PlayStation 2 now $99
by Kevin Kelly 
{ Mar 31st 2009 at 7:25AM } 
Assuaging fears that this is a mean April Fool's joke (which is the day the price is official), John Koller wrote on the PlayStation Blog, "This speaks to the technology and features that were packed into PlayStation 2 from the beginning, as well as to the ongoing support the platform enjoys from the publishing and retail communities and, well, all of you fans."
Of course, SCEA president Jack Tretton couldn't help but add, "Just as PlayStation 2 is delivering on a 10-year lifecycle and helped expand and solidify the DVD format for home entertainment along the way, we believe PlayStation 3 offers the same promise by helping secure the Blu-ray format and delivering unprecedented value as the total home entertainment solution for the next decade." We get it Jack, but can't we just celebrate with the NINETY-NINE DOLLAH PS2 for now?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Lee @ Mar 31st 2009 7:30AM
Oh wow. does buy.
xgarryx @ Mar 31st 2009 7:32PM
o man i had the fatty ps2 and it stopped reading discs years ago, just bought a ps3 to go next to my 360 ... man this tempting.. wish my ps3 was backwards compatible, sigh..now im gonna reshell out cash for another ps2 .
is it still backwards compatible with ps1 titles ??
Dehshizknight @ Apr 1st 2009 12:48AM
Even your PS3 is backwards-compatible with PSOne games; not PS2 games. PS2 is backwards-compatible with PSOne games but you need a PSOne Memory Card if you wanna save on the PS2.
Andrew Ryan @ Mar 31st 2009 7:32AM
If this was the global announcement it's pretty "meh" because everyone who's a gamer had already owned a PS2. Now this price drop is truly tailored to the kids getting on board & once-a-month type gamers. I expected the global announcement to be something more important. But we'll see.
Wes @ Mar 31st 2009 7:59AM
@Andrew
I do kind of agree. Its a nice sentiment to anyone whose never had a chance to own a PS2 like casual gamers, but, to the 100 million strong who have owned a PS2 before, its nothing special. Especially to those whom have taken the leap to the high definition consoles.
Its like the equivilent of a PC Gamer going out and buying a new computer. He loves his new computer. It looks better, runs faster and more online features than before. A few days later at work on a billboard, he sees an add for a P3-450mhz with CRT monitor for only $99 bucks on a billboard at work, having a computer so much better there's no motivation to buy the 10 year old budget PC.
That's basically the way I feel about my xbox 360/PS3 versus the PS2's new price point. Wow, its a 10-year-old 'computer entertainment system' for $99.99 or for $199.99 get a 2-year-old 'computer entertainment system' thats about 8+ times as fast. Hmm...
Great Golem+ @ Mar 31st 2009 8:21AM
I thought PS Cloud was the big announcement?
Ryan @ Mar 31st 2009 10:21AM
I disagree.
Up until a year ago I would consider myself a pretty hardcore gamer. I have only played a PS2 a handful of times and the only Sony game system I have ever owned is my PSPhat.
$129 was starting to get my attention, but now $99 is hard to pass up for a system with such a large catalogue of games, regardless of the console's age...
TracerBullet @ Mar 31st 2009 9:35AM
Sorry, from global perspective, nothing could be bigger than this. A $99 console will fit well in the pocket of many poorer nations, and potentially will give Sony quite a boost on sales.
It also kills the Zeebo on the spot.
Nathan-DTS @ Apr 4th 2009 5:38PM
Agreed, very dull, but a nice sentiment in the PS2s long life.Unfortunately it is very hard to get the amazing older PS2 games (ICO, SotC, GoW, MGS etcetera etcetera) and some are damn near impossible to find.
Magresda @ Mar 31st 2009 11:08AM
Wes,
While I do agree that most (read: ALL) hardcore gamers own or have owned a PS2, a $99 price point is most like targeted at younger kids without much money. I'd buy my nephew a PS2 over a Wii any day. (Partly because he already has a Wii, but...well)
Another potential target audience is the people who got rid of their PS2 when they got a next-gen console (or if it otherwise broke in the last 3 years). I know a LOT of people who sold their PS2's to soften the wallet-striking blow of purchasing a PS3. They don't necessarily have the 60 gig version, thus making them unable to play their old PS2 games. And some of the classics from that era are worth a hundred bucks alone.
