PlayStation 2/Error Screens

From the Audiovisual Identity Database, the motion graphics museum


1st Screen (March 4, 2000-2010?)


Visuals: On a black background, red clouds of mist or smoke spiral around a moving red light. A glass cube zooms into view and starts to revolve around the light as a message appears saying "Please insert a PlayStation or PlayStation 2 format disc." Another glass cube that is further away from the camera comes into view from behind the text, and also revolves around the light.

Variants:

  • The message is displayed in a different language depending on what language your PlayStation 2 is set on, e.g. "Por favor, inserte un disco de formato PlayStation o PlayStation 2." in Spanish.
  • An earlier variant of this screen appears on SCPH-1xxxx models, which has different centering for both lines and has different wording for the error message.

Technique: CGI running at 60fps.

Audio: A tense synth jingle with a breathy humming sound. The remainder of the screen is silent, save for the sounds of wind blowing and waves flowing.

Availability: Only appears when an unreadable disc (or a disc that is not a PS, PS2, DVD, or Audio CD disc) is inserted into a PlayStation 2.

Legacy: This screen, nicknamed the “Red Screen of Death”, is known to catch many off-guard (thanks to the long silence, the dark background, the music and the clouds).

2nd Screen (2010?-2013)

Visuals: On the background of the system's browser is the message "Your disc could not be read".

Technique:

Audio:

Availability: Seen on the "slim"/Series 75000 PlayStation 2 consoles.

Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies.