When did the PlayStation 2 first launch in Japan?

The PlayStation 2 first launched in Japan on 4 March 2000.

Sony introduced the PlayStation 2 as the successor to the original PlayStation, combining a new 128-bit-era gaming platform with DVD playback. Its launch attracted major attention because the console could play both PlayStation games and DVD movies, while DVD was becoming an important home-video format.

The system reached North America on 26 October 2000 and Europe on 24 November 2000. These dates are often mistaken for the global launch date, but Japan received the console first. Its early library included titles such as Ridge Racer V and the Japanese launch version of Street Fighter EX3.

The PlayStation 2 later became Sony’s best-selling home console. Its long commercial life, large game library, DVD capability, and multiple hardware revisions helped it remain popular well beyond its first release year.