Retail Radar: US getting slim, silver PS2?

GameStop lists shiny new color for the slimmed-down PlayStation 2; current-gen console priced identically to black model at $129.99, dated for late October.

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Though Japan and Europe are no strangers to having options when it comes to a console's colors, traditionally the selection of systems in the US isn't as varied. That trend has been changing lately, with the most recent announcement being alternate pink and black versions of the popular DS Lite.

It appears that another console manufacturer may be following suit, if a recent product listing on GameStop's Web site is to be believed. The site has a page for a Sony PlayStation 2 Silver Redesign, the same product that has been available in Japan and Europe since 2005.

The $129.99 console is listed as being available on October 24, just in time for the holidays and three weeks before the Wii and PlayStation 3 go on sale. The system is fairly bare-bones, packaged with no games and only one controller.

Sony had not yet responded to GameSpot's request for confirmation on the product's US availability as of press time.

Please note, while retailer listings frequently jump the gun on publishers' product announcements, they should not be taken as final confirmation of a game's existence, nor should the absence of a listing be considered as proof that a game isn't coming to a given platform.

104 Comments

  • socalforever

    Posted Oct 8, 2006 6:13 pm PT

    I can see a couple of reasons for this move:

    - This gives the people who haven't picked up a PS2 a small reason to consider it.
    - Eventually, the PS3 will have a silver variant, so matching up colors between console generations makes a little sense.
    - It shows the consumers that PS2 is not going to be tossed off like yesterday's trash just yet.

    Anyways, I need a PS2 for GH II and FF XII, so I'll be picking one up.

  • _Sam_

    Posted Sep 21, 2006 5:02 pm PT

    why release another ps2 color now

  • Maverick82102

    Posted Sep 21, 2006 11:42 am PT

    $130 is too much for you? OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOkay.

  • Bathyj

    Posted Sep 21, 2006 4:11 am PT

    GyRo567

    "The PS2 is still too expensive. I still haven't bought a PS2/GCN/Xbox & refuse to buy a PS2 until it's down to $70-80 sealed-in-box. Including tax. That generation just flatout sucked compared to previous (and it's looking like next) ones. But there's enough to make me interested. The price has to be acceptable first."

    Anything else? How about delivered to your door with milk and cookies? You dont have ANY current gen consoles? Are you even a gamer? You realise this is a gaming site right? I think you're in the wrong hobby. Try paper plane making, or jump rope. These are inexpensive substitutes that offer limited to no fun, but are really, really, cheap. Like you. You go ahead a wait it out for 5 or 6 years. You'll save a few hundred bucks on a console by waiting till its obselete, but you'll miss out on 100's and even thousands of hours of entertainment playing countless games on all systems which I would have been poorer if I had never played them. Who would miss out on that just for the sake of a couple weeks pay? I'm sorry if I'm coming on a bit strong but I'm sick of people complaing about price all the time. If you want to get into the game you have to buy a ticket. This is the past-time we love and it cost money. GEDOVERITT !!!

    Just one more flurry of rehtorical questions before I shuddup GyRo567, if that is your real name, (sorry, couldn't help myself, I suck, I know). Is that your PC your posting on? Do you play games on it? How much did THAT cost?

    If its a really good one it probably cost as much as a PS3, X360 and a Wii, with enough left over to get a cheap PS2, Xbox and Gamecube.

  • shamarke

    Posted Sep 21, 2006 3:45 am PT

    LOOOL europ allready got a sivler PS2 MAAAAAN!!!!!

