Playstation is a brand of consoles manufactured by Sony Computer Entertainment. The series of home consoles has become one of the most successful gaming platforms in history, with a massive library of games and numerous popular franchises that include Gran Turismo, Wipeout, Tomb Raider, Metal Gear, Spyro, Resident Evil and Tekken. The original PlayStation (also known as the PS1 or PSX) debuted in 1994, marking Sony’s rise to prominence in the video game industry and ushering in a new generation of 32-bit consoles that used compact discs (CDs) instead of cartridges.
The PlayStation 4 (PS4) and the PlayStation 5 offer a compelling upgrade for existing owners, catering to gamers who are ready to jump into a new generation but don’t want to leave their large library of games behind. Big upgrades like a faster NVMe SSD and powerful GPU enable 4K output and support for advanced visual technologies such as ray tracing.
Unlike many other modern consoles, the PlayStation series features an extensive catalog of backward-compatible titles that can run on the system’s new hardware. The PlayStation Store is a powerful online marketplace that offers game demos and add-ons, pre-orders and more. The system also enables players to stream and download some games directly from the internet.
Although a number of PlayStation consoles have sold more than 100 million units, the most popular model was the PlayStation 2, which dominated the 64-bit console market with a combination of high-end technology and aggressive youth marketing that positioned the system as a must-have for teenagers and young adults. The PlayStation 2’s success eventually led to a series of successors, including the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4, which were not as powerful but sold in larger numbers than their predecessors.