PlayStation 2

The PlayStation 2, also known as the PS2), was first released in 2000 as Sony's sequel to their hit video game console, PlayStation. In what was an innovation at the time of its release, the console was not solely a video game machine, but also functioned as a DVD player. It could also run most games from the original PlayStation. The PS2 achieved a degree of popularity that surpassed even that of its predecessor. It was followed by the PlayStation 3 in 2006, but continues to be supported by Sony and game developers.

On March 2, 1999, Sony unveiled a prototype for its second generation of gaming platforms. At that time, the unit had yet to be named. Then vice-president of Sony Computer Entertainment, Ken Kutaragi, headed the presentation. Kutargi has often been referred to as the "father" of the PlayStation line of consoles.http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/february04/PS2timeline/index2.shtml

Later that same year, Sony competitor Sega launched its DreamCast gaming console in the United States. Sales displayed initial strength but then began to stagnate entering the new year.http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/february04/PS2timeline/index2.shtml

On March 4, 2000, Sony launched the PlayStation 2 for sale in Japan. By the end of March of that year Sony had sold over 1.4 million PS2 units in Japan. The number of units sold was only limited by the fact that initial inventories were sold out as sales outpaced initial forecasts. The demand frenzy was such that the government of Japan classified the PS2 as a "super computer", thereby limiting the number of consoles that a person could purchase at a given time.http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/february04/PS2timeline/index2.shtml

On October 26, 2000, the PS2 was launched in the United States. Due to problems related with the manufacturing streams of the PS2, the initial inventory available for the U.S. market was limited to 500,000 units, with additional inflows of 100,000 units per month. This acerbated demand in the U.S. for the PS2, creating a virtual "sold-out" status lasting through March of 2001.http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/february04/PS2timeline/index3.shtml

With better than expected sales figures and demand on the upswing both in the U.S. and Japan, Sega canceled production of the DreamCast game-console and removed itself from the hardware side of the gaming industry.http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/february04/PS2timeline/index3.shtml