  • Incubus420

    Posted Sep 21, 2006 12:41 am PT

    Great thats just in time for Final Fantasy 12. Wich means i will buy a PS2(no Not for the first time) and then sell it back to EB Games for the same price and get a PS3 when it come out lol...Sony i Love you but as soon as the ps3 comes out there will be no niid for the ps2. So basically im only gonna get it for FF12:}

  • dawooten

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 10:49 pm PT

    i doubt that sony would do such a thing when the PS3 is around the corner

  • TryMe01

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 7:43 pm PT

    been there, done that... have fun looking at all the scratches u'll get on this new paint job

  • xbox_gamer1

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 6:58 pm PT

    OMG a silver PS2(sarcasm)

  • Riverwolf007

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 6:38 pm PT

    I bet ps2's sell well for around two more years remember folks its only the hardcore nerds that come to places like these and argue about systems that dont even exist yet, most people are on pretty tight budgets and the ps2 is a perfect for 80% of the game buying public.

  • Valen_Ca

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 6:33 pm PT

    If this is true I wonder how many more PS2 games are going to fall off of the compatibility list for the console.

  • VegetaMaelstrom

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 6:08 pm PT

    dryden555
    "Who doesn't already have a PS2?"
    .
    Funny, I keep thinking that about World of Warcraft for the PC and it just won't leave the top spot in the top ten in sales every week. It gets bumped down to number 2 once every few months but always rebounds. .

    chrisdojo:
    "sony, for real. just let the pos2 die."
    .
    Personally, I think what MS did by abandonning the Xbox after only 4 years and totally focusing on the 360 was a huge slap in the face to everyone who bought an Xbox and wasn't ready to move up the next gen yet. I'm pleased that Sony is still providing a choice for gamers as to when they would like to enter the next generation of consoles by keeping the PS2 a viable and continually growing platform. I don't want to have to keep getting a new console every 4 years along with the requisite new library of games. Upgrading my PC every 2 years is expensive enough. Sheesh.

  • GyRo567

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 4:40 pm PT

    The PS2 is still too expensive. I still haven't bought a PS2/GCN/Xbox & refuse to buy a PS2 until it's down to $70-80 sealed-in-box. Including tax. That generation just flatout sucked compared to previous (and it's looking like next) ones. But there's enough to make me interested. The price has to be acceptable first.

  • King_Dodongo

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 4:11 pm PT

    better have a new experience of gaming with the Wii!

  • ninjajuggalo810

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 3:59 pm PT

    i dont know why someone would buy a silver when the best color is already available to Us And Always Has (BLACK)

  • chikahiro94

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 3:48 pm PT

    @Dkg
    Why not? PS1 sales did quite well even after the PS2 was released. Also (and I realize this is beating a dead horse), but the PS2 is still the best value for the money, period, and will remain so for quite some time.

    The PS2 is at the point where it doesn't need all us raving hardcore/enthusiasts because its very appealing and affordable for everyone else. I predict that the PS2 will outsell all other consoles this year combined. Simple as that. It's significantly cheaper, games are plentiful, everybody knows its a safe bet for gift giving, etc. Its where every other console wants to be in five years from now.

  • hepcat00

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 3:47 pm PT

    whatever, i'm waiting for the ps3, not a new version of a has-been console....and the original NES and Atari 2600 were 2 of the best systems ever, not the ps2 (imo).

  • Dkg

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 3:37 pm PT

    Sony thinks this will help raise PS2 sales, but with Wii, PS3, coming out, and 360, and DS offering lots of great games by the holidays, I don't think ANYONE will be looking to buy anything from last gen. I tjhink People are going to either want (and buy) a 360, PS3, Wii, or DS.

  • chikahiro94

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 3:23 pm PT

    @RivalBattousai
    "y buy a silver ps2 when u can buy a ps3?"

    $129 PS2 + easy to get + tons of games in every genre and price range, including new and used + fairly reliable system + Silver is pretty

    vs

    Minimum $499 ($370 difference) for PS3 - shortages (demand will exceed supply for quite a while) - only launch titles at brand new ($60) prices, limited genres - unsure of launch reliability

    Easy choice for most people.

