The Evolution Of PlayStation

Over the past two decades, PlayStation has become a household name synonymous with gaming. Whether players remember classics like Bugs Bunny & Taz: Time Busters with siblings, experiencing the heartbreaking opening of The Last Of Us for the first time, or zipping through New York at high speed as Spider-Man, PlayStation have been responsible for creating fond gaming memories for millions around the world.

Known for more than just releasing an endless list of classic games, PlayStation have also been at the forefront of the industry from the very start. Not only did their innovative approach to game design result in dozens of unique games, but it was also paramount in shaping the entire industry going forward.

From the early 3D outings of the PS1 to the epic AAA blockbusters currently available on PS5, PlayStation has come a long way. As the technology behind each new console improved, developers were able to create things that were once thought impossible.

With the release of each console marking the start of a new chapter in gaming, Sony's flagship brand continuously evolved and still shows no signs of slowing down.

Before PlayStation, it was Nintendo and Sega who dominated the gaming scene in the 1980s. The thought of competing with these industry titans seemed impossible, but then Sony arrived on the scene and changed everything.

The electronics giant was eager to the enter the entertainment industry with a particular interest in the video game scene. They had a deal with Nintendo to create a CD-ROM for the upcoming Super NES, however disaster struck for Sony when Nintendo abruptly ended the partnership by announcing they'd be teaming up with rivals Philips instead.

Despite this early blow, Sony were undeterred and forged on to create their own console instead.

Throughout the following years, the team at Sony, headed by Ken Kutaragi, worked to recruit various studios to develop third-party games for what would become the PlayStation. Huge name like Namco and Ubisoft would soon be onboard, with Sony later purchasing UK studio Psygnosis to become their first in-house team, going on to make iconic racing game, Wipeout.

Despite heavy competition from the Sega Saturn, the PlayStation performed remarkably well in Japan, selling 100,000 units on its first day alone.

Things were just getting started for Sony, with much bigger surprises still to come.