On 3 December 1994, we had no idea of the impact that the release of the first PlayStation would have on the world of video games. Whether you like the brand or not (no console wars here), PlayStation's imprint is indelible, and there's no end in sight.

At the beginning of the 90s, the console hierarchy was well established, and the general public found it hard to imagine any brand other than Nintendo or SEGA gaining a foothold in the home.

But then Sony came along with the PlayStation. To retrace this success story, Sony has launched a website dedicated to the history of PlayStation and published a video (see below) to thank gamers for this shared adventure.

The site traces the chronology of consoles, iconic games and accessories that take us back 30 years (Memory Card, Multitap...), while sharing some impressive figures. Videos also illustrate the brand's iconic moments, with gameplay footage and enthusiastic crowds at the launch of new models.

Video celebrating PlayStation's 30th anniversary:

A Sacred History

The Origins of PlayStation (1988-1994)

The story of PlayStation began in the late 80s. Sony collaborated with Nintendo** to develop a CD player for the Super Nintendo, called the Nintendo Play Station. The partnership was cancelled in 1991, but Sony continued the project on its own.

On 3 December 1994, Sony launched the PlayStation 1 (PS1) in Japan, followed by North America and Europe in 1995. It was an immediate success, with iconic titles such as Final Fantasy VII, Crash Bandicoot, and Metal Gear Solid. It became the first home console to sell more than 100 million units.

Ascension with the PS2 (2000-2006)

In 2000, Sony released the PlayStation 2 (PS2), a huge commercial success. With backward compatibility for PS1 games and a built-in DVD player, it appealed to a wide audience. Games such as Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, God of War, and Shadow of the Colossus boosted its popularity.

Today, the PS2 is the best-selling console in history, with 160 million units sold**.

The Transition to High Definition: PS3 (2006-2013)

The PlayStation 3 (PS3), released in 2006, introduced the Blu-ray player, but had a difficult launch due to its high price and competition from the Xbox 360. Exclusives such as Uncharted, The Last of Us, and LittleBigPlanet, however, helped it to establish itself with 87 million sales.

The Golden Age of the PS4 (2013-2020)

The PlayStation 4 (PS4) was released in 2013 and was an immediate success with games such as Horizon Zero Dawn, God of War (2018), and Spider-Man. It reached more than 117 million sales.

The Next Generation Era: PS5 (2020 to present)

In 2020, Sony launches the PlayStation 5 (PS5), with 4K graphics, an ultra-fast SSD, and the new DualSense controller. Despite supply problems, titles such as Demon's Souls (remake), Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, and God of War Ragnarök mark this new generation.

PlayStation Portable Consoles

1. PlayStation Portable (PSP) - 2004

The PSP is Sony's first portable console, released in 2004.
Features :

• Universal Media Disc (UMD) player.
• Multimedia functions: music, videos, Internet.
• Over 80 million units sold**.

2. PlayStation Vita (PS Vita) - 2011

The PS Vita succeeds the PSP in 2011 with an OLED screen and graphics similar to the PS3.
Features :

• Front touchscreen and rear touchpad.
• Compatible with PS4 games via Remote Play.
• Critical but limited success, with 16 million units sold.

PlayStation VR (PSVR)

1. PlayStation VR (2016)

Features :

• OLED screen with 1080p resolution.
• Motion tracking via PlayStation Camera and Move controllers.
• Popular games : Astro Bot: Rescue Mission, Beat Saber, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard.

2. PlayStation VR2 (2023)

Features :

• 2000x2040 resolution per eye.
• Eye tracking and haptic feedback on the headset.
• Notable games : Horizon: Call of the Mountain, Gran Turismo 7.

Sony's handheld consoles, while not as dominant as their Nintendo rivals, have left their mark on the industry with their technical innovations. As for PlayStation VR, it illustrates Sony's desire to explore immersive technologies in order to offer new gaming experiences, but in my humble opinion, these are still just ‘big demos’ which, while undeniably of high quality, are struggling to attract and enthral audiences over time.

The PlayStation legacy

Today, PlayStation embodies a gaming culture that has shaped generations. With constant innovation and a focus on quality exclusives, the brand remains a pillar of the video game industry.

The recent release of the PS5 Pro seems out of step with the history of its predecessors, perhaps due to a somewhat questionable commercial strategy. With re-releases and remasters often priced at around ten euros, even if you already own the game, Sony seems to be exploiting its franchises (too) intensively. This approach gives the impression of a certain ease, at the risk of compromising the quality and innovation of its franchises, which has forged the brand's reputation.

PlayStation and Recalbox

Remember that you can play PlayStation (PSX) on your Recalbox, with the added bonus of ‘multi-disc’ game management that lets you change ‘DISC’ directly via RetroArch or via a very simple joystick shortcut that Fabrice explains in this video: