PlayStation 2

The PlayStation 2 (PS2) (Japanese: プレイステーション2) is Sony's second video game console, after the PlayStation. Its development was announced in April 1999, and it was first released in Japan on March 4, 2000. The U.S. version was released on October 26, 2000. Following a slow first year due to a lack of units built and ready, the PlayStation 2 has grown to become a popular gaming console, with over 90 million units sold.

Hardware compatibility

The PS2 can read and play both compact discs and DVDs, it is backwards compatible with older PlayStation (PS1) games and allowing for playback of DVD Video and the more technically advanced PS2 games on either cheaper, smaller CD-ROM format or the larger, more expensive DVD-ROM format. The ability to play DVD movies allowed consumers to more easily justify the PS2's relatively high price tag (in October 2000, the MSRP was $300) as it removed the need to buy an external DVD player (indeed, it could be said that the success of the DVD format was partly down to the PS2's ability to play DVDs, as the format seemed to appeal more to consumers after the console's launch). The PS2 also supports PS1 memory cards (for PS1 game saves only) and controllers (the PS2's Dual Shock 2 controller is essentially a slightly upgraded PS1 Dual Shock).

Related Topics:
Compact disc - DVD - PlayStation

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When it was released, the PS2 had many advanced features that were not present in other contemporary video game consoles, including its DVD capabilities and USB and IEEE 1394 expansion ports. It was not until late 2001 that the Microsoft Xbox became the second console with (non-standard) USB and DVD support (this is assuming the Nuon, an advanced DVD player graphics coprocessor, is not considered a console).

Related Topics:
USB - IEEE 1394 - 2001 - Microsoft - Xbox - Nuon

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~