Capcom. It is the third game of the ''Onimusha'' series and was released for the PlayStation 2 in April 2004, and later por ...
'' katana controller, and a ''
Resident Evil 4 ''Resident Evil 4'' is a 2005 survival horror game developed and published by Capcom for the GameCube. Players control the special agent Leon S. Kennedy on a mission to rescue the US president's daughter, Ashley Graham (Resident Evil), Ashley ...
'' chainsaw controller.


Peripherals

Much like the original PlayStation, Sony released a series of peripherals to add extra layers of functionality. Such peripherals include
memory card A memory card is an electronic data storage device used for storing digital information, typically using flash memory. These are commonly used in digital portable electronic devices, such as digital cameras as well as in many early games conso ...
s, a DVD
remote control A remote control, also known colloquially as a remote or clicker, is an consumer electronics, electronic device used to operate another device from a distance, usually wirelessly. In consumer electronics, a remote control can be used to operat ...
, an internal or external
hard disk drive A hard disk drive (HDD), hard disk, hard drive, or fixed disk is an electro-mechanical data storage device that stores and retrieves digital data using magnetic storage with one or more rigid rapidly rotating hard disk drive platter, pla ...
(HDD), network adapter, horizontal and vertical stands, the Multiplayer Adapter (a four-player
Multitap A multitap is a video game console peripheral that increases the number of controller ports available to the player, allowing additional controllers to be plugged in simultaneously in a manner similar to a power strip or a USB hub. A multitap of ...
), a
USB Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an industry standard, developed by USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), for digital data transmission and power delivery between many types of electronics. It specifies the architecture, in particular the physical ...
motion camera (
EyeToy The EyeToy is a color webcam for use with the PlayStation 2. Supported games use computer vision and gesture recognition to process images taken by the EyeToy. This allows players to interact with the games using motion, color detection, and als ...
),
keyboard Keyboard may refer to: Text input * Keyboard, part of a typewriter * Computer keyboard ** Keyboard layout, the software control of computer keyboards and their mapping ** Keyboard technology, computer keyboard hardware and firmware Music * Mus ...
and
mouse A mouse (: mice) is a small rodent. Characteristically, mice are known to have a pointed snout, small rounded ears, a body-length scaly tail, and a high breeding rate. The best known mouse species is the common house mouse (''Mus musculus'' ...
, and a
headset Headset may refer to: * Headset (audio), audio headphone(s), particularly with an attached microphone * Head Set (band), an American alternative rock band * Headset (bicycle part), a bicycle part that connects the fork to the frame * Head-mounted ...
. Unlike the original PlayStation, which requires the use of an official
PlayStation Mouse The PlayStation Mouse is an input device for the PlayStation that allows the player to use a mouse as a method of control in compatible games. The mouse was released in Japan on December 3, 1994, the launch date of the PlayStation. The mouse it ...
to play mouse-compatible games, the few PlayStation 2 games with mouse support also work with a standard USB mouse as well as a USB
trackball A trackball is a pointing device consisting of a ball held by a socket containing sensors to detect a rotation of the ball about two axes—like an upside-down ball mouse (computing), mouse with an exposed protruding ball. Users roll the ball t ...
. Early versions of the console could be networked via an i.LINK port, though this had little game support and was ultimately removed in the "Slimline" model. Some third-party companies, such as Joytech, produced
LCD A liquid-crystal display (LCD) is a flat-panel display or other electronically modulated optical device that uses the light-modulating properties of liquid crystals combined with polarizers to display information. Liquid crystals do not em ...
monitor Monitor or monitor may refer to: Places * Monitor, Alberta * Monitor, Indiana, town in the United States * Monitor, Kentucky * Monitor, Oregon, unincorporated community in the United States * Monitor, Washington * Monitor, Logan County, Wes ...
and speaker attachments for the PlayStation 2, which attach to the rear of the console. These allow users to play games without access to a television as long as there is access to
mains electricity Mains electricity, utility power, grid power, domestic power, wall power, household current, or, in some parts of Canada, hydro, is a general-purpose Alternating current, alternating-current (AC) electric power supply. It is the form of electri ...
or a similar power source. There are many accessories for musical games, such as
dance pad A dance pad, also known as a dance mat or dance platform, is a flat electronic game controller used for input in dance games. Most dance pads are divided into a 3×3 matrix of square panels for the player to stand on, with some or all of the pan ...
