Sony PlayStation 2 just $99.99 starting tomorrow

We're really hoping that this isn't Sony's global announcement. Nevertheless, starting tomorrow April 1st, the PlayStation 2 will be available for less than $100 (down from $129.99), exactly as rumored. Hoozah?

[Thanks, Ris]

[STIEN @ Mar 31st 2009 7:39AM]

april fools perhaps?

[NeoJew @ Mar 31st 2009 7:41AM]

That's what I thought at first, but it's not really that funny...

[propellerhead4 @ Mar 31st 2009 8:14AM]

i saw one here for $69

http://12tb.com/browse/VideoGames/301712/Sony-PS2

[Mic2000 @ Mar 31st 2009 8:13AM]

By making us wonder if it is a april fools joke, we think more about the price cut and the PS2 ;)

[Temple @ Mar 31st 2009 8:25AM]

Like many companies Sony's fiscal year ends March 31st, which is probably why the price drop is scheduled on April 1st.

[cg0def @ Mar 31st 2009 8:25AM]

it better be

[guy @ Mar 31st 2009 10:56AM]

How pointless. Is there even anyone out there left that doesn't already own a PS2?

[Pedroion @ Mar 31st 2009 12:38PM]

@propellerhead4: Even cheaper, if used: http://12tb.com/offer/VideoGames/301712/B000TLU67W?condition=Used

[Alex Linhares @ Mar 31st 2009 4:06PM]

Here in Brazil it is only R$659,90

http://www.fnac.com.br/Product.aspx?idProduct=0000051522919&idDept=7365&src=

which is less than a mere USD287 dollars!

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en-us&q=659,90+reais+in+dollars&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

[LinuxMacWindows Fanboy @ Mar 31st 2009 9:56PM]

woo 69 dollars! i love 69... yeah!

[Rurik @ Mar 31st 2009 7:42AM]

Less than $100? Please, no marketing here. Just say $100, that's what it really is.

[strider_mt2k @ Mar 31st 2009 7:43AM]

Never gonna happen.

You'd best learn the language and do the translations for yourself.

[ArcticFox @ Mar 31st 2009 7:44AM]

$99.99 isnt $100......

[Rurik @ Mar 31st 2009 8:15AM]

Right, and $1.999/gallon isn't $2.00. It's a marketing gimmick, and one you would expect from advertisements, not from techie sites.

[Temple @ Mar 31st 2009 8:29AM]

I think we've come to a point as consumers where we can tell the difference between $19.99 and $20.00 or $99.99 and $100.00. Standard practice everywhere, and don't expect it to change.

[Vince @ Mar 31st 2009 8:41AM]

And if you're paying cash for this in a shop, who actually fishes out exactly $99.99?
At least from my experience, most people pay with a $100 bill, and don't care much about that one cent change...
If Sony are out to make money, why not charge $1 more and round it up for everything they sell?
Then they might be unaffected by the credit crunch, without it hurting our wallets too much.

[Releaux @ Mar 31st 2009 8:49AM]

I'll be pedantic and point out that it's not a marketing gimmick, but rather a marketing application of a psychological trait shared by most humans.

When we're buying, we automatically search for the lowest price and low(er) numbers appear even lower as we scan. Conversely, when we're selling, we're looking for the highest price and someone offering you $100 will be a more attractive buyer than someone offering $99.99.

See also:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_price
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marketing_mix

(I read a really concise article on just this topic a couple of weeks ago, but can't find it now...)

[kevin @ Mar 31st 2009 8:49AM]

@vince: you're right, no one fishes out exactly $99.99 at the shop. Ever heard of sales tax?

[Andrew @ Mar 31st 2009 8:58AM]

In DC, a $99.99 item costs a total of $109.99 with sales tax. Then again, there is something nice about seeing a gadget's price listed under $100.

[Kelmon @ Mar 31st 2009 9:22AM]

@Rurik

Yeah, make a stand! I sense angry mob with pitchforks and burning torches time (again).

[NHAnimator @ Mar 31st 2009 9:31AM]

In NH, $99.99 is $99.99.

[absinthe party @ Mar 31st 2009 9:37AM]

In rural PA, $99.99 is... I don't even know. 3 wolf pelts and a fistful of gravel? We're still using the barter system.

[Dyranios @ Mar 31st 2009 9:56AM]

lol why is this drivel being ranked up? the price is $99.99 yes congratulations we are all clever consumers and understand why it is that rather than $100 but that doesn't change the fact that the price is still infact $99.99 and I would expect any decent news source to use that figure rather than round up or down as they see fit.

