In my previous article, I've written about Playstation trivia facts that you might have never heard. Though the system put Sony at the forefront of the console war, it is truly the PlayStation 2— its successor— that cemented Sony's status as a leader. Teen gamers must have never fully experienced the console since it was first released 18 years ago. However, the PS2 is the highest selling console of all time, even surpassing the sales of the SNES. In homage to this legendary console, we'll discuss 25 PlayStation 2 Secrets Only True Fans Know.

What's interesting about the PlayStation 2 timeline is that it didn't follow the same path as its predecessor and was also a witness to many technological habit changes, most notably the popularity of the Web. Therefore, the PS2 had many signature features that would remain in future Sony consoles. While there may be a few things that you already know about the console, we're quite sure that there are specific entries that will surprise you. Ultimately, we want to give a little PS2 class to gamers who haven't been able to play the console while testing the knowledge of the most seasoned players. As always, we welcome you to share and comment the article. Feedback is also appreciated. So sit back, relax and enjoy another reading from your favorite gaming website, The Gamer. Enjoy!

25 Earth And Space For The PS2

Sony seems to love giving meaning to its system. If we take a look back at the history of the PS1 logo, the colors were initially used to highlight the joy, passion, and excellence of the console. While the PS logo seemed very lively, the PS2 symbol is very obscure. At first glance, the font looks like it could be used for a sci-fi horror movie. While it may seem a bit far-fetched, Sony had a theme for the PS2 that was similar to the idea.

According to the original Play Station's designer Teiyu Goto, Sony wanted a logo that would be popular all over the world.

As such, he decided to use the space as a central theme for the PS2. Essentially, the blue font is supposed to represent planet Earth while the black background is to symbolize the emptiness of the dark space. Further medias helped to reinforce the theme. For instance, David Lynch produced few "weird" promo videos that were meant to highlight "The Third Place" of the PS2. The concept seems to be in perfect correlation with what Sony was trying to represent with the PS2. Ironically enough, Sony never released any gameplay of the console, before these ads. Oh, dear Sony.

24 Fight In Real Time With The PS2

The PS2 was host to significant fighting game series like Tekken & Street Fighter. Though the genre isn't booming as it used to in the 90s, the scene remains one of the most vocal scenes in the video game community. Players traditionally either use a pad (that's fighting game slang for a controller) or a joystick. However, many people aren't aware that these games could've been played more interactively. Indeed, you could fight in real-time, thanks to the Thrustmaster Fighting Arena.

The accessory is a motion sensor stand that detects the player's movement and translates it directly onto the game.

The Fighting Arena comes with two sticks and a mat. The rods are equipped with infrared lasers that serve as the action buttons while the mat contains the directional & shoulder buttons. Should players pass through one of the designated infrared beams, the stand will act as if the player pressed the button for the controller. In other words, you can fight your screen opponents with real jabs and kicks! The triangle and square buttons are located on the upper side of the stands while the X and O buttons are on the lower side. Also, the Fighting Arena is also compatible with the PlayStation.

23 Remember The Towers?

The thing that people will surely remember the most about the PS2 is its intro screen. The mixture of white towers and colored fireflies make it easily the best opening sequence that I've seen, in any consoles to date. It even outclasses the PS3 orchestral intro and the cheesy Nintendo Gamecube opener. Like many, I thought that the console randomly created the white towers. However, this logic proved to be false.

The skyscrapers are generated by the save files of the memory card.

The more save data there is, the more towers there will be. Pretty smart, isn't it? Furthermore, the tower concept also goes hand to hand with the PS2 space concept. Back when memory cards were as expensive as games, it was pretty standard for folks —like I—not to see towers as we didn't have enough money to buy a single cartridge. In fact, we had to leave our PS2 open to keep our progress. It would be interesting to see how the white tower concept would apply, now that consoles come equipped with at least 500GB of internal memory. The towers would literally fill the whole screen! Maybe Sony should try this concept for their PS5; just saying!

