Sony PlayStation 2 Tops 160M Sales Milestone

Key Highlights:

• Jim Ryan, the former President and CEO of Sony’s gaming division, revealed that the PlayStation 2 console has sold over 160 million units worldwide since its launch in 2000.
• This updated sales figure makes the PlayStation 2 the highest-selling video game console of all time.
• Ryan shared this sales milestone in an interview before retiring from his position at Sony.
• With over 160 million units sold globally, the PlayStation 2 far outsold the next best-selling consoles like the Nintendo DS and Nintendo Switch.

In the ever-evolving world of video games, certain consoles stand out as true legends. One such system is the beloved PlayStation 2 from Sony. As the gaming industry pioneer Jim Ryan prepared to retire from his role leading Sony’s gaming division, he revealed an astonishing updated sales figure for the iconic PS2 – over 160 million units sold across the globe!

The Unstoppable PlayStation 2

Released way back in 2000, the PlayStation 2 quickly became a gaming phenomenon. Packing impressive technology for its time and an incredible library of games, it captivated players worldwide. Some key facts about its legendary status:

• Highest-selling video game console ever made
• Remained in production for over 12 years until 2013
• Served as an affordable early DVD player for many households
• Offered an immense variety of games across every genre
• Pioneered online gaming and multimedia capabilities

With such widespread appeal and longevity, it’s no surprise the PS2 achieved these mind-boggling sales numbers.

But hearing the specific 160 million unit figure from the recently-retired Jim Ryan himself adds extra weight.

An Industry Titan

Ryan spent nearly 30 years at Sony, joining in 1994 and eventually rising to become President and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) in 2019.

He oversaw the company’s gaming business during a turbulent period including the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a farewell interview on the Official PlayStation Podcast, Ryan reminisced about the standout moments and products from his tenure.

When asked about the 2000s era, he immediately highlighted the PlayStation 2’s record-breaking sales performance as the “high watermark.”

“The 2000s? That would be, I would say, 160 million, which is the number of PS2s that we sold,” Ryan stated definitively.

Cementing a Legacy

To put the PS2’s incredible 160 million unit sales achievement into perspective:

• It dwarfs the 154 million sales of the next highest-selling console, the Nintendo DS
• Even the wildly popular Nintendo Switch has “only” sold around 139 million units so far
• No other home video game system has come anywhere close

The PlayStation 2 carved out a permanent place in gaming history and pop culture relevance. Its versatility as a DVD player and multimedia machine added to its mainstream appeal beyond just gaming.

While Ryan has departed Sony, his final declaration of the PS2’s sales dominance cements the console’s legacy.

For an entire generation, this sleek black box was their gaming world, providing countless hours of entertainment. Perhaps someday another of Sony’s console systems can become an all-time sales juggernaut in the future.