October 26 2000, the Playstation 2 was released to the North American audience and people lined up around the block to get one. Chris Johnston, who was Electronic Gaming Monthly’s News Editor at the time shared some of his photos and memories from the craziness that surrounded the release.

Chris writes, "I was News Editor for EGM at the time, and went around to various Best Buys in the Chicago suburbs to check out the lines the night before. It was pretty insane - there had been big hardware launches before, but this was the first time I remember seeing people camped out at local stores (instead of big 'event' launches like a Times Square Toys R Us thing). These pictures are from the Aurora and Lombard, IL Best Buys in particular. The Babbage's picture is the Fox Valley store in Aurora, IL. Chris writes, “I was News Editor for EGM at the time, and went around to various Best Buys in the Chicago suburbs to check out the lines the night before. It was pretty insane – there had been big hardware launches before, but this was the first time I remember seeing people camped out at local stores (instead of big ‘event’ launches like a Times Square Toys R Us thing). These pictures are from the Aurora and Lombard, IL Best Buys in particular. The Babbage’s picture is the Fox Valley store in Aurora, IL.

continued: “I had preordered a system at Babbage’s, so I didn’t *have* to participate in the launch madness but I waited outside of the Lombard Best Buy anyway with fellow EGM editor Greg Sewart. Waited all night, sometimes taking turns to run out for snacks or bathroom breaks. That was the last time I lined up for a system overnight. It was crazy. There were definitely people who were just getting it to re-sell but most people were excited for the games or DVD-playing ability”.Today Chris is the host of thePlayer One Podcast, a weekly roundtable featuring him and other former EGM staff.