[Kelmon @ Mar 31st 2009 10:42AM]

@Dyranios

Because it is an annoying fact of life that products are priced at x.99 to make the product look cheaper. A fact of life, it may be, but that doesn't mean we have to like it and I voted Rurik up because the sentiment struck a cord.

[THJ @ Mar 31st 2009 1:19PM]

@ Andrew

Only restaurants/bars/car rentals are taxed @ 10%. Consumer goods are taxed at 5.75%. So a 99.99 electronic purchase will run you $105.74.

Source: http://cfo.dc.gov/cfo/cwp/view,a,1324,q,612629.asp

[AMiSH PiRATE @ Mar 31st 2009 3:29PM]

@ absinthe party

I find your conversion offensive and demeaning. $99.99 is two hens & a rooster or one goat and a broken hex sign.

[jarofchris @ Mar 31st 2009 10:30PM]

@ NHanimator: not for long, if the democrats in the state house have anything to say about it. you should check out the idiotic bills they are proposing...

[strider_mt2k @ Mar 31st 2009 7:42AM]

It's still an awesome console with TONS of great titles.

[AVG @ Mar 31st 2009 7:57AM]

Really?!

[NeoJew @ Mar 31st 2009 8:01AM]

No, not really. After the PS3 came out all the great games on the PS2 magically turned to crap.

[strider_mt2k @ Mar 31st 2009 8:19AM]

Looks like someone's programming was successful. LOL

[xcrunk @ Mar 31st 2009 8:53AM]

I just threw my modded PS2 in a box, ready to be stored away in the basement. Guess what went in it's place...a 360. Regrets? None. It was fun while it lasted. You will not be forgotten PS2.

[TareX @ Mar 31st 2009 9:02AM]

If I wanted a PS2, I'd get a hacked PSP on ebay. Same graphics, only portable.

[AVG @ Mar 31st 2009 9:03AM]

@TareX

Yes, because graphics are what count in the end. Not the fact that he PSP has 1/100th the amount of quality titles.

[Kelmon @ Mar 31st 2009 9:25AM]

...hmmm...R-Type Delta and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night...

[Will @ Mar 31st 2009 3:37PM]

I couldn't agree more. For the casual gamer this is an excellent choice and most of the games you can get used for under $20 (some for even $5-$10).

[unknown @ Mar 31st 2009 7:52AM]

$100!!!!
I am going to rush to my nearest electronics store today to take advantage of this great deal...
oh wait, i already bought a PS2 when it was cool back in 2001

[NHAnimator @ Mar 31st 2009 9:43AM]

Console sales for Feb 09
Wii: 753,000
DS: 588,000
PS2: 131,000
PS3: 276,000
PSP: 199,000
Xbox360: 391,000

So N is moving the most units by far, Sony is second and MS is last. Sony and MS tie when looking at just consoles (no handhelds). No wonder fanboys are split so evenly.

But the fact that the PS2 is still selling so many units is, at the least, impressive.

[Phil @ Mar 31st 2009 9:58AM]

@ NHAnimator

Those are NA sales, not worldwide.

[Cash @ Mar 31st 2009 11:32AM]

Those look like japan npd numbers to me. And shouldn't the 360 be third on that list, not last?

[Steve @ Apr 2nd 2009 12:11PM]

You may notice, Cash, that they're organized by brand...

[Khattab @ Mar 31st 2009 7:47AM]

It's a sony. Ridiculous.

[Jon @ Mar 31st 2009 7:48AM]

Big freak'n deal ... Ps 2 .. Whoa ... 3rd world countries will be thrilled

it should be $25

[Deeznuts @ Mar 31st 2009 8:09AM]

my thoughts exactly who the hell cares about PS2 anymore?

[Dummy00001 @ Mar 31st 2009 10:36AM]

> who the hell cares about PS2 anymore?

Sony.

PS2 still turns healthy profit.

[Kumar @ Mar 31st 2009 11:02AM]

or 24.99?

[DP @ Mar 31st 2009 12:49PM]

At that price I would buy one just cuz, even though I have one.

[Bokal @ Mar 31st 2009 7:50AM]

I'll take 10!

[IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII (BarCODE) @ Apr 1st 2009 4:14AM]

I'll take zero, I have a 60GB PS3.

[Jose El Maton @ Mar 31st 2009 7:53AM]

You're goddamn right, hoozah. GREAT console. Hell, I'm playing Jedi Starfighter right NOW. They should make another one of those! And yes, apart from Rogue Squadron (like the Starfighter action and controls.)