A line of video game consoles, handheld games and accessories from Sony. Launched in 1994, the original PlayStation was the first console to use CD-ROMs instead of cartridges, and paved the way for the industry’s transition to digital storage. Its success led to a series of successor consoles including the PS 2, PS 3, and PS 4, as well as a handheld system and mobile phones.
While Sony management initially did not want Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) to get involved in video gaming, the tenacious Ken Kutaragi was determined to develop an add-on for Nintendo’s Super NES. He designed a CD-ROM unit to be added to the console, which would allow it to play new software.
The PlayStation quickly became a hit, largely due to its robust library of launch titles. Many of these games became iconic franchises, such as the Crash Bandicoot series, Final Fantasy, Metal Gear Solid, Tekken and Tomb Raider. Unlike the competing Sega Saturn and Nintendo 64, which used cartridges, the PlayStation launched with a disc-based format that developers were eager to support.
A more advanced version of the PlayStation was released in 2000, the PlayStation 2. Its newer technology enabled it to play DVDs in addition to games, and introduced the DualShock controller that would remain in use for the entire PlayStation history. The PS2 also benefited from Sony’s new Blu-ray technology, which was available for the first time in home movie players, and offered enhanced graphics with higher resolution and faster frame rates.