Sony Computer Entertainment console · Generation 6

PlayStation 2

PlayStation 2, Sony's sixth-generation console from 2000 and the best-selling console ever: Emotion Engine, DVD drive, Fat and Slim models.

History of the PlayStation 2

Sony gave the first details of the PlayStation 2 on March 2, 1999: it would run original PlayStation games and offer far more power. On April 1 that year it formed a joint venture with Toshiba in Nagasaki to make the console's processor, the Emotion Engine, rated at 6.2 gigaflops. Ken Kutaragi chose to include a DVD drive after seeing a demonstration of the Nuon chip, despite fears it would hurt sales of Sony's own players. The console was unveiled at the Tokyo Game Show on September 20, 1999.

It launched in Japan on March 4, 2000, at ¥39,800, with more than 10,000 people queuing in Tokyo and the launch stock gone over the first weekend. Many buyers wanted it for DVDs, since it cost less than a standalone player. It reached North America on October 26 and Europe on November 24, both times with stock shortages. Reviewers praised its power, DVD playback and PlayStation compatibility, while criticizing the price, the lack of online play and its two controller ports.

Grand Theft Auto III, Metal Gear Solid 2 and Final Fantasy X, all released in 2001, cemented its lead over the Dreamcast, Xbox and GameCube. Series such as Jak and Daxter, Ratchet & Clank, Kingdom Hearts, Devil May Cry, God of War and Katamari began on the PS2, and its best-selling game is Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. The EyeToy camera brought in a less traditional audience. In 2002 Sony cut the North American price from $299 to $199, and in autumn 2004 it launched the smaller Slimline model.

The PS2 stayed on sale long after the PS3 arrived in November 2006 and is the best-selling console of all time. Sony ended production on January 4, 2013, after almost thirteen years, one of the longest lifespans in the industry. The last game released was Pro Evolution Soccer 2014, in the UK, on November 8, 2013. Official repairs in Japan ended on September 7, 2018, due to a shortage of parts.

Milestones

1999
Sony reveals the first details of the console on March 2.
1999
Official unveiling at the Tokyo Game Show on September 20.
2000
Launch in Japan on March 4 at ¥39,800.
2000
Released in North America on October 26 and Europe on November 24.
2001
Grand Theft Auto III, Metal Gear Solid 2 and Final Fantasy X are released.
2002
The North American price drops from $299 to $199.
2004
The Slimline model (SCPH-70000) goes on sale in late October.
2013
Production ends on January 4.
2013
Last game released: Pro Evolution Soccer 2014, on November 8 in the UK.

Models and revisions

The hardware variants of the PlayStation 2 and their model numbers.

PlayStation 2 SCPH-10000 / SCPH-15000 · 2000
Japan-only launch models with a PCMCIA slot; DVD playback relied on encrypted software copied to a memory card.
Models: SCPH-10000, SCPH-15000
PlayStation 2 SCPH-18000
The last Japan-only model with a PCMCIA slot and the first with DVD movie playback built into the console.
Models: SCPH-18000
PlayStation 2 SCPH-30000 a SCPH-39000 · 2000
Worldwide models from 2000 to 2002 with an expansion bay for a hard drive and network adaptor, an i.LINK port and built-in DVD.
Models: SCPH-3000x, SCPH-3500x, SCPH-37000, SCPH-3900x
PlayStation 2 SCPH-50000
Final revision of the original case: no i.LINK, a built-in infrared receiver for the DVD remote, DVD±RW support and a quieter fan.
Models: SCPH-500xx
PlayStation 2 Slimline (SCPH-70000) · 2004
Much thinner 2004 redesign with built-in Ethernet, top-loading drive and external power supply, but no hard drive bay.
Models: SCPH-700xx
Model history
PlayStation 2 SCPH-75000 · 2005
Late 2005 Slim revision with new ASICs and a PowerPC-based I/O processor, which caused issues with some PS1 and PS2 games.
Models: SCPH-7500x
PlayStation 2 SCPH-77000 · 2006
September 15, 2006 revision in black and silver, using only the unified EE+GS chip, with a new ASIC, laser lens and updated BIOS.
Models: SCPH-7700x
PlayStation 2 SCPH-79000 · 2007
July 2007 revision that drops from 900 to 600 grams by merging the Emotion Engine, RAM, sound and I/O chips into one ASIC.
Models: SCPH-7900x
PlayStation 2 SCPH-90000 · 2007
Final revision (Japan, November 2007) with the power supply back inside the console; units built from late 2008 block the memory card exploit.
Models: SCPH-9000x
PSX (DESR) · 2003
Digital video recorder with a built-in PS2, sold only in Japan from 2003; it was the first device to use the XrossMediaBar interface.
Models: DESR-5000, DESR-7000
Model history
Audiovox VOD10PS2 · 2009
Officially licensed overhead car DVD player built around an SCPH-90000 PS2 with a 10.2-inch screen, sold in the US.
Sony BRAVIA KDL-22PX300 · 2010
22-inch 720p television with a built-in PlayStation 2, sliding disc cover and four HDMI ports, released in Europe in 2010.

Special editions

Limited editions, colours and commemorative bundles.

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Ediciones transparentes (Ocean Blue, Zen Black, Midnight Blue)
Special editions of the original model with transparent or translucent cases in several shades.
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Kidou Senshi Gundam Z Gundam Hyaku-Shiki Gold
Gold special edition sold in a bundle with the Gundam game.
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Ceramic White Gran Turismo 4 Prologue Edition
Ceramic White PS2 bundled with Gran Turismo 4 Prologue.
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Colores suaves (Pearl White, Silver, Sakura Pink, Aqua Blue)
A series of light colors for the original model; some were sold only in Japan.
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PS2 rosa edición limitada · Oceanía y Asia
Limited edition pink original model, distributed in Oceania and parts of Asia.
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PS2 Slim plateada
Silver version of the Slim model, sold in Japan, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, South Africa, North America and Gulf countries.
2001
Serie Automotive
Five glossy colors (grey, white, yellow, blue and red) released to celebrate a sales milestone for the console.
2007
PS2 Slim rosa edición limitada
Limited edition pink Slim model, available from March 2007.