Slimmed-down PlayStation launched

Electronics giant Sony launched a slimmed-down version of its best-selling PlayStation 2 computer games console today.

The new PS2 is half the weight of the existing model and, at just over an inch, is less than half the thickness. All the existing games can be played on the new smaller model.

It will go on sale in Europe on November 1 for the same price as the PlayStation 2 – €149 euros.

David Reeves, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, said: “We did it for PlayStation and now this time for PlayStation 2.

“This totally redesigned network-ready model will demonstrate that PlayStation has once again the design flair and innovation that has made PlayStation the world’s best loved and most successful games console.”

The original PlayStation has sold more than 100 million units worldwide since its launch.

Its replacement, the PS2, has notched up sales of 24 million in the 102 countries which make up the PAL territories, which includes Ireland.