Your PC comparison is flawed however. A PC gamer upgrading his 'rig' is merely upgrading his current hardware. He's still running Windows, capable of playing all his old games even better. True, there would be no motivation for him to buy that old PC "just 'cause it's cheap", but it's completely different from buying an older console.
And regarding your last paragraph - $100 bucks extra is a lot for a kid. Not to mention the extra cost of games. Even here in dirt expensive Norway you can get great last-generation PS2 games such as GOWII for $10. There isn't much difference between the last wave of PS2 games and the 360's launch games. Not to mention the $199 360 is a stripped arcade version - but I guess that's fair when considering kids.
And if you're a hardcore gamer? Well, you probably already have a 360. If you don't... Well, I don't know what to say to that.
Deck @ Mar 31st 2009 1:53PM
I would disagree as well. I would consider myself a "hardcore" gamer but until I got my 360 (which I essentially did for Mass Effect) I was "hardcore" on the PC. I had NES, SNES, N64, Gameboy, Gamecube's and a Dreamcast but I never had any sony platform. I played Nintendo and PC.
So I admit that I missed out on a lot of incredible PS2 games, and this price point will at some point make me pick it up and go back to play a lot of them.
thesoiden @ Mar 31st 2009 5:27PM
Maybe, but it's also a good chance for one-console owners that own another console [Like me]. This could be a good chance to have a PS2 [I'm a core gamer, BTW].
Ravendust @ Mar 31st 2009 7:37AM
Any idea which SKU this is? Hopefully it's the SCPH-90000 (Japan only afaik) with the internal power supply (no external power brick) and total weight reduced to just 750 grams.
aacman007 @ Mar 31st 2009 7:41AM
That'll do pig, that'll do.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Mar 31st 2009 8:04AM
no no no.....you gotta say it with the accent...
ShadowflareXIII @ Mar 31st 2009 7:40AM
Huh....wha?
So anyway...What's for breakfast? I'm feelin' eggs n' bacon....
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Mar 31st 2009 8:54AM
Grits, Pancakes, hasbrowns.....
ShadowflareXIII @ Mar 31st 2009 9:44AM
I hear that, and raise you a tall, cool glass of O.J.
The Fuzz 53 @ Mar 31st 2009 10:29AM
A bowl of Kix
Flit @ Mar 31st 2009 7:42AM
Now if we could just find a way to stick this $99 machine inside of the PS3 to make it play ps2 games. Backwards... comp... comparable, compatible! That's it!
Sorry, I can't help myself.
Morisato @ Mar 31st 2009 8:54AM
Forget spending money trying to fit it in... just bundle them together.
Bagels: Commander in Chief of the lolcat sarcasm alert force. Flying Monkeys beware. @ Mar 31st 2009 9:19AM
Two words: Duct Tape.
novus82x @ Mar 31st 2009 10:22AM
Yah, no kidding... $99 is tempting and I will probably buy it because I'm a whore and want to play some older games at some point.
I have the fat PS2 but who wants that next to a PS3, stacked on top of a 360, next to a Wii?
Oh well, maybe this brings my PS2 in the car dream closer. $99 system, $100 LCD, $50 in parts, slap on my already purchased wireless controller. Bam... work lunches just got a whole lot more awesome.
zappo @ Mar 31st 2009 12:33PM
Yeah, I think that's what people are tending to forget with the "console wars". We've got 3 contenders right now, and they are simply the next generation. When you look at the controllers and wires for 3 consoles alone it's a huge mess. Gaming has matured and many of us have gone with the game companies through all of this.. and accumulated consoles.
To be honest I think the least they could do is reward brand loyalty. I mean backwards compatibility is supposed to be an incentive to buy a console in the same line right? Why bother getting a PS3 when I can get an Xbox, neither can play ps2 games etc. It's puzzling why the people up top lost sight of that.
