You know what's wild? I still have my original PlayStation 2 gathering dust in the attic. Bought it launch week in 2000 after camping outside Electronics Boutique. That chunky black box changed everything - and apparently, I wasn't alone. Turns out over 155 million people agreed with me, making it the undisputed highest selling video game console in history. But why? What makes one system outsell everything else? Let's unpack that.
What Numbers Actually Tell Us
Sony dropped the PS2 back when DVD players cost more than game consoles. Smart move - suddenly families needed this "toy" for movie nights. Nintendo played different games entirely. Their DS handheld? Two screens and touch controls when smartphones were sci-fi. Different strategies, same result: mountains of units sold.
Sales figures can be messy though. Companies count shipments, not necessarily consoles in homes. And bundles? That's why Wii numbers look inflated - every grandma bought the Wii Sports pack. Still, when you see numbers like these, patterns emerge:
| Console | Company | Lifetime Sales | Launch Year | Key Innovation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PlayStation 2 | Sony | 155+ million | 2000 | Built-in DVD player |
| Nintendo DS | Nintendo | 154+ million | 2004 | Dual-screen touch interface |
| Nintendo Switch | Nintendo | 141+ million* | 2017 | Hybrid home/portable design |
| Game Boy/Color | Nintendo | 118+ million | 1989 | Portable gaming dominance |
| PlayStation 4 | Sony | 117+ million | 2013 | Gamer-focused ecosystem |
*Still actively selling as of 2024
Funny thing - my cousin bought three PS2s because the laser kept failing. Sony fixed that in later models, but early adopters paid the price. Still, that DVD drive? Absolute genius move.
Why the PS2 Crushed Everyone
Let's break down exactly why this particular machine became the best selling video game console:
The DVD Trojan Horse
In 2000, standalone DVD players ran $300+. The PS2? $299 and played games. Suddenly dads who hated games were pushing kids aside to watch Matrix DVDs. Sony sold 150,000 units on day one in Japan alone. My uncle bought one just for movies - didn't even open the packed-in game.
Game Library Depth
Ever tried counting PS2 games? Roughly 4,000 titles. Compare that to Xbox's 1,000. You got everything:
- Grand Theft Auto III - revolutionized open worlds
- Guitar Hero - made plastic instruments cool
- Final Fantasy X - JRPG masterpiece
- Even weird stuff like Katamari Damacy
Meanwhile, Xbox had Halo... and not much else early on. PlayStation had Japanese developers locked down.
Backward Compatibility Boost
Smartest feature nobody talks about? Playing PS1 games. When PS2 launched, it instantly had hundreds of "new" games. Saved early adopters like me from game droughts. Xbox tried this later but messed up licensing.
Downsides though - remember how loud the fan got? Sounded like a jet engine. And those original "DualShock 2" controllers? Rubber analog sticks peeled off after six months. Sony fixed it eventually, but early models felt cheap.
Handheld Heavyweights: DS Domination
Most folks don't realize the Nintendo DS almost beat PS2. Seriously - 154 million versus 155 million. How'd a dorky dual-screen device come so close?
| Factor | Nintendo DS Impact | PSP Competitor |
|---|---|---|
| Price Point | $149 launch price | $249 for PSP |
| Touchscreen Games | Brain Age, Nintendogs | Traditional controls |
| Battery Life | 10-14 hours | 3-6 hours |
| Durability | Kid-proof clamshell | Scratch-prone screen |
My niece's DS survived being dropped in a toilet. Twice. Meanwhile, my PSP got a dead pixel just looking at it wrong. Nintendo understood portable means indestructible.
The Casual Gaming Revolution
While Sony chased hardcore gamers, Nintendo targeted everyone:
- Grandparents playing Brain Age
- Girls raising Nintendogs
- Commuters grinding Pokémon
That blue ocean strategy? Printed money. Yet DS online play was awful compared to PSP. Trying to race Mario Kart online felt like dial-up.
Modern Contenders: Switch's Ascent
Can the Switch dethrone the highest selling video game console champ? Possibly. It's already passed Wii and PS4. But here's the breakdown:
Switch Advantages:
- Dock-to-portable seamless switching
- Zelda: Breath of the Wild launch title
- Constant exclusive hits (Animal Crossing sold 43M copies)
Hurdles to Beat PS2:
- No killer app beyond gaming (like PS2's DVD)
- Aging hardware struggles with new games
- Joy-Con drift scandal damaged trust
Personally, I'm on my third pair of Joy-Cons. Nintendo repairs them free now, but that's still frustrating. Still, playing Skyrim on the toilet? Worth it.
Buying Legacy Consoles in 2024
Thinking about hunting these record-breaking machines? Prices vary wildly:
| Console | Condition | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS2 Fat (SCPH-30001) | Used, working | $40-$60 | Check for disc read errors |
| PS2 Slim (SCPH-90001) | Refurbished | $70-$100 | More reliable, no network adapter |
| Nintendo DS Lite | Good condition | $50-$80 | Hinges commonly crack |
| Game Boy Advance SP | Reshelled | $90-$120 | Backlit screens command premium |
Watch eBay for "untested" consoles - usually means broken. Got burned buying a "mint" PS2 last year that smelled like cigarette smoke. Took weeks to clean.
Essential Games Worth Hunting
If you grab one of these best selling systems, don't miss these:
- PS2: Shadow of the Colossus ($40-60), God of War II ($15-25), Metal Gear Solid 3 ($20-30)
- DS: Pokemon HeartGold ($80-120!), Advance Wars: Dual Strike ($40-60), The World Ends With You ($50-70)
Pro tip: Japanese imports often cheaper. Play-Asia has English-friendly DS games for half the US price sometimes.
Why Sales Crown Matters to Gamers
So why care about the highest selling video game console battle? Practical reasons:
- Longer Game Support: PS2 got new games until 2013! Stores kept shelves stocked.
- Community Lifespan: Still active PS2 modding scenes. Forums buzzing daily.
- Parts Availability: Can still find replacement lasers on AliExpress.
Contrast with Dreamcast - amazing machine, but dead in 18 months. Finding VMU memory cards feels like archaeology.
Brutally Honest Downsides
Look, these record-breaking consoles aren't perfect. At all:
PS2 Pain Points:
- Early models had disc read errors (DRE) constantly
- Component cables cost $50+ today for HD
- Memory cards filled up embarrassingly fast
DS Annoyances:
- Stupid stylus always getting lost
- Low-res screens look awful today
- Friend codes instead of real online
My take? PS2 is still king despite flaws. That library is unmatched. Playing Silent Hill 2 today? Still terrifying. God of War II? Holds up shockingly well.
Your Burning Questions Answered
Final Reality Check
Here's the truth they don't tell you: sales crowns don't guarantee quality. The Wii outsold Xbox 360, but most Wii games aged terribly. PS2 had mountains of shovelware garbage.
What matters is that magical machine under your TV or in your backpack. The one that transported you somewhere else after school or work. For 155 million people, that was a little black box called PlayStation 2. And twenty years later? Mine still boots up. Mostly.
Thinking about hunting one down? Check local retro shops before eBay. Test the disc drive with a scratched CD-R. If it spins up, you're golden. Happy gaming.
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