PlayStation 2

What this platform is

PlayStation 2, or PS2, is Sony’s second home console. It first launched in Japan on March 4, 2000. Alongside its games, DVD movie playback helped make it a familiar part of the living room. The original larger console and later Slim models belong to the same platform.

Main features

PS2 games use CDs or DVDs, supporting more detailed environments than its predecessor. The DualShock 2 controller has twin analog sticks, vibration and pressure-sensitive inputs used by compatible software. Some games instead depend on accessories such as microphones, cameras or music controllers, so the system supports several very different styles of play.

Before you play

Most titles save progress to a PS2 memory card. Many original PlayStation discs also work, subject to region and compatibility checks, but saving those games normally requires an original PlayStation memory card. Hardware revisions differ in network connections, expansion options and power arrangements. Check the exact model before choosing cables or accessories; a similar-looking console is not necessarily identical inside.