Celebrate The PS2's 25th Anniversary With These Pictures From Launch Day

Today marks the 25th anniversary of PS2, the best-selling video game console of all time. Sony released the home system in Japan on March 4, 2000, and one Redditor flew over to Tokyo at that time to buy one.

On Reddit, user YomReddit shared a post with four pictures showing his adventure to Akihabara in 2000 to pick up a PS2 at launch. The Redditor added that they waited 26 hours in line outside a Tokyo store to grab the Sony system. Previously, YomReddit celebrated the console's 20-year anniversary in a similar manner on Reddit. In the comments, the Redditor noted they were from England and played Japanese games since the PS2 was region-locked.

The PS2 was originally unveiled at the Tokyo Game Show in September 1999, according to the PlayStation website. A couple of the first games showcased for the system included Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec (though it wasn't named this at the time) and Eternal Ring, developed by Elden Ring studio From Software.

The PS2 didn't launch in North America until October 26, 2000, while the European release was even later on November 24, 2000. Worldwide launches were not common for consoles or games at that time. Ultimately, over 160 million PS2 systems were sold globally, a record that still stands today. Nintendo DS ended its lifecycle with more than 154 million units sold, while Switch sits at 150 million consoles sold, so Nintendo's hybrid system still has a chance to topple the PS2.

Sony has also been celebrating PlayStation's 30th anniversary recently. For instance, PS5 users got a PS2 theme along with other PlayStation menu looks for a limited time. The original PlayStation launched in Japan on December 3, 1994, with the North American release happening on September 9, 1995.