22 PS2, PSP Live Together In Perfect Harmony

The PlayStation Portable is the best handheld console that has ever been made. Sure, you may be saying that Nintendo DS sold more than the PSP, but the latter had graphics and games that were nothing compared to the dual-screen system. Again, it was finally possible for players to play their beloved Play Station classics on the go; playing Final Fantasy VII while going on your lunch break was finally possible! So, why is the PSP is featured on the list?

Well, many people aren't aware that the portable console had connectivity with the Play Station 2.

Indeed, players were able to interact with both machines given that they had similar games. However, the feature was very limited and only a micro-amount of titles took advantage of it. While games like SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs: Combined Assault and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater would unlock exclusive content for selected PSP games, it also allowed some unique abilities. For instance, Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence allowed players to transfer their in-game pictures and to view them in Metal Gear Acid 2. The PlayStation 3 would have more compatibility than its predecessor as it even allowed to remote control your console. Still, it's too bad that the PS2 & the PSP are a thing of the past.

21 PS2's Ancestor Is A Prototype Atari Computer

Whether you like it or not, you can't deny the fact that the PS2 is a stunning console. Its black-lined design feels like you've purchased a piece of sci-fi art instead of an actual console. Though bulkier than the original PS1, the console's is a significant upgrade to its predecessor, esthetically. While many gamers may have the impression that the console's physique is initially from Sony, it was based from an earlier prototype from one of Sony's earlier rivals, Atari.

Back in the early 90s, Atari released the Atari Falcon 030, a personal computer. While the machine proved to be a hit amongst amateur developers, the PC was discontinued in 1993. Before that, Atari had plans to release an upgraded version of the Falcon 030 model. Dubbed the Atari Falcon 040, the design would prove to be the inspiration behind the PS2, mostly because of its Microbox model. The similarity is noticeable when you compare both consoles together. Furthermore, Sony even mentions the prototype in the PS2 patent. We love when Sony is paying homage to the veterans, but we find it a bit odd that they would choose Atari, given their previous rocky relationship. Time heals everything, I guess.

20 PlayStation 2 Online

When Xbox launched with online multiplayer, it was a total shock to the gaming industry. Sure, the Dreamcast offered online multiplayer, but it was far from Xbox Live's quality. When Sony first released the PlayStation 2, there was no online connectivity in the console. However, it would be false to think that Sony didn't have experience in the online field, as the original PlayStation had a Japanese-exclusive accessory that enabled players to access the limited web. It would take two years, after the PS2 release, to formally introduce online gaming to its users.

The Network Adaptor would enable online multiplayer to the console via the broadband connection. Players would merely need to open the backport of the PS2, plug the accessory and tighten the screws. Players could also use a dial-up connection, but only on selected games. Then again, it was mostly for downloadable content. Titles like Killzone and Final Fantasy XI proved to be very successful online. Though the service proved to be less stable than the Xbox Live, the PS2 network was a step in the right direction. Sony officially closed the PS2 online services, in 2016. Despite that, we're sure you must have already done the transition to Ps3/Ps4. Oh, and did we mention the service was free?

19 A Massive Disc Error Code

Sony is no stranger to scandals. First, there was the 2011 PSN hacking that affected the personal information of the 77 million subscribers and blocked them from using the network. Then, there was the 2017 PSN & Xbox Live hacking that stole sensitive information of a few million accounts. Of course, these scandals were solely related to the online service. However, Sony was also in the hot waters for a situation that affected the PS2 console.

Back in 2002, Sony was the target of a class action lawsuit. Gamers reported that they weren't able to play their game disks and DVDs on the PS2 as a "Disc read error" message kept appearing on the screen. Sony settled with the affected consumers by offering free repairs, a $25 check, and a free PS2 game from a determined catalog. Sony also reacted similarly after the 2011 PSN outage; players could choose up to two PS2 and two PSP games for free, 30-day free membership of PS Plus, and many other perks. The incident even prompted a personal apology from Kaz Hirai, Sony's No.2 man at the time. As previously said, Sony is no stranger to scandals; they seem to limit the damages very well, though.