I was determined to buy a PS3 the other day and I've been wading through SKUs and such trying to figure out the BC thing. But you know what? Screw it. There's only ONE ps3 game I want to play. There's a bunch of ps2 games I've been wanting to play for a while (but couldn't because my ps2 burned out a year ago). I'm willing to just shelve the ps3 idea and deal with an older system at this point.
HitNRun @ Mar 31st 2009 1:41PM
Not just that, but there's a drawback to *not* putting BWC in when you your competitor does. I know the intriguing possibility of playing the (admittedly not huge) library of Xbox1 exclusives was a big factor in me picking up a 360.
MowDownJoe @ Mar 31st 2009 7:43AM
Good for the PS2. It deserves the long run it has. Now will someone deflate Jack's ego? It seems to like to suck on helium too much.
Wes @ Mar 31st 2009 7:51AM
The ego is no mistake. Executives(particularly CEOs) get paid so much money in bonuses whether a company does well or not. If a exec gets let go, they usually have it written in their contract that they get a nice lump sum of a few million dollars to just walk out the door.
"Fire that man Joshua!".
"But sir, we don't have enough money to fire Jack"
"Damn it! Hire that man back and get me some coffee".
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Mar 31st 2009 7:46AM
with less than a year left in its 10 year life this is damn near a closeout price.....lol
Jtenma @ Mar 31st 2009 7:47AM
Damn... a wired DUALSHOCK controller...
Those were the days.
Maulok @ Mar 31st 2009 9:16AM
You said it. I remember a few years ago thinking a wireless controller wasn't that big a deal. Now it's the primary reason I don't replay Snake Eater or GoW2 on my PS2.
Tried the Logitech wireless, but that thing weighs as much as a human head. Please bring back PS3 backward compatability :-(
Patrick @ Mar 31st 2009 10:14AM
@Maulook
Oh please. Logitech's Cordless Action controller actually feels GOOD because it weighs a bit more than the Dual Shock. And it worked perfectly with the PS2. I'm surprised it didn't sell more than it did.
Maulok @ Mar 31st 2009 11:10AM
Just my personal preference, I didn't care for the weight or the shape, particularly the positioning of the shoulder buttons. I liked the battery life, but had a hard time getting used to it. Ultimately went back to the wired dualshock2.
I thought about trying one of those Nerf wireless controllers, but couldn't find anyone who recommended one.
xgarryx @ Mar 31st 2009 7:26PM
do you guys remember the non-dual analog stick ps1 controllers? sigh those where the days.
i remember being defiantly against dual analog. i was also defiantly against internet console play...
wow how ive changed.
Ravendust @ Mar 31st 2009 7:47AM
Hopefully this will boost Sony's profile in developing countries or countries with developing videogame markets (Brazil, India etc). Assuming they get similar price-cuts of course.
Shogan @ Mar 31st 2009 7:52AM
Buying one, my giant old PS2 recently died.
DmaRt @ Mar 31st 2009 9:27AM
all you guys are forgetting that the ps3 is like a computer\blu ray player... i dont see this lowering down anytime soo sorry buddy!
DmaRt @ Mar 31st 2009 9:29AM
sorry this is @ Otis
Otis Whitaker @ Mar 31st 2009 7:52AM
Well, another year (so far) of me not buying a PS3, I guess.
Seriously. $400 for fancy XBOX 360? Why would I do that? To play a few exclusive games?
Haha. No. I'm not made of money! Lower the price to $300! I'm begging you, for the love of god, Sony! I want to play MGS4 so badly :( But $400 is so much :'(
cubert @ Mar 31st 2009 8:01AM
You won't resist when GOW3 comes out. ;)
But wtf was that? When I'm promised a "big announcement" I expect it!!
Sony can just shove there precious PS2 up there ****..........no wait...in the PS3 would be better.
Otis @ Mar 31st 2009 8:39AM
Why in the world was I downvoted for this? I dare someone who actually did so to comment! You won't, and you know it!
