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

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...

Already?

We ought to pour one out for our departed Console friend.

In Memoriam

12 Year cycle!

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

One new game purported? Persona 5?

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

@_Chad: I...don't think Persona 5 is coming to the PS2.

An incredible piece of hardware, with arguably the greatest software library ever. Fare thee well, PS2...

@AndrewB said:

12 Year cycle!

YEP!

I will remember the PS2 best for the first game I played on it, Summoner. I loved that game. The most time spent on a game was probably FFX. I didn't really play action titles on that console, aside from Dynasty Warriors.

I remember when people made fun of Sony for saying the PS2 would have a ten-year life cycle.........and they made fun of Sony again when they said they would have a ten-year life cycle for the PS3, when it will likely reach that now.

Makes you think how much current consoles will matter 5 years from now.

The best console ever, until the 360.

Fantastic run and a phenomenal console! I can't even begin to count the hours of fun I've had with my PS2 over the years, single player and multiplayer madness alike. In fact I still got mine under my telly, because now and again it still gets used.

"Disc Read Error" aside, it had a really great run. I ended up buying a slim silver PS2 after my first gen PS3 died. Still have it hooked up. I just wish HDTVs didn't kill SD rhythm games and sports games that depend on timing

SNES, Gameboy Advance SP, PS2

The greatest consoles of all time.

... also Vectrex.

PS2 died for me when they stopped making MVP Baseball

We Will miss you. Sounds like I'm gonna have to go snag one soon.

So long old friend. See you on the other side.

Farewell, old friend.

Goodnight, sweet prince.

@Alex: You don't know that, man. There's still hope! So much hope...

Pour one out...Hell...pour TWO out.

Disc read error, we knew you too well.

I'd give you my guitar controllers, Alex, but none of the buttons work on it anymore. Played out : (

You're the best, Playstation 2, I'll always love you.

It was interesting hearing Jack Tretton talk about the end of the PS1 production on the PlayStation Blogcast - apparently it was still selling decently when they shut it down, but the tech was so old that it was getting harder and more expensive to get the parts to build it, so it wasn't feasible to keep making it.

I would imagine it's a similar situation here, the PS2 still gets some sales in Japan and various emerging markets.

Grim Grimore !!

Amazing library. Still have so many games to play (and replay) on it, I shan't be unplugging that thing anytime soon.

@Tesla said:

Goodnight, sweet prince.

@TheBioLover said:

I remember when people made fun of Sony for saying the PS2 would have a ten-year life cycle.........and they made fun of Sony again when they said they would have a ten-year life cycle for the PS3, when it will likely reach that now.

They were just people who don't understand that life-cycle doesn't mean at the bleeding edge the entire itme.

Farewell, old friend.

@FormulaDeuce said:

@Tesla said:

Goodnight, sweet prince.

My PS2 still sits proudly on its shelf and continues to chug on gallantly. I've never had any problems with it despite using it for about 10 years, and dropping it a few times. I'd bet money that it'll still be playing in the post-apocalypse too. Which is great, considering I could play Timesplitters 2 until the Sun burns out.

Thanks for the memories, Sony.

@Veektarius said:

I will remember the PS2 best for the first game I played on it, Summoner. I loved that game.

Same. Summoner was amazing at the time! Looking back on it now I laugh thinking about how much I enjoyed it because its really not that great of a game, but at the time it was one of the best games you could get at launch.

Twelve years the PS2 remained strong. Well done, buddy.

The best console ever, until the 360.

The first DVD player for a lot of people.

I'm very tempted to get one, but there are still a bunch of games from this generation that I haven't played. Not to mention the only PS2 games I cared to play were Ratchet and Clank. Man, those games were amaszng... *sigh*

FINALLY done? ;_;

@Crono said:

@Veektarius said:

I will remember the PS2 best for the first game I played on it, Summoner. I loved that game.

Same. Summoner was amazing at the time! Looking back on it now I laugh thinking about how much I enjoyed it because its really not that great of a game, but at the time it was one of the best games you could get at launch.

I still have my original copy, and going back...

That game is a big fucking mess. That stupid stealth section at the very beginning of the game? The slow pace, and not even having a full party until you're done with the first continent? The plot was at least mildly, sort of - in a way - interesting. Also, it was the first time I was exposed to that D&D sketch in the post-credits.

GG.

Aside from the Gamecube this was probably my favourite console ever. Such a great library of games.

GOOD NIGHT SWEET KING

This means that many kids who started gaming on the early PS2 were nearly done with high school when it stopped production. Whoa.

@MariachiMacabre said:

@Bourbon_Warrior

The best console ever, until the 360.

PS2 has a library of games that Microsoft couldn't dream of. I say the PS2 still holds the crown. Plus the 360 loses a lot of points for making you pay for XBL.

I agree. The 360 has a good library but it will never amount to the impact and quality of the PS2 library.

Mine died around the time I got a PS3. It is only appropriate that GB celebrates the PS2 on thursday! Maybe even with some Tony Hank pro skater.

Reminds me that my brothers PS2 died when I was playing Persona 4, and I went out and bought a new one. Never really played anything else on it after that.