The original PlayStation is a quarter-century old this week.
The first PlayStation console debuted in Japan on December 3, 1994. It went on to sell over 100 million units worldwide, becoming the top-selling video game system in history at the time. Its immediate follow-up, the PlayStation 2, surpassed it in global sales. PS2 remains the top-selling video game system of all time.
“We struck a chord with the gaming community because PlayStation offered experiences beyond what anyone could ever imagine was possible with a home console,” says Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan.
“From the very start, we opened our arms to developers, providing them with the tools and technology to create beautiful, expansive worlds, and to experiment with new ideas. That approach led to the diversity of games PlayStation is known for, a true hallmark for our brand across multiple generations of hardware platforms,” Ryan continued.
Five years ago, Sony released a 20th-anniversary limited edition PS4. That system is now going for over a thousand dollars. They also released a 20th-anniversary video, which you can watch below, since Sony hasn’t released a 25th-anniversary video yet.
Last year, Sony commemorated the PS1 with the release of the PlayStation Classic. The retro-inspired micro-console launched with 20 games for $99.99. However, it did not do very well. Now you can find it for as low as $29.99.
All told, the original PlayStation has had a profound and lasting legacy on the video game industry. Not only did PS1 lay the foundation for successive PlayStation consoles and handhelds, but it also spawned innumerable iconic franchises.
Can you imagine gaming without Crash Bandicoot, Final Fantasy VII, Resident Evil, Grand Theft Auto, or Metal Gear Solid? I can’t.
