Welcome to IGN's 2007 Year in Review for the PlayStation 2. Over the next seven pages we'll take a look back at the ups and the downs, breaking news and best reviews of this year. We'll look back at industry events, like E3, GDC and TGS, and see just how Sony's oldest system fared. We'll list this year's highest rated titles as determined by both the IGN editors and our readers. We'll highlight the biggest news of the year and provide tips and tricks on the hottest games. And finally, we'll take a look at 2008 and see what's in store for Sony's best-selling console.

So sit back, relax, and check out this info.



Chris Roper | Blog

Editor-in-Chief

Joined IGN: Sept. 2002

07 Highlight: Jen and Zoey.

Greg Miller | Blog

Editor

Joined IGN: March 2007

07 Highlight: Getting married.

Jeff Haynes | Blog

Editor

Joined IGN: Feb. 2006

07 Highlight: Played MGS4 and DMC4.

Ryan Clements | Blog

Associate Editor

Joined IGN: July 2007

07 Highlight: Starting at IGN.

State of the Platform

While 2007 was the seventh year that the PS2 had been out on store shelves, it proved that you can't keep a great console down. Although much of the focus within the press has been centered upon the PS3, Sony's oldest console has been steadily selling consoles, month after month. In fact, the slim designed PS2 sold more than 100,000 consoles every month of 2007, consistently proving that the system has more life in it than most analysts are willing to give it credit for.

The increased longevity of the system could potentially be attributed to the cost of the PS3. Even though the newer system received two separate price drops, its cost was still somewhat prohibitive to some gamers that didn't have the funds for the system or a high definition television. On the other hand, a Slim PS2 was extremely affordable at $129, and its library of more than 1,400 games (not counting backwards compatibility) made it a very attractive alternative. In fact, multiple studies conducted during the year by Nielsen showed that more gamers play the PS2 than any other console, current or last gen. 42% of all gaming time is conducted on the PS2, so the elder statesman of consoles is still showing its longevity.

On top of these statistics, the PS2 enjoyed another solid year of games from beginning to end. Sports franchises such as Winning Eleven: Pro Evo Soccer, MLB '07: The Show and Rugby 08 shone on the system, while older series made a return to the PS2. Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary, Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror and Burnout Dominator were standouts on the console. This year was also incredible for RPGs on the PS2, with Odin Sphere, Persona 3 and Rogue Galaxy anchoring a deep list of enjoyable games.

Furthermore, two Guitar Hero titles were released this year: Rocks The '80s and Legends of Rock, while Rock Band helped bring gamers' rock and roll dreams to life. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories wreaked havoc across homes as well, while the largest PS2 game of the year, God of War II, re-established its dominance over the action genre. Needless to say, Kratos ushered in proof that the PS2 could still provide gripping play.

There were a number of surprises that also landed on the PS2, such as the quirky, but engaging real time strategy game GrimGrimoire. Sony released three SingStar games, as well as two installments of its worldwide hit quiz franchise Buzz! The Hot Shots brand left the golf course and hit the courts as Hot Shots Tennis served onto systems. But perhaps the largest surprise of them all was the eventual release of Manhunt 2, which courted controversy throughout its development process and was even banned for a period of time by the ESRB. With a number of changes, the title was able to hit shelves in time for Halloween.

Although the amount of titles and large releases for the PS2 will probably slow down in 2008, the reports of its demise may be exaggerated.