Twenty five years later that this console alone took the test of time and stood out from the rest, from console history the PlayStation 2 was first released on March 4th 2000 in Japan and was still the best-selling console outselling both Xbox and GameCube during the 6th Generation of gaming during 2000 till 2008, it wasn't January 2013 that PlayStation 2 discounted worldwide and the last three games there were released for the system were Final Fantasy XI: Seekers of Adoulin for Japan and both FIFA 14 and Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 for the rest of the world.

With the success of the PlayStation outselling Sega and Nintendo nearly every person wanted one, Sony announced the PlayStation on March 1st 1999 the console was positioned as a competitor the Dreamcast which was the first sixth-generation console to be released. Despite Sony's announcement, the Dreamcast went on to a very successful North American launch later that year selling over 500,000 units within two weeks. Straight after the Dreamcast was released during Tokyo Game Show during September, Sony showed off some playable demos including Gran Turismo 2000 and Tekken Tag Tournament which showed off consoles graphic abilities and power. Back at the time it was really impressive to see how powerful games were on the system and how far gaming has come since then with both Gran Turismo and Tekken franchise. Sony even added in something that the Dreamcast didn't have which was a built-in DVD player where you can watch DVD's on the PlayStation 2 instead of a DVD player and a cheaper way in getting a DVD player back in early 2000.

The PlayStation 2 was launched in October 2000 in both North America and November in Europe. Sales of the console, games and accessories pulled in $250 million on the first day, beating the $97 million made on the first day of the Dreamcast. Directly after its release, it was difficult to find PS2 units on retailer shelves due to manufacturing delays. During its release, there has been a huge range of game accessories like SingStar and Eye Toy made an impact on sales that it made games fun to play with friends and family.

I'm pretty sure that for those who still own a PS2 and I'm guessing that everyone had different tastes and their favourite games for the system. Here are my top three favourite PS2 games-

1: Persona 4 (PS2- 2008)-

You could never really find the perfect video game in life, Persona 4 really much had everything you would want in a JRPG game. Set in a Japanese high school and being transferred to a small town you start to find out on the mysterious rumours on the Midnight Channel where people can see their soul mates on the TV around Midnight but however as you progress through the story you find out that students are being thrown in the TV world and it's up to you and your friends to save them within a time limit after a number of days or they will die. Persona 4 is set as a traditional role-playing game you'll go through multiple dungeons you have to use Persona's in order to defeat enemies, which are like monsters which you can summon each party member has a persona, the manifestation of one's true self, that they can use in battle. Each has its own unique Skills, and a specific set of strengths and weaknesses to certain attacks. Personas gain experience from battle and learn new Skills as they gain levels. The fun part about the game is that when you’re in High School or not in the TV you can socialise with other characters in the game this is called Social-Links where you can hang out with your friends or attend an after school club more you hang out with them your Persona's will become stronger. Not only that the story based around Persona 4 really does teach you about friendship in general and that this is more to life and having friends is something that you have to treasure. If you don't own a PlayStation 2 you can pick up Persona 4 the Golden on any platform including the PS4/PS5, Xbox One, Steam and Nintendo Switch.

2: Kingdom Hearts (2002)-

When I first heard of Kingdom Hearts it was mentioned in an article on how well it was selling in Japan, I think I did remember seeing a trailer for this somewhere after being shown at E3 2002. When I saw the images and gameplay, I was amazed at how awesome and seeing an idea a little similar to mine coming to life. I really wanted to get this game but didn't have a PS2 back then, but however when my sister got a PS2 for Christmas, I had to buy this game but the one problem was that it didn't come with a memory card. After waiting a few months finally had the money and bought the game. Most of my summer back in 2003 I spent most of my time playing Kingdom Hearts, I really liked the simplest story where Sora is stuck on an island and his two best friends Riku and Kairi want to get off the island and go on a real adventure. Meanwhile, in another world known as Disney Castle Mickey disappears and leaves a message warning Donald and Goofy that darkness is coming and must find the KEY. Which turned out to be Sora after seeing his world getting destroyed by the Heartless and his friends go missing, Sora, Donald and Goofy embark on an adventure and find out who's really behind all this. Most of the worlds that were mentioned in Kingdom Hearts were really impressive and look totally similar to the films we used to all watch as kids. I'll admit that were some really good moments and boss battles; as its story progressed and progressed it got even deeper, I start to realize that the more you follow the story you learn that deep down you'll always have friends that'll be with you.

3: Devil May Cry 3 (2005)-

First time I've heard about the series was when I was in college and one of my friends I knew was a huge Capcom fan when it came to games like Mega Man, Street Fighter and Devil May Cry. My friend highly recommended the Devil May Cry series after watching some gameplay footage while my friend was playing the game during break because the college I went to had a PS2 in the lounge; ended up playing Devil May Cry 3 to begin with and was my first I now the story goes from 3,1,4,5,2 I'm kind of glad I've gone through that direction because I can tell how Dante has changed the story is set several years before the events of the first Devil May Cry in an enchanted tower, the story centers of the dysfunctional relationship between Dante and his brother Virgil. Dante has opened an as-yet-unnamed demon-hunting agency and his demonic heritage has not yet reached its full potential. What made the game shine was how insane the difficulty had got when you were playing it from a higher level from Easy mode to Heaven or Hell mode, which was one hit and it's game over for you; was a hack-n-slash action adventure game with many weapons to use, memorable cutscenes where the overall game itself made you want to come back for more.

It still amazes that some of the best games I've played have all been on the PlayStation 2 over the past twenty five years not only being just a DVD player, backward compatible with PS1 games and a console that will be in everyone's hearts.

Do you have any favourite PS2 games in your collection?

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