The Sony PlayStation 2 (Fat), released in 2000, is the best-selling video game console in history — with over 155 million units sold worldwide. Combining powerful 128-bit hardware, a massive library of over 4,000 titles, built-in DVD playback, and full backward compatibility with PS1 games, the original PS2 Fat changed entertainment forever and cemented Sony’s dominance in the gaming industry.
This first-generation PS2 — large, angular, and iconic — remains one of the most important and beloved game consoles ever created.
📘 Introduction
At the dawn of the 2000s, Sony set out to redefine what a home console could be. The PlayStation 2 was not just a gaming machine — it was:
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a home entertainment system
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a DVD player during the rise of the format
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a gateway to online gaming
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a 3D powerhouse that supported complex worlds and cinematic storytelling
The PS2 quickly became a cultural phenomenon, shaping the future of game design and introducing millions of people to immersive 3D gaming.
🎨 The Iconic “Fat” Design
The original PS2 Fat model is one of gaming’s most recognisable systems:
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Sturdy black, vertical-or-horizontal design
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DVD tray with blue eject light
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Two USB ports
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Two memory card slots
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Front-mounted controller ports
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Expansion bay for the Network Adapter or internal HDD
Its industrial, futuristic look set the tone for PlayStation’s visual identity for years.
⚙️ 128-Bit Hardware Powerhouse
The PS2 featured completely custom hardware.
Main Specifications
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Emotion Engine CPU @ 294 MHz
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Graphics Synthesizer GPU @ 147 MHz
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32 MB RDRAM
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Advanced vector units (VU0/VU1)
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DVD-based storage
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Dolby Digital & DTS capabilities
While notoriously difficult to program, the PS2’s hardware could produce groundbreaking visuals when pushed by talented developers.
🔥 A Legendary, Unmatched Game Library
The PlayStation 2 has the largest library of any home console in history. It includes:
Genre-Defining Classics
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Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City, San Andreas
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Metal Gear Solid 2 & 3
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Gran Turismo 3 & 4
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Final Fantasy X & XII
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Shadow of the Colossus
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God of War I & II
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Kingdom Hearts
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Ratchet & Clank
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Jak and Daxter
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Devil May Cry
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Okami
Survival Horror Icons
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Silent Hill 2–4
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Resident Evil Code: Veronica X
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Fatal Frame series
Fighting Classics
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Tekken 4 & 5
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SoulCalibur II & III
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Mortal Kombat: Deception / Armageddon
Racing Favourites
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Burnout 3: Takedown
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Need for Speed Underground / Most Wanted
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Colin McRae Rally
JRPG Golden Era
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Dragon Quest VIII
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Persona 3 & 4
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Xenosaga trilogy
The PS2 library is so massive and diverse that it remains highly collectible today.
📀 DVD Playback — A Media Revolution
One of the PS2 Fat’s biggest selling points was its built-in DVD player, at a time when standalone DVD players were still expensive.
For many households, the PS2 was:
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their first DVD player
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their main family entertainment system
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a multimedia centre long before smart TVs
This feature alone helped the PS2 dominate early sales.
🔁 Backward Compatibility with PS1
The PS2 Fat includes native support for:
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PlayStation 1 discs
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PS1 memory cards
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PS1 controllers
This allowed players to preserve their previous library — a huge advantage over competitors.
🌐 Online Play & Network Adapter
The PS2 Fat supported online gaming via an optional Network Adapter, enabling classics like:
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Final Fantasy XI
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Socom: U.S. Navy SEALs
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Need for Speed Underground 2
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Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater
The adapter also enabled the use of a 40GB internal HDD, required for games like FFXI and improving performance on some titles.
🛠️ Build Quality & Common Issues
The PS2 Fat is durable but has a few known weaknesses:
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Disc read errors (DRE) — due to aging lasers
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Dust in DVD drive
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Fan noise in older units
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Power/eject ribbon cable failures
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Clock battery depletion
Most issues are easy to repair with cleaning or replacement parts.
🌍 Cultural & Historical Impact
The PlayStation 2 shaped an entire generation:
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Longest-running production cycle of any home console (2000–2013)
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Introduced cinematic storytelling in games
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Popularised open-world gameplay
It remains the best-selling console of all time, a record unlikely to be broken.
📦 Items Included in This Collection Entry
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Sony PlayStation 2 Fat
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Power cable
📜 Conclusion
The Sony PlayStation 2 Fat is a monumental piece of gaming history — a powerful, stylish, and innovative console that dominated the industry and shaped modern gaming. With its massive library, DVD capabilities, backward compatibility, and unmatched longevity, it remains one of the most collectible and beloved consoles ever created.
A crown jewel for any retro gaming collection — and a system that will never lose its relevance.