s for ''
Dance Dance Revolution (''DDR'') is a music video game series produced by Konami. Introduced in Japan in 1998 as part of the Bemani series, and released in North America and Europe in 1999, ''Dance Dance Revolution'' is the pioneering series of the rhythm and dance ...
'' titles,
Konami , commonly known as Konami, , is a Japanese multinational entertainment company and video game developer and video game publisher, publisher headquartered in Chūō, Tokyo, Chūō, Tokyo. The company also produces and distributes trading card ...
microphones for use with the ''
Karaoke Revolution ''Karaoke Revolution'' and its sequels are music video games for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, GameCube, Wii, Xbox, and Xbox 360, developed by Harmonix and Blitz Games and published by Konami in its Bemani line of music games. The original c ...
'' games, wireless
microphone A microphone, colloquially called a mic (), or mike, is a transducer that converts sound into an electrical signal. Microphones are used in many applications such as telephones, hearing aids, public address systems for concert halls and publi ...
s (sold with and used exclusively for '' SingStar'' games), various "guitar" controllers (for the ''
Guitar Freaks is a music video game series produced by Konami. The series consists of two games, ''GuitarFreaks'' and ''DrumMania'', where players use game controllers modeled after musical instruments to perform the lead guitar, bass guitar and drum kit, dr ...
'' series and ''
Guitar Hero ''Guitar Hero'' is a series of rhythm games first released in 2005, in which players use a guitar-shaped game controller to simulate playing primarily lead guitar, lead, bass guitar, bass, and rhythm guitar across numerous songs. Players match ...
'' series), the drum set controller (sold in a box set (or by itself) with a "guitar" controller and a USB microphone (for use with ''
Rock Band ''Rock Band'' is a series of rhythm games first released in 2007 and developed by Harmonix. Based on their previous development work from the Guitar Hero, ''Guitar Hero'' series, the main ''Rock Band'' games have players use game controllers mod ...
'' and ''
Guitar Hero ''Guitar Hero'' is a series of rhythm games first released in 2005, in which players use a guitar-shaped game controller to simulate playing primarily lead guitar, lead, bass guitar, bass, and rhythm guitar across numerous songs. Players match ...
'' series), and a
taiko are a broad range of Traditional Japanese musical instruments, Japanese percussion instruments. In Japanese language, Japanese, the term refers to any kind of drum, but outside Japan, it is used specifically to refer to any of the various J ...
drum controller for '' Taiko: Drum Master'' (2004). Sony released a
Linux Linux ( ) is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an kernel (operating system), operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991, by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically package manager, pac ...
-based operating system kit,
Linux for PlayStation 2 Linux for PlayStation 2 (or PS2 Linux) is a kit released by Sony Computer Entertainment in 2002 that allows the PlayStation 2 console to be used as a personal computer. It included a Linux-based operating system, a USB keyboard and mouse, a VGA ...
, which included a
keyboard Keyboard may refer to: Text input * Keyboard, part of a typewriter * Computer keyboard ** Keyboard layout, the software control of computer keyboards and their mapping ** Keyboard technology, computer keyboard hardware and firmware Music * Mus ...
,
mouse A mouse (: mice) is a small rodent. Characteristically, mice are known to have a pointed snout, small rounded ears, a body-length scaly tail, and a high breeding rate. The best known mouse species is the common house mouse (''Mus musculus'' ...
,
Ethernet Ethernet ( ) is a family of wired computer networking technologies commonly used in local area networks (LAN), metropolitan area networks (MAN) and wide area networks (WAN). It was commercially introduced in 1980 and first standardized in 198 ...
adapter and HDD. In Europe and Australia, the consoles comes with a free
Yabasic Yabasic (Yet Another BASIC) is a free, open-source BASIC interpreter for Microsoft Windows and Unix platforms. Yabasic was originally developed by Marc-Oliver Ihm, who released the last stable version 2.91.2 in 2025. From version 2.77.1, the proj ...
interpreter on the bundled demo disc. This allows users to create simple programs for the PlayStation 2. A port of the
NetBSD NetBSD is a free and open-source Unix-like operating system based on the Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD). It was the first open-source BSD descendant officially released after 386BSD was fork (software development), forked. It continues to ...
project and BlackRhino GNU/Linux, an alternative
Debian Debian () is a free and open-source software, free and open source Linux distribution, developed by the Debian Project, which was established by Ian Murdock in August 1993. Debian is one of the oldest operating systems based on the Linux kerne ...
-based distribution, are also available.


