Playstation models by year. Everything we know about Sony’s next gen Playstation Console

We dig into Sony‘s console history, and see what we can learn about the inevitable Playstation 5.

Buy a hot new game system, and you’ll see an even better model the next day. That’s the stuff of lazy sitcom jokes, yet there’s an undeniable rhythm to the seemingly brief lives of game consoles. Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO John Kodera recently mentioned that the Playstation 4 is in its “final life cycle,” prompting many to point out that the system isn’t even five years old.

We may complain, but it’s all part of the process. Sony follows the time-honored practice of piping up about a new system just as the current one hits its stride and the competition gets fierce. Yet if there’s a common thread in the Playstation family, it’s one of dignified exits for old systems and overhyped entrances for the newcomers. Here’s what the life cycles of the previous four PlayStations possible tell us about the Playstation 5.

Playstation

The original Playstation walked a treacherous path. It first took shape in 1988, when CD-based games were a new invention and the only console that played them was NEC’s pricey PC Engine expansion. Recognizing the value of this new format, Nintendo recruited Sony to co-develop a CD attachment for the upcoming Super NES. The concept rapidly evolved into the Playstation, a system that would run CD games as well as Nintendo’s Super NES cartridges, and Sony debuted it at the Consumer Electronics Show in 1991.

Nintendo, worried that Sony had too much the upper hand in this Playstation deal, backed out of the project and turned to Phillips in search of a new CD-ROM drive for the Super NES. The Playstation’s initial incarnation was suddenly a dead project (a prototype was discovered in 2015), but Sony renewed its efforts even as Nintendo and Phillips never delivered on promises of a Super NES CD drive. Eager to spite Nintendo and sensing a gap in CD-based hardware, Sony turned the Playstation into an all-original console.

When this new Playstation emerged in late 1994, it naturally had lost all compatibility with Super NES games. Yet it had gained a relatively powerful processor for 3-D graphics, a developer-friendly programming style, and a visually impressive lineup of games from the flash-in-the-pan Battle Arena Toshinden to franchise founders like Ridge Racer. With Sega’s Saturn a pricier competitor and the Nintendo 64 a no-show in 1995, the Playstation gave Sony a sizeable chunk of the console market and made its rocky development worthwhile.

Having spent nearly six years on the original Playstation, Sony got good mileage out of the console. It saw prominent new releases up until 2001, and even after that the system was in production for another five years.

• What this says about Playstation 5: Don’t expect Sony to be partnering with Nintendo, but do expect that the time from the PS5 reveal to release will be well under three and a half years.

Playstation 2

The Playstation was doing quite well by 1997, successful across Japan, North America, and Europe. This was the opportune time for rumors of a Playstation 2, one that supposedly used Sony’s brand-new DVD format for games and offered a built-in Internet connection. Sony delayed any official announcement of the Playstation 2, however, perhaps hoping to upstage Sega’s late 1998 launch of the Dreamcast.

Sony’s Playstation 2 unveiling in March of 1999 ushered in a now-familiar company tradition: over-promising.

Sony’s Playstation 2 unveiling in March of 1999 ushered in a now-familiar company tradition: over-promising. Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Ken Kutaragi predicted that “a new world will be created on the basis of Playstation 2.” The console’s central processor bore the slightly pretentious name of the Emotion Engine, and early promotional Playstation 2 videos showcased detailed 3-D animation, including a real-time version of a rendered video cutscene of from the Playstation’s Final Fantasy VIII. Of course, the Playstation 2’s version had to trim down a packed ballroom so it showed only protagonists Squall and Rinoa dancing.

The Playstation 2 didn’t quite burst with movie-quality graphics upon its 2000 debut, but it delivered on two vows: backward compatibility with the original Playstation and a DVD drive that played movies as well as games. The crossover appeal enticed customers who didn’t yet own a Playstation or a DVD player, and many pretended not to notice the Playstation 2’s lack of online play and a launch lineup that held no real system-sellers. It hardly mattered that the Dreamcast had a built-in modem and a substantial lineup. By 2001 the Playstation 2 rode high with blockbusters like Metal Gear Solid 2 and Grand Theft Auto III, while online games arrived the following year. The system had won its first battle in the console market.

