Hi everyone, the last time you heard from me, I talked about the huge milestone that PlayStation 2 achieved – reaching 50 million units sold in North America. Today I’m excited to talk about another milestone in PlayStation 2’s lifespan. For the first time ever, PlayStation 2 will be offered at a price point under $100 (that’s $99.99 MSRP, to be exact), starting April 1!
Why is this so significant? Well most importantly, this new price means that more people than ever will be able to join in on the fun that so many of you PlayStation 2 owners have been enjoying for years, which means new families will become part of the platform’s record-breaking install base. With this new price, we intend to introduce a new generation of consumers – some of whom weren’t even alive when the system was first introduced in 2000 – to the immense entertainment value offered by PlayStation 2.
In the gaming industry, the typical lifecycle for a console is around five years, but because we build each of our platforms for a large and diverse consumer base, we design our platforms differently. With the original PlayStation and now PlayStation 2, we’ve proven that consumers can rely on our platforms for their gaming and entertainment needs for at least a decade. This speaks to the technology and features that were packed into PlayStation 2 from the beginning, as well as to the ongoing support the platform enjoys from the publishing and retail communities and, well, all of you fans.
PlayStation 2’s unmatched gaming library will grow to nearly 1,900 titles from both our first-party studios and publishing partners this year, with a particular focus on the social and sports genres that are so popular with the emerging family demographic. This will include games such as MLB ’09, Ghostbusters: The Video Game, Guitar Hero Metallica and MotorStorm: Arctic Edge…not to mention the 250 titles that have achieved “Greatest Hits” status. With all of that content, PlayStation 2 is a great option for families looking for ways to share their entertainment experiences together; they can rock out to Rock Band, test their trivia knowledge with Buzz!, or simply use the PlayStation 2 as their DVD or CD player.
So to everyone who’s enjoyed PlayStation 2 over the years, thanks for your continued support. And to those who will now be joining the PlayStation family, welcome!
Lol wow Sony a whole 30 dollars off. well for everyone that is waiting for a PS3 price cut check back in 10 years. Also I hope this isn’t the big announcement because this is old news, where is my 2.7 update….
You guys are weak… This is some bull.
Sony, you knew you were going to get flack when you tease about something “big” and it ends up being the price reduction of a 10 year old console.
Still, I get what you’re doing and I’m sure in the long-haul, it will work out.
However, a PS3 price drop will be the biggest boost to move units, since that’s the system everyone wants.
No one is upset about the actual announcement it’s just upsetting because you never get the announcement you want from Sony it’s always this anticipation to some announcement that isn’t for the fans of the system. I mean a Price drop for the PS2 announced on the playstation blog is more for non sony consumers so that they can become sony consumers. I had a PS2 years ago so why would I be looking forward to this?
You know they’re reading all this going
“…oh shi”
I’m still hoping this is one of the BIGGEST april fools jokes the industry has seen. (not this announcement per se…but that they’re making this now and waiting a few days for the real announcement we’ll care about)
It’s hilarious, reading all of these comments coming from obvious 12-year old, illiterate fools.
U wer gona by too but know ure gona play XBOX360 100 tims more?!
Just wow. The PS3 is priced perfectly for its intended audience: Adults aged 21-Dead who can afford to by their own high-end electronics.
Saving your allowance does not constitute being able to ‘afford’ anything and just because you end up blowing your coins on gummi-worms before being able to save enough for a PS3, that doesn’t mean Sony should drop the price so you can be 1337 too. I hope this paragraph has insulted many and humoured many more.
The PS2 under $100 is a huge deal and was certainly worth announcing. Anyone who keeps up to speed on the state of the industry would understand that this was done to combat declining sales. Someone else, who also happens to be somewhat knowledgeable, has already mentioned that within this thread.
Still, I rated this a 1/5 since there hasn’t been nearly enough talk about Gran Turismo 5.
Release some news about GT5 (release date)and watch the PS3 sales climb.
The PS3 does not need a price drop.
Man I’m so excited. When is Sony making their big announcement? The suspense is killing me. I’ll stay tuned all day!
Aqui en españa lleva por debajo de ese precio pero muuuuuucho tiempo, este anuncio es una castaña y os lo podriais haber evitado, que sera lo proximo? que la psx baja de precio a 20$ ? Para eso haberlo anunciado sin mas y punto y os evitais estas tonterias.
How about.. NO ONE CARES! Please, lets talk about an old system. Nintendo might as well brag that you can get an original NES for under 30 bucks on Amazon.
Yet another attempt to make us forget ps2 backwards compatibility?
Come on now, do you really expect this to have that big an effect?
More and more people are buying ps2’s used because of oversaturation of the market with ps2’s.
I seriously hope this isn’t your answer to backwards compatibility, since your just angering people more >_>.
This better be some April Fool’s prank Sony! It’s great to hear how well the PS2 is doing, but c’mon! We want FW 2.70 INFO!..