    @firefruze
    If Sony wanted to do something that didn't endanger the company, they wouldn't be trying to launch Blu-Ray and the PS3 right now. The PS2 is a very safe, reliable money maker for them, both in terms of system sales (they're making a profit on each system sold) and game royalties (more games being sold to more people from more companies). It'll be years before the money losing PS3 ($200 per system) will be able to say the same thing about itself. It's a smart move and will help Sony ease the pain of launching the PS3 and minimizing the pain the PS3 will bring them financially until it can break even and start making profits for them.

  • soniqstylz

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 3:19 pm PT

    edmakel

    "I bought a 360 yesterday......"

    "anyone remember Windows 95???? With all the bugs??? yeah!! that lasted!!! consumers demamded a new product!!! PS2.... R.I.P"

    Apprarently you don't remember Win95 (or WinME for that matter) since you just bought a Microsoft product.

    Also, I've had the same PS2 since 2001 with no errors, and I've played the s**t out of it.

  • dennis_phong

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 2:48 pm PT

    looks good

  • The__Jer

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 2:44 pm PT

    "y buy a silver ps2 when you can buy a ps3"

    because ps3 looks really bad (in my opinion), and the ps2 was one of the best systems ever (in my opinion).

  • jared81799

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 2:44 pm PT

    it true, gamestop has had the sku for about a month now.

  • firefruze

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 2:09 pm PT

    Sony is in financial problems ( almost do or die) and they waste they're reasources on a gimiky rehash of old technology. They're marketing department should be fired.

  • RivalBattousai

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 1:55 pm PT

    y buy a silver ps2 when u can buy a ps3?

  • KillerFPS

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 1:43 pm PT

    Damn Gamespot is late to the party this was listed as early as last friday on Gamestop.com

    Anyway WTF Sony? You claim color variations won't succeed in America but you only release a new color as the PS2 is nearing the END of its lifecycle? If this had been released maybe back when the Slimline PStwo was released it might sell well but not this late.

  • LexLas

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 1:20 pm PT

    Makes me want to trade my original PS2,, yes the old big giant one,, but it has not let me down it works terrificly. It works so perfectly it scares me to trade it ?? Should I ?? Should I trade my old lady PS2 for the new slim shinny one ??? Dam hard choice...

  • chikahiro94

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 12:34 pm PT

    "because sony cares about profits, not customers."

    That's unfair. They have to balance meeting the customers needs and wants against the needs of the company, its stockholders, and employees. Unless you want them to do another round of layoffs. Ever been laid off? I have been twice, and it really sucks. As long as their bleeding money on the PS3 and the PS2 still sells well, expect the PS2 to remain at $129.

    While I can understand wanting a $99 PS2, the fact is it's still a great buy even at $129 new. If you can't or won't swing the extra $30, then go get a used one from a game store, the classifieds, or a yard sale.

    As for the whole "who doesn't already have a PS2" thing - while the PS2 has sold 100 million worldwide, the US has nearly 300 million people living here, and there's around 6.5 billion people on the planet. There's more than a few people without PS2's out there.

    And lets not forget disc drives eventually fail, so some people might buy a new PS2 as a spare or replacement. Think that sucks? Then go back to cartridges and know the joy of paying $200+ for a new game like I did when I had a NeoGeo. Fun days, but I'm not going back to them.

  • bxgt

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 12:18 pm PT

    cool but why wait till the end of the ps2, i would have bought one before

  • Thakingk05

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 12:07 pm PT

    I will buy one

  • DevilMayAsian

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 11:23 am PT

    Lovely. I doubt I'll buy one, but nice.

