PlayStation 2: thriving or failing?
by Kyle Orland 
{ Mar 4th 2007 at 6:30PM }
With all the brouhaha over the new generation of game systems, what's to become of the 100-million-unit-selling lord of the last generation -- the PlayStation 2? Well, it depends on who you ask.On the one side is this Reuters report, which is positively bubbly about the system's enduring sales and impact in light of more powerful competitors. Indeed, the $130 system outsold the Xbox 360 and PS3 in January, and had two of the top ten selling games that month.
On the other side, you have this post on Dubious Quality which notes that the big-five publishers only have ten combined games announced for the system from June onward this year. Electronic Arts alone has ten games listed for the PlayStation 3 in the same period, despite the newer system's much smaller installed base.
So is the PS2's future rosy or ruinous? The determination really hinges on how many of those 100 million PS2 owners worldwide are still actively using their systems and how many have traded them in or boxed them up in the closet. The sales of God of War II, due to be released next week, will give a good indication of just how much oomph this aging system has left.
Read - Thriving
Read - Failing
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jp @ Mar 4th 2007 6:36PM
what more you want from system then it older then 6 years if i am correct
Diman @ Mar 4th 2007 6:42PM
There is some oomph still left in (GoW2, Mercenaries 2, other multiplatform games). It's still a good system for those that can't get a next gen one just yet. I'm glad to say that Sony didn't kill it off just yet, unlike some companies >.>...
Dave @ Mar 4th 2007 6:43PM
Huh?
Dolla Dolla @ Mar 4th 2007 6:45PM
There are two sides to this fence.
1st, at the moment, Sony wants the PS2 to continue to do well. This is why God of War 2 wasn't delayed for the PS3. And, I believe Sony had a press-release stating that pre-orders for GoW2 have already surpassed 1 million. There is plenty of kick left in the PS2 on install base alone.
BUT...
The problem is, Sony is trying to move ahead into the next generation. Due to the steep price of the PS3, those people who love PS2's have not made the switch. Not only that, but there were many issues with PS2 games running on the PS3 during the launch period. Although they fixed them, they are now removing an essential piece of Backwards Compatibility that allowed 98% of titles to play on the PS2.
Less than 50% of PAL format games will play on the European PS3. I believe there are roughly over 2000 PAL games released to our UK brethren.
Sony sits on a shaky fence. On one hand, they HAVE to support their PS2 fanbase, but they NEED to push them over into PS3 land. What is a corporation to do???
hegemonyhog @ Mar 4th 2007 7:01PM
It'll be the same thing we've seen in every other generation - the most viable remnant of the last generation lives on, usually through at least another year of titles (the Madden mark).
The PS2 has the potential to live on through Madden 2009 (summer 2008), but it also probably won't get much else after Christmas 2007.
Spartan 1308 @ Mar 4th 2007 7:10PM
As long as they can make money on the hardware, PS2 could be a cash cow for a long time to come in developing nations as long as Sony isn't putting money into software development. Piracy is huge in some of those countries, but they don't have to make software to profit at this point.
Service_games @ Mar 4th 2007 7:13PM
Hmmm...
"The sales of God of War II, due to be released next week, will give a good indication of just how much oomph this aging system has left."
GoWII can be played on the PS3, also. So, I don't see that as a very valid method to accurately count PS2 gamers.
Borat @ Mar 4th 2007 7:17PM
The PS2 has been such an outstanding success. It even outsold the original PS, no easy feat.
Sony should be more than happy. It still has some life left and will probably do well till the end of 2007 (Madden '08 will be a big seller I'm sure).
Sony should be proud of what it has done with the PS2, unfortunately the success has gone to their head. Hopefully they'll recover quickly.
Hannibal @ Mar 4th 2007 7:18PM
@7:
I still think it'll be a good measure, since nobody owns a PS3 and many PS3 owners will play it on PS2 anyway for the rumble.