I’m disapointed with the announcement. Next time don’t tell us it’s a big announcmennt because a $30 price drop for the PS2 is nothing that your actual fan base is going to be excited about because we already own one. Next time you say big announcement it better be related to the PS3.
Wow sony, this post doesn’t seem worthwhile at all. I think most people have moved on to the PS3. Hopefully you guys make a bigger, worthwhile announcement like details on FW 2.70 to compensate for your fans dissapointment. I’m not trying to sound like a major tool here but come on, who really plays PS2 now?
@ Ramage 243 – buddy, I don’t know what you’re problem is. I guess it might have to do with the fact that you’re having trouble reading what I wrote. Why are you saying thinks like, “You do NOT pre-announce an announcement like this”. Like I have said several times: SONY DID NOT PROMISE A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT. It was a rumor that appeard elsewhere. Why can’t you comprehend that? And as for getting mad that any announcement at all was made, that’s pretty dumb too. Why wouldn’t a company want to advertise that its product is now available for a lower price.
Seriously? This is the big announcement?
No big announcement about an exclusive title? or about something cool like Netflix integration? or firmware 2.70?
Come on Sony get your act together, make announcements that make us all warm and fuzzy on the inside.
if the PS2 is going to be so cheap then i think the backwards compatibility should go back on the PS3 soon since the PS2 is losing its value…we need more games for the PS3 also cuz whenever i go into the stores the xbox 360 has way more games than the PS3
this is just pathetic :|
what you guys gave up on the ps3?? is that it??
YOU SHOULD BE MORE FOCUSED ON THE PS3!!!!!!!!!!
not the damn ps2 or psp
god Microsoft give better announcements then this!
Is this the big announcement? What a waste of a hype.
@flipm725
I still play ps2 games and according to a recent poll on the english playstation forums at least 40% of ps3 owners too, of course that’s just the B/C crowd.
Look i can understand why they’d do this, but tbh doing it like this is just a slap in the face pf people who want B/C and those who don’t, since like i said most buying ps2’s now buy them used.
@ 53
When will the SingStar trophies go live?
@265 davi- Only you (and maybe a few rabid fanboys) believe that Sony didn’t leak this and somehow other sites magically predicted a scheduled major announcement for today. The rest of us know that Sony DID pre-announce this by purposely spreading rumours amongst news sites. You can say they didn’t a hundred more times, but we all know they did.
I think we’d all agree that the announcement itself is fine, it a “meh, whatever” kind of announcement for most people who would come to this site. I hope you’d agree that it’s not a “everyone be sure to check on march 31st for the big news!” kind of announcement.
Are these boards over-ran with fanboy’s who burst an o-ring everytime something doesnt go their way??
HAHAHA…well i think its a great achievment that Sony has a console that has lasted 10 years plus and is still kicking and making money with new title releases and all….Good job…
Pc,
Syt
freeluv: “Is this the big announcement? What a waste of a hype.”
smokey_vols: “I’m disapointed with the announcement. Next time don’t tell us it’s a big announcmennt ”
NaTa_TrEjO: “This better be some April Fool’s prank Sony!”
Holy crap! Just listen to these idiots!
You bunch of LOSERS! LOL!
@ 254
Well said, That’s exactly how I feel about this aswel.
Having new people get a PS2 really isn’t the problem.
It’s the PS3 and PSP.
You need to focus on the PS3 and PSP.
Good to know that PS2’s will be dirt cheap, so whenever the PS4 rolls around and I can’t play my PS2 games at all that I can just get a PS2….again.
I think this is great news and all…but I don’t care frankly. Where is the PS3 price drop? I have the bc 60gb model, but I want more of my friends to be able to buy them.
If this was the big announcement, this is pretty sad.
We still need DDR for PS3, (I sold my PS2 and can’t play those without the special mat)
We still need more game announcements. (Yes we are greedy like that)
But most of all, the only big announcements that can be made should be for PS3.
PS2 is amazing…or was at one time.
Please make PS3 price drop announcements soon, we need them!!
The future of the game industry is secured now that the PS2 is only a $100. You have changed next gen gaming with this move. Now everyone and their grandmother can own a system that everyone pretty much already owns already. Smart move, that’s why Microsoft rolls its eyes at you.
this cant be the big rumored anouncement… still pretty sweet though i remember pickin up the ps2 on launch for what 249.99
wont be gettin another ps2 though i still got 2 scph-3xxxx models and i got the 20 gig ps3 sku still runnin strong!!!!! sony is best!!
That’s the big announcment? Seriously? Related to the last generation, old console? It’s just so sad how Sony went from the undisputed console leader to dead last place in the course of one generation.
Bring back BC for my friends who didn’t get BC models.
No one wants to buy PS2 anymore, we want PS3!
This will go down in Sony history alongside IN SHIRT XMB. I sold my PStwo to get my PS3 and all the games that I had over the past 6 years, sure a price drop for it is good. Hopefully it’ll offset your profit direction and give you more leeway with spending money on PS3 development and resources.
Oh wait….early April fools I get it. Real announcement is still coming, right? RIGHT?
