Yesterday’s date was a rather historic one when it comes to videogames. September 9, 1999 saw the release of SEGA’s last console, the great Dreamcast. It was also a date that, 10 years later, saw the release of The Beatles Rockband. Something that had a more profound effect on many gamers though, was the release of the PlayStation in North America in 1995.
Yes, it was 20 years ago yesterday that saw the release of Sony’s first foray in to the world of gaming consoles. Two decades on, and they’re the leading console platform holder in the world – with the PlayStation 2, and now the PlayStation 4 leading their respective console generations. To celebrate, Sony’s released a rather lovely video that should tickle your nostalgia.
Of course, it took a few weeks for it to hit Europe, with the PlayStation being released in PAL territories on September 29, and here in South Africa in November, thanks to the efforts of Ster-Kinekor, who continues to distribute PlayStation products locally to this day.
As many of you know, the PlayStation was borne of a failed relationship between Sony and Nintendo that would have seen a Super Nintendo-based system with a CD-ROM add-on. That failure worked out in Sony’s favour:
By the late 1990s, Sony’s PlayStation was synonymous with gaming, relegating Nintendo and Sega to second and third place. The incredible, millions-string install base and incredible third-party support paved the way for the PlayStation 2, which went on to become the best-selling console of all time and, some say, was largely responsible for SEGA’s exit from the hardware business.
In addition to the video, Sony’s American PlayStation customers have been treated to a rather large 20th Anniversary sale. Presumably, come September 29th, similar discounts will be given to those in PAL Land. Also coming next week as part of the celebrations is the super sexy, retro-styled Anniversary Edition controller.
Tell us! What are you favourite PlayStation memories? Mine, naturally, were the hours I spent playing Street Fighter Alpha and Tekken, but there really are so many that listing them would border on tedium.
Last Updated: September 10, 2015
Umar
September 10, 2015 at 08:25
All those games….I don’t even know where to start. From Resident Evil and Silent Hill, to Symphony of the Night to Final Fantasy to Vagrant Story to .. to …urrgh….too many games.
Dutch Matrix
September 10, 2015 at 08:27
Resident Evil 2. For months after, I called the PS the PoopStation in honor of my soiled pants.
Jonah Cash
September 10, 2015 at 08:34
Firstly my all time favourite Resident Evil 2 as it was my first game on a CD… And then the game that I found myself feel like a bad as in: Syphon Filter!!
Jonah Cash
September 10, 2015 at 08:36
Wish someone would redo a Syphon Filter game…
Dutch Matrix
September 10, 2015 at 08:51
They’d rather remaster a PS3 game… But I do believe there are a few golden franchises that can do with a current gen reboot.
Dino Crisis being one.
Exhumed.
Panzer Dragoon.
Nikola
September 10, 2015 at 10:09
Duuuude Syphon FIlter what a game!!! Loved all 3!
Loftus
September 10, 2015 at 08:36
My favourite memory was scoring my a hole-in-one in Tiger Woods ’99 on Ps1.
Ottokie "Yahtzee"
September 10, 2015 at 08:44
Wow 20 years… anybody know where the breaks are for time? it’s going a tad bit fast.
Just thinking back to strategy meets at school on how to get past Final Fantasy bosses and who has the most completion on Crash Bandicoot. Fortunately my original PS1 is still fully functional and I take the path down memory lane every so often on a rainy day. Thanks Sony for all the memories 😛
Ir0nseraph
September 10, 2015 at 08:51
Gran turismo 2, that game sucked up so many hours with friends before online took over.
oVg NOT SURE IF...
September 10, 2015 at 08:59
To rub salt into the wound. The XBoners get to celebrate Lara Crofts 20th in style this year 🙁
oVg NOT SURE IF...
September 10, 2015 at 08:59
To rub salt into the wound. The XBoners get to celebrate Lara Crofts 20th in style this year 🙁
oVg NOT SURE IF...
September 10, 2015 at 09:07
20 years ago the young 22year old Toby Gard was making headlines. The first real Cliffy B.
40 Insane Frogs
September 10, 2015 at 12:59
Toby Gard is still the boss! Cliffy B wishes he could wear Toby’s jock strap.
VampyreSquirrel
September 10, 2015 at 09:01
From Tekken 3 to Crash Bandicoot to GTA2… There were so many games played on my PS.
I miss Crash Bandicoot…
Nikola
September 10, 2015 at 10:08
Resident Evil 3, Syphon Filter and Tekken those 3 games really stuck with me:) oh and of course the best Final Fantasy ever VIII.
Ghost In The Rift
September 10, 2015 at 10:17
Digimon world 1 and 2, spent like 3 years on those games, and the best love of them all was MGS, had like 4 play-troughs.
Ottokie "Yahtzee"
September 10, 2015 at 10:34
You, I like you xD
Digimon World 3 was a great RPG and many many hours was spent on that as well.
Ghost In The Rift
September 10, 2015 at 10:59
I could not find DW3 but did play it on an emulator, best Digimon game so far ever.
Avi
September 10, 2015 at 10:41
Time well spent
PS1 – Medievil 1 and 2
PS2 – GOW 1 an 2
PSP – Silent Hill – Shattered Memories, Prince of Persia
PS3- Uncharted 1,2,3 – Toy Story 3 (yes toy story)
Vita – Uncharted
PS4 – Bloodborne, Arkham Knight, Witcher 3
40 Insane Frogs
September 10, 2015 at 12:58
Colony Wars! Colony Wars… COLONY WARS!!! SYPHON FILTER!! METAL GEAR SOLID!!! VAGRANT STORY!! FINAL FANTASY 7!!! TEKKEN 2!! THAT FREAKING AWESOME DINOSAUR HEAD ON THE DEMO DISK!! If Sony never created the Playstation, I would have probably been a miserable old sod, with a crocs collection…
Sniff.. Thank you Sony! And thank you for 20 years of awesome gaming!