18 Eight Player PS2? Check

One of the first games that I've played on the PS2 was The Bouncer. While the story mode was genuinely average, its versus mode proved to be more fun, given the fact that I had my brother with me. This mode deeply intrigued me as it indicated that the game could be played with up to four players. Initially, the PS2 only has two controller ports. It would take me years to discover that there was an accessory that added the additional four players on the console.

The Multitap add-on features four additional controllers and memory cards slots. It connects directly to the original PS2 controller & memory sockets, which means that players can add up to eight different controllers and memory cards if they have two Multitaps. The accessory was perfect for any sports gamers that wanted to play team-based games, like the NHL or the Madden NFL series. Also, the add-on was useful for any players that regularly had to swap their memory cards to access files on their PS2 main menu. Then again, I don't know anyone that had more than two memory cards.

17 Games Could Interact With The PS2 Internal Clock

Nowadays, an internal clock is considered as a default setting on modern consoles. However, the Play Station 2 is the first Sony console to include one. While we're sure the PS2 would not be your first option to check the time, it's still a practical tool for gamers. What's also interesting is that developers would sometimes use the clock to affect the gameplay of their titles. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater would be a perfect example of it.

In a nutshell, the player controls an American spy Snake, who must save the world by destroying a nuclear weapon. One of the bosses, The End, is known to be the most protracted fight of the game as players must scout a whole forest to find and defeat him. Instead of wasting five hours (yep, that was the time of my first run), players could only forward the internal clock to a week and return to the game. After the loading screen, players will see The End draw his last breath before disappearing. Pretty cool, isn't it? Sure, doing things the easy way is not how gamers do it, but for The End, we're ready to make an exception!

16 PC, MAC, And PS2

The Net Yaroze was a haven for hobbyist programmers as it allowed them to develop their PS1 games. While the indie scene was not as developed as it is now, it was still a nice gesture from Sony to help amateur developers brush their skills. Thanks to the PS2's power, Sony had been able to bring the indie support to a new level at the time.

Players could not only create their own game, but they could also transform their console into a personal computer.

The Sony dev kit came with a Linux OS disc, a 40GB hard drive, an installation disc, a USB keyboard & mouse, and a PS2 Network Adaptor. Players also needed to have a Memory Card to enable the kit. In essence, players could browse the internet and create their own game. However, the games couldn't be played on the regular PS2 and were only compatible with a Linux-enabled PS2. Players could also sell their games online if some requirements were met. The PS2 Linux could also connect external accessories like printers or flash drives through the provided USB. It's a significant update from the Net Yaroze as amateurs programmers initially only had an online forum to share their games. Sony discontinued the service in 2009.

15 The Power Of Two Consoles In One

Most of the time, the purchase of a new console often meant to bid farewell to your old system (I'm still not over my PSP). While the start of a new chapter may be exciting to many, closing the book of your ex-console is still painful to do, mainly if you've invested games on it. The PS2, however, brought something that was unique, at the time. No, we're not talking about the DVD functionality that was featured in the consoles; we're referring to the backward compatibility with the PS1.

In a nutshell, players were able to play PlayStation 1 games onto their newly-bought PS2. The console was also compatible with original PS1 accessories, such as the memory cards and the Dualshock controllers. It was a significant feature as it allowed players to have two generations of gaming into a single console. The Emotion Engine is the CPU that enables this feature. The engine would also find its way onto the first-released PS3 models. However, Sony would later stop the production of it, due to its high cost. With thousands of titles released for both consoles, we doubt you finished them all. In fact, we're sure you probably never will.

14 The So-Called "PlayStation War"

Since our youth, we've been introduced to the core model of business. Whether we've done dishes for pocket money or started selling lemonade drinks for a few pennies, we understood that cash needs to be earned the hard way. Sony can relate to this reality. Though they worked hard to build the PlayStation 2, and the reception of the console generated massive sales. However, few people knew that Sony was part of a scandal that raised a few eyebrows concerning human rights.

The PlayStation 2 is made of a mineral called coltan. This natural resource is integral for electronic devices and can mostly be extracted from the African continent. The popularity of the console in its early 2000's has caused a price hike for the coltan in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The worst of it is that local rebel groups were controlling the coltan mines. The renegade soldiers were known to force people to work under dire conditions and to commit atrocious things to women. Sadly, Sony would help fuel these rebel groups and support their lifestyles by buying the black ore from them. Though this chapter was kept under the radar, it is still a dark chapter in Sony's history.

