The recent release of the PlayStation 5 by electronics giant Sony has sparked plenty of excitement all over the world, with millions of fans across different countries looking forward to playing a range of new titles.
But how far has the PlayStation series of consoles come since its debut? Here we will explore each of the hugely successful PlayStation consoles and how they transformed the world of gaming.
PlayStation (or PS One), 1994
The original PlayStation was Sony’s first attempt at designing and launching a video games console, and it could not have been more successful commercially, critically, and culturally. Far outselling its main competitor the Nintendo 64 (the PlayStation had initially been designed as a collaboration between Sony and the more established company Nintendo, who then pulled out of the deal), the PS One was the first video games console to sell over 100 million units and marked the industry’s transition from cartridges to compact discs. Not to mention, titles like the Crash Bandicoot and Gran Turismo series enthralled an entire generation of gamers.
PlayStation 2 (or PS2), 2000
The successor to the PlayStation took what made it so special and made it even better. With greatly enhanced graphics and a huge library of beloved titles in series’ like Grand Theft Auto, Pro Evolution Soccer, Ratchet and Clank, and Jak and Daxter, the PlayStation 2 is too many gamers the high watermark of the gaming art form. Not to mention, it was backwards-compatible with PS One games, and could also play DVDs and audio CDs!
Despite intense competition from Sega’s Dreamcast, Nintendo’s GameCube, and Microsoft’s Xbox, the PS2 became the best-selling video games console of all time, a title that it still holds at the time of writing!
PlayStation 3 (or PS3), 2006
The PS3 added a few new features, as well as a significant improvement in graphics. As well as the ability to play Blu-Ray discs as well as DVDs/CDs, the PS3 also took advantage of improved Wi-Fi connections to release the PlayStation Network, a social gaming service. Its web browser and video and music streaming apps were also a breakthrough, making it the first PlayStation console to function as a complete home entertainment system. Users could watch videos on YouTube, check out sites like Unibet slots, listen to music, and then load up exclusives like the Resistance series!
PlayStation 4 (or PS4), 2013
With an advanced APU chip from AMD, the PS4 took processing power to new heights, outperforming its main rival the Xbox One. Alongside this, the console offered 4K video capabilities, Remote Play via the handheld PS Vita Console, and a huge range of independent video game titles. The transition from mere games console to a full home entertainment system was now complete with the PS4.
PlayStation 5 (or PS5), 2020
The PlayStation 5, released just last month, is available in both a Digital Edition, for downloads only, and a full version that allows for physical discs. The AMD GPU is ground-breaking, and the new controller design is stylish and rich in features. There aren’t too many games available yet, but the console certainly looks promising!
Handheld Consoles
Sony has also released handheld consoles alongside its flagship home consoles. 2004’s PlayStation Portable (PSP) and 2011’s PlayStation Vita (PS Vita) were successful and compatible via Wi-Fi Connection to their respective home consoles!