LaughingTarget @ Mar 4th 2007 7:31PM
New PS2 releases won't measure anything as stated above. The biggest indication will be when PS2 game sales start to slide if they're picked up at a 1:1 ratio by PS3 titles. One PS2 gone without a PS3 picked up is a lost customer.
I still stand by the idea that the vast majority of the PS2 owners won't make the jump. Too much cost required to play the system. PS2 is perfect since on their existing SDTV the PS3 doesn't exaxtly look $600 better.
Aex @ Mar 4th 2007 7:45PM
You guys crack me up. Selling PS2 consoles and software is going to do anything BUT hurt Sony. Just like selling GBA handhelds and software is going to do anything BUT hurt Nintendo.
The PS2 brings in money. Money is good. Therefore, supporting the PS2 is good. Those looking to save money are going to go with a PS2 or a Wii. Those looking for a next-gen console are going to go for a Xbox 360 or a PS3. Those looking to save money and get a next-gen console aren't going to buy one for another year or two, so the support for the PS2 IS a good thing for Sony.
Negativecool @ Mar 4th 2007 7:55PM
Hot Shots Golf 3 and Fore are the only games my wife will tolerate, hence letting me play my other games.
So...until Hot Shots Golf 5 comes out for the PS3, and I can justify to her that it will be worth $600 + $60 for the game, I'll be stuck in PS2 land for some time in the future.
Die slowly PS2! "And when I say slowly I mean F***ing slow!....50DKP minus!"
Diman @ Mar 4th 2007 7:55PM
@9:
A quick generalization. I just recently got GoW for $20, and I'm playing it on my PS3, rumble doesn't do much for me. See, many games that utilize rumble don't bring immersion into the game, it's something just tacked on for the most part. When you get used to rumble, and you pick up the SIXAXIS controller, you feel like something is missing. That's not an indication of you loving rumble and now missing it, it's more of human ability to spot a change. Playing GoW on PS3, was the same as playing it on PS2, but the image is a bit sharper.
Gamey McGee @ Mar 4th 2007 8:18PM
A reputable news outlet versus a blog? I guess I'll have to take the obvious conclusion here- Reuters may be a *tad* more reliable.
It also makes perfect sense that PS2 game production will be winding down over this year. PS3 production is ramping up. It's pretty much a direct relationship-- one goes up as the other is going down.
fat albert @ Mar 4th 2007 8:41PM
After PS3 fans experience MOTOR STORM next week PS2 will be a fond memory. Thankfully [so far]my PS3 is 100% b/c. Sure hope GoW 2 [drool] works!
Mr BoomStick XL @ Mar 4th 2007 8:39PM
Here's where I see that Sony may have a problem, they are banking on people still supporting this system and even though it still sells well it can't sustane the market for much longer. Here's a easy question for you PS Fanboy's out there...will you be buying God of War 2 for the PS2 or the PS3?? I will be buying it for the use on the PS3 and that is what the problem is. Most gamers who are buying the PS3 are the Die Hard Gamers. Sony has sold so many PS2's that there may not be that many people willing to buy an old system but are not willing to spend the $600.00+ for a PS3 If Sony wishes to sell what they have left they will need to drop the PS2's price by $30.00 and make it appealing to the few people that actually don't own the system yet!!
Mohan @ Mar 4th 2007 11:18PM
I think it's doing fine, for it's age. I mean the PS2 did outsell the 360 and PS3 in January the month after the holidays, thats got to count for something.
fat albert @ Mar 4th 2007 8:43PM
I should also add for prospective buyers of PS3; I have played it quite a bit and in conclusion:I don't miss the lack of rumble one iota!
nebraskaguy @ Mar 4th 2007 8:49PM
I think the HUGE difference in price between a new PS2 and a PS3 is what is driving the PS2 sales. I know 5 people off the top of my head that were waiting for the PS3 to come out to replace their ailing PS2s. When they heard $600, they went WTF? Then they ran out and bought the new slim PS2 for $130. Most people can't justify spending $300 or even $250 just to play games. Just us gamers really care about graphics and original games. Most people think last-gen offroad racers and Madden are as good as it gets. The average American will not buy a PS3 until the price comes down, just like they did with the PS2. The bad thing for Sony is that they would prefer you and me to buy a PS3 to broaden their install base. Without a larger install base you will see more developers making games for 3 systems, 360, PS3, and PS2. It will be interesting to see how this dynamic plays out. I think if Sony can keep people interested in their PS2's long enough to drop the price by at least $100 on PS3 they will be ok. But if not, look out for the 360.
