By Sagar Mankar 
According to Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) Ex-President and Ex-CEO Jim Ryan, the PlayStation 2 (PS2) has achieved an astounding sales record of 160 million units sold worldwide.
This figure, revealed during a recent episode of the Official PlayStation Podcast, cements the PS2’s status as one of the most successful gaming consoles of all time.
How does the PS2’s sales compare to other top-selling consoles?
The PS2’s sales of 160 million units solidify its position as the best-selling console in history, surpassing even the Nintendo DS, which had previously held the record with 154.02 million units sold.
The Nintendo Switch, currently Nintendo’s flagship console, has sold 139.36 million units, putting it in third place.
However, it’s worth noting that the Switch is still in production, and its final sales numbers may eventually surpass the PS2.
- PS2: 160 million
- Nintendo DS: 154 million
- Nintendo Switch: 139 million
- PlayStation 4: 117 million
- Nintendo Wii: 101 million
- Original PlayStation: 102 million
- Xbox 360: 84 million
Timeline of the PS2’s sales
Released in 2000, Sony officially reported the PS2’s sales at 150 million units sold as of 2011.
However, the console remained in production for an additional two years, and Niko Partners analyst Daniel Ahmad estimates that the final sales figure reached 155.1 million by March 2012.
In March 2013 PS2 production finally halted after a long 13 year of lifespan.
At the end of 2013, a combined total of 16.5 million PS3 and PS2 units were shipped, with the PS2 accounting for a significant portion of those sales.
What Are the Driving Factors For PS2 Success
Several factors contributed to the PlayStation 2’s record-shattering sales performance:
- Powerful Hardware and Graphics: The PS2 had powerful hardware, including a 294 MHz CPU and a custom-designed GPU dubbed “Graphics Synthesizer” which allowed it to deliver stunning visuals and advanced gaming experiences that were unmatched by its competitors at the time.
- Affordability – The PS2 launched at $299, making it cheaper than competitors like the Dreamcast.
- Backwards Compatibility – It could play original PlayStation games out of the box.
- Stellar Game Library – Franchises like Grand Theft Auto, Final Fantasy, and Metal Gear Solid were system-sellers with over 3,800 titles released worldwide.
- DVD Player Functionality – It doubled as an affordable DVD movie player when DVD was the hot new media format.
- Timing and Market Dominance: The PS2’s launch in 2000 came at a time when the gaming industry was experiencing significant growth and consumer demand for advanced gaming experiences.
Jim Ryan’s departure from Sony
The executive who confirmed the 160 million unit number, Jim Ryan, is actually departed as Sony Interactive Entertainment’s President and CEO on April 1st, 2024.
Ryan’s 30-year tenure at PlayStation is ending, with Hiroki Totoki taking over as interim CEO after his exit.
Under new leadership, PlayStation will look to build upon the PS4 and PS5’s success as it enters the next generation of gaming.
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