It's been a long time coming, but the PS2 has finally turned 11 years old. And in that time it's become the largest selling console of any kind. So, because this is such a special occasion, I just want to take you all back to the past… It's the turn of the century; people all the around the world are relieved to know that Y2K didn't destroy all technology. The DVD player is just being introduced to markets and the Dreamcast has had just over a year on the market; meanwhile, the last generation of consoles are all about to wind down. Enter, the PlayStation 2.
On October 26, 2000, the largest selling console to date was released to North American audiences not only as a console, but a DVD player. It gave SONY a spontaneous advantage and it was the first of that tier's next generation (GC, XBOX, PS2) and also outlasted them all by at least 2 ½ years. Part of me wants to celebrate this with its history; part of me wants to show off all my PS2 games; so, I did both…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAAziR3fS2I&feature=player_embedded
Timeline of the PS2:
NOTE: I'm not too keen on mentioning sequels for the timeline unless it's got some modest historic relevance; there are just too many sequels to mention.
2000
-March 4, 2000 earliest point of the PlayStation 2's release (in Japan), arrived in North America on October 26, 2000. Fanatavision, I.Q. Remix and some Football games are the publisher's only releases for 2000.
2001
-Jak & Daxter, Gran Theft Auto III, Onimusha, Twisted Metal, Gran Turismo and Metal Gear Solid get their ground started; the marvelous Ico also arrives.
2002
-PS2 Network Adaptor released (allowed for online functionality).
-Ratchet & Clank, SOCOM, and Sly Cooper get their starts; Wild Arms, PaRappa the Rapper, and Hot Shots Golf make their PS2 debuts.
2003
-EyeToy is released; Ape Escape series makes its PS2 debut with Ape Escape 2. 'The Getaway' series is also started.
2004
-Monster Hunter, Killzone, and Siren all get their slow starts; meanwhile, 'SingStar' gets a fast start, and 'Syphon Filter' returns.
-PS2 Slim is released
2005
-Famous releases of the PSP, God of War, Shadow of the Colossus, the original 'Guitar Hero', as well as 'Buzz!' and a special port of Resident Evil 4 arrive.
2006
-Bully and the brilliant, but poor selling Okami are released.
-Sony launches their versions of NBA and MLB (I'm not sure about the dates on these ones).
-November 16, Earliest start point of the PS2 being recognized as a 'Legacy console'. November 16, the PS3 is released.
2007
-God of War II released; commonly considered to be the last big SONY exclusive.
-(Fall, 2007) General beginning point of PSP to PS2 ports including Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror, as well as forthcoming ports of Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters, Twisted Metal Head-on, and more.
2008
-Releases become limited; the odd PSP to PS2 ports and Persona 4 fill part of the void.
2009
-PS2 releases become shockingly low; including many dropped ports. -A PS3 started series finds its way to the PS2, MotorStorm: Arctic Edge.
2010
-The NPD stops counting units of PS2s sold.
-Releases become almost non-existent.
2011
-February: the PS2 breaks probably its' last milestone, selling 150 Million units.
-Likely the last year of any PS2 bound releases in existence.
Oh, my God, it is a Monolith!
So is the console now dead? I wouldn't say so, it's not like there's an expiration on the console; it's like the NES which has been out for 25 years. We still celebrate it and don't forget about it either; in fact, it still makes multiple lists on Screwattack. So from now on instead of thinking of it as a behemoth that has slowed down to nearly nothing, I think of it as a '****c', forever. Don't forget to check out reviews about some of these games in the very, very near future (as in mere days).
TWiSTEDmerc