How the venerable PS2 made it to 9 years old

People always talk about dog years, or cat years, but what about video game console years?

It's hard to know what that math is, but one thing is certain: Sony's PlayStation 2 turned 9 years old Wednesday, and it sure feels like the best-selling video game console of all time has been around a whole lot longer than that.

Yet even though we're already more than three years into the PlayStation 3/Xbox 360/Wii console generation, the PS2 is still going strong. Routinely, month after month, its sales are in six figures--146,000 in September in the United States alone, according to The NPD Group--and there's no reason to think the 485 (and counting) developers who have made games for the platform are going to stop any time soon.

The PS2 turned 9 on Wednesday. What's that in video game years, if dog and cat years are equal to 7 human years?

(Credit: Sony)

In large part, that's because there are millions of people for whom the world-beating processing power of the PS3 and the Xbox 360, and the graphics-so-good-you-can-see-beads-of-sweat-on-sports-players'-bodies aren't worth paying several hundred dollars for. For $100, they say, you can get one heck of a good video game playing experience with a PS2.

It "still holds a place in my heart--there's so many great games with huge amounts of replay value," said Michael Steavenson, a public relations professional who bought his PS2 around 2001. "I'm not so interested in blazingly fast processing speeds, graphics that make games look like a movie, or uber-cutting-edge hardware stats. If the game is well-designed, fun to play, and provides me with a good emotional connection, I'll play it forever."

According to Sony, one out of every three U.S. households owns a PS2, and, worldwide, almost 140 million people have one. To date, Americans have bought more than half a billion PS2 games, and all told, nearly 10,000 titles have been released for the platform. Not bad for a machine that has earned the right to be living out its golden years sitting on a porch somewhere, smoking a cigar and grumbling about kids these days.

"I think we're all surprised that a piece of technology that was released 9 years ago is still popular today," said Jesse Divnich, a video games analyst at Electronic Entertainment Design and Research. "What is Moore's Law? That technology power doubles every 18 months. So in the technology realm, being able to survive 9 years is an incredible accomplishment that Sony should be proud of."

To Divnich, the most important element in the PS2's continued success is its overall value. The machine costs just $100 and includes a functional DVD player.

Images: The top 10 best-selling PS2 games

"If you took out the DVD player, this thing would not have survived as long as it (has)," Divnich said. "With most technology, (consoles) like the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3, what drove their initial success was that it was a game system. But after five years, what starts to drive sales is the system's ability to perform other functions. And with the PS2, it's a very affordable DVD player that's also a video game system. And of course, games are still being made for it, and retail continues to support it."

Divnich estimated that the PS2 contributes just about 4 percent of Sony's total video game-related revenues, and said he thinks that at a $100 retail cost, its profit margin is relatively small. "But the great thing about the PS2, and the reason why Sony continues to support it, is because it supports the Sony brand, and it can be a gateway to the PS3 or the (PlayStation Portable)....People who purchase a PS2 are more likely to purchase a PS3 in the future. Consumers, believe it or not, are pretty loyal."

Neither Sony nor Microsoft was able to immediately respond to requests for comment for this story. Nintendo had no comment.

Will the PS3 or Xbox 360 last 10 years?
For years, Sony has argued that its video game consoles have 10-year lifecycles. And given that the PS2 is still selling fairly well at 9, there's no reason to doubt that it will make it to 10, and possibly beyond.

The PS3, however, is just 3 years old, and would have to survive another 7 years to reach the 10-year mark. Similarly, Nintendo's Wii is also 3 and Microsoft's Xbox 360 is just 4. So will any of those consoles survive as long as the PS2?

Divnich thinks so. "Yes, the PS3 will be a 10-year system," he said, adding that the Xbox will as well, "just because of its size and its software library."

Still, he seems certain that just as a new generation of consoles came out in the middle of the PS2's lifecycle, history will repeat itself.

"I don't think this generation is going to last nine years" without being supplanted by new consoles," Divnich said. "There are certainly going to be new platforms introduced within the next four years. (But) even when that happens, the pricing of the PS3 and the Xbox 360 will certainly be attractive."

PS2 owners love their consoles
Even if that does happen, it's years off. The PS2, however, has already reached the 9-year milestone, and its 10th birthday is within view. And to hear from some of the millions of people who own one of the machines, it's no surprise.

"I love my PS2 for multiple reasons," said Garth Henson, a Web developer from Port Orchard, Wash. "One (is that) it lets me have a myriad of game selections that fall specifically in line with my tastes for under $20 each. I have yet to have a current-gen console do that for me....It's still such a solid system, both in titles and in game play, that it's hard to consider getting rid of it....As with all things gaming, to those of us who actually get hooked on a system, it's incredibly hard to let it go while there is any semblance of attention paid to it by current developers and publishers."

