Sony’s PlayStation 2 turns ten years old today - a console every single one of you has probably played or owned at one point in your life.
With an astonishing 146 million people worldwide owning a PS2 (1 in 3 U.S. residents own the console), the reach of Sony’s black-box has known no bounds. You can still buy yourself a PS2 at any local game retailer for the low price of $99, the most recent bundle coming on October 31 with Toy Story 3: The Video Game.
With an extensive library of over 2,000 games, the PlayStation 2 is certainly home to many of the titles we have all come to play and love like the God of War franchise, Ratchet & Clank, Gran Turismo, and lesser known titles such as the Shin Megami Tensei series have also provided gamers with countless hours of entertainment. Even when the original Xbox came out, my library was still full of PS2 games.
My first encounter with PlayStation 2 wasn’t at launch, believe it or not. I hadn’t bought one until well into the console’s second year of dominance, and the reason for that was the release of Metal Gear Solid 2. Prior to that, the first PlayStation I ever bought was because of Metal Gear Solid.
To me, the PS2 is up there with the original Nintendo Entertainment System as what I call a “perfect console.”What do I mean by that? It’s a console that you can consistently return to and still have fun. There were so many amazing single player experiences that, even with some of today’s next-gen offerings, it’d be hard to beat.
So today, even with the releases of Rock Band 3 and Fable 3, maybe you should dust off your PS2 and give it a go once more and be reminded of why it’s still one of the most popular consoles around – even after ten years. Personally, I might try to see if I can beat Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time in two hours again.
Today is a huge milestone, given the amazing staying power the last-gen machine still has among the gaming community. Make sure to check out our feature talking about fifteen years of the PlayStation - which also provides tantalizing information regarding the console’s history and successes.
Share your favorite PS2 memories in the comments.
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I still honestly believe that more than half of the top 100 games of all time are on this system. I was never much of a Sony man, but this system created and helped evolve some of the best franchises in gaming.
My PS2 is still a staple in my gaming. Amplitude isn’t going to beat itself!
Happy Birthday, chunk-of-my-childhood!
Happy 10 years, PS2. I can’t even keep count of how many hours I spent with NHL 06 and 07 on my PS2. That controller still ranks in my top 3 of all time, and nothing can match how familiar that thing feels when you pick it up. Truly a system I’ll never forget.
Loved and still love the PS2. It gave me Grand Theft Auto San Andreas. In my opinion One of the best Games EVER.
Its A shame there isnt a PS2 download list on the PS Network, That would Rock.
Congrats PS2, one of the best gaming system ever. The one thing I can’t say enough about the PS2 is its durability, I’ve had mine for the better part of 9 years and it still works just as well as the day I bought it. Sure the next gen consoles have better graphics and are more powerful, but I personally have gone through 3 xboxs and i know 3 people who have had the disc reader go out on their PS3. So on your ten year anniversary, I say here’s to you old reliable.
True that brother
I think that in honor of the PS2′s birthday Sony should make all of the current PS3′s backwards compatible with their vast PS2 library.
Happy Birthday PS2. You’ve been with me through thick and thin, through bad games and good games, through original games and through burnt ones. Thank you for being the greatest console I’ve ever owned. You started my venture into being a full-fledged gamer and for that… again, thank you. =)
Oui we should hold a birthday party for our ps2′s well happy birthday big chunk of my childhood DMC3 missed a test on accident cause if this system LOL