Something went wrong. Try again later

Giant Bomb News

229 Comments

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

Avatar image for dan_citi
Dan_CiTi

5598

Forum Posts

308

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Edited By Dan_CiTi

Slap a nice HDD in that fat PS2 and play hella games. Sounds like a wonderful live stream.

Avatar image for dumlaox
DumlaoX

26

Forum Posts

911

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 3

Edited By DumlaoX

@shenstra: Yes, you can use your own PS2 discs to play games on the emulator. If you're interested, do a search for PCSX2 and you should find all the info you need on emulating it.

Avatar image for penguindust
penguindust

13129

Forum Posts

22

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 3

Edited By penguindust

Best console ever. People will still be playing these games a decade from now.

Avatar image for vegetashonor
MakoTitan

1114

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By MakoTitan

This is old news. Last weeks to be exact.

Avatar image for kerse
kerse

2496

Forum Posts

42

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 8

Edited By kerse

It was probably my favorite system overall, so many games.

Avatar image for rolanthas
rolanthas

261

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By rolanthas

Fuck it, I'm a PS2 fanboy.

Not Sony though, just PS2.

My lovely, FAT, PS2.

Avatar image for metalgearsunny
MetalGearSunny

7466

Forum Posts

13349

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 3

Edited By MetalGearSunny

PS2's a really great system. But somehow the ports weren't as good as the Xbox version. Funny how that works out.

I've been playing Sly Cooper lately and that game is so good. With Persona, Jak and Daxter, Ratchet and Clank...yeah, that console had some great exclusives.

Avatar image for nux
Nux

2898

Forum Posts

130

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 2

Edited By Nux

I still play my PS2 quite a bit. Good on ya PS2, You will be missed.

Avatar image for av_gamer
AV_Gamer

2867

Forum Posts

17819

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 15

User Lists: 13

Edited By AV_Gamer

How great is the PS2? There are still many great games I haven't got around to finishing yet. These games include Rogue Galaxy, Persona 3 FES, the Ace Combat games, Manhunt 2, Xenosaga: EP III, King of Fighters 2006, and much more. The PS2 was a system that proved that quality games was what counted, not fancy tech. Sure the Xbox was the superior system, but the PS2 was consistent in releasing great games, while the Xbox great games can be counted on both hands.

I still have mine, and I will never sell it.

Avatar image for chilipeppersman
chilipeppersman

1319

Forum Posts

4

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 26

User Lists: 4

Edited By chilipeppersman

@sixpin said:

Finally, now the PS3 can have some time in the spotlight.

hahaha

Avatar image for shodan2020
shodan2020

966

Forum Posts

6359

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 14

Edited By shodan2020

I still love the shit out of my old PS2 slim. Still runs too. Congratulations, Sony and PS2! What a run! :)

Avatar image for bacongames
bacongames

4157

Forum Posts

5806

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 8

Edited By bacongames

@theswoosh said:

Before all you kids and your RRODs...

we had PS2 and disk read errors!

Luckily I never had some but I saw the frustration in a friend when dealing with that stuff.

Avatar image for kgb0515
kgb0515

427

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Edited By kgb0515

I really had no idea that they were even making them anymore. I doubt they will continue to manufacture PS3s for that long after the next Sony console drops.

Avatar image for batmanbatman
BatmanBatman

565

Forum Posts

3712

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By BatmanBatman

Guess I need to finish P4 before it breaks then, NO I WONT BUY A VITA!!

that's just me talking to myself, sorry..

Avatar image for mysteriousbob
MysteriousBob

6262

Forum Posts

2231

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 5

Edited By MysteriousBob

@kpaadet said:

PS2 live stream gogo.

Oh god yes.

Although it might be a good idea to keep the controller out of Brad's hands after that SOTC incident.

Avatar image for ptys
ptys

2290

Forum Posts

3

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 14

Edited By ptys

It's a shame Sony couldn't recognise what the market needed when designing the PS3 as that thing is a failure in comparison to the PS2. I hold little hope that the PS4 will be any different.

Avatar image for vincentvendetta
VincentVendetta

560

Forum Posts

20604

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 5

Edited By VincentVendetta

PS2 TNT.

Avatar image for fetchfox
fetchfox

1835

Forum Posts

219

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By fetchfox

This reminds me that I should really finish Shadow of the Colossus...

Avatar image for kpaadet
kpaadet

423

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By kpaadet

PS2 live stream gogo.

Avatar image for rift33
rift33

32

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By rift33

@notdavid: nice

Avatar image for neato
neato

83

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By neato

glad alex is being more represented on the site now. the dude can write.

Avatar image for adrian79
Adrian79

222

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Adrian79

R.I.P old friend. I remember picking you up on launch day with a copy of Tekken Tag and Fantavision, playing into the wee small hours blown away by the astounding visuals. In the many years that followed you rarely dissapointed and I owe you thanks for countless hours of drunken gaming with my friends. You may be gone, but you'll never be forgotten.

Avatar image for super2j
super2j

2136

Forum Posts

14

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 2

Edited By super2j

Good bye console that had so much variety and cool new things i experienced as I grew.

