1.Best value buy
Fat PS2 with a working drive
The original chassis has the expansion bay, best compatibility with PS1 discs and accessories, and is easier to service. Heavier, and the drive is the part that wears.
🎮How to Buy a Used PS2
The PS2 has the deepest library of any console ever made, and working units are still easy to find. The catch is that every one of them is old enough to have a tired optical drive.
Here is what to look at before you buy, and what you will need on day one that the listing probably does not include.
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Our picks
2.Best for space
Slim PS2
Tiny, quiet, and has built-in Ethernet. No hard-drive bay, and the lid mechanism is a common failure point.
3.Must-buy accessory
Memory card
No memory card, no saves — and almost no used listing includes one. Get this in the same order as the console.
4.Best picture upgrade
Component cable or HDMI adapter
The PS2 outputs 480p in many games, but only over component or a converter. It is the difference between blurry and sharp on a modern TV.
Prices as of Oct 27, 2026, 4:34 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Checklist before you pay
Ask the seller for a photo of the console powered on with a game running — it rules out most of the common faults in one step.
- Does it read both DVD and CD-based games? Some worn lasers read one and not the other.
- Is a memory card included?
- Are the controller ports and both USB ports intact?
- Fat model: does the disc tray open and close smoothly?
- Slim model: does the lid sensor register when closed?
More gear for this setup
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HDSUNWSTD HDMI Cable for PlayStation 2 & PlayStation 1 Console (PS2 & PS1), PS1/PS2 to HDMI Adapter with True RGB Signal Output PlayStation 1 Adapter Sony PS2 HDMI Converter
$14.99
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RetroScaler2x AV/SV/YPBPR to HDMI™ Converter, NTSC/PAL Support (Blue) | Support Line Doubler,Filter,Smooth,Pass-Through Modes,No Lag,Compatible with PS1/2 N64 Dreamcast Saturn MD NGC SNES and More
$79.99
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Deegotech Carrying Case Compatible with PS5/PS5 Pro/PS5 Slim, Game Backpack | Protective Travel Bag Backpack Compatible with Playstation 5 Console, Disc, Accessories and 15.6" Laptop, Black
$28.99
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Video Game Storage Boxes, Blu-Ray Storage Boxes, Magnetic Video Game Box Protector Case, Store Up to 20 Cases – 1 Pack
$11.99
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Playstation (1) Video Game Console
$119.99
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HDMI Cable for Nintendo Gamecube, Nintendo 64 N64, Super Nintendo SNES (3-in-1), GameCube/SNES/N64 to HDMI Adapter with S-Video Signal Output (Better Video Quality), HD Converter with 4:3/16:9 Switch
$29.99
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Prices as of Oct 27, 2026, 4:34 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Shopping for someone? See our gift guide for gamers.
FAQ
Is the PS2 still worth buying?
Yes — the library is enormous and much of it never got re-released. It is also one of the cheapest ways into a whole console generation.
Fat or slim PS2?
Fat for compatibility and serviceability, slim for size and built-in Ethernet.
Do PS2s play PS1 games?
Yes, both models are backwards-compatible with PS1 discs, and PS1 memory cards work in the same slots.
What breaks on a used PS2?
The optical drive laser first, then the disc tray or lid sensor. Both are the reason to insist on seeing it running.
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