Sony lowers price of PlayStation 2 to $129.99
by Conrad Quilty-Harper 
{ Apr 20th 2006 at 8:40AM }
A little earlier than expected, Sony announced
today that they've reduced the recommended retail price for the PlayStation 2 from $149.99 to $129.99/$139.99 CND. Just
as the earlier report suggested, Sony didn't opt for a more dramatic $99 price drop, instead going for a more subtle cut
ahead of this May's E3. So, will Microsoft follow suit by cutting the price of the original Xbox from $149? Considering the company's willingness to leave their previous generation console behind, we'd say the chances are unlikely. Meanwhile, the Nintendo GameCube has been sitting pretty at a $99 price point since September 2003.
Read the relevant section of the press release after the jump.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Lowers the Price of
PlayStation(R)2
Computer Entertainment System to $129.99
FOSTER CITY, Calif., April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. today announced that it has made its PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system more affordable than ever throughout North America.
Effective immediately, consumers can purchase the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $129.99/$139.99 CND. The company expects this latest price move to fuel consumer demand even further.
PlayStation 2 is the most popular gaming platform in North America, Europe/PAL territories and Japan/Asia, the only gaming platform to enjoy such widespread global success. To date, more than 101 million PlayStation 2 units and approximately one billion pieces of software for the PlayStation 2 have shipped worldwide, making it the fastest-selling gaming platform in the world.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Exo @ Apr 20th 2006 8:44AM
omg, an analyst was right about something, the end is near!
Simon @ Apr 20th 2006 8:47AM
Cool, I've been considering picking up a PS2 in the near future. It'll be interesting to see if and how this carries over to us here in the UK.
the_ninja @ Apr 20th 2006 8:48AM
AGH! Wait for PS3 or get a slim PS2 to replace my 1st generation (bought it on launch day) PS2?
I'm moving to Japan in a few months and really need one to take with me :(
Princess Zelda @ Apr 20th 2006 9:10AM
This is tempting. I've been toying with the idea of putting a DVD player in my car and this maybe an interesting solution. It's small enough to fit in my center console. I'll just need a LCD screen, lots of wires...
striderhayasa @ Apr 20th 2006 9:15AM
hmmm, this is a bit earlier than expected. Sony has made a killing on the PS2 though. I would have liked a $99 price tag. I wouldn't have any choice but to buy one at that point.
Conrad Quilty-Harper @ Apr 20th 2006 9:33AM
Dudes, if ya can, help us out with a digg!
http://digg.com/gaming/Sony_drops_Playstation_2_price_to_$129
Necrophiliac @ Apr 20th 2006 9:39AM
"So, will Microsoft follow suit by cutting the price of the original Xbox from $149? "
As I pointed out about two months ago Microsoft RAISED their retail price to $179.99 by bundeling in a $15 game.
Voodoo M @ Apr 20th 2006 9:58AM
It would be great if MS made the equivalent cut for the xbox - I could do with a hacked xbox as a media centre. But as we all know, they're still taking a loss on every xbox sold. I wonder if the 360 already costs them less to make than an original xbox? Any ideas?
Exo @ Apr 20th 2006 10:20AM
voodoo there isnt going to be a price cut, ms has stopd production on xbox altogether, adn the last offical package they made included forza with the xbox, and it costs 180. so no price drops, but they did raise the price for you.
Night Elve @ Apr 20th 2006 10:29AM
This is perfect, i still have my ps2 after 6 years with it, but i will buy a new one just to have a more portable ps2 with the ethernet integrated.
Anyway this is cool maybe i should wait until the console reach the 99 bucks.
CheapyD @ Apr 20th 2006 10:30AM
It wasn't earlier than expected if you've been reading your CAG!
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/archives/20-ps2-price-drop-coming-this-week.php
Matt @ Apr 20th 2006 10:38AM
Well, there is a reason they're analysts, and there is a reason they work for EB and Gamestop. ;)
Matt @ Apr 20th 2006 10:39AM
Oh, and yay, it'll make it cheaper for all of my customers to buy their new PS2s' since their existing ones died from a Disk Read Error! ;)
Charli3 @ Apr 20th 2006 10:45AM
I heard there are serious overheating issues with the smaller PS2s...
But on the bright side, it can double as a hot-plate!
JodyAnthony @ Apr 20th 2006 10:50AM
the funny thing is that gamestop is charging $129 for the ps2 alone, but are charging $174 for a ps2 with a memory card, as a "special"
so you're paying almost $50 for a memory card.
Princess Zelda @ Apr 20th 2006 11:25AM
Thanks JodyAnthony for the memory card info I just looked up the prices for memory cards in Canada. I think Sony needs to do a price drop on memory cards also. It's $50 for 2 8MB cards in Canada $29 for one. Maybe I can find some used ones.
