For many gamers today, the PlayStation 2 played an integral role in that identity; after all, it was the console of its day. Recently, the PS2 celebrated its 20-year anniversary on March 4, 2020, and the nostalgia is tempting many to dust off their old console. This popularity would carry the PS2 a long way, but despite all of this, there were several details related to or about the console that many, to this day, didn't know.
In honor and celebration of its 20-year anniversary, it only feels right to spend some time with the PS2 to some regard. So, for those celebrating the fan-favorite console, here's 5 secrets that remained below the radar.
PS2 Logo Spin
Prior to the PS2, consoles were a horizontal machine. It was, indeed, the first console to come with vertical support, something that doesn't seem big today but was game-changing at the time. Using a PS2 stand to set the PlayStation upright saved a lot of room, even if vertical consoles lost popularity over the years. Nonetheless, this was accompanied by a neat trick with the logo that went over many heads.
The PS2 logo could be spun 90 degrees in order to display properly whether the PlayStation 2 was horizontal or vertical. In fact, many who even noticed this often thought that this was broken, but it's actually a feature. It makes sense given the vertical stands, but for many, it's not something that ever caught the eye.
PS2 Discontinuation
Every console generation eventually ends, but the start of a new generation isn't the defining point for that. Indeed, companies go a long way in supporting older consoles, as many will stick with them for quite some time, and that's evident in the discussion of the PS5 and Xbox Series X with the PS4 and Xbox One now. The actual lifespan (not to be confused with lifecycle, which is arguably how long the console is at the forefront vs. how long it is supported) is typically much longer than many expect.
For the PlayStation 2, it was not officially discontinued until January 4, 2013. This was just one month before Sony unveiled the PS4 to the world, though the various games to that point had slowed down tremendously. The honor of the very last game to release on PS2 actually goes to Fifa 13 (North America), Final Fantasy 11: Seekers of Adoulin in Japan, and Pro Evolution Soccer 14 in Europe, with Fifa and FF11 actually being two PS2 games that released after this announcement was made.
The PS2 Start Up Screen
Many will remember the iconic towers of the PS2 start-up screen, but many may have never realized what the overall purpose of the towers were for. These indicated how many games were on the PS2 and its memory cards, as well as how long these games have been played. In other words, for those who never realized why there were more towers on someone else's consoles than their own, the answer is in the video game library.
The PS2 Had Netflix
Despite being initially founded in 1997, Netflix wasn't as big as it is today in the early 2000s. Once its streaming services took off much later, though, it's clear how popular it became. However, what many may not realize is that, in one country, the PS2 had Netflix via a special disc that allowed them to connect to the service. This was never a service in North America, making it a little known PS2 fact.
The likely reason is that the PS2 in Brazil was still at an all-time high at the time of this service, whereas Sony was pushing Netflix on the PS3 in North America. Netflix on it and later console generations became a huge perk, but it wasn't something the company would want to push on such a market. As such, Brazil was able to use Netflix via disc until 2012, and the rest just being part of a unique history.
Mr. PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2 isn't just a console, it's a man. Dan Holmes, as he was previously known, legally changed his name out of love for his console. This was in 2002, just 2 years after the console actually release. Despite the slight media craze it stirred up, Mr. PlayStation 2 fell out of the spotlight quickly. It's hard to find what he is up to today or whether or not he ever legally changed his name back, but regardless, his name left behind a legacy for all PS2 fans to know.
The PS2 released on March 4, 2000, and is now 20 years old.