Revo @ Mar 4th 2007 8:51PM
"11. You guys crack me up. Selling PS2 consoles and software is going to do anything BUT hurt Sony. Just like selling GBA handhelds and software is going to do anything BUT hurt Nintendo."
Obviously the PS2 is making Sony money. The question is whether it's going to further deter people from buying the PS3. Those who already own a PS2 won't have much incentive to do so if the console they already own is still strongly supported. And if it continues to thrive, it's possible (albeit unlikely) that the general public will view this generation as a race between the Wii, 360, and PS2, with the PS3 being a mere afterthought.
"14. A reputable news outlet versus a blog? I guess I'll have to take the obvious conclusion here- Reuters may be a *tad* more reliable."
There's one key detail you're missing here: Dubious Quality is a video game blog, while Reuters is a mainstream media outlet. In general, I'd trust the former rather than the latter simply because it's their area of expertise, and mainstream articles on videogames aren't exactly known for being accurate.
crusher @ Mar 4th 2007 8:53PM
I actually bought a PS2 in January. I'm a big Nintendo guy, largely because that is what I grew up on. I have had SNES, N64, GameBoy Color, GameCube, and bought a DS Lite and a Wii on their respective launch dates.
I decided to buy a PS2 since they're relatively inexpensive now and have such a huge library of great (and now inexpensive) games. I gotta say that I'm really enjoying games like GTA: San Andreas, Guitar Hero II, God of War, Burnout 3, and am looking forward to playing Final Fantasy X and XII. It's nice having a backup system with cheap games to fill any "droughts" on the Wii, especially since I've already played most of the great GameCube games.
nick @ Mar 4th 2007 9:08PM
This last Christmas, I know someone who received a number of gifts, mostly cash and gift certificates, and with some money they already had saved, was able to spend $500 in January on whatever they wanted.
What did they buy? A PS2.
I find it intriguing that the money wasn't used for a PS3 instead.
The reasoning? Guitar Hero. They mentioned the PS3 being too expensive, and if purchased, would leave no money left to buy games. Plus they wanted to buy other items, such as a portable digital music player.
The PS2 is both a good and bad for Sony. It's great that it's still selling, and I'm sure it's highly profitable, but at some point, they're going to need to convert existing customers to the next generation, or be left behind.
Why aren't more people purchasing the PS3? Since Motorstorm is being released this week, and is perhaps one of the better showcases of the machine thus far, it'll be interesting to see if hardware sales increase.
Daryl @ Mar 4th 2007 9:50PM
I don't see "Motor Storm" as a system seller. Next people will say that "F1" was a system seller.
I remember hearing lots of hype about "F1", but know that it's out I'm not hearing too much!
dsub @ Mar 4th 2007 10:41PM
God of War 2 marks the end of the PS2 era. It WILL be the last great PS2 game. From then on the PS2 will see nothing but sports titles from EA and franchise (movie) games until holiday next year and then it will fizzle out and die. I expect manufacturing of the console to stop by the end of 2008, however, Sony will milk this cash cow for as long as they can.
dsub @ Mar 4th 2007 10:45PM
Daryl-
I agree. Motorstorm is NOT a system seller. Sony fans are just making it out to be one because it is a decent looking game that ISN'T on 360. Gran Turismo is a system seller, Forza is a system seller, PGR is a system seller.
Motorstorm, which may in fact be the modern day equivalent of Demolition Derby on dirt, is nothing more than a fun Arcade racer. The entire game takes place in the same damn environment for god's sake. It'll be fun, don't get me wrong, but I predict it to be no better than an 8/10 game with so-so replay value that will solely depend on the online counterpart. If it's got the same old run-of-the-mill online, it'll fizzle out quick.