@davivman
Where did I say they promised a big announcement? They implied it, hence my dialogue to illustrate the point. What do YOU not get? This isn’t worth announcing, period. Especially not to people who visit THIS site.
And it’s not that I’m mad at Sony, I’m just extremely dissapointed (and knew I would be). It just would have been nice to have something that’s relevant to the blog audience announced. Most of us have PS3s and PS2s so neither price drop would directly affect us. But this is trash news definitely not befitting this blog.
I’m happy about the PS2’s achievements but did this really need a “global announcement”? This is good news for those that don’t have a ps2 yet. I’m hoping for better news later today…
I’m kinda dissapointed. Surely this isn’t such a big deal for all Sony fans who already own a PS2… like 130 plus million people, according to themselves. X_X
This is great news for people who cant afford a PS3. As for me, I don’t really care. I have a 60GB PS3 with BC. I don’t even play PS2 games anymore. So…
I thought the announcement would’ve been a big exclusive game with a new firmware update. That was thought though. When big companies say they have a huge announcement. I tend to lower my expectation a bit. That way I don’t get disappointed.
Also, I hear a lot of you guys are dying for a PS3 price cut. Have you guys given any thoughts on how this would affect your consoles manufacture’s future? Do you guys want to see the PS3 go the same route as the dreamcast? I believe Sony is truly trying to stay afloat until they could turn a little profit on the PS3. Besides, all of you guys on the blog are very happy PS3 owners righttttt? Well at least I hope.
@HouseMorton 272 – wow, really? Now you speak for the people and know what everyone else thinks. What magnificently compelling argument. As to whether this is an “everyone be sure to check on march 31st for the big news!” kind of announcement, I guess that depends on the audience. I already have a PS2 and don’t need another one so I guess it is not really big news for me. But for those out there who do not have a PS2 or another system for financial reasons, this might indeed be welcome news. Sorry it wasn’t the news you wanted to hear. Grow up.
What’s the new Playstation 3 bundle?
oh CMON. let’s hear more about the ps3 price cut!!! if it hits $300 im buying one for me and another for my cousin!
@Ramage – Why do you assume everyone is like you? How do you know the demographics of this website. I know for a fact that there are at least some people who found this news interesting because they have left comments saying so. And even if the overwhelming majority of viewers already have PS2s and find this irrelevant, they are not the only audience. This is a site where official SCEA anouncemnts are made. This is such an annoucenment. Other websites including non-videogaming websites cite this blog. Don’t be so self centered to think that just because you don’t think something is valuable or interesting that everyone else agrees with you.
this is the big announcement!? cuz i always thought the PS2 cost $99 thats the price i got mine for.
@289 davi- Ok, so for a sampling of how important this news is to everyone at this blog, and what the majority thinks, perhaps you’d read the other comments? It seems to me that the vast majority are underwhelmed by the news. Am I misreading the general sentiment?
As for the importance to the audience- The audience is the blog readers. How many blog readers do you figure have been anxiously awaiting a ps2 price drop? A lot? A few? Any?
Grow up? …really? From the one poster on this topic who seems hellbent on being a fanboy champion? Ouch.
Long over due sould of happend last year. And what? MotorStorm: Arctic Edge (PSP game) not even out yet and there saying it’s going to PS2? They need to include PS2 Emulator in all of the PS3’s and just kill off PS2. I know it’s cheaper!!! My PS2 is 4 years old and still work’s put it up and haven’t played it in over a year ago. LOL
This is an outrage! WE WANT FIRMWARE 2.70!
@davivman
lol dude just LOOK at the post rating and the comments and tell me people care. As for your ‘ppl cite this blog’ comment…they also cite press releases and I think that would have been the better way to go this time. I do believe I said ‘most of’ btw, I don’t intend to ever speak on behalf of the blog users in their entirity.
@292 davi- you know, you do make a good point here.
And I still say no one here is insulting the announcement itself- it’s a good announcement made in the right place. SCEA’s huge mistake, once again, was in the marketing. Pre-announcing this announcement was a huge blunder. You say they didn’t, we (and most of the audience here) say they did. I guess I’ll leave it at that.
I really think some of you guys are not thinking straight when it comes to this price drop stuff.
Lets just say Sony did drop the PS3 to $299.
What do you guys think Microsoft would do in return?
Do a Xbox 360 $100 price cut.
Sony goes $250
Microsoft does a $50 price cut.
It would just keep on going. Microsoft would sell the 360’s at $100 price point just to discredit the PS3 value. Think about it. The games look almost identical. I’m sure they are already working on the next xbox console already.
In reality, Xbox 360 will always have the upper hand in terms of price. It’s been out longer. The tech is older. Most importantly, Microsoft can afford to lose as much money on their console just to defeat Sony on the long run. I believe Microsoft is trying to become a monopoly in the gaming business. Before they can reach that goal, they’d have to destroy Sony’s image and fan-base.
@Housemorton 294 – Now you’re sounding like my good buddy Ramage. See my remarks at 292.