GTA is what I mostly played on my PS2. Then college started and studies took over, so the console came out only now and then. Now I have a PS5 and the PS2 still works. I never sold it, mostly nostalgia I think, which leaves the question of what to do with an old PS2 that barely gets used anymore.
I’m not alone, Sony sold about 160 million, according to former PlayStation boss Jim Ryan as reported by Game Developer. Below are seven things you can still use yours for, from a modern TV setup to selling it. The PS2 has no HDMI port, which shapes most of the steps.
TL;DR: An old PS2 still plays PS2 and PS1 discs, DVDs and audio CDs. It needs a converter for a modern TV, a clean lens if discs will not read, and a backup of the saves on its memory cards. If you are done with it, check its value first. In the US, Best Buy recycles consoles free, three items per household per day.
What to do with an old PS2: check these three things first
Start with the model. PriceCharting lists the original PS2 and the Slim separately with different prices, so know which one you have.
Then see whether it reads discs. A disc that spins up and gives up is often a dirty lens.
Last, sort out the picture. The PS2 outputs analog video, so a modern TV needs a converter.
| Use | What you need | Main catch |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Play on a modern TV | Cable and matching converter | Converter quality varies |
| 2. Fix disc errors | Isopropyl alcohol, swabs | Not a guaranteed fix |
| 3. Play PS1 discs | Your PS1 games, a PS1 card | Not every game runs |
| 4. Watch DVDs, play CDs | Your discs | Region restrictions |
| 5. Rescue old saves | PS2 to PC card adapter | Homebrew route not covered |
| 6. Use the PS5 instead | PS Plus Premium | Catalog is partial |
| 7. Sell, donate, recycle | Model, extras, box | Prices swing widely |
1. Play your old games on a modern TV
Which cable you own decides the converter. The standard AV cable that came with the console, the composite one, needs an AV to HDMI converter, while a component cable needs a component to HDMI converter.
Macmyths starts its recommended setups with component video, which generally gives a better picture than composite. With component, also check the console’s setting. Sony’s PS2 manual has a Component Video Out option, with Y Cb/Pb Cr/Pr for component inputs, so a blank screen may just be the wrong choice.
If your old TV still has AV inputs you may need no converter at all. The same converter can also feed an old monitor through HDMI.
2. Get it reading discs again
ConsoleMods says a drive that spins but will not load original discs can often be fixed by wiping the laser lens with isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab. It is no guaranteed fix, and a worn laser may need adjusting or replacing.
This is delicate work that means opening the console. Unplug it first, go gently around the lens and let it dry fully, or leave it to a repair shop if you are not comfortable.
3. Dig out your PS1 discs
Sony’s PS2 manual says the console plays PlayStation format CD-ROM discs as well as PS2 discs. It is not perfect though, since Obsolete Sony says compatibility differs by model and Sony’s PS2 manual notes some PS1 software may behave differently.
Sony’s manual says you cannot save PS1 game data to a PS2 memory card, so keep a PS1 card for those games. It can copy PS1 saves onto a PS2 card for storage, but they cannot be loaded from there.
4. Use it as a DVD and CD player
Sony lists the PS2 as a DVD and CD player that plays DVD videos and audio CDs. If you still have a shelf of discs and no player, this one costs nothing.
Check the region though. Sony’s PS2 manual says some DVDs without region code markings may still be subject to area restrictions and may not play.
5. Rescue your old saves
PS2 saves live on the memory cards and not in the console. ConsoleMods says a PS2 to PC memory card adapter may be as simple as using its bundled software.
The other route needs homebrew on the console, which I am leaving out. Check the PS2’s Browser screen first so you know what is actually on each card, and do this before you sell or donate anything.
6. Play your favorites on the PS5 instead
PlayStation’s support page describes PS5 backward compatibility as covering PS4 games, and it does not list PS2 discs. PlayStation describes the Premium Classics Catalog as streaming hundreds of PS3 and PS2 games through Cloud Streaming.
Catalogs vary by region and change over time, and some classics may also be offered as downloads, so check the store on your own console. It is a way to replay a favorite, not a replacement for your discs.
7. Sell it, donate it or recycle it
PriceCharting’s FAQ says it tracks games sold on eBay and its own Marketplace, so the numbers come from sales and not asking prices. As of November 2026, PriceCharting showed the original PS2 at about $111 loose and $269 complete, and the Slim at about $102 and $148. The same FAQ defines loose as the item by itself and complete as including the original box and manual. It is written for games, so read it the same way for consoles. Prices move, so treat these as a November 2026 snapshot.
If it works but a listing isn’t worth the effort, EPA says manufacturers and retailers offer several ways to donate or recycle electronics, and tells you to delete all personal information first. With a PS2 that mostly means taking your own memory cards out, and including the cables and controllers.
In the US, Best Buy lists video game consoles, controllers and cables as accepted free in stores, with a limit of three items per household per day. Recycling is for residents only and items under a CPSC recall are not accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect a PS2 to a modern TV?
Yes, with a converter that matches your cable: AV to HDMI for the standard AV cable, or component to HDMI for a component cable. Sony’s manual says to set Component Video Out to Y Cb/Pb Cr/Pr for component inputs.
Why does my PS2 say disc read error?
A dirty lens is a common cause. ConsoleMods suggests wiping it with isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab, though a worn laser may need adjusting or replacing.
Can I play PS2 discs on a PS5?
Not officially. PlayStation’s support page describes PS5 backward compatibility as covering PS4 games, and PlayStation says PS Plus Premium streams a catalog of PS2 games.
Can the PS2 play PS1 games?
Most of them, but not all. Compatibility differs by model, Sony’s manual says some PS1 software may behave differently, and PS1 games cannot save to a PS2 memory card.
Can a PS2 play DVD movies?
Yes. Sony lists it as a DVD and CD player, though Sony’s manual says some DVDs may not play because of regional restrictions.
Can I recycle an old PS2 for free?
In the US, Best Buy accepts video game consoles, controllers and cables free in stores, with a limit of three items per household per day.
Where these steps come from
The steps follow Sony’s manuals, the ConsoleMods repair wiki and retailer guides. Menu names differ by region. Console and controller photos are by Evan-Amos via Wikimedia Commons, released into the public domain.
I did not test any console for this, so the repair and backup notes are other people’s results. Prices and recycling terms change.
