As a retro gaming fan, you may have wondered if your old PlayStation 2 from the early 2000s still holds any value. With over 155 million units sold, the hugely successful PS2 has cemented its place as the best selling console ever. Even two decades later in 2024, the PS2 continues to command solid prices and interest among collectors and gaming enthusiasts.
So how much is a PS2 worth today? Depending on condition, included accessories, and rarity, a used PS2 generally sells for $35 to $250 in the current market. Complete systems and limited editions fetch the highest prices. For consoles and games in great shape, the PS2 remains a valuable and worthwhile investment for fans of retro gaming.
Below we‘ll explore all the factors that drive PS2 value today, from rare games to modding potential. Let‘s dive in!
PS2 Sales Records That Still Stand Today
To fully appreciate the PS2‘s lasting value, we have to look back at just how insanely successful it was during its heyday:
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With over 155 million units sold, the PS2 dwarfs even the sales giants of today like the PS4.
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It still holds the world record for the fastest selling console ever – selling over 500,000 units within its first day on sale in Japan in 2000.
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The PS2 outsold both its closest competitors, the GameCube and Xbox, combined by over 100 million units.
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By 2004, it became the first home console ever to surpass 100 million units sold, crushing Sony‘s original forecast of 50 million.
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Even as late as 2009 near the end of its lifecycle, the PS2 was still outselling new consoles like the PS3 and Xbox 360.
Simply put, no console before or since has matched the absolute dominance of the PS2 generation. This astonishing popularity is a major reason it retains collector value today.
PS2‘s Massive Game Library Is a Retro Gamer‘s Dream
A key factor that drives interest and value retention for the PS2 is its absolutely massive game library – the largest of any console in history.
- With over 3,800 titles released worldwide, the PS2‘s game catalog is nearly double that of its closest competitors.
| Console | Total PS2 Games |
|---|---|
| PlayStation 2 | 3,935 |
| Xbox | 1,850 |
| GameCube | 1,125 |
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It had games for literally every genre – over 600 platformers, over 800 racing games, over 1,100 sports games, and so on.
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Over 1,200 Japanese RPGs were released for PS2, making it a golden age for JRPG fans.
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Many popular franchises like Final Fantasy, Tomb Raider, and Devil May Cry launched or gained mainstream popularity on the PS2.
For gamers with broad tastes, the PS2 library feels endless even today. This keeps demand and value strong for collecting.
The Hottest Rare & Valuable PS2 Games
The PS2‘s enormous game library also means there are many hidden gems and ultra rare games that drive high value due to small production runs. These are some of the most expensive PS2 games that collectors hunt for:
- Rule of Rose: $300+ (survival horror)
- Kuon: $250+ (horror action)
- Haunting Ground: $150+ (survival horror)
- Futurama: $140+ (action adventure)
- Silent Hill: Shattered Memories: $130+ (survival horror)
- .hack Quarantine: $120+ (JRPG)
Sealed and limited edition games also sell for high multipliers over regular prices. For example, a sealed Kuon recently sold for $3,780!
Limited Edition PS2 Hardware Also Commands Premium Prices
For console collectors, limited edition PS2 models are also extremely desirable. Some of the rarest include:
- Tekken 5 Limited Edition: $900+
- Final Fantasy VII 10th Anniversary: $750+
- DragonQuest Slime: $600+
- Kingdom Hearts: $400+
Specialty models like the PS2 Linux Kit, GT4 Racing Bundle with custom console, and the PSX DVR/PVR hybrid console can sell for $200-300+.
Modding and Homebrew Support Increases Value
Thanks to dedicated modding communities that have unlocked its software over the years, the PS2 has outstanding homebrew and mod support today. This has significantly increased its lasting appeal and value.
- Play games from other regions with region-free mods.
- Mod in a SATA hard drive up to 2TB to backup games.
- Load games faster with ODE optical drive emulators.
- Run emulators like PSP, PS1, SNES and more via homebrew.
- Play burned discs and homebrew software.
Modded PS2s with these enhancements sell for $180+ on average.
The PS2 Game Library Holds Up Even Today
While modern remasters exist, going back to many PS2 games on original hardware offers a distinct and appealing gaming experience.
The combination of groundbreaking 3D technology with lower production budgets often gave PS2 games unique charm compared to today‘s cinematic AAA blockbusters. Their rough edges are endearing.
Genres like JRPGs saw phenomenal releases on PS2 that fans still treasure. Series like Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, Persona, and Dragon Quest deliver 100+ hour adventures you just can‘t find today.
For retro collectors, playing these PS2 experiences in their original format remains a joy. This lasting appeal drives lasting value.
My Personal Connection with the PS2
As someone who grew up gaming in the early 2000s, I have a deep nostalgia for the PS2 era. It was my first console purchase with my own savings as a kid. I still remember excitedly bringing home the chunky system along with a copy of Final Fantasy X.
Over the PS2‘s long lifespan, it amassed a personal library of over 50 games for me. I played everything from Japanese RPGs to action adventures like the iconic God of War series. The PS2 library had such an incredible variety of games to choose from.
Today I still play PS2 titles via both original hardware and emulation. The gaming experiences it provided throughout my childhood – from melancholic adventures in Final Fantasy X to ultra-violent brawls in God Hand – left an impression that endures decades later.
Conclusion – Still a Valuable Console with Great Games
While newer and flashier consoles have since emerged, the PlayStation 2‘s legacy remains unmatched. It utterly dominated the market in a way we‘ll likely never see again. Even 20 years later in the 2020s, the PS2 still retains significant collector and player value.
Driven by its record-breaking popularity, a diverse and deep game library, hidden gems, and homebrew potential, the humble PS2 is still a console worth investing in for retro gaming fans. Assuming you find one in good condition, buying a PS2 is a low-risk purchase that opens the door to thousands of classic gaming experiences you can‘t find elsewhere.
