Sony Japan recently revealed that it would cease shipping the PlayStation 2.

This means that Sony’s popular console survived for an impressive 13 years and it’s still receiving support in Japan, with its final game Final Fantasy XI: Seekers Of Adoulin being released in March.

“Due to PlayStation 2 now being over 12 years old, we have decided to stop future production of the console and focus on our newer and more popular platforms, PS3, PS Move and PS Vita,” explained David Wilson, Head Of UK PR.

“We are very proud of what we have achieved with PS2. Having sold over 150m units worldwide, PlayStation 2 remains the world’s best selling console, but with sales understandably declining, we are shifting our priorities to reflect this.”

First released in 2000, Sony’s machine instantly swayed gamers thanks to the dominance of the PlayStation and the bold promises that had been claimed by Ken Kutaragi (Sony’s president of the time). The machine went on to become one of the best selling home consoles of all time, with Sony revealing that it has sold over 150 million units.

So here’s to Sony’s PlayStation 2. It will be interesting to see if the PlayStation 3 manages a similar impressive milestone.

 PS2 – A Brief Timeline

March 2000 PS2 Launched in Japan

October 2000 PS2 Launched in America

October 2000 TimeSplitters

November 2000 PS2 Launched in Europe

April 2001 Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec released

September 2001 Ico Released

July 2001 PlayStation 2 Net Play launched in Japan

October 2001 Grand Theft Auto III released

November 2001 Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty released

March 2002 Kingdom Hearts Released

September 2002 Sly Cooper And The Thievius Racconnus launched

January 2003 Disgaea: Hour Of Darkness released

February 2003 EyeToy: Play released

June 2003 Tomb Raider: The Angel Of Darkness

December 2003 PSX released in Japan

May 2003 Singstar released

March 2004 Monster Hunter released

November 2004 Killzone released

March 2005 God Of War released

October 2005 Shadow Of The Colossus released

November 2005 Guitar Hero released

January 2006 Sega Rally 2006 released

March 2006 Final Fantasy XII released

April 2006 Okami released

November 2006 Call Of Duty 3 released

June 2007 Tomb Raider: Anniversary released

July 2007 PS2 Slimline Launched in America

September 2007 God Hand released

July 2008 Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 released

October 2008 Thunder Force VI released

January 2009 Silent Hill: Shattered Memories

June 2009 WipEout Pulse released

October 2009 MotorStorm: Artic Edge released

June 2010 Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow released

October 2010 Toy Story 3 released

January 2013 PlayStation 2 discontinued

Tags: playstation 2, ps2, sony

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