  • edmakel

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 11:12 am PT

    No....just plain no!....I'm tired......I loved my PS2 for the quality of games developers made for the system....But!, the hardware technology is the worst of any electronics product I've ever bought!! That PS2 has been back for repairs every 7-9 months since launch day 2000...disc read error...Hey I had to say it!!! deal with it people.....I feal the only reason it sells so well is because so many people have been forced to buy a new system when the old one breaks down. Be truthful....and try not to be such a fanboy on this one....would you really buy an expensive product that does the same thing your existing product does just because it looks different? Example: would you buy Puffy's new CD with the same songs just because he changed the color of the CD Jewel case???? remember! same songs....same number of tracks....nothing new except the design??? I bought a 360 yesterday......beacuse yet again that damn PS2 (slim version for the second time!) went all disc read error again on me...I tried to hold out for the PS3 but...let's face it I need to get my game on......and that's another $130+ tax that can go to that ridiculously hight priced PS3 I'll eventually buy. With backwards compatability....I'll be first to say good bye forever!!! Please don't make another PS2 system.....anyone remember Windows 95???? With all the bugs??? yeah!! that lasted!!! consumers demamded a new product!!! PS2.... R.I.P.

  • DJ-PRIME90

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 10:11 am PT

    Alittle late
    PS3 will be released soon, who will actually buy a PS2

  • amaranth_aeon

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 10:06 am PT

    Kenzo287:
    This isn't "late in the game" at all. Production for the PS1 was stopped only last year. [edit - I just checked: end of production was actually announced in March 2006] If people were ready to buy PS1s till 2006, they will continue to buy PS2s.
    As I believe I've mentioned (and countless others have, too), the PS2 still sells more than any other console.
    A lot of gamers/parents in the US may not want to spend hundreds of dollars on new systems and will be happy to get a $130 PS2 and a huge library of $20-30 games.
    Giving them the choice is not "stupid". Claiming it is, however, is condescending.

  • TheGamer4Life

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 9:52 am PT

    I would rather have had the white ps2 slim but oh well. Im guessing they are making it silver to coincide with one of the ps3's colors.

  • Cypher_VR

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 9:51 am PT

    it should been availible when the slim ps2 debued

  • Just_Desert

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 8:47 am PT

    People still buy it because its still a good console with a ton of games to choose from. Im sure they will still be developing PS2 games until the PS3 hits its stride which won't be for a year or two. Sony is probably relying on PS2 sales and game sales since the PS3 development has put a huge dent in their pocket. My guess is that they will lose $300 on every PS3 they sell, maybe less.

  • makemeweak

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 8:41 am PT

    People still buy that?!? Why?

  • pashark

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 8:16 am PT

    I'm Italian, here variants are always been selled.

  • thisissami

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 8:00 am PT

    "sony, for real. just let the pos2 die."

    more PS2s keep getting sold each year... in fact in japan this year about 3% more PS2s were sold than last year, each year more are sold than the year before... i know in spring about 260 thousand PS2s were sold each month... it's a great system with the biggest selection of games, and i say that it should keep getting sold!

  • swe_hotshot

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 7:56 am PT

    First the big black box, then the slimed black one, then the platinum edition, the the pink, then the silver one, then the....

    When are they gonna stop? :S

  • mlbslugger86

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 7:43 am PT

    a little to late for me,i already have the black slim

  • waleedarshad

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 7:36 am PT

    ps2 is really an awesome console, its still geting AAA games

  • hemakm3

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 7:30 am PT

    No thanks.

  • adolfogomez

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 7:20 am PT

    still some good games on the old crow... but never been into silver color plastic

  • metdevthegamer

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 7:08 am PT

    Cool, I guess.

  • TorugotoShinsan

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 7:03 am PT

    Yeah this is a cool idea and smart move by Sony.Iit is like how Microsoft brought out the Crystal XBox just before the 360 and Nintendo brought out the ifferent coloured GBAs just before the DS. Not everyone could afford a 360 but everyone could afford an XBox, not everyone could afford a DS but everyone could afford a GBA. Companies do this all the time and it is a good marketing strategy.

  • Mkeegs79

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 6:39 am PT

    I like the PS2 a whole lot and STILL good games coming and admit this is a cool version of the PS2.

  • mattxavier

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 6:36 am PT

    I hope they reduce the price of the black one.

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Sep 20, 2006 6:25 am PT

    sony, for real. just let the pos2 die.

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