13 Slim Version Of The PS2

When I first purchased the PS2, the feature I was most fond of was the electronic Power and Eject button. Call me however you want, but I was convinced that the PS2 was part of that odyssey future that movies were teasing us; the PS2 looked like an advanced piece of technology. Despite its futuristic look, the PS2 was bulkier than the PS1. Sony would later decide to come up with a slimmer model.

It's not uncommon for Sony to release a trimmed down version of its consoles. Despise its slender look; the PS2 slim was a significant upgrade to the console. One of its most exciting features was an integrated modem jack and ethernet port, which means there was no need for players to purchase a Network Adaptor. Sadly, the power and eject buttons have been replaced by manual switches which remove the futuristic glamour of the console. The only downside was that certain vanilla PS2 accessories were not compatible with the new PS2, due to the removal of the Expansion Bay. Other than that, the reduced price tag was a bargain for Sony gamers. On a personal level, I stuck to the fat PS2 model because I'm a nostalgic person. Don't judge me!

12 A Camera For The PS2?

As previously said, the PlayStation 2 came at a time where technological habits were redefining themselves. Veteran players must surely remember how much they've paid for their first webcam (a fortune at the time). At the time, the image quality of the camera was very primitive; you could barely see your face. Despite that, the webcam sales were booming and slowly became a standard accessory to any PC. The PlayStation 2 also took advantage of the wave to introduce its interactive webcam: The Eyetoy.

In a nutshell, the EyeToy allows you to interact with compatible games.

Depending on the title, players would either have to accomplish specific movements on the camera or snap a picture. Though the EyeToy has its own branded game series, it is also compatible with some PS2 series like the Dance Dance Revolution and the MLB series. Also, the EyeToy can be used as a webcam for your PC. It is important to note that the PlayStation 2 wasn't the first console to release a video game camera as Sega first released the Japanese-exclusive Dreameye for its Sega Dreamcast. However, the EyeToy was the first commercially successful console camera with nearly 11 million units sold. The PlayStation Eye Camera would end up succeeding the EyeToy, for the PS3.

11 Dualshock 2 In The Mind Of The PSP

The PlayStation Portable was a favorite portable console amongst Sony fanboys. Who would say no to a console that allows you to play original PS1 & PSP games, at the palm of your hands? While the console itself was a gem, one major problem featured on it: the lack of a second joystick. Often, players either had to reset the camera position with the shoulder buttons or move the camera with the action buttons. It became a known issue to gamers as they weren't able to duplicate the same camera experience, in the console. Sony initially attempted to correct the problem by filing a patent for a new PSP accessory.

The add-on would've allowed players to connect their PS2 Dualshock 2 onto their PSP and use it as a controller. The design seemed like a portable console booth that players would have tried in gaming conventions (no kidding). Unfortunately, the idea never saw the light of day and players were forced into getting used to the PSP control scheme. Despite that, the console is still an impressive piece of tech, and there are still players that use it-even 14 years after its release. Too bad the Vita didn't share its predecessor's success.

10 PS2 HD Without The MI

Before HDMI became the norm for current TVs, standard definition (SD) TVs were the standard of screens. Veteran gamers may remember the RCA plugs that needed to be connected from their consoles to the sockets at the back of the TVs. The PlayStation 2 native video resolution was clocked at 480i. It's funny to reminisce how we were persuaded that no other console would ever top that quality (guilty as charged). However, few players knew that there were a small number of games that supported 1080i.

Indeed, it was possible to play certain games at a higher resolution, should gamers have composite cables.

Players would then need to go to the in-game options menu of the supported game and switch it to 1080i. Popular titles like Gran Turismo 4 & Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria (sure, you know the game) were part of the five games that supported the higher resolution. While it offered a significant graphics update to the standard resolution, players reported a few inconsistencies. For instance, Gran Turismo 4 would run at 1080i when the race would start but would revert to 480i on the menu. Despite that, it is nice that the PS2 offered a glimpse of the future.