Game library

With a total of 10,987 game titles, the PlayStation 2 features a diverse global library. Premier franchises include the ''
Grand Theft Auto ''Grand Theft Auto'' (''GTA'') is an action-adventure video game series created by David Jones and Mike Dailly. Later titles were developed under the oversight of brothers Dan and Sam Houser, Leslie Benzies and Aaron Garbut. It is prima ...
'', ''
Final Fantasy is a Japanese fantasy Anthology series, anthology media franchise created by Hironobu Sakaguchi which is owned, developed, and published by Square Enix (formerly Square (video game company), Square). The franchise centers on a series of fanta ...
'', and ''
Metal Gear Solid is a franchise of stealth games created by Hideo Kojima. Developed and published by Konami, the first game, ''Metal Gear'', was released in 1987 for MSX home computers. The player often takes control of a special forces operative (usually S ...
'' series, most games of which were released exclusively for the console. Several prolific series first arrived on the console, including ''
God of War A war god in mythology associated with war, combat, or bloodshed. They occur commonly in polytheism, polytheistic religions. Unlike most gods and goddesses in polytheistic religions, monotheistic deities have traditionally been portrayed in their ...
'' (2005), ''
Ratchet & Clank ''Ratchet & Clank'' is a series of Action-adventure game, action-adventure Platform game, platform and third-person shooter video games created and developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. High Impact Games ...
'' (2002), '' Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy'' (2001), ''
Devil May Cry is a science fantasy action-adventure game franchise created by Hideki Kamiya. It is primarily developed and published by Capcom. The series centers on the demon hunter Dante (Devil May Cry), Dante and his efforts to thwart various demon invas ...
'' (2001), and ''
Kingdom Hearts is a series of action role-playing games developed and published by Square Enix (originally by Square) and owned by The Walt Disney Company. A collaboration between the two companies, it was conceptualized by Square employees, Japanese gam ...
'' (2002). The best-selling PlayStation 2 game is '' Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas'', which sold 17.33 million units. After the PlayStation 2's discontinuation in 2013, the cumulative software shipment was 1.54 billion units. Following its 2000 launch in Japan, the PlayStation 2 was released with eleven launch titles; early notable games included ''Ridge Racer V'' (2000) and ''Tekken Tag Tournament'' (2000). This was increased to 29 titles for its North American launch, and 30 in Europe. The last games released for the console were ''
Final Fantasy XI also known as ''Final Fantasy XI Online'', is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), originally developed and published by Square (video game company), Square and then published by Square Enix as the eleventh main installme ...
: Seekers of Adoulin'' (2013) in Japan, ''
FIFA 14 ''FIFA 14'' is a football simulation video game developed by EA Canada and published by Electronic Arts worldwide under the EA Sports label. It was released in September 2013 for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, PlayStati ...
'' (2013) in North America, and ''
Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 ''Pro Evolution Soccer 2014'' (officially abbreviated as ''PES 2014'', also known in Asia as ''World Soccer: Winning Eleven 2014'' and ''World Soccer: Winning Eleven 2014 - Aoki Samurai no Chousen'' in Japan only) is an association football video ...
'' (2013) in the United Kingdom.


