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Sony's PlayStation 2 remains best-selling console ever at 160 million units

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GoKawiil Brief

Sony confirms the PlayStation 2, which launched 25 years ago, has sold more than 160 million units worldwide, the most of any gaming console. The PS2 also moved over 1.5 billion games, led by Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas at 17.3 million copies, Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec at 14.9 million, and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City at 14.2 million. Sony produced the console from 2000 until 2013, cutting its price from $299 to $99 over that span.

Why It Matters

GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.

The PS2's longevity and record suggest that early timing, built-in DVD playback, and sustained price cuts can matter as much as raw hardware power in building a dominant platform. Its run also shows how a long production life and library depth can compound sales well beyond initial launch years, a lesson that could inform how companies plan hardware lifecycles today. The absence of serious competition in its early years, with Sega's Dreamcast faltering and Microsoft and Nintendo arriving late, likely gave Sony an opening that newer consoles may not get.

Key Takeaways
Worth a Look

Sony PlayStation 2 Slim Console — The PS2 is the best-selling console ever for good reason, with a massive library spanning action, RPGs, and classics like God of War. Owning one is a great way to relive gaming history or introduce newer gamers to iconic titles. Plus, its DVD playback capability still makes it a fun piece of early-2000s tech.

See Sony PlayStation 2 Slim Console on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.

Source: engadget.com — Will Shanklin, 2026-11-10

Published there as: “The best-selling game console of all time is over 25 years old”

Read the original report → The summary and analysis above are GoKawiil's own, written from reporting by the source above. Facts and quotes belong to the original publisher.