What this game needs is a custom track maker. Allow people to makeup crazy tracks and swap them online. There's a feature for ya sony. Now get to it.
steve17 @ Mar 4th 2007 10:59PM
im not saying motorstorm isnt cool. cause it is. but it was honestly more fun to blow myself up and watch the particle effects than try and win.
and if u have played one offroad racer. u have played them all. it will be a nice addition to the ps3 desperatly needy library but it wont have ps3 flying off shelves.
jason @ Mar 4th 2007 11:00PM
I don't think ps2 and failure should be in the same senetence
PoliticalGamer @ Mar 4th 2007 11:02PM
I say this post had fortuitous timing for me, as I just got a PS2 (with DDR, since I'm getting no exercise otherwise).
I mostly as looking forward to getting the PS2's back catalog. I would go for the PS1's catalog from the used bins, but then I would have to also find a PS1 memory card (something of an oversight on Sony's part).
While there are a few games coming out for the aging system, I doubt anything of the AAA category will be released.
Ironically, the PSP may keep the PS2 afloat a bit long, since we may see more GTA Stories type ports happen. So we will probably see something on the system, especially since many people who own a PS2 probably won't buy a PS3 for a long while, at least until the price finally drops to a reasonable level.
Optimus Prime @ Mar 4th 2007 11:11PM
What will extend the life of PS2 is the Wii... since devs can just port PS2 games to Wii afterwards, add some waggle controls, and rake in the cash.
Woo, Motorstorm in 2 days!
WEEZY @ Mar 4th 2007 11:53PM
1 word, INFLATED.
Due to the fact -IF- your PS2 last more that four years you are considered very lucky. Therefore PS2 sales are acually not that high since a couple of my friends have had to buy three since day one.
steve17 @ Mar 5th 2007 12:08AM
yeah. while im not dissputing the ps2 reigning supreme last gen. i know shit loads of friends that have had problems.
my nieghbor's dvd player in his ps2 chops up the picture. another friend had to get a replacement piece for his disc tray cause a little plastic peice(that was suppose to be made of metal) broke and would open the tray. and another friend's ps2 just had to get thrown out cause it just bricked itself.
xbox1 as a system was far superior to the ps2. it just didnt get the same love in the game department.
do u guys ever wonder what would be different today if the dreamcast had been a smashing success and the ps2 had taken the back seat? good or bad.....think of the possibilties.
Makaveli @ Mar 5th 2007 4:23PM
The PS2 will still have new releases for at least another year simply due to the fact that that's where most of the customers are. I know a few people that just got a PS2 within the last year, and a few more waiting for it to go down to $99. The PS3 and Xbox 360 are too expensive and lack that genre-creating game to make that exception for the majority of alot of casual players. The DS is so popular because it doesn't have either of those problems. Once the Tomb Raider or GTA of this generation comes along, console prices drop to $250, and the Greatest Hits libraries grow, people will make the switch. Until then, PC players will feast of the large number of Xbox 360 ports and PS2 players will play their backlog of unfinished games. And don't forget there's a lot of great exclusive games, niche titles, and ports coming to PS2 including:
Persona 3
Yakuza 2
Wild Arms 5
Manhunt 2
Juiced 2
Atelier Iris 3
.hack GU 2
Dawn of Mana
Test Drive Unlimited
Tomb Raider: Anniversary
Heatseeker
Shining Force Exa
Elvandia Story
Odin Sphere
Medal of Honor Vanguard
TMNT
The Red Star
Stuntman Ignition
Burnout Dominator
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Mercenaries 2
Smackdown 2008
Madden 2008
ill trooper @ Mar 5th 2007 12:25AM
Initially, I was shocked and a little let down by how quickly Microsoft ignored the Xbox after they released the 360. They had to - the xbox was never really in a commanding position like the PS2 and it was best to cut ties and move to pushing the 360 towards what it is today: a kick-ass system that everyone should own.