Insomnia Bob @ Apr 20th 2006 11:31AM
Jody, I work for a Gamestop, and I've never seen that 'bundle'. And as someone else pointed out, at least at our store, the only X-boxs we have in stock are the $179.99 ones. There MIGHT be some $150s still on the shelf somewhere, but not in our neck of the woods. Makes a mighty darn tough sell.
And as for the slim PS2, for those considering the new price, it DOES seem to go through loading times faster. We were testing one the other day and Ace Combat 4 loaded within seconds. Probably something to do with the fact that the original PS2 is, what, 6 years old? 7, now?
Also, I've never seen one come back in defective, so I wouldn't give to much credence to the 'running hot' issue. Most systems these days generate some heat.
Personally, though, I'll just be waiting to replace my aging PS2 until November. The slims are nice, but even at $129 I'm not going to buy a system that's only really going to be worth anything for another 6 months.
SuicideNinja @ Apr 20th 2006 11:33AM
"Oh, and yay, it'll make it cheaper for all of my customers to buy their new PS2s' since their existing ones died from a Disk Read Error! ;)"
Seriously...this is no joke. Did you know that the first slim PS2 had the same Disc Read Error problem? (version 12). Does it really take 12 revisions of a console for Sony to get a laser setup right? It was usually the DVD part of the laser, too.
Surprisingly, the best feature about the slim PS2s isn't the integrated ethernet or its size. The best feature is LESS PARTS. The old PS2s were a repair shop nightmare. The Xboxes were put together much better. I don't know about the Gamecube, because I've never seen a bad one in person (2 or 3 on ebay).
Anyway, I still think this is too much. PS2s are worth about $99. People are crazy with these stupid things, paying upwards of $80 for broken ones on ebay. Gamestop gives you $20 for broken ones or $60 for working ones. Come on. They aren't that great.
Gin @ Apr 20th 2006 11:44AM
... who cares about ps2 really? PS3 is coming out.. so save your money and buy a PS3.. i may be wrong.. but i heard a rumor that it will be able to ... get this ... play PS2 games! ZOMG!...that last part was sarcasm by the way >_> everyone knows its backwards compatable do yourself a favor and buy a PS3, because I know i will, including the Nintendo Revolution to match my 360.
Charli3 @ Apr 20th 2006 12:03PM
I'm not saying this just to bash the PS2 or anything. A friend of mine who has been doing some serious research about the new and old PS2s turned me on the overheating issues. He really wants to buy a PS2 but from the research he's done he won't risk buying an older, thicker model because you don't know if you're getting a "good" system unless you check serial numbers or count the number of screws on the bottom of the system. He came across the overheating issue in reference to “the slims” when his friends were having issues with their PS2s when playing them for more than an hour. The slims HAVE NO INTERNAL FANS, hence they are slim. I can understand how internal components can overheat when there's no air circulating through the system.
Wat Tsu @ Apr 20th 2006 12:12PM
Drop them another $50 and we'll talk.
I want to play Kingdom Hearts II, but I can wait. I'd actually really prefer to not give Sony any more money than I already have, since both my PS1 and PS2 had big-time problems after even normal use. My PS2 is basically a big paperweight right now, and I won't be buying the PS3 because I can see it being a $400-500 way to keep my 20-page term paper from blowing away, too. It's kind of irresponsible the way Sony builds their machines and treats the customer base, but it's business, I guess. They must be doing something right, what with having the biggest market share and all.
JodyAnthony @ Apr 20th 2006 12:17PM
it might be an online-only thing
http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=B020245D
J-Dawg @ Apr 20th 2006 12:26PM
So what happens when the PS3 has the same disk read errors?
Gonzo @ Apr 20th 2006 12:49PM
Hopefully the price will go down more before I have to buy one again.
Unless it comes out with a bunch of original amazing games (like the ps2 did) I'm not getting a ps3 for $500. Even if it breaks, I'll go out and get another ps2 or just get one for free again.
Geoff @ Apr 20th 2006 1:05PM
Just save your money and buy a PS3, he says. They wonder if the PS3 will have the same problems as its predecessors.
PS3's are too costly. I won't buy one until IT comes down to 200 or less. I know many people who feel the same way. PS2 games are everywhere, and cheap too. They play well enough for most people, etc. And 129 is less than 149 or (remember 199 and up?). So it's a price drop. Yay yay, back to work now. Bills to pay and mouths to feed.
Donny @ Apr 20th 2006 1:12PM
If the PS3 gets a bunch of disc read errors, they will just settle that class action lawsuit too.
http://www.ps2settlement.com
ResidentGamer.com @ Apr 20th 2006 1:23PM
So why is Sony being so picky about moving it to the $99 mark? Not like everyone doesn't have a PS2 already. But they need to make it so that anyone else who might be a newe gamer can easliy get into playing at a low cost and enjoy the large body of games PS2 has.