9 The PS2 That Featured A Video Recorder

The PlayStation 2 not only served as an entertainment console but also as a multimedia system. You could play your audio CD and DVDs onto the peripheral instead of merely playing games. To capitalize on their success, Sony released the Japan-exclusive PSX, the ultimate multimedia PS2 system, in 2003.

In essence, the PS2 retained the original functions of the consoles but also featured a built-in hard drive, a video/DVD-R recorder. Furthermore, it introduced the Cross Media Bar (XMB) display that will also serve in other Sony products, like the PSP. Additionally, the PSX was compatible with the PSP, but only on the final models of the console; Players could then transfer their PSP media files to the system via USB. One of the system's cons was its cooling system. Compared to the PS2, the console was reported to overheat very rapidly. Despite these extra features, the PSX was a colossal failure and was discontinued more than a year later. Though Sony paved the way for multi-purposing consoles, its important for companies not to lose themselves in their core business. While we may be under the impression that the PSX resell value is high, you may be surprised! Many reselling websites like eBay and Amazon sell the PSX for under $200. Collectors, beware!

8 Long Live The PS2

When we take a look at the modern consoles, they usually last about eight years, until companies cease their production. Of course, they may be some exceptions to the rule; the Nintendo Wii U is an infamous example of it. Released in 2012, the console was such a commercial failure that the Nintendo discontinued it in 2017, shortly after the release of the Nintendo Switch. The contrary may also happen when a console is very successful, just like the PlayStation 2, for example.

The console was manufactured for nearly 13 years as it ceased production at the beginning of 2013. To put it in a broader perspective, the PS2 disappeared the same year that the Xbox One came on the market. If we were to compare it to the other consoles of its generation, the PS2 had the most significant lifespan as the Xbox and Nintendo Gamecube lasted eight years (2001-2009) and six years (2001-2007) respectively. More impressively, the PS2 online function was officially shut down in 2016; the PlayStation 2 was definitely fun while it lasted.

7 PS2 Brazil

Speaking of the PlayStation 2 lifespan, every PlayStation 2 owner must surely remember the first moment they bought their console. Whether you waited for the midnight release of your Best Buy or your parents gave it to you as a Christmas Holiday, most of us got our PS2 in the early 2000s. However, try asking your Brazilian friend to share his first PS2 moment, and you may be very surprised about its answer. Why? Because the PS2 launched very late, in Brazil.

The console released in 2009, which is far advanced in the second half of the PS2 lifespan. While the initial North American launch price of the console was at US$299 in 2000, Brazil's launch price was at 799 BRL, which equals about US$460, at the time. In other words, Brazilian fans were paying more than North America at launch for a console that was already nine years old! Before quickly pointing the finger at Sony, the main culprit of the overpriced charges is the Brazilian economy as products are suffering from significant import taxes when companies ship their products in the territory. You would be even surprised to know how much Brazilian fans had to pay for a PlayStation 3, but that will be the subject of another list.

6 PS2 Had Netflix Before It Was Even Cool

Its crazy how Netflix revolutionized the way that we're watching movies; the application is often included in many TV models. Of course, Netflix is now accessible on many handheld devices and home consoles. I'm sure you must have spent countless hours watching your favorite TV shows on your PS3 before transitioning to the PS4.

However, few people knew that Netflix was also available on the PS2.

Now, you must be wondering why you didn't catch word of it; that's simple: it was only available in Brazil. As previously mentioned, Sony released the PS2 in 2009 to the Brazilian market. At the time, Netflix had already transitioned to streaming. Since the PS2 couldn't download apps, players would need to boot a licensed Netflix DVD and connect to the Internet. From there, they would have been able to stream the content. We can only imagine if Netflix would've started at the beginning of the PS2 cycle; we would've been watching all our favorite movies on demand! Sadly, Netflix discontinued their PS2 services in 2012. While it only lasted a few years, it's still nice to see that Brazil enjoyed Netflix on their PS2 while we didn't get the chance; good thing we have a PS3.