A small horde of teens crowd around a display at a video game store. The salesman recites his bit to the mesmerized huddle as he motions toward a poster of a mysterious black box. A few of the spectators glance at the poster and then quickly back to the display. The focus of the feverish swarm is Sony s PlayStation 2. The unit will hit store shelves Oct. 26, and as each day passes, anticipation builds.
Stores have posters and videos showing the console.
But for now, the machine isn t available for consumers to see. Sony s first video game console, the original PlayStation, has been a phenomenal success worldwide. Since its release in 1995, more than 27 million units have been sold in the United States. Illuminated by the reputation of the original console, the PlayStation 2 shines brightly on the horizon. Sony marketing and industry hype have intensified the allure of the system by touting its features and capabilities.