Reception

The PlayStation 2 received critical acclaim upon release. Initial reviews commended its hardware and graphics capabilities, ability to play DVDs, and backward compatibility with games and hardware for the original PlayStation. Early points of criticism included the lack of online support at the time, its inclusion of only two controller ports, and the system's price at launch compared to the Dreamcast in 2000. ''
PC Magazine ''PC Magazine'' (shortened as ''PCMag'') is an American computer magazine published by Ziff Davis. A print edition was published from 1982 to January 2009. Publication of online editions started in late 1994 and continues . Overview ''PC Mag ...
'' in 2001 called the console "outstanding", praising its "noteworthy components" such as the Emotion Engine CPU, 32 MB of RAM, support for
IEEE 1394 IEEE 1394 is an interface standard for a serial bus for high-speed communications and isochronous real-time data transfer. It was developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s by Apple in cooperation with a number of companies, primarily Sony a ...
(branded as "i.LINK" by Sony and "FireWire" by Apple), and the console's two
USB Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an industry standard, developed by USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), for digital data transmission and power delivery between many types of electronics. It specifies the architecture, in particular the physical ...
ports while criticising its "expensive" games and its support for only two controllers without the
multitap A multitap is a video game console peripheral that increases the number of controller ports available to the player, allowing additional controllers to be plugged in simultaneously in a manner similar to a power strip or a USB hub. A multitap of ...
accessory. The inclusion of DVD playback was a major factor in the commercial success of the PlayStation 2. At launch, the PS2 was priced comparably to standalone DVD players, making it an attractive option for consumers. This multifunctionality also the increased console's appeal beyond traditional gamers and accelerate DVD adoption in households. There was, however, some concern about the system's abilities following the lack of
anti-aliasing Anti-aliasing may refer to any of a number of techniques to combat the problems of aliasing in a sampled signal such as a digital image or digital audio recording. Specific topics in anti-aliasing include: * Anti-aliasing filter, a filter used b ...
in the two most popular early titles, ''
Ridge Racer V is a 2000 racing video game developed and published by Namco for the PlayStation 2. It was released as a launch title for the console and later followed by an arcade version subtitled ''Arcade Battle''. ''Ridge Racer V'' is the fifth main title ...
'' (2000) and ''
Tekken Tag Tournament is a 1999 fighting game developed and published by Namco for arcades. It is a spin-off the '' Tekken'' series. Not canon to the main storyline, ''Tekken Tag Tournament'' features nearly all the characters in the previous ''Tekken'' games and int ...
'' (2000). It was exacerbated for a period of time post-launch amid concerns about the relative lack of new quality software. This situation was eventually turned around following a spate of highly acclaimed games in the final quarter of 2001. Later reviews, especially after the launch of the competing
GameCube The is a PowerPC-based home video game console developed and marketed by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on September 14, 2001, in North America on November 18, 2001, in Europe on May 3, 2002, and in Australia on May 17, 2002. It is the suc ...
and
Xbox Xbox is a video gaming brand that consists of four main home video game console lines, as well as application software, applications (games), the streaming media, streaming service Xbox Cloud Gaming, and online services such as the Xbox networ ...
systems, continued to praise the PlayStation 2's large game library and DVD playback, while routinely criticising the PlayStation 2's lesser graphics performance compared to the newer systems and its rudimentary online service compared to
Xbox Live The Xbox network, formerly known and commonly referred to as Xbox Live, is an online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service created and operated by Microsoft Gaming for the Xbox brand. It was first made available to the origina ...
. In 2002, CNET rated the console 7.3 out of 10, calling it a "safe bet" despite not being the "newest or most powerful", noting that the console "yields in-game graphics with more jagged edges". CNET also criticised the DVD playback functionality, claiming that the console's video quality was "passable" and that the playback controls were "rudimentary", recommending users to purchase a remote control. The console's two controller ports and the high cost of its memory cards were also a point of criticism. The slim model of the PlayStation 2 received positive reviews for its small size and built-in networking, but received criticism for easily overheating due to the exclusion of the original model's built-in fan. The requirement for a separate power adapter was criticised while the top-loading disc drive was noted as being less likely to break compared to the tray-loading drive of the original model.


