Key points
- Sony has confirmed that PS2 sales have surpassed 160 million units, as previously reported by former CEO Jim Ryan.
- The PS2 remains the best-selling console, followed by Nintendo Switch with 146 million units.
- Despite its discontinuation, the PS2's legacy thrives.
On November 26, Sony said that its second console, the PlayStation2has sold over 160 million units worldwide since its launch in 2000. Although the PlayStation 2 (PS2) has been off the market for over a decade, it remains the best-selling video game console of all time, although the Nintendo Switch remains at heel.
Originally launched in 2000, the PS2 succeeded the original PlayStation and was a success from the start. In addition to releasing games that showcased a major generational leap between the PS2 and PS1, the PS2 was also backwards compatible with most PS1 games, controllers, and memory cards. The PS2 was powered by the Emotion Engine CPU, a collaborative effort between Sony and Toshiba. At its original launch price of $299, the PS2 was also considered an affordable DVD movie player, back when the format was relatively new. Four years after its release, the PS2 received a scaled-down revision known as the PS2 Slim.
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Over two decades since the PS2 took the world by storm, Sony has revealed how many units of its sixth-generation console have been sold. According to the Sony PlayStation History Blog, the PS2 has sold over 160 million consoles worldwide since its launch in 2000, up from a previously established total of 158.3 million. The new total covers all PS2 units, including the PS2 Slim, sold during its lifetime. The PS2's staggering sales figures were confirmed by former Sony president and CEO Jim Ryan in March 2024, around the time of his retirement. Ryan oversaw the launch of the PS2 and other Sony products. Although Sony continued to produce PS2 units until 2013, the same year the PS4 launched, the PS2 released over 4,000 titles during its lifetime and launched series such as God of war AND Ratchet and Clank that still see releases today.
Sony's PS2 sold a record 160 million units
- Sony said the PlayStation 2 has sold more than 160 million units worldwide since its launch in 2000.
- The new total was previously claimed by former CEO Jim Ryan, who retired in March 2024.
- The 160 million unit milestone represents an increase over the previous milestone of 158.3 million.
- While the PS2 is currently in first place, the Nintendo Switch isn't far behind with 146 million units sold.
At the time of writing, the PS2 is still the best-selling video game console of all time, but another challenger is not far behind. The Nintendo Switch has sold over 146 million units since its release in March 2017, which puts it about 14 million units away from overtaking the PS2. Switch sales data included both the Switch Lite and OLED variants. With Nintendo working on an as-yet-unrevealed successor to the Switch, its hybrid console remains on track to overtake the PS2 soon.
Although the PS2 has since been discontinued, titles such as Silent Hill 2 they were remade for the PS5 and PS5 Pro. All in all, the PS2's legacy remains strong in the hearts of gamers everywhere.
PlayStation2
The PlayStation 2 was Sony's direct “sequel” to the original PlayStation and is one of the best-selling and best-loved consoles of all time. With a catalog of amazing games, it stood strong against the GameCube and Xbox in the sixth generation of the console wars.
- Brand
- Sony
- Original release date
- October 26, 2000
- Original MSRP (USD)
- $299, £299
- Weight
- 4.85 lbs
