Would You Consider Nintendo Switch The Most Commercially Successful Gaming Hardware Of All Time?

[Chrkeller]

MadDogg said:

Chrkeller said:

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. 

Lol.  Your article is from 2000, when the ps2 launched.  The ps2 went onto sell for a decade, well over a hundred million more consumers.  A survey in the first few months doesn't accurately represent the lifespan.  I don't think you know what data is.

Per your own "data":

• Some consumers bought the PS2 primarily for DVD playback

Exactly.  Some did.  The idea that millions upon millions bought it only as a DVD player is nonsense.  

Two major points you cannot address:

1) the xbox played DVDs.  Being able to play DVDs was not an exclusive ability to the ps2.  So why didn't the xbox sell 160 million?  

2) the ps2 had the same (slightly higher actually)  software attach ratio as the GC, which couldn't play DVDs.  If people bought the ps2 for DVDs while people bought the GC only for games, why is the attach ratio the same?  

But the best part is you Daffy Ducking yourself (again).  From YOUR data:

"Among those who bought the system, 74 percent said they bought it for games and DVD movies, 20 percent for games alone, and six percent for DVD movies only.'

So 94% used it for gaming and only 6% bought it as a DVD player only.  Cool, thanks for literally proving me right.  Much appreciated.

Some friendly advice, you might actually want to read your sources before leaning on them.  I would have thought you would have learned that by your age.  I guess not.  

Edit

Your top ten reasons they ps2 sold well also proves me right..  the article has DVD playback as 9th out of 10..  Meaning there where 8 superior reasons why people bought the ps2, including library.  Meaning it wasn't remotely close to being the reason it sold 160 million.  

I will be curious if you admit to being wrong like an adult or continue to spin nonsense.  

Last edited by Chrkeller - on 17 May 2026