Network Adaptor
» PLATFORM: PlayStation 2 » RELEASED: 2001 » COST: £24.99 (launch), £20+ (today, boxed) £10+ (today, unboxed)
Where Microsoft was enthusiastic about online gaming with the Xbox and Nintendo was basically uninterested with the GameCube, Sony’s online plans for the PS2 were somewhere in between.
The company did throw development resources at online games, but stopped short of including network hardware in the console. Instead, players were required to purchase an additional accessory, which connected to the expansion bay on the rear of the console. As well as enabling online gaming, this device was used to facilitate local network play, which had previously been provided by the iLink port that was present on early PS2 models.