PlayStation 2 turns 10 yrs old...

[Gutter21]

http://www.vg247.com/2010/03/04/play...ge-1/#comments

The console was first shown at a Japanese event in 1999.
Launch titles were limited, with Ridge Racer 5 and Street Fighter EX3 standing out.
The machine went on to launch later that year in both the US and EU, hitting on October 26 and November 24 respectively.
PS2 has gone on to become the best-selling under-the-TV console of all time, selling over 140 million units, with Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas being its best-selling game.
Gran Turismo’s 3 and 4 are the second and third best-selling games respectively.
Congrats to it. May it soldier on for a while longer

Ten years ago the PlayStation 2 was released in Japan, marking the launch of what would become the best selling console of all time. Over the past 10 years, more than 140 million PS2s have been sold worldwide.

It wasn’t that the PS2 came out of the races like a sprinter. Instead, the console has been more like a marathon runner, starting on two legs, progressively getting faster and better, and steadily running to the finish line while challengers failed from exhaustion. Sega’s Dreamcast was one such competitor that just couldn’t keep up with the PS2. The Dreamcast, launched in 1998, was popular, but it suffered from poor sales and was discontinued in 2001. Many PlayStation 3 owners still ask for Dreamcast games to show up on the PlayStation Store.

Sony’s other competitors at the time, Nintendo’s GameCube and Microsoft’s Xbox, were both popular, but paled in comparison to the success of the PS2. Sure, the GameCube had some great games like The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and Super Smash Bros. Melee, but it couldn’t keep up with the enormity of releases from Sony. Microsoft’s entrance in the videogame market, with the Xbox, helped launch the company into its current generation of console. But, like the GameCube, the Xbox sales were nowhere near as high as PS2s.

While the PlayStation 2 was launched on March 4, 2000, it didn’t show up in Europe and North America until fall of the same year, and even then supplies were quite limited. Heavy advertising for the console helped drive sales in the coming years. But, the most noticeable factor driving sales was the software.

Games like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec, have sold more than 30 million copies combined. When you add in games like Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy XII, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, and Kingdom Hearts, Sony’s sales figures start to rise drastically. Few games, on any recent system, have sold as well as those found on the PS2. Of course, Nintendo’s Wii and NES have several titles that outsold Sony’s games, but it’s hard to say how long the Wii can maintain its dominance.

One thing seems certain; the PS2 is here to stay for a while. The system retails for $99 USD, making it one of the most attractive investments for anyone looking for a killer home console. In 2009, Sony released about 75 games for the system, and while they may not get a ton of attention like PlayStation 3 games, they still do quite well for a system that’s 10-years-old.

The PS2 is still an important part of the PlayStation brand. Sure, Sony has moved its attention to the PS3, but its predecessor still has quite a lot to offer. A majority of PS2 sales go to families looking for an affordable gaming option, and there are plenty of family oriented games. With the PlayStation 2 Network Adapter (only needed on older systems), EyeToy, and a full line of games like Guitar Hero, Karaoke Revolution, Dance Dance Revolution, there is plenty to keep families and small groups of friends busy. For those looking for more hardcore games, look towards titles like Resident Evil 4, Final Fantasy X, and Silent Hill 2.

It’s clear that after 10 years, the PS2 is not going away anytime soon. Based on sales figures and Sony’s ongoing support for new titles each year, we can expect to see the console around for quite a bit longer. Heck, we could be writing about the PS2’s 20th birthday in 2020.

At the very least, many gamers still have their original PS2s and a plethora of killer games to go with it. Simply look under your TV (if you still have your PS2 hooked up), or look in your closet and find your system and games. You’ll probably find the same thing we found – 10 years worth of incredible games and memories.

Man I feel old. My launch PS2 still works. Why this thing is still selling is remarkable imo. Ps2 may well be the best console ever. There is no questioning that even though the GameCube and XBOX had quite a few great exclusives that the PS2's library simply dominated last generation. The DC was awesome and ahead of its time too but you know how that ended. The amount of games sony had was amazing exclusives were just ridicilous.
I think it's kinda bs though that Sony talked about a 10 year plan and really they stopped supporting it back in 2007. Since 2007 it's only really had ONE game from Sony which was God of war 2. It had it's ups and downs; Disc read error, The controversy that it brought with grand theft auto III but all in all it changed the game. Props

[james]

Not seeing the relevance or the smackdown. Good job PS2.

[Gutter21]

Think of it like a tribute james. I appreacite what the P$2 did. I did put Last Gen smackdown in case anyone pulled out a Ginsu. But I didnt really want to blast any other console neither

[james]

Think of it like a tribute james. I appreacite what the P$2 did. I did put Last Gen smackdown in case anyone pulled out a Ginsu. But I didnt really want to blast any other console neither

Perfect Game Room thread.

[Godstar]

It did what most likely no console will do again without a single competitor in the market.

I see it actually going beyond 10 years, it's just that big still.

[Shoeless]

It had a good run. I'll have many fond memories of GTA, God of War, MGS3, FFXII, Persona, Guitar Hero and Shadow of the Colossus in particular.

[Silentmist]

What is really sad is that my two favorite games that have launched since Xbox 360 and Ps3 have hit were BOTH on the Ps2.

Long live Persona 3 and Persona 4.

[Shoeless]

What is really sad is that my two favorite games that have launched since Xbox 360 and Ps3 have hit were BOTH on the Ps2.

Long live Persona 3 and Persona 4.

I'm still waiting for Atlus to announce Shim Megami Tensei 4 for the current generation of consoles. But I wouldn't be totally surprised if they abandon the series entirely in favor of Persona.

[Silentmist]

I'm still waiting for Atlus to announce Shim Megami Tensei 4 for the current generation of consoles. But I wouldn't be totally surprised if they abandon the series entirely in favor of Persona.

As long as they continue putting out a quality product I don't care what name they slap on it. I'd even be ok with more on the Ps2 if that is what it takes.

Isn't there already word that they are working on Persona 5 for Ps3?

[Shoeless]

As long as they continue putting out a quality product I don't care what name they slap on it. I'd even be ok with more on the Ps2 if that is what it takes.

Isn't there already word that they are working on Persona 5 for Ps3?

Word is they are working on a new title for the current generation, yeah. But no confirmation on whether it's a Persona game.

Maybe they'll do what they did last generation. SMT: Nocturne was essentially their "Engine game" for the PS2. They made that and subsequently used the engine for every other game they made, including the Digital Devil Saga, Devil Summoner and Persona series. It wouldn't surprise me if SMT 4 does the same thing. It's a smart move, create the technology and then use it an entire generation, since the majority of Atlus fans won't care about games constantly pushing the graphics envelope.

[BBM128]

Good run for the PS2, a system that really did so much for gaming as a whole.

[jetthead]

I'm still waiting for Atlus to announce Shim Megami Tensei 4 for the current generation of consoles. But I wouldn't be totally surprised if they abandon the series entirely in favor of Persona.

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey (DS) is IV according to MegaTen co-creator & character designer Kazuma Kaneko.

March 23rd can't come quick enough!

[BBM128]

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey (DS) is IV according to MegaTen co-creator & character designer Kazuma Kaneko.

March 23rd can't come quick enough!

Does the DS count as a current generation console?

[twonunpackmule]

Does the DS count as a current generation console?

It counts as a modded Super Nintendo.

[jetthead]

Does the DS count as a current generation console?

Regardless, Shin Megami Tesei 4 is coming. From everything I've read, it's as full featured a MegaTen game as there can be. With the dominance of the DS in Japan especially, it's not surprising that is the chosen platform.