Playstation through the years

In the 90s, before the internet and Netflix, we had the Sony PlayStation, a game console that found its way into popular culture and became the symbol of cool. Over the past 25 years, the PlayStation brand has had a lasting impact on the video game market. The launch of PlayStation 2 and subsequent consoles established PlayStation as the indisputable king of the gaming market. PlayStation has a long history, which includes many popular home consoles, handheld devices, classic games, and peripherals. With Sony set to release the PlayStation 5 in the coming months, we will take a walk down memory lane where we will highlight the evolution of PlayStation hardware and how it has changed over the past 25 years.

PlayStation (1994)

Launched in Japan in early December 1994 and one year later in North America and Europe for $299, the original PlayStation changed the way we play video games. The console brought real-time 3D graphics, faster processor, engaging games, and it even popularised the CD format. The PlayStation also gave many memorable games such as Gran Turismo, Final Fantasy VII, Tomb Raider 2, and Silent Hill. All of these games have now turned into hit franchises. The overnight success of PlayStation put Sony up against the two market leaders - Nintendo and Sega - who were ruling the video gaming market for years. The original PlayStation went on to become the first video game console to ship more than 100 million units.

Playstation 2 (2000)

The PlayStation successor, the PlayStation 2, was released for $299. The PS2 wiped the competition within a few months of its launch. The console featured a one-core processor clocked at 294.9MHz, 32MB of system RAM and 4MB of video RAM. The PS2 was also backwards compatible with most PS One games, a feature that didn't exist at the time. Not just that, the PS2 became the first console to have a built-in DVD player and USB ports. The original PS2 console also allowed users to install an optional 40GB hard drive. The PS2 also introduced the iconic DualShock 2 controller. Two years after its launch, Sony announced a Network Adapter for the console, which allowed gamers to play certain games online such as Final Fantasy XI. The EyeToy peripheral, released in 2003, brought the concept of controller-free games. In its life span, a total of 10,000 games were released for the PlayStation 2. Notable games for the PS2 included Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Shadow of the Colossus, Final Fantasy X, God of War, among others. Sony managed to sell 150 million units of the PS2, which also includes the "slimline" model before the company ended production in 2013. Even to day, the PS2 remains the best-selling console of all time.