155 million units. No console in history has come close to that number, and 25 years after the PlayStation 2 launched in March 2000, it still holds the all-time record. Understanding why the PS2 sold so many units tells you a lot about what makes a platform genuinely great — and why it’s still worth playing today.
The DVD Player That Changed Everything
In 2000, dedicated DVD players cost $300–$500 AUD. The PlayStation 2 launched at $299 USD and played DVDs. For millions of households, it was the most affordable way to get into DVD, and the games were essentially a bonus. Sony understood that winning the living room meant winning the format war, and the PS2 did exactly that.
The Library
The PS2 game library is genuinely one of the greatest in console history. Over 4,000 titles were released. The standouts are legendary: Shadow of the Colossus remains one of the most artistically ambitious games ever made. God of War and God of War II set a template for action games that’s still being followed. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was a cultural moment. Ico, Okami, Katamari Damacy, Burnout 3 — the list goes on and on.
Still Easy to Play Today
The PS2 is one of the most accessible retro consoles. Units are plentiful and cheap — $50–$100 AUD for a working system is common. Games are still widely available and mostly affordable. The hardware is durable and repairs are well-documented.
For modern setups, a FreeMCBoot modded PS2 can load games from a hard drive via an IDE-to-SATA adapter — no disc swapping, no laser wear, access to your entire library from a menu. It’s a $30 mod that transforms the experience.
Twenty-five years on, the PS2 remains one of the best value platforms in all of retro gaming. If you don’t have one, fix that.
— Chris