• What this says about Playstation 5: Definitely don’t expect Sony to stagger the launch of the PS5. There’s no doubt it’ll be a simultaneously world-wide release.

Playstation 3

The Playstation 2 spent its first few years reigning handily. Despite good competition from Nintendo’s GameCube and Microsoft’s Xbox, Sony held undeniable sway over much of the console market. The original Playstation, reissued as the PSone in 2000, held on for a while, and the PSP, Sony’s first portable system, launched in 2005.

If Sony had seemed hubristic about the Playstation 2, their buildup for the Playstation 3 proved a bridge too far. Initial footage of Playstation 3 games looked impressive at E3 in 2005, and the console itself had a sleeker look next to the boxy Playstation 2. The controller, however, was perhaps too sleek, and its boomerang design inspired more joking than awe.

Sony fared worse a year later. The Playstation 3 had taken shape nicely on paper, boasting thorough internet connections, a conventional controller, Sony’s new Blu-Ray disc format, and compatibility with Playstation and Playstation 2 games. Yet the company’s E3 presentation was an unintended farce as Sony representatives gestured through a pedestrian lineup of games, and audiences were unimpressed. Previous PlayStations had launched in more innocent times, but rise of YouTube spawned an online culture where game geeks could share and mock E3 flubs with abandon, and they savaged everything from the Playstation 3’s 599.99 price tag to the giant crabs of Genji: Days of the Blade’s allegedly historical battles.

Reflecting an industry rapidly discarding physical media, the Playstation 4 seemed posed for a digital future.

Sony might’ve had the last laugh with a spectacular Playstation 3 launch. This was not the case, as the system launched with an undernourished assortment of games and a few of its features trimmed, including fewer HDMI and USB ports. Some of the Playstation 3’s initial wave went missing: Gran Turismo 5 wouldn’t be seen for five years, and games like Killing Day and Fifth Phantom Saga were never seen beyond early highlight reels. The Playstation 3 even lost features after it was on the market. Later models couldn’t run Playstation 2 discs, and the console’s touted OtherOS feature, which let users install custom software, disappeared after a certain software update and let to a lawsuit by Playstation 3 owners.

To its credit, the Playstation 3 delivered a Blu-Ray drive, and it tipped an industry-wide format war toward Blu-Rays instead of HD-DVDs. Yet the established Xbox 360 and Nintendo’s mainstream Wii success were tough competition for the Playstation 3 setbacks, as were Playstation 2 owners who saw their consoles enjoy decent support throughout 2007. It took years for the Playstation 3 to regain lost ground, and it just managed to live up to Sony CEO Kaz Hirai’s promise of a 10-year lifespan, ceasing production in Japan in 2017. Ending on a positive note, it did give us the birth of iconic Playstation franchises like Uncharted, Infamous, and The Last of Us.

• What this says about Playstation 5: Sony is currently in a similar place now as they were nearing the end of the PS2’s life. That is to say, first place. But unlike the hubris-filled reveal of the PS3, don’t expect Sony to make that same mistake this time around.

Playstation 4

Top 25 Playstation 4 Games

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy combines three memorable Playstation platforms that still retain their challenge redone with gorgeous HD visuals, and a killer soundtrack. width= /

Assassin’s Creed Origins Assassin’s Creed Origins is Smart evolution of the long-running franchise set in a gorgeously realized ancient Egypt. Also has very scary hippos. width= / 23. Monster Hunter World A bold entry in the franchise, Monster Hunter World is no less of an investment than entries past but more audacious in its look, world, and feel. width= / 22. Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice Hellblade is a haunting, moving adventure that utilizes its sound design to powerfully explore mythology and mental illness. width= / 21. Final Fantasy XV Final Fantasy XV is a risky open-world RPG with a ton of heart, which Square Enix has only continued to make better since launch. width= /