Avatar image for flashx_454
flashx_454

61

Forum Posts

2

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By flashx_454

this just makes me miss Tony Hawks Underground

The first console game I ever played online

RIP PS2

Avatar image for buhssuht
buhssuht

477

Forum Posts

3994

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 4

Edited By buhssuht

now it's collector's item. everyone, buy buy buy

Avatar image for mrhadouken
MrHadouken

364

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By MrHadouken

Makes me want to go play some FFX.

Avatar image for hardindr
hardindr

212

Forum Posts

2

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By hardindr

I will drink some fine scotch tonight in memory of the PS2, the console that got me back into gaming after a long drought. RIP, old buddy...

Avatar image for darkecho117
Darkecho117

126

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Darkecho117

Some great times with my PS2. First games for it were Ace Combat and Star Wars Bounty Hunter. So many good times, I should go pick up a used one sometime...

Avatar image for hiczok
HiCZoK

510

Forum Posts

241

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

Edited By HiCZoK

am I the only one who would love live stream about now ?

Old ps2 classics for 4 hours with giantbomb

Avatar image for jams
Jams

3043

Forum Posts

131

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

Edited By Jams

Still have my original PS2. I think it was the second run (the one after the initial batch that was sold out right away). I remember my heart skipping a beat when I saw it at the mall. I remember just standing there going, "That's not possible! It's supposed to be sold out everywhere!". I proceeded to beg my parents to get it before it goes out of stock again. All these years later I still have it. I had to replace the lens on it from a Chinese Ebayer recently, but it was worth it having my old buddy up and running again.

Avatar image for stinky51012
stinky51012

238

Forum Posts

3

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By stinky51012

Why no true Ape Escape using the Move? I'll never understand

Avatar image for robaota
Robaota

415

Forum Posts

2

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By Robaota

I don't think any console has had such a vast array of quality titles along all genres. I'm going to pop in Ar Tonelico 2 tonight, and then follow it up with a game of PES 5.

What a behemoth of a console.

Avatar image for ben_h
Ben_H

4812

Forum Posts

1628

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 5

Edited By Ben_H

I just bought Guitar Hero through Guitar Hero 3 for PS2 recently. I still use mine a bit. I was late to the party when it comes to the PS2 so I still am slowly catching up on games for it. I still want to get the Sly Cooper games.

Avatar image for joey_ravn
JoeyRavn

5290

Forum Posts

792

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 3

Edited By JoeyRavn

I never had a PS2.

I...

I'll just let myself out.

Avatar image for wmoyer83
wmoyer83

1166

Forum Posts

1119

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 9

User Lists: 6

Edited By wmoyer83

First game I owned was Gran Turismo 3. A end of a era.

Avatar image for jdillinger
JDillinger

193

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By JDillinger

@Bourbon_Warrior: Hahahahahahahahaha, no. The 360 doesn't come close.

Avatar image for hef
Hef

1239

Forum Posts

486

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 7

Edited By Hef

Peronsa 4 endurance run redux to send off the playstation 2.

You know you want to

Avatar image for thepickle
ThePickle

4704

Forum Posts

14415

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 13

Edited By ThePickle

Goodnight sweet Prince.

My PS2 is actually still hooked up to my TV. I've played Madden 2005 and THPS3 fairly recently.

Avatar image for bd_mr_bubbles
BD_Mr_Bubbles

1850

Forum Posts

7791

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 8

Edited By BD_Mr_Bubbles

@mrfluke said:

@FormulaDeuce said:

@Tesla said:

Goodnight, sweet prince.

Avatar image for deactivated-5a00c029ab7c1
deactivated-5a00c029ab7c1

1777

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Last console I ever played and one of the best.It's been PC for me since mid 05 don't care about consoles anymore but PS2 will be the last great memory I had of them GTA3 got me back into gaming.

Avatar image for swifdemon
Swifdemon

102

Forum Posts

5

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Swifdemon

Good-night, sweet prince;

And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.

Avatar image for demazin
demazin

132

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Edited By demazin

Good night, sweet prince.

Avatar image for bollard
Bollard

8298

Forum Posts

118

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 12

Edited By Bollard

Stop making me sad they are never gunna make a real Ape Escape game again :(

Avatar image for thedrvthrubandit
thedrvthrubandit

10

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Edited By thedrvthrubandit
No Caption Provided

All the attention is going towards the PS2 but lets stop and think about the vertical stand for a minute.

Avatar image for bigd145
BigD145

299

Forum Posts

28

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By BigD145

Hopefully the PC PS2 emulation scene gets better because there is no other replacement to play a good and vast library of games.

Avatar image for tepidmule
tepidmule

61

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By tepidmule

Goodnight, sweet prince

And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.

Avatar image for deactivated-5e4c09d3ba1b3
deactivated-5e4c09d3ba1b3

1115

Forum Posts

1494

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 12

One of the best ever, if not the greatest.

Avatar image for cretaceous_bob
Cretaceous_Bob

552

Forum Posts

3

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Cretaceous_Bob

The flipside of this is that there's PS2s out there that are only a couple months old. That's bananas.

Avatar image for coldwolven
Cold_Wolven

2583

Forum Posts

3

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Cold_Wolven

I still have my PS2 I got for Christmas of 2003 and it's still going strong. I wonder if this means Sony will now give us a PS2 emulator for the PS3.

Avatar image for mrcraggle
mrcraggle

3104

Forum Posts

2873

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

Edited By mrcraggle

Never owned a PS2 (I owned a GC and DC) but I often played it at friends houses but many of them had to get replacements.