Just last week the anti-Sony brigade were busy foaming at the mouth when Deutsche Bank (no, I didn't make that wonderful name up) analyst Jeetil Patel commented on September's NPD results -- and how they signaled to him at least, the ending of a great era for the PlayStation 2.
Well that was last week, and this week Sony strikes back with a little "chin music" of their own concerning the colossal juggernaut that is the PS2. Welcome to the birthday party of the most popular 7-year-old we've ever known. Sure, he may be starting to come down from that big sugar rush of last generation, but it's been one hell of a ride. Here's a reminder of the PS2's exploits, just in case you were too busy hating on the PS3 to notice:
- To date the PS2 has sold more than 120 million units worldwide
- 10 million additional PS2's are expected to be sold worldwide by the end of March 2008
- The PS2 broke the record for the fastest game console to reach 100 million units shipped, accomplishing the feat within 5 years and 9 months from its launch. This was faster than its predecessor, the PlayStation, which took 9 years and 6 months to reach the same milestone
Oh, but don't run out the door just yet. Hit the jump for the rest of this Cinderella story.
- The PS2 has a software library of more than 1,400 titles
- SCEA will unveil more than 160 new software titles for the PS2 through the end of March 2008
- 30 million software titles for the PS2 have already been sold in this fiscal year
- The PS2 is a great option for consumers thanks to its expansive software library and low price point of $129.99
- The limited edition White Ceramic PS2 that will be bundled with SingStar Pop ($149.99) is ideal for younger families who want to enjoy social gaming while Buzz! Provides fun for the entire family
- The top-selling PS2 titles of all time:
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (12 million)
Grand Theft Auto III (11 million)
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec (11 million)
Gran Turismo 4 (8.79 million)
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (7 million)
Kingdom Hearts (5.6 million)
Final Fantasy X (5 million)
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (3.7 million)
Final Fantasy XII (3.68 million).
Besides stating the obvious that Sony should demand that all future titles for the PS3 should begin with the letters G, F, or M, I'd like to say that this is as fine a list of games as I've ever witnessed. My only disappointment is the glaring lack of Resident Evil somewhere in the midst of it all -- but personal opinion has little bearing on actual sales figures.
I'm thinking that Sony is not only celebrating an old friend, but also quietly hoping to conjure up images of its future. After all, it was not all that long ago that Sony wasn't feasting on humble pie, and we were all madly in love with everything they threw at us. Things might look a little dim for them right now, but a turnaround is anything but inconceivable.
As the Xbox 360 continues to struggle with hardware failures (warranty or not), Sony has the perfect platform in which to make their rise back to the top complete. They've already taken steps to make the PS3 more affordable. Now they need to throw everything at their disposal towards helping (nurturing relationships) developers give us the newest batch of memorable games to brag about at the next birthday party.
Come to think of it, Sony would be wise to re-examine their relationship with everyone. Like the old saying goes, the proverbial ball is in their court now -- and we all just want to play.
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Woot let's hope the same success happens as with their other two consoles.
ps3 is on the up and up it seems. i think that by this time next year it will be much more stable. i hope. cheers to sony and best wishes for the ps3!
The PS2 is dead people, DEAD.
Sony: "Oh the past, how I wish you were the present *SOB*"
*Snarky comment about 40g backward compatability*
Sony stole my baby!
I love me some RE. But seriously, why are they touting this? To remind people that their new machines can't play their million sellers? Lol. Stupid Sony.
i gave my ps2 to my mom as a dvd player
I can't believe how long the PS2 lasted. Wonder how well the PS3 will...
We need less GTAs, Halos, Mario Karts, Megamans and Final Fantasys and more original and innovative titles. This PS2 list clearly shows the sad state of good original titles not being appreciated enough. So sad.
Ah, the good ol’ days...how I miss thee...
"To date the PS2 has sold more than 120 million units worldwide"
Sony has SHIPPED 120 million consoles, not sold. It's the old Sony trick.
Aw, let them gush about the past, it'll be a little while longer before they have anything in the present to celebrate.
Respectable.
I miss my PS2.
I still have my ps2
i gots dat triple with that emotional engine in it...
likes those ps2 games... alot...
the past is over, iTS ALL ABOUT THE crapppy pstriple now.
Fuck Grand Theft Auto. I don't get why people buy that crap. Personally I think the "Rip-off's" do a better job than rock star. Gran Theft Auto 4 looks fucking terrible and its going to be smaller than Grand Theft 3 Cause they have to be able to fit it on DVD to go cross platform.
(San Andreas Used the WHOLD DVD, They said they didn't have room for 1 more texture.)
(p.s. that was last generation when we started outgrowing DVD's)
M$'s 360 had what... Oblivion and Gears of war in their first year?? To this date alone, they havent had one decent game that WASNT and fps.. c'mon. The ps3 has moved 5 million systems. And dont give me that shit about how the sony has stated that its shiped and "Not" sold. Cause M$ uses the same goddamn statements.
All these companies just think they're sooooo cool.
I do loves my PS2
I just got a new PS2. I had one of the first generation ones, but it died four months after I got it.
I still haven't gotten around to getting any games besides what came with it, Resident Evil: Outbreak #2.
God, this game sucks.
@qwerty: Um, it’s not gonna be on a DVD for the PS3, it’ll be on a Blu-ray Disc...just like all other PS3 games. So yeah, they might have issues with compression for the 360 version, but nothing of the sort for the PS3 version. So that doesn’t affect me.
@Marlboro Man: Way to contradict yourself there, buddy. Last time I checked, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was most definitely not “and FPS”.
@Marlboro Man
Uh... what? The ISO for GTA:SA is only 4GB, hardly the 8.5 that it would take to fill up a double-layered DVD. Please provide proof.
Ah, the PS2... Shitty hardware, fantastic library, ridiculous install base. I don't understand it, but I can't really knock it, either.
@Marlboro Man
Uh... what? The ISO for GTA:SA is only 4GB, hardly the 8.5 that it would take to fill up a double-layered DVD. Please provide proof.
Ah, the PS2... Shitty hardware, fantastic library, ridiculous install base. I don't understand it, but I can't really knock it, either.
Oh, goddamned double-post... and I didn't even call out the right person. Qwerty, I'm looking at you.
Ahh PS2. A gamer's best friend. I still love you man.
Damn, 120 mil sold or shipped,(who gives a fuck which one), wonder how much green they made on the little machine, thank god i chose this over the xbox, but lets face it, sony in the shitter now. hope they bounce back or its the 360 for me