Not that Sony didn’t promise a little too much. The Playstation 4 took a while to embrace hyped features like suspending and resuming games, and the system’s launch lineup was predictably unexciting. Even so, it’s been a much smoother ride for the Playstation 4, with incredible exclusives like Bloodborne, Uncharted 4, Horizon: Zero Dawn, and God of War, and Sony was confident enough to issue an upgraded system with the PlayStation 4 Pro. The industry hasn’t been as kind to the accompanying Vita handheld, but even Sony’s most deprived system has lasted five years.

This brings us to Sony’s hints about a successor in the wings. The company stated that a Playstation 5 is some three years away, so it’s doubtful we’ll see any solid details until the Playstation 4 passes its five-year mark. Playstation history suggests a well-supported PlayStation 4 until decade’s end, with a few more years of niche releases and lingering support. But the big wildcard here is PSVR. Will Sony create a PS5 that works much-more closely with the VR technology, or can we expect our fancy hats to go the way of our Vitas? Regardless, while the game industry may change, PlayStations don’t disappear overnight.

Everything we know about Sony’s next gen Playstation Console!

Over the past few months, rumors about new PS5 models have been spreading. The “original” PS5 had a tough start in the market, after all, it came out in the middle of the pandemic, which was followed by multiple constraints in the supply chain. Thanks to this crisis in the industry, it was hard for players to buy a unit. Inventory sold out as soon as it became available. The situation improved in the past few months as the console completed two years of availability. Now it seems that Sony is preparing the terrain for new upgrades that may come in the form of PS5 Slim and PS5 Pro. However, there is more beyond this, because recent leaks have also revealed some details of the PS6 development. Through this article, we will list everything we know about the next-gen Playstation console, be it the PS5 Pro or the PS6.

The rumors behind the PS5 Pro

Since last year, there have been some rumors pointing to the launch of the PS5 Pro. Most of them center around the fact that Sony is preparing to launch a new revised model with a modular disc driver. The launch of this model has been corroborated by insiders like Tom Henderson. However, there is no clear indication that this is the PS5 Pro. The need for a Pro model emerged because the PS5, with its current hardware, can’t handle things like 4K resolution, ray-tracing, and 60fps all at the same time. Furthermore, with the PlayStation 4, Sony launched a Pro model with upgraded hardware just two years after the original model.

The PS5 completed two years last year in November. Therefore, many rumors suggest that a PS5 Pro and a PS5 Slim will be launched soon. That happened with the PlayStation 4, but we don’t know if it will be the case for PS5. After all, some rumors indicate that Sony has dropped the idea of a PS5 with improved hardware to FOCUS on the next generation, the PS6.

The PS5 Slim

When it comes to a possible PS5 Slim, the launch of a smaller model seems more plausible. Well, the PS5 is a behemoth that easily occupies any space you put it in. The Slim model is a tradition since the days of the PSX.

The PS5 really needs a Slim model

If there is one model that most need a Slim model, it’s the PS5. We know it’s coming at some point, and the most recent leaks indicate that the so-called modular PS5 will launch as the PS5 Slim. This model will have a removable disc driver. So it will be easy for Sony to sell it in both Digital and Disc Driver versions. This model is supposed to replace the existing PS5, but the modular disc driver will not offer any compatibility with the existing digital models. Last but not least, the PS5 Slim will not bring significant changes in performance. It will be like a regular PS5 with the same horsepower, but a slimmer design and modular disc driver.

The next-gen Playstation console

According to insiders, it seems that the PS6 will not arrive before 2027. There is a significant gap between the PS5 and the PS6, and the so-called PS5 Slim could fit this gap. The launch of a modular console will improve things for Sony in terms of keeping stocks. In the meantime, the company can shift its FOCUS to developing the PS6 with more horsepower. We’re still in 2023, and there is plenty of time to FOCUS on new hardware. It’s hard to determine the hardware of an upgrade at this point. But we can easily assume it will be far beyond the PS5 horsepower.