Dave @ Apr 20th 2006 1:28PM
Actually, the slim PS2 do indeed have internal fans. I can't understand the person spreading these rumors... even the morons working at Best Buy told me this to try and coerce me into buying a damned replacement plan.
In fact, here's a site where you can buy a damned replacement for it:
http://www.langleystudios.com/product_info.php?products_id=223
Additionally, you can see the fan inside the "clear cases" they sell for the PS2 at Lik-Sang. Stop spreading misinformation.
Po0py @ Apr 20th 2006 2:34PM
RAH RAH RAH! Once again us uk gamers get royally SHAFTED!
SHAFTED! Thats a british expression that one uses when one has been taken for a mug. A big fat mug.
...
Full to the brim with herbal tea.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4927950.stm
No reductions for us. Cuz were British.
Innit.
Sabre @ Apr 20th 2006 2:46PM
They forgot to drop it an additional $29.99 b/c a 5-1/2 year old system should be $99 by now...especially with the new system on the horizon.
Kutaragi Breaker @ Apr 20th 2006 2:49PM
Mu HA! Joystiq is SONY Fanboi:
"PlayStation 2 is the most popular gaming platform in North America, Europe/PAL territories and Japan/Asia, the only gaming platform to enjoy such widespread global success. To date, more than 101 million PlayStation 2 units and approximately one billion pieces of software for the PlayStation 2 have shipped worldwide, making it the fastest-selling gaming platform in the world."
Charli3 @ Apr 20th 2006 3:06PM
To the gamers going next-gen (which is presumably everyone reading joisted) this is hardy news. Who wants an old azz PS2 anyway with new systems on the horizon? Unless you like collecting "trophies." To the gamers who are always behind a generation, I guess this is good. But with the GameCube which is more powerful, at an already lower price and you know it won't be long before MS reacts and drop the price of the first gen Xbox, which is also more powerful, why bother?
Glenn Ford @ Apr 20th 2006 3:09PM
#24 Sony's probably waiting until the PS3 is released, then we'll see PS2's for $99.
phipscube @ Apr 20th 2006 3:16PM
The slim PS2 does indeed have an internal fan. All you people saying it doesn't are talking cack. It is connected through a temperature sensing circuit (Thermistor) and will turn on in varying speeds depending on how hot the machine gets. (Usually more often when the Disc is spinning alot for games that load lots of data on the fly). Mine kicks in normally after about an hour of play, then variates its speed. But even at full speed its barely noticable... no were NEAR Xbox360 levels.
Lots of people probably think it has no fan because when you first turn it on its not spinning (Unless you just took it out the oven)
Dave @ Apr 20th 2006 4:52PM
Uh, hey Kutaragi Breaker, you do realize that's just the copy from the news release that Joystiq was posting there? God damn you're dumb.
OffTopic Man @ Apr 21st 2006 12:10AM
PS2 slim is shown in a Canadian BestBuy for $129 Canadian. That is even less than $129US!
Insomnia Bob @ Apr 21st 2006 12:45AM
That doesn't count, Off Topic man. Everyone knows Canada doesn't use real money.
Meez @ May 18th 2006 1:22AM
Why waste your money on a 1st generation system given the issues that most all of the 1st generation Sony systems have had? Save your money and finish up the Ps2 titles you have and enjoy, or pick up the titles you've been wanting to and play them out. By the time your done w/all of the Ps2 titles your interested in, and/or own...Sony will have released a less troubled version of the Ps3 and you should be able to pick up the launch titles for much less than you would have earlier. Being the first to own a Ps3 doesnt mean a whole lot and isnt a status symbol within the "real" functioning world.
Look at the people who rushed out to be the 1st to own an XboX 360, and got a buggy, random restarting(among other issues)piece of console crap. What are we on, generation 4 360's now? And this comes from a company whos past systems(XboX) have offered more reliability and durability from launch on...
Lastly, just to clarify prior comments on three of the systems and their hardware capabilities, from the most powerful system to the least among the soon to be last generation consoles(XbOX, Ps2, Gamecube):
1) XbOX
2) Ps2
3) Gamecube
Nintendo has stated that they arent competing on the hardware end. They stated this pre-GC release..and have stated the same in regards to the Wii aswell. Considering the Wii will carry about the same hardware 'punch' as the original XboX. So, among the next generation systems, it will be as follows in regards to hardware power:
1) Sony Ps3
2) XboX 360
3) Nintendo Wii
The great thing Nintendo is known for offering is a strong quality system right off the bat, and an awesome collection of well put together game titles. Especially the "in-house" Nintendo produced titles : Metroid - Zelda - Mario - ect.