SEGA Sonic Mega Collection Plus

The PlayStation has long been a favorite home gaming console with players of all ages. Every iteration of the platform has brought increasingly more elaborate and realistic games, and the current incarnation — the PlayStation 4 — is no exception. But it’s quite possible that the release of the PlayStation 2 in the year 2000 was a perfect illustration of that old capitalist mantra: Competition drives innovation.

When the PlayStation 2 first entered the console wars, there was no shortage of enemies. Sega’s Dreamcast was already in stores. Microsoft’s Xbox and Nintendo’s GameCube would be jockeying for toy store shelf space by the following Christmas. The PS2 offered a relatively low price point and the ability to play games from the first generation PlayStation. Would those perks be enough? In short: Yes.

As of 2012, the console has moved over 155 million units, making it the top-selling video game console of all time. And while Xbox is still a worthy competitor to the PlayStation brand, there’s a reason why you might not remember playing a GameCube. As for the Dreamcast, it would prove to be Sega’s last entry into the video game console market, due in no small part to the market dominance of the PS2. Sony discontinued the PS2 in 2013. But the item had enjoyed a great production run, especially considering the PS3 had already been out for 7 years by that time. Small wonder.

Aside from that affordable price and ability to play older games, the PS2 was an exclusive platform for some of the most iconic titles in video game history. That list includes the original “Kingdom Hearts” and “Guitar Hero,” plus “Final Fantasy X”. You can also play worldwide hits like “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas,” “Gran Turismo 4,” “God of War II” and hundreds of others. The PlayStation 2 may have been affordable at its launch, but you can get them for a steal these days, and that goes double for the PS2 and original PlayStation games you can play on it.

Arguably, the Playstation 2 is also the last relic of a more social time in gaming. While there was online support from individual titles, multiplayer games, for the most part, were meant to be played with friends who were physically present in the same room, trash-talking and jostling each other on the couch. Certainly, it was the golden age for sports games, such as Electronic Arts’ Madden NFL and NBA Live series. Even today, gamers with ultra-modern video game consoles and 4K Ultra televisions will still break out their PS2 controllers for a dose of nostalgia.

• The first thing to consider when buying a PlayStation 2 game, especially if you’re not a frequent gamer … is to make sure it’s a PlayStation 2 game. This may seem obvious, but bear in mind that Sony’s current iteration of the console is the PlayStation 4. Search for “PlayStation games” online, and the bulk of the results will be games compatible with that system. Not that there aren’t tons of PS2 games out there, and they’re all much more affordable. One great feature of the PS2 was backward compatibility, which means you can also play most games that were released for the original, first-generation PlayStation. There are a few early PlayStation games you won’t be able to play this way, so it’s best to double-check before buying.
• If you’ve got an Ultra 4K or other high-definition television, do not adjust your set. The PlayStation 2 was released before this latest generation of HDTVs, and while it should work just fine on them, the games won’t look as sharp as the ones on more recent consoles. The resolution on standard PS2 titles is going to be around 480p. But this certainly doesn’t mean they’ll look bad. The graphics on cinematic titles like “God of War II” and “Kingdom Hearts” still hold up well more than a decade after they were released.
• For the most part, PS2 games will work just fine without an internet connection, and online access will probably be superfluous for the majority of titles. For a lot of retro gamers who just want to power on and play, this can be a plus. If you get one of the rare titles that does require online access to unlock certain features, you’ll need Wi-Fi access and a network adaptor if you don’t already have one.
• A word on multiplayer: The PS2 had some of the greatest multiplayer titles around, from sports games (the Madden NFL series) to racing (“Need for Speed,” “Gran Turismo 4”). Some of these games support more than two players at a time, but if you’re going to bring a crowd, make sure you have enough controllers and a multitap adapter that will allow up to eight players to join in the fun.
• When it comes to gaming, accessorizing isn’t just about looks. The PS2 introduced several peripherals that replaced or augmented the functionality of traditional controllers, and some games won’t work without them. Some prominent examples are games in the “Guitar Hero” series (which need a guitar-shaped controller), or titles released specifically for the EyeToy — one of the first motion-sensing peripherals.
• Finally, keep your audience in mind. If you’re buying for a younger gamer, check the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) box prominently displayed on the box. It’ll give you quick info on what age range the game is appropriate for, along with any red flags about the content (violence, language, etc.).