Collecting PlayStation 2: what to look for and Spanish PAL variants

The PlayStation 2 came out in Europe in November 2000 and was sold for more than a decade. Its European library is huge, and in Spain many games arrived translated and, in the case of Sony and several big publishers, dubbed into Spanish.

All European games and consoles are PAL and region-locked: a North American or Japanese game will not boot on an unmodified European PS2. We explain this in PAL vs NTSC.

Many PS2 hits were re-released in the Platinum range, with its own box design that makes it recognisable at a glance. For collecting, the first edition is the one people want, and the Platinum version is usually worth less and easy to find.

The product code (SCES or SLES followed by a number, on the spine and on the disc) helps identify the exact version. Some games have the same code across Europe and others have a different one for each language version. The Spanish PAL guide explains how to use it.

Cult games with short print runs

These are the most sought after and the ones that climb most in price when complete and in good condition. Two well-known examples from the European library: Rule of Rose and Haunting Ground. Both are targets for repros, so check the disc and the inlay carefully (how to tell if a game is genuine).

Sony's big hitters in Spanish

Games such as Ratchet & Clank arrived dubbed. They are plentiful, but complete first editions form the backbone of any Spanish PAL collection for the console.

Games that defined the console

Shadow of the Colossus, Metal Gear Solid 2, Gran Turismo 4 or Dragon Quest VIII, the first main-series Dragon Quest released in Europe. They are not usually expensive loose, but complete first editions in good condition are getting harder to find.

Spain-only editions

Some games were made with Spanish players in mind, such as SingStar: La Edad de Oro del Pop Español. They are pieces with no equivalent in other countries.

• Original model (“fat”): the big one, with a disc tray. There were several revisions; the later ones have a built-in network adaptor.
• Slim: from 2004, much smaller, with a top-loading lid.

European models can be identified by the model number on the label underneath (SCPH-…). If you collect consoles, keep the box, the inner packaging and the manuals: a boxed, complete console is worth a good deal more than the console on its own.

• PS2 cases are made of soft plastic and the hinges break easily. Open them carefully.
• Black spines fade in the light and turn grey. Keep them away from the window.
• Memory cards hold saves that are also part of your collection's history. Label them.

More tips in the how to store your collection guide, and the full catalogue on the PlayStation 2 page.