PlayStation 2 remains best-selling console despite age
Sony confirms its PlayStation 2 is still the top-selling game console globally after shipping over 160 million units during its thirteen-year production run.
Sales figures and market context
Sony shipped more than 160 million PlayStation 2 units throughout its entire history. This total exceeds sales of any other home console in the industry. Nintendo's Switch is currently second with over 156 million units shipped as of June 2026. Microsoft does not publish official totals for its Xbox consoles, so analyst estimates fill that gap. The PS2 lead is shrinking because the Switch remains actively sold while production stopped in 2013.
Launch timing and pricing strategy
The console launched with a built-in DVD player when physical media ruled the market. Its price dropped from $299 at launch to $99 by 2009 for budget buyers. Sega's Dreamcast was the only competitor initially, but that company exited quickly in 1999. Later rivals like the GameCube arrived after the PS2 already gained a strong foothold.
Software sales and future outlook
More than 1.5 billion PS2 games sold alongside the hardware over its long lifespan. The Switch has surpassed the PS2 in game sales with nearly 1.6 billion units sold. Nintendo anticipates shipping approximately 2 million original Switch units by the close of its fiscal year that concludes in March 2027. If this rate holds, the Switch could pass the PS2 in total console shipments by 2028.
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