Some people even hold on to their PS2s largely because of the fun they have playing a single game on it. A lot of people will cite how much time they spend on their PS2 playing titles like Dance Dance Revolution or Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, but the Katamari Damacy franchise may be what keeps real aficionados returning again and again to their ancient Sony consoles.

"I still play We Love Katamari on mine," said Wiley Wiggins, an actor best known for his starring roles in the films "Dazed and Confused" and "Waking Life." "None of the handful of games that are (only for) PS3 have been enough to make me think of dropping another couple hundred dollars to buy a new console. Blu-ray isn't compelling enough to me."

Or, as another PS2 fan, Princeton architecture Ph.D. student Enrique Ramirez, put it, "The only reason why I would switch consoles would be to play Rock Band. But I already have four guitars in my apartment, so, in short, I'm staying with my PS2."

[mrpiddly12]

Looking at the original ps2 launch titles, I find it pretty amazing how much more power developers have been able to squeeze out of the ps2 in these 9 years.

With older consoles, as long as the "lower" graphic quality does not subtract from my ability to play the game, Im happy.

[SteveW928]

While I agree that just because the PS3 is out, PS2 games haven't become any less fun than they were... you need to realize what the big difference is... ON-LiNE play. The big thing about PS3 games isn't really HD graphics and much more CPU/GPU power... thought those things do make a difference. It is primarily the way on-line play changes things. It really is a night and day difference. The downside of the PS3 is that most of the games put a lot of work into on-line play, so off-line modes generally aren't as good as PS2 titles were. Until you've played both, it is kind of hard to describe, but is really different. For example, playing in a game like Warhawk where every active object in the game is some real player somewhere in the world is incredible... and the whole game is designed ground-up around this notion. For some games the difference is less drastic, but that's the general idea.

[drbyte]

The right system choice for todays economy. You can get dozens of games . $60 is my phone bill, no way I'm paying that for a video game. I have over 90 ps2 games and paid under $350 for all of them. Great games. I like they way they play without installing on a hard drive (whats that about?) and constant updating. That's just me though. Still no hdtv.

Great system. Still relevant.

[viper396]

"$60 is my phone bill"...which you pay every month and have little to show for except a new bill the next month.

...versus...

$60 for a one time purchase of a game which you can keep in pertpetuity, play and enjoy as often as you want and do with as you wish.

I don't know about you but I get much more enjoyment out of a video game versus a phone bill. If it's a good game $60 is nothing compared to the long term value and enjoyment I get out of it.

[docster87]

Seems that a lot of current games have set goals, and once one solves the game - playability drops off. I'm not into such games so I really don't know but one of my friends has said the price for new games just isn't worth it. He currently either rents games and/or buys used or when on sale.

[drbyte]

Would rather get 6 games for $60 for the ps2 and have them around 4ever :-) Better than $360 for 6 new.

When next gen gaming comes down I'l do the same thing all over again with the ps3.

[Greg465]

Money is replace-able, it comes in goes no reason not use it while ur still alive

[darthstupid]

With a 52% failure rate good luck finding a 360 that will work in 10 years time.

[dennisheadley]

We have three of the slim units in our house and the kids still buy games for them with their birthday money and allowances and get games as presents. My teenage son has wanted a PS3 for Christmas since it was released. This year we will be taking that plunge now that the slim is out and the price dropped.

I had offered to get him a 360 or Wii instead last year and he said no he would wait for the PS3 price to go down and continue to play his PS2. All his favorite games were on the PlayStation last generation, such as Kingdom Hearts series, Ratchet and Clank series, Final Fantasy series, Dragon Quest, God of War I & II and so on. So the people that say that PS2 customers don't necessarily make PS3 customers, I would tend to argue with you on that, I think a very large portion of them will eventually purchase PS3 units. A lot of them just aren't in any hurry with new titles being released all the time for the PS2. My son just had a birthday last week and he wanted the new Ratchet and Clank game on the PS2 which comes out next week or so.

[onyx7591]

And also, both the 360 and the PS3 are still in their early stages. Depending on what kind of games you like, the list is still highly small for their stock of titles. I mean Ps3 has some gems like Uncharted 1 & 2, which is an exclusive at least. There is also Metal Gear Solid 4, and Killzone. 360 also has Mass Effect and Halo 3 and ODST, and Fable. Then, you have those games that aren't really system sellers but decent enough to play through. But over time, the games will get better and waiting is even more so worth it. I recently bought a PS3 and I was able to still purchase at least 3 or 4 titles for 26.99 used.

