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After 12 Years and 150 Million Units Sold, the PlayStation 2 Is Finally Done

Sony quietly puts an end to production on its most successful console to date.

R.I.P. PlayStation 2: 2000 - 2012
R.I.P. PlayStation 2: 2000 - 2012

Though the PlayStation 2 has been essentially démodé ever since its bigger, bulkier, more technologically advanced replacement came along in 2006, that doesn't mean the system just disappeared. In fact, it's been right there all along, still appearing on store shelves, and occasionally even maintaining just enough interest to ensure that, for a number of years after the PlayStation 3's arrival, PlayStation 2 ports of major titles still popped into existence.

No longer will this be the case, however. As of last week, Sony quietly shut down further production of the console in Japan, and over the weekend the console maker confirmed to The Guardian that the PlayStation 2 had reached its inevitable end.

The PlayStation 2 leaves the field as essentially the most successful home console ever produced. Over the course of its 12-year run, more than 150 million units were sold at retail, alongside countless titles produced by myriad publishers. Many of Sony's biggest current exclusive franchises, including Ratchet and Clank, Killzone, and God of War all originated on the system, while numerous major third party franchises, like Guitar Hero, Katamari Damacy, and, of course, Rockstar's 3D-flavored Grand Theft Auto III, all made their debuts there as well.

While it's always sad to hear about an old favorite finally exiting production, the truth is that the PS2 hasn't existed in any impactful capacity in years. Units have continued to sell in spurts, primarily in Japan (where the last few volleys of software have mostly originated as well), and there is even purportedly one remaining game releasing sometime in 2013--the Final Fantasy XI expansion Adoulin no Makyou. But trickling Final Fantasy XI expansions do not a console make. It's clear that the PS2's time was up a while ago. This is just the final death knell.

It was a legendary run, one that it seems increasingly unlikely any new console will overtake in the foreseeable future. But instead of hand-wringing over the future, let's take today to remember the past and bust out some of our most favorite PlayStation 2 games. I've already pulled out copies of Ape Escape 3, Tony Hawk 3, and the original Guitar Hero. Now if I could just find my original PS2 guitar controller...

Alex Navarro on Google+

229 Comments

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xyzygy

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Edited By xyzygy

I really should get myself one of these.

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oasisbeyond

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Edited By oasisbeyond

Max Payne on ps2 for life? Wow, the worst version ever lol. I love the ps2 for it's exclusive, but the Xbox handled pc ports way better, the frame rates were just so much better. But, overall the ps2 had some amazing games.

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zero_

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Edited By zero_

@msavo said:

No Caption Provided
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SharkEthic

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Edited By SharkEthic

Best console ever?

Best console ever.

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antoniothedeadly

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Edited By antoniothedeadly

Man, now I'm worried my old PS2 is going to die and I'm going to be left spending extra money to get a replacement. I still have a ton of uncompleted JRPGs on the system.

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Rokkaku

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Edited By Rokkaku

I'll add my congratulations to the system for being the greatest there has ever been, my best memories are Ratchet 1, all the GTAs (especially Vice City) and all the Metal Gears. Here's to you old friend.

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kosayn

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Edited By kosayn

> You decided to spend time with the PS2. Since you have Logitech, a Controller of the Wireless Arcana, you might get along with this console...

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Ravelle

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Edited By Ravelle

It wouldn't have lasted this long if it wasn't for movie license game and kids games I believe with a couple of Japanese RPGS as exception.

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ProfessorEss

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Edited By ProfessorEss

@Zero_ said:

@msavo said:

No Caption Provided

That pretty much sums it up for me too.

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kollay

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Edited By kollay

What an amazing console it was. Cheers, PS2.

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deactivated-5abeb9715d7a2

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The PS2, SNES and Genesis were home to so many great memories... I love you guys!

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thehideousshrew

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Edited By thehideousshrew

@Nightriff said:

I made my ship with the GameCube, probably was the wrong choice at the time.

Nah. It's everyone else who was wrong. IT HAD A HANDLE!

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Kadeemluvmusic

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Edited By Kadeemluvmusic

Does this means the North American PS2 is finished and deceased?

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MikeGosot

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Edited By MikeGosot

@Alex: Wait, the PS2 died in 2012 or 2013? The picture says 2012...

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mracoon

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Edited By mracoon

Many of my favourite games ever were on that system: MGS3, FFXII, Shadow of the Colossus, RE4, Psychonauts, God of War 1/2, the list keeps going. With the way exclusives have gone this generation, I can't see any future console having such a unique line-up.

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probablytuna

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Edited By probablytuna

-Salutes-

Thank you PlayStation 2 for all the awesome memories.

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Geo888

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Edited By Geo888

And what a 12 year run it was!

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Rekt_Hed

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Edited By Rekt_Hed

@probablytuna said:

-Salutes-

Thank you PlayStation 2 for all the awesome memories.

This. Thanks PS2 and thankyou Sony :) 12 years of amazing times.

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bkfountain

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Edited By bkfountain

the best game console with the best, most varied library ever.

I really need to pick one up again to build back up my collection, but brand new slims were going for like $150 with it being discontinued. I can probably find a decent deal on craigslist if I tried.

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dichemstys

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Edited By dichemstys

I seriously never even realized that the PS2 was still on shelves.

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Aarny91

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Edited By Aarny91

A long, great 12 years.

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I_Stay_Puft

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Edited By I_Stay_Puft

Now is this a good time to play some Green Day's "Time of Your Life" ?

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Terramagi

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Edited By Terramagi

Thus dies the last of the OGs.

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Kepler

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Edited By Kepler

I was so fucking hoping they would release Persona 5 on this. Oh well.

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devilzrule27

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Edited By devilzrule27

World Destruction League, NHL 2001, and Smugglers Run were the first three games I ever bought for the PS2. Going back and playing them now, damn that system came a long way.

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Lactose_the_Intolerant

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I actually picked up a ps2 slim a year or two after I got my PS3 slim because I wanted to build a worthwhile ps2 library. And I'll still probably use it unless they remake ALL of the PS2 titles I own.

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BoricuainExile

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Edited By BoricuainExile

RIP PS2

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Fishdingo5

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Edited By Fishdingo5

Solid backward compatibility with PSX made the best game system ever! Especially for RPG fans. I will have it hooked up to my TV for years to come.

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fisk0

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Edited By fisk0  Moderator

Just hooked up my PS2 again and found that there were still over 60 people online playing Battlefield 2. That was one of those games that got a simultaneous 360 and PS2 release, funny enough, the 360 version can't be played online anymore, but the PS2 version still works.