The PS2 is the first console to be added to Japan's 'Future Technology Heritage' registry!

https://www.gamesradar.com/hardware/the-ps2-has-been-recognized-in-japan-for-its-impact-on-peoples-lives-and-culture-by-becoming-the-first-console-to-be-added-to-the-future-technology-heritage-registry/

Japan's National Museum of Nature and Science has added the PlayStation 2 to its Future Technology Heritage registry, honoring it as a piece of technology that has impacted people's lives. It's notably the first console in a list of 381 iconic items to be selected.

More and more pieces of technology – from the TYK Radio Telephone to the 3.5-inch Floppy disk – have been gradually added to the registry since 2008, and the PS2 is number 365 in the list, being one of 18 new additions this year. It seems rather surprising that a console hasn't made the list sooner, but out of all the ones that could be picked, there's no doubt that this was a solid choice.

As reported by Japanese publication GameSpark (and translated by Automaton), the reasons for the console's selection include its ability to play DVDs (it was the first console able to do so), in combination with the fact that it was actually cheaper than most DVD players available at the time, which contributed to making the video format even more popular. On top of that, at the time, it had the most advanced base specs of any other console available, allowing it to produce impressive graphics that included more realistic expressions.

Although this isn't listed as an official reason for its selection, it's definitely worth noting the cultural impact of the PS2 as a result of its sheer popularity, too. More than 24 years after its release, it's the best-selling console of all time, which is seriously impressive, even if the PS5 is Sony's most profitable console. That's understandable given the difference in their price points, although the company's latest console also managed to sell faster than the PS4 despite its stock shortages, so there's no denying its success, either. When it comes to units shipped, though, who knows if the PS2 will ever be topped?

Well deserved, the PS2 was an incredible device that helped make game consoles mainstream. Thoughts, SW? Did you enjoy the PS2? I loved the Slim. Still can't believe we used to have consoles that small that could play all these great games. And at the time, the graphics were great and we had big games like GTA 3.

But the Dreamcast was better.

That DVD player.

Nah. Most of the games it had that I was interested in were also on PC or GameCube, where they were better. I really disliked the controller, it had the worst graphics of the three, and its overall library, while big, just wasn't my jam.

Pretty much this.

Time for people to get upset over old consoles

Good console, but during those years if I played something, it was online stuff on PC with school mates

:P

Cool. I liked the PS2. Was a pretty good system with a pretty solid library of games.

Yeah deserved overall. Many great games. Completely dominant in the console space. At the time, publishers made either PS2 games or PC games with some cross over. The GC and Xbox got scraps. Often time they would get a port 6 months to a year later. It really cemented PS as the go to console in many parts of the world.

.....The hardware was a bit rubbish though. Developers beeping hated that thing...it was a nightmare. The DVD drive was also very unreliable and very slow.

But yeah...it should be recognised for what it did.

This makes sense. Really helped push gaming into the mainstream, and unoquivicably dominated that generation. The only other things of similar importance were probably the Famicom and Gameboy, which will probably end up in there someday.

Funnily enough I'm playing Batman Begins on PS 2 right now. I never had this console growing up, so much fun catching up.

@girlusocrazy said:

Time for people to get upset over old consoles

When there's no good news on the current Playstation just turn back the clock a bit.

But... what about the NES? They skipped over the NES and added the PS2 instead. While the PS2 did play a role in popularizing DVDs, the NES had a larger overall cultural impact on gaming, the tech industry, and pop culture.

Sony just can't stop paying for exclusivity.

The PS2 rekt your precious Dreamcast 😎

Caught me a biggen...

^ copium

Trying to snipe me from a distance huh 🤣

Let me put it in a language you understand, #rekt 🤭

@TheEroica: Savage but accurate 😂