Budget Video Game Systems Live

The world can do without yet another zombie joke, but it’s hard to avoid metaphors about the living dead when referring to the PlayStation 2. Sony’s follow-up to the PSOne debuted in 1999 and gained infamy after it sparked some magnificent eBay bidding wars. The flashy battles cemented the PS2 as an instant winner in our memories, but few people realize just how successful the PS2 actually is. Not only is the system still being manufactured, but it still manages to sell millions of units per year despite not seeing a major game release since 2007′s God of War II.

In an era when consoles flaunt 3D, HD, Blu-ray and online game markets, how does Sony’s little scrapper manage to convince people to part with their money?

Part of the answer lies with the PlayStation 2′s lack of bells and whistles. There’s nothing complicated about it. It just plays good games. It’s a little funny to regard the PlayStation 2 as low-tech: When the system first launched, it doubled as a cheap DVD player during a time when DVD players were a hot item, but still a bit too expensive for the average family. But compared to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, systems that are regarded as one-stop multimedia experiences, the PlayStation 2 is refreshingly light on features.

The PlayStation 2′s spartan hardware grants it another sexy attribute: It’s dirt cheap. For $99 USD, you can own the most successful game system of all time, not to mention the built-in DVD player. Why the heck not?

Even the PlayStation 3 has contributed to the success of the PlayStation 2 in a couple of weird, roundabout ways. The PS3′s initial asking price of $599 US dollars doubtlessly caused a few hopeful gamers to reel backwards and reconsider their plans to wait for the PS3 in lieu of buying a PS2. And when newer models of the PS3 phased out backwards compatibility with the PS2, the original PS2 was waiting patiently on the shelf for anyone who needed a hassle-free way to play through the system’s massive library.

Finally, that very same library is another reason for the PlayStation 2′s enduring success. The PS2 is home to numerous must-play titles, far more than the GameCube or Xbox. Games like Final Fantasy XII, Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, Metal Gear Solid 3, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Dragon Quest XIII remain some of the highest-rated games in their genres. Not only are they fun to play, but they’re also pleasing to look at even though games today are smoother, shinier, and imbued with more special effects. Moreover, most of these titles can still be found for a pittance at GameStop, eBay, and other used games stores. Essentially, the PlayStation 2 is the go-to system for the hardcore gamer on a budget.

Numerous factors, good timing, and a little bit of luck has kept the PlayStation 2 afloat, and continually strong sales indicate that the system is poised to keep going. It seems this current console generation wasn’t the first to prove that gamers will only squeeze four years of service out of their systems before they clamor for the next big thing.

About Nadia Oxford
Nadia is a freelance writer living in Toronto. She played her first game at four, decided games were awesome, and has maintained her position since. She writes for 1UP.com, Slide to Play, GamePro and other publications, and is About.com’s Guide to the Nintendo DS.

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