The console also features USB and IEEE 1394 expansion ports. These memory cards can have up to 128 MB storage space. However their use is unsupported and compatibility is not guaranteed. There are a variety of non-Sony manufactured memory cards available for the PlayStation 2, allowing for a larger memory capacity than the standard 8 MB. Memory cards without encryption can be used to store PlayStation game saves, but PlayStation games would be unable to read from or write to the card – such a card could only be used as a backup. This requirement prevented the production of memory cards by third parties who did not purchase a MagicGate license. The standard PlayStation 2 memory card has an 8 MB capacity and uses Sony's MagicGate encryption. Like its predecessor, the DualShock 2 controller features force feedback technology. The PS2's DualShock 2 controller is an upgraded version of the PlayStation's DualShock with analog face, shoulder and D-pad buttons replacing the digital buttons of the original. The PS2 also supports limited functionality with the original PlayStation memory cards and controllers. This is accomplished through the inclusion of the original PlayStation's CPU which also serves as the PS2's I/O processor.

In addition, the console can play audio CDs and DVD movies, and is backwards compatible with original PlayStation games. PlayStation 2 software is distributed on CD-ROM and DVD-ROM. Other components, such as the system's DVD-ROM optical drive and DualShock 2 controller, provide the software and user control input. The CPU heavily relies on its integration with two vector processing units, known as VPU0 and VPU1, the Graphics Synthesizer, and a floating-point unit (FPU) in order to render 3D graphics. At the heart of the console's configuration is its central processing unit (CPU), a custom RISC processor known as the Emotion Engine which operates at 294 MHz (299 MHz in later consoles). The sixth-generation hardware of the PlayStation 2 video game console consists of various components.

Sony playstation 2 serial number