This morning, Sony Computer Entertainment America announced that starting April 1, the PlayStation 2 will be sold for $99.99. To anyone who had been paying attention to the rumors over the past few days, this should come as no surprise.
While a $30 price drop may not seem significant, analysts predict it will greatly improve the console's health. At the console's previous price point, $129.99, the EEDAR research group had expected software sales to decline to 16% marketshare from April through July. With this new price cut, it now expects PS2 software to maintain an 18% marketshare for the second quarter.
While this might not be the PlayStation 3 price cut many had expected (or even wanted), EEDAR also notes that a price cut for Sony's current gen console is still expected in 2009.
Anyone lining up to buy a PS2 tomorrow?
LAYSTATION®2, the World’s Most Popular coMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT System, Now more affordable than ever at $99.99
Sony Computer Entertainment America and Its Publishing Partners to Expand Gaming Library to Nearly 1,900 Titles This Year
FOSTER CITY, Calif. March 31, 2009 – Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced that PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system will be available starting April 1 for $99.99 (MSRP). Since launching in 2000, PlayStation 2 has sold more than 136 million sell-in units worldwide*, making it the most popular system in gaming industry history. PlayStation 2’s vast library of games from all genres for all types of audiences will grow to nearly 1,900 titles this year. This breadth and depth of content along with the new price point make the platform a stronger value than ever, particularly for families, casual gamers, and those seeking to maximize their entertainment dollar.
“PlayStation 2 set the industry standard for worldwide mass market adoption and is a clear embodiment of Sony's commitment to platforms that deliver 10-year product lifecycles. It's a tribute to outstanding technology, great consumer value and unprecedented development support that we've now been able to do twice what no one else has ever accomplished,” said Jack Tretton, president and CEO, SCEA. “Demand for PlayStation 2 remains strong throughout the world, and the new $99 price point will bring in new consumers who will discover how PlayStation platforms are an outstanding choice for their gaming and home entertainment needs. 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.”
SCEA will continue to support PlayStation 2 system with new titles that appeal to families and casual gamers looking for social entertainment experiences. First-party games such as MLB® 09 THE Show™ and MotorStorm®: Arctic Edge as well as major franchise titles from SCEA’s publishing partners demonstrate the continued growth of the platform’s library of content. In addition, more than 250 best-selling PlayStation 2 titles have achieved “Greatest Hits” status, providing consumers with plenty of games to choose from at value pricing.
PlayStation 2’s impact on the industry is unmatched, as the platform played a key role in establishing the popularity of the most recognized and beloved franchises in history, including Guitar Hero® from Activision, Metal Gear Solid® from Konami Digital Entertainment, FINAL FANTASY® from Square Enix, Grand Theft Auto™ from Rockstar Games, as well as Gran Turismo™ by Polyphony Digital Inc. and Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios titles, including God of War® and Ratchet & Clank®. In recent years, this stellar lineup has expanded to include an extensive list of social games and family-friendly titles such as Buzz! ™ and SingStar®, which have helped usher in new types of consumers into the world of gaming.
During its lifespan, PlayStation 2 system not only has pushed video gaming to the forefront of entertainment, but it also introduced the concept of an entertainment system becoming a hub in the living room. PlayStation 2 was the first home computer entertainment system to integrate DVD technology, and the rapid growth of the install base helped establish DVD as the standard optical disc media format worldwide. Featuring both DVD and CD playback capabilities, PlayStation 2 system has served as the entertainment centerpiece in many living rooms.
PlayStation 2 remains the most played computer entertainment system on the market, according to a December 2008 report from The Nielsen Company. Last year, PlayStation 2 became the first system in history to reach the 50 million sell-in unit sales milestone in North America, making it one of the most successful technology products ever. PlayStation 2 system was previously available for $129.99 (MSRP).
*Sell-in numbers as of the end of December 2008
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Contest:
7:28 AM on 03.31.2009
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Because my PS3 can't play PS2 games, I'll probably get one. Just in case the old one fails.
I've also bought enough PS3s.
I just wanted my damn firmware update. I don't want to give them anymore of my money. They don't deserve it.
I agree, its just that they made so much extra hype for the PS2 last year just so they keep the fans busy with old titles or new ones going to the old platform.
I still have my launch PS2 from Oct 2000 that still works, though a lil sketchy at times now. I'll need to eventually replace it, so the price drop is good news to me. I have a backwards capable launch PS3, but I'd prefer to have a backup PS2 just in case. Plus once I have kids soon, they can beat up the PS2 and keep their hands off my PS3.
Wow.. sounds about the same as.. before they removed BC.
I was about to respond that the value really has more to do with views of the console, the console's large, high quality library, and the sunk costs many have put into the console's library. However, you beat me to it with the end of your paragraph.
What exactly are you trying to say? That companies should base something's value on its hardware rather than the market? I'm not really sure I follow...
I agree I don't care about backwards compatibility as much as using the DS3 controllers which are hands down the best! I'd buy a dongle for my PS2 in a second if they made one. sadly I doubt we will ever see that.
That said the PS2 is winding down. It won't die totally but it will have less and less new games and eventually just used games.
The real question is when will Sony discontinue sales of the PS2.
My guess is sometime after Christmas 2009. Sell all they can, then kill it off.
If you think back to the 32/64 bit era Nintendo made a similar move of sorts. With expensive cartridges, and the lack of exclusive titles from companies such as Square and Capcom the N64 was forecasted to lose the race. As we all know, the PS1 did emerge victorious. According to data files in 1998, 2 years and 1 day after the launch of the N64, Pokemon Red and Blue came out to States.
It was that one series of games on the aging Gameboy system that kept Nintendo alive and helped in the funding for Gamecube and Wii, and keeps their pockets lined just enough to shove crap down our throats. It is a huge conspiracy that not many who have tried to investigate have lived to tell. Seriously. Look it up, the info is on the net. Oh Crap… They found me. I gotta go…..
But seriously, if you want a PS3 go buy one. If you hate Wii, blame Pokemon.
speaking of april fools isnt there some massive virus on everybodys computers that will go off tommorrow????
Ima scared
"LAYSTATION®2, the World’s Most Popular coMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT System, Now more affordable than ever at $99.99"
laystation. now that would move some units.
Sorry, Sony, but my used PS2 purchase on Craigslist for $50 -- with three controllers and a "Guitar Hero" guitar -- still beats out your $99 for a new PS2.
...til your used ps2 shows it's true colors and breaks! muhhahaha, Sony wins!