PlayStation 2

The PlayStation 2 (PS2) is a <a href="/facts/Home_video_game_console/zP1RTC84">home video game console</a> developed and marketed by <a href="/facts/Sony_Interactive_Entertainment/tnH01NqQ">Sony Computer Entertainment</a>. It was first released in Japan on 4 March 2000, in North America on 26 October, in Europe on 24 November, in Australia on 30 November, and other regions thereafter. It is the successor to the <a href="/facts/PlayStation_(console)/z1vlbrvo">original PlayStation</a>, as well as the second instalment in the <a href="/facts/PlayStation_brand/09r71TxV">PlayStation brand</a> of consoles. As a <a href="/facts/Sixth_generation_of_video_game_consoles/I5wIYIyg">sixth-generation console</a>, it competed with <a href="/facts/Nintendo/dMrLpaHu">Nintendo</a>'s <a href="/facts/GameCube/acH9qVxz">GameCube</a>, <a href="/facts/Sega/f9TY2kyl">Sega</a>'s <a href="/facts/Dreamcast/jdPb5uBX">Dreamcast</a>, and <a href="/facts/Microsoft/nGIDDXdx">Microsoft</a>'s <a href="/facts/Xbox_(console)/2FuQrJeX">Xbox</a>.
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 <a href="/facts/DVD_players/ES2eIkIL">DVD players</a> of the time, enhancing its value. Full <a href="/facts/Backward_compatibility/FbHFBu5y">backward compatibility</a> 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 <a href="/facts/Emotion_Engine/y9npRux0">Emotion Engine</a> processor, co-developed with <a href="/facts/Toshiba/QHRaw8Tr">Toshiba</a>, which was promoted as being more powerful than most personal computers of the era.
The PlayStation 2 remains the <a href="/facts/List_of_best-selling_game_consoles/kuTLMx42">best-selling video game console</a> of all time, having sold over 160 million units worldwide, nearly triple the combined sales of competing sixth-generation consoles. It received widespread critical acclaim and amassed a global library of <a href="/facts/List_of_PlayStation_2_games/mGEuMjek">10,987 game titles</a>, 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 <a href="/facts/PlayStation_3/obhuo97V">PlayStation 3</a>, 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.

PlayStation 2 open-in-new

PlayStation 2