[JMike65]

The Generation that brought the Gamecube, XBox, Dreamcast, and PS2 could be looked at as the most significant from an industry standpoint. It was a fork in the road so to speak. It brought a new player to the game (Microsoft) and put another one out of the game (SEGA). Nintendo hung around there with the GameCube I feel mainly due to its name. The PS2 brought DVD's into people's homes. It helped to kill the VHS format. For many it was their first DVD player. The XBox came in to the picture strong putting up a good fight. I feel its lack of DVD support hurt this console. Today developers are still developing games for the PS2 and Sony is still selling systems. I don't recall any of the other systems with that kind of shelf life. I think there is a reason for it, Sony just did a great job all around with that system. They nailed it. Marketing the system, game catalog, DVD, backwards compatible with PS1 games...it all just worked for them. I think the PS2 is the best, most significant system to date. Obviously the new systems are still playing things out, so we'll see where it goes. But the PS2 was a great system.

My PlayStation Blog: http://play-station-world.blogspot.com/

[Trinidaddy]

Well said J! That hardware generation is and will be a defining moment for game systems that I don't think this generation will match. Sony hit the nail on the head, introducing a DVD playing system just when the format was taking hold. In addition, the difference from VHS to DVD was tangible, unlike DVD to Blu Ray currently (For all the fanboys out there, not saying BD doesn't look better, but it's more of an evolutionary step forward, not revolutionary as was the move from VHS to DVD).
It wasn't just the lack of DVD support out the box that hurt the Xbox, but also the fact that MANY people (myself included) were transitioning from the original Playstation (or Dreamcast) to the next best thing at the time, PS2. Xbox wouldn't hit the scene till a year later
That being said, I just dont see the PS3 running the table like the PS2 did. Bad pricing, bad timing and fierce competition have changed the game this generation...

[Stormspace]

Xbox lacked DVD support? Or was it that the games weren't on DVD?

[atomD21]

The original XBox had DVD support, but unlike the PS2, you had to buy a proprietary remote and IR receiver for $30 to enable DVD playback. All the games were on DVD.

[Stormspace]

As I recall DVD playback worked fine with the controllers. It just wasn't easy.

[scrubbingbubbles]

Xbox 360 a ten year option?? Serious? I would love it if it did but look at the original Xbox. Released 2001.....COMPLETELY discontinued in North America in 2006. Thats 5 years.
Yeah scary for you Xbox 360 fanboys huh? You ready to pony up for the 720? (or whatever they call it)

[atomD21]

The original XBox was dropped like a bad habit, but it also was never really a contender with the PS2. MS had shifted focus completely to the 360, but developer support for the original XBox had started to drop off as well.

[Renegade Knight]

This is what turned me off of the Xbox. Mine died, it could not be replaced. Before that a controller went bad and all I could find was 360 stuff. It was fustrating to have a library of worthless games that the 360 didn't support.

[aMUSICsite]

Like the PS2 is now a good game system with a DVD player that attract people now. I can see the PS3 being the BluRay equiverlant.

Cheap games and another price drop and the PS3 will be selling faster than Sony can make them. I would guess that should be about this time next year. Then the PS2 devs will move over to the PS3 and it gets it's 2nd wind. Yep the PS3 will be around for quite a few years.

[aby26]

I HAVE A PS2 THAT I BOUGHT IN 2005 AND IT IS THE FAT ONE N ALSO I HAVE A SLIM PS2 THAT I BOUGHT IN 2006. I LOVE MY PS2 BECAUSE OF ITS OVERALL VALUE LIKE IT DOUBLES AS A DVD PLAYER AND GAMES LIKE GUITER HERO AND ROCKBAND SERIES ARE COMING FOR PS2. AND SONY ITSELF IS MAKING SOME GREAT GAMES ON PS2 THIS YEAR LIKE MOTORSTORM ARCTIC EDGE SO I AM SATISFIED WITH MY PS2.

[atomD21]

Please turn Caps Lock off... your yelling is hurting my ears.

[iroq321]

i expect the ps3 to follow the same trend. the thing about sony is they're not in it for the out-of-gate sales numbers bragging rights. they're in it for the long run, the lasting appeal. we'll see which system will still be selling strong in a few years.
hint: starts with a SO, ends with a NY

[Police_States_of_America]

its kind of funny that WII and 360 discs have the same maximum capacity as the PS2 discs no?

[solitare_pax]

The "PONG" console was out longer than that....

