By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close
MadDogg on 17 May 2026
Edit Thread
Chrkeller said:
MadDogg said:

Apologies, given your writing style you could see how I could mistake you for a teenager  

anyways  here’s an article regarding the impact of dvd on ps2 if that’s what you want for evidence - spoiler alert - I’m willing to bet you’ll move the goalposts!  https://www.denofgeek.com/games/ps2-best-selling-console-ever-record-history-explained/

And I think you’re confusing my post for saying something it wasn’t  I’m not weighing in on what the most successful console is or whatever  

simply commenting that saying ps2’s dvd player wasn’t a monumental advantage and impacted its sales is rewriting history  

  Hope your daughter likes her switch!  My daughter loves her switch lite and my son loves his ps5 

cheers!

Nothing in the article states people bought it as a DVD player.  It talks about how it was an additional selling point (which it was) that complimented the game library and price.

Your claim is people bought it exclusively as a player only.  

You still have provided zero data.  Do you know what data is?  

I get why you are worried about goalposts, given you did exactly that.

People bought it as a DVD isn't the same argument as saying playing dvds was an additional selling point.  The former is made up and nobody has substantiated, the latter nobody disagreed with.

Not too mention the xbox played dvds too....  but yet, sold 1/8.  


Well than let me ChatGPT that for you:  (sources included)

Yes — there are solid sources showing this was common, not just anecdotal.

1) Industry survey evidence (Sony / Japan market research)

A major early survey of PS2 owners found that:

  • A significant portion used the PS2 for DVD playback
  • About 60%+ said they were using it primarily as a DVD player
  • And only about 52% were actually using it mainly for games at the time of the survey

This shows that DVD usage wasn’t just a “bonus feature” — it was often the dominant use case for many buyers.  


https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ps2-primarily-used-as-dvd-player/1100-2542136/

2) Academic / industry analysis of PS2’s market impact

Retrospective industry analysis notes that:

  • The PS2 was positioned as a cheap DVD player alternative
  • This significantly expanded its buyer base beyond gamers
  • It helped drive early adoption because standalone DVD players were expensive at the time

This is widely cited as one of the key reasons PS2 became the best-selling console ever.  

https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/10-reasons-why-the-ps2-beat-the-xbox-and-gamecube.htm

3) Later historical summaries (industry retrospectives)

Historical summaries and reporting consistently note that:

  • Some consumers bought the PS2 primarily for DVD playback
  • The console functioned as a “dual-purpose entertainment device”
  • It helped households transition from VHS to DVD without buying a separate player

https://as.com/meristation/noticias/aunque-la-pirateria-y-los-juegos-exclusivos-ayudaron-este-fue-el-otro-gran-motivo-por-el-que-ps2-arraso-en-ventas-n/

Bottom line

Yes — it wasn’t just marketing hype:

  • Many people bought it mainly for DVDs
  • A smaller but real group bought it almost exclusively as a DVD player
  • And that demand meaningfully contributed to PS2’s massive success

a little free advice, try to be more friendly and respectful when chatting with others. Given your 45+ I’m surprised you haven’t learned that yet. Cheers.