The PlayStation 2 celebrates its 20th anniversary today
Following up on the day after the Nintendo Switch celebrated its third year since release, another console is also celebrating its own significant anniversary. Turning 20 years old today is the PlayStation 2, a beloved system, and the most popular gaming console of all time. The PS2 was first released in Japan on March 4, 2000, with a launch lineup of games like Street Fighter EX3, Ridge Racer V, Kessen, and eight other titles. While the initial games available for release in Japan might seem underwhelming to some, the PlayStation 2 would go on to offer games that wowed audiences, and ones that defined the industry, such as Grand Theft Auto III, Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3, God of War, Devil May Cry, Kingdom Hearts, Shadow of the Colossus, Okami, Silent Hill 2, and so, so many more.
Retailing for ¥39,800, or $/£299.99 in the west, the PlayStation 2 drew attention for not only being a gaming system, but its ability to play DVDs, as well. Though it may not have been the most powerful console out of its sixth-generation rivals, it more than made up for it with its massive game library and media center capabilities. As was common at the time, in order to save your game progress, you'd need to have a memory card, and for those who wanted to be in on the cutting edge of online gaming at the time, you could pick up a network adapter, both sold separately.
So, happy 20th anniversary, PlayStation 2! What are your favorite memories with the console?
