PlayStation 2 is Sony's second video game

This allowed the PS2 to tap the large install baseMany analysts predicted a close 3-way matchup
established by the PlayStation — another majorbetween the PS2 and competitors Microsoft's Xbox
selling point over the competition.and the Nintendo GameCube (which was the
The PlayStation 2 is Sony's second video gamecheapest of the three consoles and had an open
console, the successor to the PlayStation and themarket of games). However, the release of several
predecessor to the PlayStation 3. Its developmentblockbuster games during the 2001 holiday season
was announced in March 1999, and it was firstpushed the PS2 in order to maintain momentum and
released in Japan on March 4, 2000, in North Americahold off its rivals.
on October 26, 2000 and in Europe on November 24,Games
2000.The brand strength has led to strong third-party
The PS2 is part of the sixth generation era, and hassupport for the system. Although the launch titles for
become the fastest selling and arguably the mostthe Playstation2 were unimpressive in 2000, the
dominant home console of video game history, withChristmas season of 2001 saw the release of several
over 115 million units shipped worldwide by Decemberbest-selling and critically acclaimed games. These
2006.games helped the PS2 maintain and extend its lead in
Only a few million people had obtained consoles bythe video game console market, despite increased
the end of 2000 due to manufacturing delays. Thecompetition from the launches of the Microsoft Xbox
PlayStation 2 was so popular after its release that itand GameCube. In several cases, Sony made
was difficult to find units on retailer shelves. Anotherexclusivity deals with publishers in order to pre-empt
popular option was purchasing the console onlineits competitors. read more…..
through auction websites.