Now, as I watch Sony allow potentially blockbusting games like God of War 2 and the latest SOCOM come out on the PS2 while the PS3 needs that level of quality software, I wish they would close the valve on the money stream that is the PS2... I know it sounds dumb, but I think they need to encourage people to consider the PS3 - turning down a short-term profit might encourage a more long-term profit by taking curious customers to a 'next-level' like Microsoft has done with their 360.
And Steve17 - I still use my lanch PS2. When my first Xbox died, and didn't survive two repairative surgeries, I gave up and bought a second one. Then I bought a 360 on launch day, and it died 5 months later. I still have my replacement. I love all of them. So we all have stories that support or tear down the quality of these systems.
...Also, may I add that my Dreamcast's drive died?
samfish @ Mar 5th 2007 12:31AM
Prior to the 360, apparently, the PS2 is undoubtedly the shittiest console ever made, in terms of hardware quality.
I've personally known 3 people who've had their PS2's break. Two of them were disc read errors due to the lazer breaking, I think.
Anyway, the PS2 will be more or less dead by this time a year from now. That's just the way it's always been. Like someone else said, the best selling console of the previous generation always gets about another year of decent support and then it dies.
Leshrac @ Mar 5th 2007 1:22AM
Well, I'll definitely be picking God of War 2 up, and I don't own a PS3 yet. I'm sure several people who own PS3s will probably be picking it up too... in a way, it'll be the best exclusive game to release for the system for awhile.
-Leshrac
http://alinktothefuture.com
ShaleX @ Mar 5th 2007 3:08AM
Well considering that the PS2 has sold 100 million consoles, is going into it's 7th year, has more incredible games then you can possibly play for $20 or less...
My vote is neither... It's going to come to the end of it's life cycle.. new games will stop being released... It's inevitable.... But there is nothing such as failure for that console.
epobirs @ Mar 5th 2007 3:42AM
The new software may dry up for the PS2 in 2007 but that is far from the end of the story. There are millions of PS2 owners who've made their purchase in just the last year. Yes, some of those are replacements for dead systems but the majority are people getting access to PS2 games for the first time. And this is before the official price drop to $100 that must inevitably come. It may not ever match the PSone's $49 low price before largely disappearing from retail in developed nations but there is still plenty of opportunity to sell the platform to untapped markets.
The trick for Sony is getting those more recent first time PS2 owners to buy their software new rather than used or pirated. If they can managed the with half of the most recent PS2 sales, it will mean tens of millions in production revenues. Meanwhile, the lingering presence of the PS2 library will at retail will make still more revenue from the growing PS3 base, much of which is new to the PS2 library or is far from done playing all of its worthy titles.
steve17 @ Mar 5th 2007 5:38AM
maby sony is trying to sell the ps3 on the ps2's game library. i have KINDA been pondering a FUTURE ps3 purchase just for the sole purpose that i want to move into next gen. but i want the best of last gen too. i figure i could buy a ps3 and play all the ps2 games. its better than buying a ps2 then waiting a year and buying a ps3 anyway.
maby sony is trying to say: buy our console now and u can still enjoy ur old games. u just have to wait a while for the new ps3 titles.
who knows.....
i might get a ps3 SOMEDAY. but the thought of putting my hard earned cash into ken's pockets still make me have second thoughts.
hotrider12 @ Sep 21st 2007 2:41AM
I think the ps2 will be around for a long time at lease til ps3 price drops.there are millions of ps2 fans so lets face it. ps2 will be around for a good while, even if sony drops 100.00 hell thats still 500.00 for 60gb and 400.00 for 20gb add the taxes the ps3 still 600.00 and some change for 60gb and 500.00 and some change for the 400.00 20gb so u see til sony knock off 200.00 for 600.00 ps3 and 200.00 for 500.00 ps3. ps2 not going anywhere no time soon at lease til 2010 so ps2 be here til around 2010 3 years!!! now if sony swollow their pride and reduce ps3 price and admit a blunder in forcing the public to accept blue-ray dvd option. then maybe just maybe they can jump back in first place until then 360 and WII will remain competitive and ps3 will be trailing behind no matter what game comes out.
