PlayStation 2 celebrates its 25th anniversary: what impact did the best-selling console in history have on the industry?
On 4 March 2000, the PlayStation 2 was released in Japan and became the best-selling console in history, with over 160 million units sold since its launch. The PS2 remains a symbol of the golden era of the gaming industry, and its success is due not only to its fantastic games, but also to its innovative technical features.
PS2 game library
The PlayStation 2 had one of the best game libraries of all time, including such hits as Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Shadow of the Colossus, God of War, and Final Fantasy X. These games not only defined genres, but also set new standards for the development of games in the future.
The PS2 was also known for its fighting games such as Tekken and Street Fighter, as well as its arcade racing games such as Gran Turismo 4.
Technological innovation
Not only was the PS2 a powerful gaming console, but it was also one of the first mass-market DVD players. At the time, buying a separate DVD player was more expensive than buying a PS2, making it the perfect solution for those who wanted to enjoy both games and movies in high quality.
This versatility was a key factor in the console's success, especially in the early years of the 2000s, when DVD technology was just beginning to gain popularity.
Long life cycle
The PlayStation 2 had a long life cycle of almost 13 years, one of the longest of any console. It was released in Japan on 4 March 2000, and then released in North America on 26 October and Europe on 24 November of the same year.
Source: PushSquare