I mean, god, fanboyism to a new level!
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Mar 31st 2009 8:49AM
I paid $400 to play 360 games...
I bought an Elite just to play Gears 2, & Fable 2. sure I will play a few other games on 360 but I wont buy those games just rent them. and thats only IF they dont have an online component.
nighttime__ @ Mar 31st 2009 9:08AM
otis! I remember you! you used to have a dreamcast! and you have orange hair! and a live journal!
Sexualchocolate @ Mar 31st 2009 10:00AM
It's worth every single penny.
It's a lot cheaper than 2 or 3 errorboxes, or even one errorbox and a couple of repairs for their RRoD, uh, sorry, I mean the E74.
Or even one errorbox, a HDD, a couple of controller charger packs, a WiFi adapter and a years LIVE.
Trust me, and many other users, you will smile and recognise the value in a week.
In a year, when it's still running perfectly (despite being dropped down the stairs, and spending more of that year on than off) your smile will grow.
At that time you'll look at your collection of top of the range Blu-ray games and films and you WILL laugh at any notion of spending hard earned cash on an errorbox.
i almost bought an errorbox because the PS3 was "too expensive" and i was too impatient, but I said balls to it, splashed out on a PS3 and have never looked back, other than the odd giggle at my mates when their errorboxes die, again, and again.
So yeah, worth every penny.
Patrick @ Mar 31st 2009 10:16AM
I wasn't the one who downvoted you, but anyone who calls the PS3 a "fancy Xbox 360" deserves more than a downvote...you deserve a kick in the ass.
sc00by_y00 @ Mar 31st 2009 10:23AM
I liked the fancy 360 comment, because it implies its better than the 360.. A true elite version of 360 if you will :D..
Want a 360 elite ? Buy a PS3 you wont regret it :D
Otis @ Mar 31st 2009 10:50AM
"I wasn't the one who downvoted you, but anyone who calls the PS3 a "fancy Xbox 360" deserves more than a downvote...you deserve a kick in the ass."
Oh come on. They mostly have the same games. If I already have one... and I'm low on money, why in the hell would I pay $400 for it? I mean, really! That's what I mean by fancy 360. It's a 360, with a few different exclusives and some extra hardware features, but essentially the same darn lineup.
Sexualchocolate, it's pretty obvious you're some sort of deranged fanboy of some kind. I mean, errorbox? What are you, 12? "Let me critique and insult something I don't even own for an aspect that only matters if I own it!! RAH!!!"
"otis! I remember you! you used to have a dreamcast! and you have orange hair! and a live journal!"
Jeebus! Who were you from LJ?
Mr. Joe @ Mar 31st 2009 10:51AM
i downvoted you. 1. cuz you sound like a moron. 2. cuz you complain about a hundred bucks of something you want oh so bad. and 3. cuz you whine about being downvoted.
Otis Whitaker @ Mar 31st 2009 10:55AM
That's very mature of you, Mr. Joe!
One day, human decency will be entered into the internet, and on that day, it'll explode.
I sound like a moron because I complain about $100? Like that's nothing or something? That's a lot of money!
JXCgunrunna @ Mar 31st 2009 11:17AM
@sexualchocolate
How old are you? either not very or your memory is shit.
Thats pretty funny you are on here talking about how reliable the PS2s are and how shitty the 360's are and how they die because if we go back in time 7 years to when the PS2 was 2 years old, they were failing too. not at such a high rate but it was still high. not only that but they were more expensive compared to the 360 as far as where the other consoles in that generation were selling. if you want to talk about reliability, my nintendo consoles have held up really well. my original PS2 laser was a little off and i couldnt read disks with black bottoms. my slim ps2 tho has worked fine
sc00by_y00 @ Mar 31st 2009 12:47PM
The ps2 still had a much higher rate of reliability than the xbox360 the xbox360 is the worst console in history..
The PS2's errors were corrected within a couple of years the 360 still has issues..
So yes Sexual Chocolate is correct... the term errorbox is probably the most apt for describing the 360 :D