When the Japanese giant Sony introduced its first gaming console, the PlayStation, at the end of 1994, even the company’s top executives likely didn’t expect the incredible hysteria that would sweep the gaming world in the following years. The PSX completely crushed the once-dominant Nintendo and Sega, whose Saturn and Nintendo 64 simply couldn’t compete with it. Despite this massive success, Sony announced as early as 1998 that it was working on a new generation of consoles, which was simply named PlayStation 2.
The name PS2 made perfect sense, considering how much the new console inherited from its predecessor. On the front side of the standard version were two controller ports and two memory card slots (each card having an 8MB capacity and writing data 250 times faster than the old ones). The DVD-ROM drive (24x for CDs and 4x for DVDs) featured a tray-loading design, similar to that of PC CD/DVD drives.
Somewhat surprisingly, Sony decided that the new console’s controller would be only a slightly modified version of the DualShock from the PSX — meaning that PSX controllers could still be used with the PS2. However, there was one key difference: the buttons on the PS2 controller were fully analog, a feature meant to provide more nuanced control — for instance, in racing games, the pressure applied to a button could determine acceleration strength or braking intensity. Unfortunately, developers had to manually implement support for this feature in their games, and it was often done poorly. As a result, true analog control was rarely achieved (for example, in Gran Turismo 3, there were only three pressure levels recognized). Because of the limited sensitivity of the buttons, many developers eventually moved throttle and brake control to the right analog stick, which proved to be a much more practical solution (a good example being Sony’s Formula One series).
Although the PS2 used a DVD-ROM drive, most early games were still released on standard CDs (except in Japan), a trend that gradually shifted toward DVDs. The PS2 could also serve as a DVD player with quite decent playback quality, and it was compatible with over 95% of DVD titles on the market at the time.
When it came to games, another important feature was the PS2’s backward compatibility — it could play PlayStation (PSX) titles, though a small number of them would not work properly. This backward compatibility, the ability to play games from the previous generation on a new console, has since become an industry standard, later adopted — in slightly modified forms — by both Microsoft and Nintendo.
Launch and Early Sales
The PlayStation 2 debuted in Japan on March 4, 2000, with the U.S. and European launches following on October 26 and November 24 of the same year. Interestingly, during its first few months, the PS2 sold more slowly than both the Dreamcast and PS One (the redesigned PSX). The reason was simple — Sony released the new console in very limited quantities (which immediately sold out), mainly to avoid hurting sales of the still-successful original PlayStation.
Hardware and Performance
The technical capabilities of the PS2 were solid, and it could hold its own against Nintendo’s GameCube and Microsoft’s Xbox, even though it was often underrated in comparison. The main challenge with the PS2’s hardware was that it was difficult to program for, but also extremely powerful once developers learned how to harness it. This is why later games — such as Final Fantasy XII, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Tekken 5, and Gran Turismo 4 — looked far superior to early titles, as developers gradually mastered the system’s potential.
The PS2 also featured excellent sound performance, with 48 kHz audio frequency, a 2 MB sound card, and support for Dolby, AC3, and DTS standards. Its dimensions were larger than the Dreamcast’s (301 × 178 × 78 mm), and it weighed about 2.1 kg.
Success and Legacy
The massive excitement that surrounded the PS2’s release foreshadowed its eventual dominance in the gaming world. The console held the top spot for years, selling over 155 million units worldwide by March 2012 — an incredible achievement. With fantastic software support, arguably the best controller ever made, and performance only slightly behind the GameCube and Xbox (though comparisons with the Xbox 360 are not relevant), the PS2 offered the best entertainment value for the money until well into 2006.
Even after the launch of the PlayStation 3, the PS2 remained active for years thanks to continued software support.
PS Two (PS2 Slim)
In 2005, Sony replaced the bulky original model with a more compact version known as the PS Two (PS2 Slim). Its dimensions were 230 mm wide × 28 mm high × 152 mm deep, making it much smaller and lighter. However, the size reduction came at a cost — Sony removed the HDD expansion bay, meaning the console could no longer connect to a hard drive, and games like Final Fantasy XI were therefore unplayable.
On the plus side, the Slim included built-in Ethernet and analog modem ports on the back, eliminating the need for a separate network adapter.
PS2 in Our Country
The PlayStation 2 reached our region shortly after its global release and was featured in all major local gaming magazines. However, its extremely high price — over €700 — and the fact that only original games were initially available meant that it went largely unnoticed at first.
The situation changed dramatically with the appearance of advanced mod chips such as the Messiah, which allowed the console to play imported and copied games. The PS2 quickly spread to gaming cafés, replacing the old PSX, and its excellent library of games soon brought it into many homes as well.
It’s safe to say that the PlayStation 2 became the best-selling and most popular console in Serbia’s history, while its competitors — the GameCube and, to a lesser extent, the Xbox — remained rare sights.
North American Launch Titles
Here’s a list of games available at the PS2’s North American launch:
Madden NFL 2001, SSX, NHL 2001, FIFA 2001 MLS, Kessen, X Squad, Swing Away, Theme Park World, Street Fighter EX3, Tekken Tag Tournament, Ridge Racer V, Summoner, Ready to Rumble, Star Wars: Starfighter, Unreal Tournament, Evergrace, Armored Core 2, Eternal Ring, TimeSplitters, Fusion GT, Smuggler’s Run, Midnight Club, and Silent Scope.
Some of the Best PlayStation 2 Games
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Gran Turismo 4
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Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
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Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
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Resident Evil 4
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Final Fantasy XII
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Dragon Quest VIII
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Soul Calibur 3
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Tekken 5
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Pro Evolution Soccer 6
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God of War
