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Sony Playstation 2 (PS2)

The first version of the Sony PlayStation 2 (also known as the PS2) was launched in Japan in 1994, and entered the United States and Europe in 1995. Since then, the 128-bit Sony PS2 has become one of the most popular games consoles on the market due to its innovative features, wide variety of games and sleek design. One of the major benefits of the PS2 is that you can play games with other PS2 enthusiasts across Europe and even worldwide with a broadband internet connection.

In 2004, Sony launched an updated version of the PS2, which caught the public's attention due to the fact that it was amazingly small and compact. The most recent model of the PlayStation 2 weighs only 900 grams, and is only 230 mm wide, 28 mm tall and 152 mm deep. This means that it's an ideal games console for anyone with limited space in their living room. It also comes in a choice of colours - black or silver.

Features of the Sony PlayStation 2 include:

• CD/DVD Player Facility

You can use your Sony PS2 as a CD player to play music CDs or as a DVD player so that you can watch the latest films, making the PS2 a really versatile buy for your living room.

• NETWORK connector

The PS2 features a NETWORK connector, meaning that you can play a wide range of PlayStation 2 games online by using a broadband internet connection. By using the NETWORK connection, you can play against other PS2 owners across Europe and even worldwide.

• Digital Out (Optical) connector

Another key feature of the Sony PlayStation 2 is its Digital Out (Optical) connector, which allows you to hook up your PS2 to home cinema equipment so that you can enjoy Dolby Digital or Digital Theatre Systems (DTS) sound when playing PlayStation 2 games.

• USB Ports and Accessories

The PlayStation 2's USB ports mean that you can plug a wide range of accessories into your console taking gaming to a new dimension. Accessories include the recently developed Sony Eye Toy and microphones which are used when playing certain Playstation games.

• Extensive Choice of Games

A main advantage of the PS2 is the sheer number of games available for it. Whatever type of game you prefer, there is something for you, including:

• shoot-em-ups (like The Getaway, Time Crisis 2 and the Resident Evil series

• racing games (like Gran Turismo 4)

• fighting games (like Tekken 5)

• sports games (like FIFA 06 or Pro-Evolution Soccer 5)

• strategy games (like God of War and Age of Empires 2)

• simulation games (like The Sims 2)

• family games (like Scrabble Interactive 2005).

The Sony PS2 was also the first games console that allowed you to play games from a previous games console – you can play many original PlayStation games on the PS2, a fact that demonstrates Sony's loyalty to its existing customers.

To find out more about the types of games you can play on the PS2, visit our Games section.

To find some great deals on PS2s and details of where you to buy a Sony PS2, visit our Top Sites section.

You can also find out more about the accessories available for your Sony PlayStation 2 in our Accessories section.