PlayStation 2 models: Fat, Slim, and what to look for when buying used

The PlayStation 2 is the best-selling console of all time, and second-hand, it comes in more variants than most would suspect. When buying one, one thing matters above all else: the disc drive. The rest is a matter of preference.

The two form factors

The original from 2000, retrospectively called the "Fat," is the large black box that can stand vertically or horizontally. It features a tray-loading drive, two controller ports, two memory card slots, and an expansion bay at the back for a hard drive, which does not exist on later models.

The Slim from 2004 is flat, significantly lighter, and has a top-loading disc drive. The network port is built-in, but the power supply is external—a separate brick that is easily lost. If it’s missing, you need a replacement, and for the later Slim revisions, it is not the same type as the earlier ones.

What matters when buying second-hand

The disc drive is the weak point. On both form factors. Typical symptoms: discs are not recognized, the drive makes loud noises and gives up, or DVD games work but early CD-based games don't—or vice versa. The reason is usually the aging laser unit.

Therefore: A PS2 should be tested with two different discs, ideally a silver CD (early titles like Tekken Tag Tournament) and a blue or silver DVD. If only one type works, the laser is on its way out.

With the Fat, there is an additional known issue: in some revisions, the drive mechanism shifts over time, and the height adjustment gear wears out. This is repairable, but not something you should overlook when buying.

With the Slim, the flip-top lid is where issues arise: if it doesn't close properly, the sensor won't detect that the lid is closed and the game won't start.

What should be included

• Power supply—mandatory for the Slim; for the Fat, it is built-in.
• Video cable. The included composite cable works everywhere; component or RGB SCART cables provide a visibly better picture on an old CRT TV.
• At least one controller. Check the analog sticks: worn-out sticks drift.
• A memory card. Without one, you cannot save anything—the PS2 has no internal memory. Original 8MB Sony cards are the safe choice; cheap third-party ones may lose game saves.

Regions and backwards compatibility

The PS2 is region-locked: a European console plays PAL discs. NTSC imports require a matching console. The region is indicated on the inner disc ring and in our product titles.

The good news, however, concerns the predecessors: every PS2 plays PlayStation 1 games, without any tricks. Old PS1 memory cards also fit, though they can only be used for PS1 save files.

And the games?

The PS2 library is the largest there has ever been—over two thousand titles in Europe alone. The price range is correspondingly large: mass-market titles are available for a few euros, while RPGs and late-release titles trade for triple-digit sums. With PS2 merchandise, the case is almost always the weakest part because the thin plastic breaks at the hinges—which is why we grade the case, inlay, and disc separately.

What is currently in stock can be found on the shelf for PlayStation 2.