Hardware sales remained strong until 2004 saw the console apparently approaching saturation point.
In preparation for the launch of a new, slimmer PlayStation 2 model (SCPH-70000), Sony had stopped making the older PS2 model (SCPH-5000x) sometime during the summer of 2004 to let the distribution channel empty out stock of the units.
It was not until late 2001 that the Microsoft Xbox became the second console with (non-standard) USB and DVD support.
To this day, the PS2 holds the record for the most consoles sold in a single day as well as the record for most consoles sold in launch day in America.
Available in November 2004, it is smaller and thinner than the old version and includes a built-in Ethernet port.
As a result, although Sony and Nintendo both started out late and although both followed a decentralized model of online gaming where the responsibility is up to the developer to provide the servers, Sony's efforts made PS2 online gaming a big success.
The machine's future continues to be uncertain, with North American and European launches considered to be distant if at all.
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