Hardware sales remained strong until 2004 saw the console apparently approaching saturation point.
There are also some disputes on the numbering for this PS2 version, since there are actually two sub-versions of the SCPH-70000.
Although Sony placed little emphasis on online gaming during its first year, all that changed because of the launch of the online-capable Xbox.
PS2's opening day console sales eclipsed the previous record of 225,000 made by the Sega Dreamcast in 1999.
Later, Sony gained steam with new development kits for game developers and more PlayStations for consumers.
These included a PCMCIA slot instead of the Expansion Bay (DEV9) port of newer models.
When the PlayStation 2 launched in Japan in March 2000, Sony sold 980,000 units over the opening weekend.
Although Sony placed little emphasis on online gaming during its first year, all that changed because of the launch of the online-capable Xbox.
Developers also complained that it was difficult to develop for the system, with little in the way of reference material from Sony for its exotic architecture.
In September 2004 Sony unveiled the third major hardware revision (V12, model number SCPH-70000).
When it was released, the PS2 had many advanced features that were not present in other contemporary video game consoles, including its DVD capabilities and USB and IEEE 1394 expansion ports.
