PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is the greatest console ever sold, and for me turns twenty this month. So let me take you on a journey with this great console.
The PlayStation 2 was released in the UK November 24, 2000, for £299 and was an immediate success. Continuing from the success of the original PlayStation, the sequel console was another runaway success, and was the console to have around the time of its release. With the console only being discontinued in 2013. And by the time I got it had already sold 20 million units!
Getting the PS2 was such a big deal, as it was a little expensive for my family, but it was worth it. It was an early Christmas present that was a joint with my brother. We used the money we had saved, and our mum gave the rest then the PS2 was ours. At the time if you had one, you were cool. The power of PlayStation still has the same effect, as the PlayStation 5 is still the thing to have. And I don't have one, one year later! It’s okay though, as I’m double cool as I have two PS2’s.
The PS2 just like the original was more than just a game machine, it was a DVD player, CD player. The biggest thing it did was play the original PlayStation games, which was unheard of. Which made it extra useful, now you had one system that could play two systems. Which was great if you already had a PS1 no need to switch machines. Like everything it got a revision and got a slot slimmer and added internet connection without the need for additional items. It also fixed an issue that earlier consoles had (mine sure did) and that was the spinning disc issue, which made playing some later games a bit of an issue. Of course, it was one of the first to allow you to stand up the console vertically or horizontally.
To say the PS2 had games is an understatement. It had an abundance of games till his discontinuation in 2013. On this system there was a large number of instant classics, in addition to continuation from the preview generations. The way I played this game came in a variety of different ways. Either it was borrowing games from friends, or it was renting games from Blockbuster. There were some games I played on here.
This was the generation where I got back into Mortal Kombat, with the trilogy of fighting games being released, as well the spin off game Shaolin Monks. Tomb Raider continued with its worse review game, but it bounced back with Legend and Anniversary. Then of course there was the year release of the WWE games to look forward to every year. The Prince of Persia series got revived here, and those games were excellent.
New series also started here. Ratchet & Clank started here and is still going four generations later. Devil May Cry was a PS2 exclusive at the time and was another great game that started a series. Then we had Naughty Dogs Jak & Daxter which was their transition era to what we know them for today. Then we have some surprise series that caught my attention on this system such as SingStar. While some games have never reached the same heights as they did on this generation, such as SSX which was a launch title. After its fourth game it couldn’t keep up the momentum as it did in the early days.
One thing I loved to do to keep up with the updates of the console was the official magazine. I used my money every month to get the magazines to know what was going on with the console. As this was a time before I had a home internet connection, it was nice to have someone to look forward to. While also getting reviews, cheat codes and previews of up-and-coming games. I think the best thing about the magazine was the demo disc.
The demo disk was the best part of the package. You got to try out new games coming to the system. I loved it. It gave me a short experience of up-and-coming games, and it helped me decide if I wanted to buy or rent it. With certain demos played so much I remembered how to complete them when I eventually did get the game. Also, on the disc there were game trailers, which were always fun to watch pre-YouTube. It was a nice package, reading and playing.
The biggest aspect I love about gaming is the social aspect, and the PS2 didn’t stop the social activities. Whether it was me and friends playing ridiculous matches on whatever year's WWE game. Or it was my friends and I coming together to play the Metal Gear Solid 2 demon, as it was highly anticipated. Of it was playing Grand Theft Auto 3 in my garden one summer and learning of the violent delights of the game.
As well as the discussions with friends about the games they had or games we had all played and talked about the things we liked or didn’t. Then sharing games with others so we could all get exposure to a wide range of games. Or even being able to share game saves because you couldn’t get past a certain boss or level. Or even watching friends play games I wasn’t even remotely interested in, such as FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer. It was a different time, and it’s something I will also remember fondling.
The legacy of the PlayStation 2 still lives on till this day. I still frequently revisit games on the system. I know most would use an emulator, but I just like digging out everything and then giving it all a go. There are still games I turn and remember; I got to the last boss and haven’t completed yet. When I play a lot of these games my muscle memory is still good, I remember what I must do and press. This is mainly with the SSX games but with a few others I still remember how to play.
What I liked most about this system is now more games are being remade from the system. Which is how I was able to play God of War and God of War 2. While games like Prince of Persia and the Sands of Time getting a remake due out soon, are great ways to relieve games. While also PlayStation Now bringing back some PS2 games due to cloud gaming. Which is a nice way to carry on the PS2 legacy. It is a shame that more of the library hasn’t been made legally available. As I don’t think we will be getting a PS2 classic any time soon.
As for the prestige of the PlayStation, it sadly peaks here. Even though I have had every PS since, they have never been my main console. After the PS2 I have neglected the PlayStation family. Which is why I hold the PS2 in such high regard. The PS3 didn’t do much design wise and with its launch, so I adopted it slowly. As did many others I know, and why we all jumped ship in its early days. Since, I haven’t automatically got games for the PlayStation system. Neither has it been the system I've made sure to get first, maybe the PS5 might get back into the PlayStation grove.
When I think about the PS2 it was the last console I consider to be a part of my childhood. As I played this religiously till, I was about eighteen. After which it was a balancing act with gaming, studying and work. As such it holds so many memories of my school days. While for some people I know this was the last console they would own. As some got busy with more adult lives, I stopped having a lot of gaming memories with people and any other console. Which is sad, but maybe why I hold the PS2 as such a cherished item.
The PS2 was a starting point to get me where I am today. I had always liked games, but I never got to get or play a lot of the games I wanted. With the PS2 I was old enough to be more sensible with birthday and Christmas money, and save for games I wanted. Or at the very least rent them, to see if I wanted them. Then getting older with the system allowed me to start collecting games. It was here where I looked at the games I had and thought about what other games I didn’t have. Which led to me to currently have 64 games. A small number compared the actual number of games released, but a large enough number to be my second biggest game collection. With my research for this post, making me realise there are still several games I don’t own, but have played. Hopefully with skilfully researching and purchasing them all.
I love the PS2. I love to have it out, and just popping in a disk and playing. Not worry about if the console or game needs to update. I look forward to the day when I can have it just out like the rest of the PS family and play any game when I want to. Twenty years later I still love this system, and when I really think about it, I love this system over the PS1 and maybe even over the Nintendo 64. I know I will be playing the PS2 till I have to go out and get another one.
FabEs
