# Did the PlayStation 2 play DVDs?

> Yes. The PS2 played DVD movies out of the box, which made it one of the cheapest DVD players at its 2000 launch and helped it sell so well.

Yes. The PlayStation 2 could play DVD movies as well as games, and that was one of its biggest selling points. When it launched in North America in October 2000 for $299, standalone DVD players were still expensive, so many people bought a PS2 partly as their first DVD player. It went on to become the best-selling console of all time.

## How DVD playback worked

- **Built-in player:** insert a DVD movie and the PS2 opens its DVD player. The very first Japanese models loaded the player software from a memory card; later models had it built in.
- **Controller or remote:** you can control playback with the controller; Sony also sold an official DVD remote.
- **Regions:** the PS2 only plays DVD movies from its own region (for example, Region 1 for US consoles).
- **Picture quality:** output is standard definition — the PS2 doesn't upscale DVDs. Results are best with component cables on a compatible TV.
- **Burned discs:** support for recordable DVDs and CDs varies by model, so homemade discs may not play.

## Games on disc

Most PS2 games came on DVD-ROM, which allowed much larger games than the CD-based original PlayStation. Some early PS2 games shipped on CD-ROM, recognizable by their blue disc underside.

## FAQ

**Could the original PlayStation play DVDs?**
No. The PS1 used CDs and could play audio CDs, but not DVD movies.

**Does the PS2 play all region DVDs?**
No. It plays DVD movies only from the region matching the console.

**How much did a PS2 cost in 2000?**
$299 at its North American launch.

**Do newer PlayStations play DVDs?**
The PS3, PS4 and PS5 with a disc drive play DVDs and Blu-ray movies; the PS5 Digital Edition needs an add-on disc drive.

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