Legacy

The PlayStation 2 overcame the earlier launch of the Sega's Dreamcast and then fended off competition from
Microsoft Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational corporation and technology company, technology conglomerate headquartered in Redmond, Washington. Founded in 1975, the company became influential in the History of personal computers#The ear ...
's newcomer
Xbox Xbox is a video gaming brand that consists of four main home video game console lines, as well as application software, applications (games), the streaming media, streaming service Xbox Cloud Gaming, and online services such as the Xbox networ ...
and Nintendo's
GameCube The is a PowerPC-based home video game console developed and marketed by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on September 14, 2001, in North America on November 18, 2001, in Europe on May 3, 2002, and in Australia on May 17, 2002. It is the suc ...
. Its immense success and failure of the Dreamcast were among the main factors which led to Sega abandoning the console market entirely. Sony's integration of a
DVD player A DVD player is a machine that plays DVDs produced under both the DVD-Video and DVD-Audio technical standards, two different and incompatible standards. Some DVD players will also play audio CDs. DVD players are connected to a television to ...
into the console not only positioned it as a cost-effective home entertainment device, but also helped broaden its reach beyond traditional gaming audiences. This feature contributed to the PlayStation 2's widespread adoption, particularly as DVD technology was gaining popularity. Additionally, the console served as the exclusive platform for several early landmark titles such as ''Grand Theft Auto III'' (2001), ''
Final Fantasy X is a 2001 role-playing video game developed and published by Square (video game company), Square for PlayStation 2. The tenth main installment in the ''Final Fantasy'' series, it is the first game in the series to feature fully 3D computer gra ...
'' (2001), and '' Metal Gear Solid 2'' (2001), during a period marked by significant innovation in game design. This era saw the emergence of cinematic storytelling and expansive open-world gameplay, which further solidified the system's appeal. According to Piers Harding-Rolls, a senior analyst at IHS Screen Digest, Sony's marketing strategy—particularly its alignment with
association football Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 Football player, players who almost exclusively use their feet to propel a Ball (association football), ball around a rectangular f ...
—was instrumental in securing strong market penetration in regions where console gaming had previously been underdeveloped. In its later years, the PlayStation 2 expanded its demographic by incorporating lifestyle and social games, further enhancing its longevity and appeal during the mid-2000s. The PlayStation 2 has often ranked among the best video game consoles. In 2020, Keith Stuart from ''
The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in Manchester in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'' and changed its name in 1959, followed by a move to London. Along with its sister paper, ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardi ...
'' named it as the second best console, declaring that its "utter dominance" and technical prowess heralded a golden era in video gaming.
IGN ''IGN'' is an American video gaming and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa district and is headed by its former e ...
ranked the PlayStation 2 in 2009 as the third best console, noting its diverse game library and appeal towards all audiences to be a strong testament to its "staying power". In 2018, ''
Retro Gamer ''Retro Gamer'' is a British magazine, published worldwide, covering Retrogaming, retro video games. It was the first commercial magazine to be devoted entirely to the subject. Launched in January 2004 as a quarterly publication, ''Retro Gamer'' ...
'' named it the fifth best console, similarly crediting its large library and appeal to developers as key factors in gaining mass success, lauding it as a machine with "mad architecture".


See also

*
Linux for PlayStation 2 Linux for PlayStation 2 (or PS2 Linux) is a kit released by Sony Computer Entertainment in 2002 that allows the PlayStation 2 console to be used as a personal computer. It included a Linux-based operating system, a USB keyboard and mouse, a VGA ...
*
PCSX2 PCSX2 is a free and open-source emulator of the PlayStation 2 for x86 computers. It supports most PlayStation 2 video games with a high level of compatibility and functionality, and also supports a number of improvements over gameplay on a trad ...
– PlayStation 2 (PS2) emulator for Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS *
PlayStation Broadband Navigator PlayStation Broadband Navigator (also referred to as BB Navigator and PSBBN) was a software program for Japanese PlayStation 2 consoles that provides an interface for manipulating data on the PlayStation 2 HDD Unit. History * PSBBN version 0. ...


References


Notes


Citations


Bibliography

* * * * * * * * * {{Authority control 2000s in video gaming 2000s toys 2010s toys 2000 in video gaming Backward-compatible video game consoles CD-ROM-based consoles Computer-related introductions in 2000 Discontinued video game consoles DVD-ROM-based consoles Home video game consoles PlayStation (brand) Products introduced in 2000 Products and services discontinued in 2013 Sixth-generation video game consoles Sony consoles MIPS-based video game consoles