The PlayStation 2 is the best-selling home video game console of all time, with more than 155 million units sold.
Sony released the PlayStation 2 in Japan on March 4, 2000, followed by launches in North America and Europe later that year. The system played games on DVD-ROMs and could also play standard DVDs, making it useful as an affordable home movie player when DVD adoption was growing.
Its extensive library included Grand Theft Auto III, Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec, Metal Gear Solid 2, and many other successful titles. The Nintendo DS has sold more units than the PlayStation 2 if handheld systems are included, which causes a common mix-up. Among home consoles, however, the PlayStation 2 holds the widely cited sales record.