I like to see
contra 4,gradius6, r-tpye shooter game a "new begining" need for speed (new title) maybe "hot persuit 3" new gauntlet title
deaftly @ Mar 5th 2007 7:02AM
the ps days are over, its now xbox
Jon @ Mar 5th 2007 7:06AM
Last Christmas my gf got a gift voucher so that she could use it towards the purchase of a Wii. Unfortunately for Nintendo even when we pre-ordered the console, the retailers were unable to give us one came launch day. They promised us a January shipment instead.
So we used the gift cert to obtain a used PS2 and I gave her my old copy of Dragon Quest VIII and she has been loving it ever since.
Silver Gecko @ Mar 5th 2007 8:50AM
Mine is in the closet, litterally. I'm really trying to resist some kind of coming out of the closet joke about the PS2, really.
CountStiltzkin @ Mar 5th 2007 8:56AM
Guaranteed plenty of units being sold at the moment are replacements, the 'bulky' ps2s are less than robust.
Razorback @ Mar 5th 2007 9:14AM
I think they should change the title of this article. It would be more appropriate to call it "Playstation 2: Thriving or Ending." I think it is a drastic understatment to say it is failing. For any fanboy, you can't deny that the PS2 sold the most units in history.
AJ @ Mar 5th 2007 2:07PM
The PS2 will go down as one of the greatest systems ever, right up there with the SNES. It has a vast library of titles and has out lived all other consoles of its generation. It was the first to arrive and the last to leave. Even into the next gen, it's still holding its own. Hats off to Sony. The PS2 will keep them going while they are still losing money from the PS3.
jeffx @ Mar 5th 2007 10:40AM
Makaveli wins with his inclusion of ODIN SPHERE.
sheppy @ Mar 5th 2007 10:45AM
First off, I find it hilarious that plenty of people are saying "replacement PS2s, artificially inflated!" This is true of some people, but what about Xbox 360s number or more importantly, Gameboy and DS numbers? I know I had a DS Phat before upgrading to a Lite. Likewise, I had an original gameboy, a play it loud clear, a GB Pocket, a GB Pocket Lite, GBC, GBA, GBA SP, and a GBA Micro. And how many Gameboys were replaced as units children lost? So if we're gonna be on this issue, let's be on it all across the board.
Now, having said THAT.
People fail to recognize that PS3 and 360 are both unapproachable by the casual market. Hell, even Wii stays out of that price range. The first holiday season PS2 was $200, in two months and in the US alone, it sold 5+ million units. Ironically enough, that was the same holiday season that featured a memory card shortage but hey. Sony is wise in supporting an installed fanbase while giving PS3 the time it needs to become attractive to that demographic. Eventually, PS3 will drop but if the library isn't there, then they will migrate elsewhere. Sony fans also, according to surveys, tend to be the most brand loyal (Sorry Nintendo) so when they migrate/upgrade, they will be looking at sticking with Sony.
Sony's only challenge at this point is supporting the fanbase long enough for the transition to happen. In this way, they could easily extend the consoles life just in the niche markets alone by translating all those RPGs from Japan. Likewise, once they get into "budget" territory, titles like the Simple 2000 (c'mon, who here doesn't want to walk into EB and request Ambulance vs. Zombies?) series could extend the life as well.
Yes, it could be damaging if Sony continues to support PS2 for too long but realistically, if/when they upgrade, the only viable choice is Wii. PS3 isn't the viable option for upgrading yet.
Daniel Vella @ Mar 5th 2007 11:43AM
I've had my PS2 since 2001 and it's always worked fine...
CountStiltzkin @ Mar 6th 2007 6:23AM
My mistake Sheppy, what I was trying to get across is that it's probably a very positive sign that people are replacing the machines. Though I don't see how the console can be making sony a lot of money anymore 1) because the release list is pretty sparse and 2) because of the huge preowned games market.
Also, out of interest who are you classing as the casual market?