Why PS2 was the best console ever

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Subjective appraisal of an objectively sensational machine

It’s taken 12 years, but as the final PlayStation 2 rolls off the production line, I’ve reached the personal conclusion that PS2 is the greatest console in gaming’s history. Its core values, incredible tech and near-perfect design combined to create a phenomenon. One that will never be repeated because its feature set is too narrow for today's market. But I should point out it has taken pretty much the full 12 years to reach this gushing conclusion. Because when it first launched in 2000, I have to admit: I thought it was dreadful. Allow me to explain how it won me over so completely...

This single screenshot of the cars from the CG intro of Gran Turismo 2 running in real-time with ludicrously shiny bodywork was enough to amaze me. And that was without even seeing the demo actually moving, which you can see below thanks to the wonders of the modern internet. A single glance was enough to convince me: PS2 was the future.

But then there were the promises made over the ‘Emotion Engine’. All the talk was about artificial intelligence so alive that NPCs would be able to smell things and be moved by them. And feel upset at fallen comrades. And this is where I started to dislike the idea. It was trying to be something gaming (to me) was not. And the fun in all this was... where?

PlayStation 2 looked dressed up to deliberately distance itself still further from any 'toy' preconceptions cultivated by Nintendo in the 1990s, developing its brand instead with abstract imagery and more mature themes. From the bald-headed vulture in the later TV adverts (pictured) to the ethereal dancing lights that played around if you didn't have a disc inserted, PS2 was clearly not being billed as a family plaything. Ironic, considering its name.

It looked strange too, with an asymmetrical design and a workmanlike, industrial-looking grill. Suffice to say I didn't like this new direction (which seemed pretentious to me) having been perfectly happy with the 'press buttons for fun' style of games consoles. I wasn't alone, either. After PSOne's incredible success and despite massive anticipation from Sony's massive legion of fans, launch came along and... the unthinkable happened. PS2 floundered.

Justin Towell
Justin Towell

Justin was a GamesRadar staffer for 10 years but is now a freelancer, musician and videographer. He's big on retro, Sega and racing games (especially retro Sega racing games) and currently also writes for Play Magazine, Traxion.gg, PC Gamer and TopTenReviews, as well as running his own YouTube channel. Having learned to love all platforms equally after Sega left the hardware industry (sniff), his favourite games include Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams, Zelda BotW, Sea of Thieves, Sega Rally Championship and Treasure Island Dizzy.