PlayStation 2
Left: Original PlayStation 2 with vertical stand Right: Slim PlayStation 2 with DualShock 2 controller | |
| Also known as | PS2 |
|---|---|
| Developer | Sony Computer Entertainment |
| Manufacturer | Sony Electronics, Foxconn |
| Product family | PlayStation |
| Type | Home video game console |
| Generation | Sixth |
| Release date | 4 March 2000 |
| Introductory price | |
| Discontinued |
|
| Units sold | 160.63 million[17][18] |
| Media | DVD, CD |
| CPU | Emotion Engine @ ~300 MHz |
| Memory | 32 MB RAM, 4 MB Video RAM |
| Storage | 40 GB hard drive (optional) |
| Removable storage |
|
| Display | 240p, 480i, 480p, 1080i |
| Graphics | Graphics Synthesizer @ 150 MHz |
| Sound | Audio output formats
|
| Controller input |
|
| Connectivity | |
| Online services | Developer-run servers |
| Dimensions | Original: 3.1 × 11.9 × 7.2 in (78.7 × 302.3 × 182.9 mm) |
| Weight |
|
| Best-selling game | Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (17.33 million)[19] |
| Backward compatibility | PlayStation |
| Predecessor | PlayStation |
| Successor | PlayStation 3 |
| Related | PSX |
The PlayStation 2 (PS2) is a home video game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. 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 installment in the PlayStation brand of consoles. As a sixth-generation console, it competed with Nintendo's GameCube, Sega's Dreamcast, and Microsoft's Xbox.
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 lower than standalone DVD players of the time, enhancing its value. Full backward compatibility 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 processor, co-developed with Toshiba, 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 1.54 billion 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, in 2006, it remained in production and continued to receive new game releases for several years with the last game for the system Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 being released in Europe in November 2013. Manufacturing officially ended in early 2013, giving the console one of the longest lifespans in video game history.
- ^ Jensen, K. Thor (26 October 2020). "20 Years Ago, the PS2 Launched With Terrible Games But Still Won the Generation". PCMag. Archived from the original on 5 November 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
datewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Announces Introduction of Pink PlayStation 2 - To debut at Games Convention, Leipzig, 23-27 Aug 06". GamesIndustry.biz. London: Gamer Network. 21 August 2006. Archived from the original on 7 December 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ^ "Australian PS2 Price and Date Announced". IGN. New York City: Ziff Davis. 12 August 2000. Archived from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ^ "报道：中国香港版PS2游戏机开始大幅降价_网络游戏新闻_17173.com中国游戏第一门户站". news.17173.com.
- ^ "PS2台灣專用機上市記者會". 巴哈姆特電玩資訊站.
- ^ Bramwell, Tom (25 January 2002). "PS2 to launch on February 22nd". Eurogamer. Bath: Future plc. Archived from the original on 20 January 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ^ "Sony launches PlayStation 2 in India". The Times of India. 13 August 2003.
- ^ Jou, Eric (30 September 2013). "The Short Life Of The PS2 In China". Kotaku. Archived from the original on 25 May 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ^ "New PS2 model launches in India". VG247. 10 September 2008.
- ^ "Sony lança oficialmente o PlayStation 2 e jogos do PS3 no Brasil". Extra Online. 19 November 2009.
- ^ Perry, Douglas (11 September 1999). "Call It PlayStation 2". IGN. Chicago: Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 22 October 2019. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
- ^ "Sony announces PS2 launch date and price". GameSpot. San Francisco: CBS Interactive. 13 May 2000. Archived from the original on 22 October 2019. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
- ^ Goodley, Simon (5 August 2000). "Sony delays UK launch of PlayStation 2". The Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 22 October 2019. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
- ^ プレイステーション2の日本国内での出荷が本日（2012年12月28日）で完了. Famitsu (in Japanese). Tokyo: Enterbrain. 28 December 2012. Archived from the original on 28 December 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2012.
- ^ Stuart, Keith (4 January 2013). "PlayStation 2 manufacture ends after 12 years". The Guardian. London, United Kingdom: Guardian Media Group plc. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
- ^ "2000 PlayStation 2 - PSP PlayStation Portable | PlayStation History timeline (US)". PlayStation history. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
- ^ "FY 2012 Consolidated Financial Results" (PDF). Sony. 9 May 2013. p. 8. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
- ^ Guinness (February 2009). Guinness World Records 2009 Gamer's Edition. Guinness World Records. pp. 108–109. ISBN 978-1-904994-45-9.
GTA: San Andreas is the best-selling PlayStation 2 game, with a massive 17.33 million copies sold.
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