[Zoobie]

I moved up to a PS3 with the price drop, but kept the PS2 and put it on an older, smaller TV. It's still fun to play KH, FF, and my kids love Lego Star Wars. Besides, having a PS2 in a different room lets the kids go have fun while I play LBP and Uncharted on the bigger TV...

[Devhux]

I mainly keep my PS2 around so I can play the Japanese Beatmania IIDX games - other than that, I've moved on to the XBox 360 and my PC.

The PS2 was/is a great console though.

[atomD21]

PS2's not going anywhere for a while considering all the people that get a PS3 will have to hold on to it to play the PS2 games. While it's a bit of a slap to drop BC in the PS3, it makes good business sense...

[onyx7591]

And consider the fact that right now the 360 and Wii have used consoles that are around and between 130 and 150 dollars. The PS2 can still hit that in between market selling for only 99 dollars new and 60 dollars used. Talk about a great business idea. And I am no fanboy, but still, you have to give it to them for that.

I feel that Xbox Live is better than PSN, but Microsoft I think focuses on gamers and tech heads alike. Wii is more of an everybody can play console so they have their own market. I think this time around it is not so much to just say that our console plays great games and has incredible graphics. Each system still offers an incentive enough to make someone that has a particular need want to get it. I am getting Wii for the holidays because I have a daughter that I would not want to play God of War around because it is too bloody.

I've got the original fat boy, and if that puppy ever gives up the ghost, I'll buy another in a heartbeat.

[jeeves86]

I have the PS2 slim, but I bought a PS3 when they first had BC. Smart business move for Sony to take backwards compatibility out of the new PS3s, that way they can keep on selling PS2s. But if they ever want to move some more systems, just throw it back in at the end of the PS2's life cycle.

[Jamie_Foster]

The PS3 needed BC in its first 12-18 months because there were no decent games until Unchartered, MGS 4 and Elder Scrolls 4 came out. THe same thing with the Xbox 360 Gears of War was the first classic title and that came out 12 months after the Consoles debut. But Im not sure why Sony haven't written emulation software to allow People to run their old PS2 games despite the absence of the Emotion Engine. Also it baffles me that no PS2 titles have shown up in the PSN Store yet. There are loads of Xbox games on Xbox Live Marketplace.

Returning BC would be a nice way to send the PS2 into the sunset. Not that I'm in any rush to see the PS2 go. But if the 10 year lifespan is truly Sony's mantra, then after next year, I suppose we could be reading a farewell article. And when PS2 fades out, Sony could use BC as a lure to migrate more people to the PS3.

[Jamie_Foster]

I think the PS3 now has some real momentum. Games like Unchartered 2, Killzone 2 and Tekken 6 show what the system can really do. The programmers are finally starting to utilise the Cell. Gran Turismo 5 is just around the corner. Plus the PSN online gaming element is solid and free of charge. The BR drive is a nice bonus.
Sony have finally got the price down to where it can become mass market. However, I hope BR and owning a film studio and a record label doesn't conflict them in terms of offering film and music in both streamed and download formats. Also Sony need to get more games up for sale on PSN. We need a big library of games from the PSone, PS2 and PS3 plus some classic PC and retro games. And make it cheaper to buy the game via a download than on disc. Also we need alot more game demos.
Finally Sony need to change their marketing'. Microsoft have been very successful in targeting the hardcore gamer especially in North America and the UK. And Nintendo don't just dominate the Children's market (like they have done for 20 years or so). They have also brought in masses of Parents and even Grandparents into it.

[morton101]

GT5 will sell PS3's just like GT3 & 4 sold PS2's

[SteveW928]

I guess we'll see. If GT5p (prologue) is any indication, it seems that franchise has kind of lost its way unfortunately. This is sad as it is the game that brought me to the PS platform. Hopefully GT5 will return back to being more like GT3&4. Right now Forza looks to be the best in class, but I'm not inclined to buy an Xbox just for that game. I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope I'm wrong.

[cr3617]

One of the reasons that I have not taken the plunge to buying a PS3 is because the PS3 does not have backwards compatibility. I have a lot of great games for my PS2 and I would still like to play them. I know that I could keep my PS2, but I would like to pass down system away to somebody else instead of having to keep two consoles.

[Renegade Knight]

When I read they were dropping support I went out and got the last of the backwards compatible PS3's. Then I went and got the 1 game I was interested in. ;)

[cr3617]

One of the reasons that I have not taken the plunge to buying a PS3 is because the PS3 does not have backwards compatibility. I have a lot of great games for my PS2 and I would still like to play them. I know that I could keep my PS2, but I would like to pass down system away to somebody else instead of having to keep two consoles.