PlayStation2 European sales surge past 10 million

Sales to consumers of the Sony PlayStation2 computer entertainment system have exceeded 10 million units.

Demand for PlayStation2 across Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) territories has been accelerating, with sales of the market leading console growing faster than Sony's earlier PS one machine by a rate of over 2.4 to 1.

"Such is the phenomenal momentum generated by the success of PlayStation 2 that the last million units have been sold in just the past few weeks," the company said in a statement.

"It is the unique combination of over 400 PlayStation2 titles, many of them exclusive, compatibility with the 1,300 games available for the PS one, and a DVD player that you can use straight from the box, that has made PlayStation2 such a clear winner," said Chris Deering, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.

"The line-up of games for this Christmas is, without a doubt, our best ever. With titles such as GTA Vice City breaking all records, and our own ground-breaking blockbuster The Getaway receiving exceptional reviews, there are stunning games available in every genre and for every age group.

"With our online gaming service launching in the Spring, there has never been a better time to be a PlayStation gamer."

SCEE is a leading publisher of games software for PlayStation2, with a wide range of top quality, exclusive titles for every games genre. Full details of all forthcoming releases for PlayStation are available at www.playstation.com.