Tokyo, June 3, 2005 – SCEI Press Release

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) announced today that the cumulative production shipment of PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system had reached 90 million units worldwide, as of June 2nd, 2005.

Says Sony:

Since its launch in Japan on March 4th, 2000, sales of PlayStation 2 has grown steadily, securing its place as the most favorite computer entertainment platform in homes around the world. Particularly, the new slim line PlayStation 2 (SCPH-70000 series), which went on sale in November 2004 starting from Japan, has gained strong support around the world and demand for the platform continues to grow steadily, with shipment reaching 16.17 million units in the last fiscal year (ending March 2005) alone. Shipment of 90 million units within 5 years and 3 months since launch is more than 2 years and 3 months faster in penetration speed, compared to the original PlayStation, which has sold more than 100 million units in total. [emphasis: PS3Focus.com]

On the software side, more than 5,000 game titles are currently available for PlayStation 2 worldwide, with cumulative shipment reaching over 800 million units. Software shipment has been outstanding, recording an all-time high of 252 million units in 2004, with many more new and attractive titles expected to be released from first and third party software developers and publishers.

With PlayStation, PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable (PSP), SCEI will create and develop a new world of computer entertainment through the fusion of game, music, movies, and broadcasting.

Where was the worldwide shipment of 90.00 million PlayStation 2 units sold?

• Japan (including Asia) 21.04 million units (launch date: March 4, 2000)
• North America 36.48 million units (launch date: October 26, 2000)
• Europe/PAL 32.48 million units (launch date: November 24, 2000)

Comment by Ps3focus:

Will the PS3 be able to surpass the PS2 sales? All signs seem to indicate yes! The same reasons apply as last time round, when the PS2 sold more units than the PS1. When the Playstation 3 comes out, there will be a huge library of high quality games available that caters for just about anyone. One of the reasons why the PS2 became so successful is that it could play DVDs straight off the bat. The PS3 is likely to have a similar influence, offering the new high capacity blu-ray disc format, but in addition the PS3 also plays and interfaces with just about any modern media format you could think off.

There is another compelling reason why the PS3 may sell even better than the PS2. Video gaming has come a long way since the original Playstation. By now, gaming has gone mainstream. No longer the pastime for kids, geeks or nerds, modern video game consoles are now so hi-tech, they’ve become cool again!

Add to this the fact that the PS3’s graphics may finally do justice to the over-used term “photorealistic graphics”, and we may have a phenomenon on our hands that may well shape the way we perceive the second half of this millenium’s first decade.