PlayStation 2

The PlayStation 2 (often and officially abbreviated to PS2) is a video game console manufactured by Sony. It was first released on March 4, 2000 in Japan, and October 26 that same year subsequently in other regions. Its main competitors were SEGA's Dreamcast, Nintendo's GameCube and Microsoft's Xbox.

Despite its launch titles generally receiving a lukewarm reception, the PlayStation 2 then gained better software within the holiday season of 2001 and sales improved as only a few million consumers had purchased consoles by the end of 2000 due to manufacturing delays. Within 5 years and 9 months, it had reached 100 million units (compared to its predecessor, the PlayStation, which achieved it in 9 years and 6 months) and had become a major success worldwide. The PlayStation 2 is the best selling games console in the sixth generation and of all time with an unprecedented 150 million units sold.

It is capable of playing DVDs, and uses a similar format as a medium for its games. It has 2 controller ports, along with 2 memory card slots, though the number of controllers can be expanded by means of a multi-tap. It is generally considered to be the least powerful of its generation of consoles, unless the commercially unsuccessful SEGA Dreamcast is included. Despite this technical handicap (and reported early difficulties with programming for it), it was commercially the most successful of the sixth generation of consoles. (the others being Nintendo's GameCube and Microsoft's Xbox).

Detailed specifications

 * 300 MHz MIPS-based “Emotion Engine” CPU
 * 32MB RDRAM
 * 150 MHz Graphics Synthesizer GPU
 * ”SPU1 + SPU2” audio processor (SPU1 is actually the CPU clocked at 8 MHz and SPU2 is the PS1 audio chip.)
 * Dolby Digital 5.1 output, DTS (FMV only), Dolby Pro Logic II
 * 2 proprietary PlayStation controller ports for PS1 and PS2 controllers
 * 2 Memory Card slots with MagicGate encryption
 * 2 USB 1.1 ports
 * AV Multi-Out (Composite video, S-Video, SCART, component)