| Although the Sony PlayStation 2 console got off to a small start in terms of sales, it has certainly made up for it in the subsequent years. Since its release in 2001, Sony has sold nearly 100 million of its PS2 systems around the world. This helped cement the PlayStation 2 as the most popular console of the sixth generation, beating both Microsoft's Xbox and Nintendo's GameCube. The PlayStation 2 was the first console to be released during the sixth generation, which gave the system a head start in terms of sales. Although the Xbox and GameCube consoles came later, they had the advantages of having a more powerful system and carrying a lower price tag, respectively. But a few killer games on the PS2 console helped push the Sony PlayStation 2 into the lead. Without a doubt, one series of games that helped move consoles from store shelves into homes around the world was the Grand Theft Auto franchise. Sony had the upper hand with this series, as GTA 3, Vice City, and San Andreas were all initially released only for the PS2. This in a sense forced gamers who wanted to play the latest GTA game to buy a Sony PlayStation 2 console. Much like its release of the PS One system, Sony brought out a more compact version of its PS2 console years after the system's original release. There was a trade-off for this compact version of the system, as its diminutive size wouldn't allow the 3.5-inch expansion bay to be integrated into the console. As a result, gamers couldn't use the hard drive, which eliminated the possibility of playing certain games on the console, most notably Final Fantasy XI. |