The PS5 was launched as a console capable of 8K resolution, 120fps, and so on. After two years, we learned that while it is possible, developers need to make choices to deliver these options. For example, it’s not possible to offer 4K with ray tracing at 60fps all the time. It takes a talented developer or a really good knowledge of PS5 architecture to do that. We saw studios like Sony’s Santa Monica and Insomniac offering ray tracing, resolution, and frame rates. But when it comes to the majority of games, you will still need to choose between resolution and performance modes.

hardware to handle realistic graphics

With the next-gen console, Sony will likely fix this by offering horsepower to handle everything. Ray Tracing is still a new effect, and even the most advanced GPUs have a hard time with it. It gained popularity thanks to NVIDIA’s DLSS technology, but the effect is more challenging for GPUs without this technology.

The development of the next Playstation began

At this point, it’s impossible to deny the beginning of Playstation 6 development. Recently, we saw Mark Cerny applying for a patent to improve the performance of ray tracing. To those who do not know, Cerny is the engineer behind the PlayStation 4 and PS5, and so he will be behind the next Playstation console. The patent prepares the way for a future product. In this case, we assume it is preparing the ground for the PS6.

The patent describes a system that utilizes shadow processors that reduce the size of rays, improving the overall performance of ray tracing. Real-time ray tracing is an important feature in the PS5 and Xbox Series X, as well as the newest GPUs. It delivers realistic light and reflections. As we’ve mentioned before, this is a heavy effect, and doing it in real-time demands powerful hardware. Besides horsepower, optimization is also important. Cerny is doing some progress to make things better on the next Playstation console.

Gaming through the ages: the evolution of video game console from Atari to Playstation 5

Video game consoles have come a long way since their early beginning in the 1970s. Right from the era of Atari, Coleco, and the like to the latest Playstation, we can now enjoy more sophisticated gaming systems from the comfort of our homes. This article will dive deep into gaming history. We will explore the several generations of video game consoles and how gaming controllers evolved. We’d also look at how mobile and online gaming had come to birth and the future of video game consoles.

A brief history of video games

The history of video games is often traced back to Ralph H. Baer, known as the father of Video games, who invented what was initially called TV Game Unit #7 and became better known by its nickname, The Brown Box (from the brown, self-adhesive vinyl used on the prototype). The Brown Box included features that are still familiar today: two controls and a multi-game program system.

Stay ahead of your peers in technology and engineering. The Blueprint

The Brown Box was licensed to Magnavox, which released the system as the Magnavox Odyssey in 1972. The Odyssey had limited graphic capabilities and included translucent color overlays to add game settings and layouts. It also came with physical accessories such as dice and decks of cards.

Later in 1975, the Magnavox gaming company developed several models of Video gaming consoles. At that time, several other companies, like Coleco, Atari, etc., had started producing game consoles with games like handball, tennis, hockey. and Pong. Originally an arcade game, the home version of Pong was released in 1975 to immediate success.

In the 1980s, games like Pac-Man, Mario Bros, and Final Fantasy emerged. Today, several video games are being released into the gaming system year in, year out.

The birth of video game consoles

Generally, we could say that the first generation of commercial Video Game Consoles was developed between 1972 and 1978, with several companies competing to be the best in the market. Magnavox Odyssey, Atari Pong, and Coleco Telstar systems are notable gaming consoles made within these years.

With the Magnavox Odyssey, players could enjoy up to eleven games like football, cat and mouse, hockey, tennis, skates, roulette, etc. Still, Odyssey Console was developed so that players had to insert a game into the system before they could power the console.

As of the fourth year of production of Magnavox Odyssey, relatively good sales were recorded but not as much as the company expected. This was due to public misinformation as intended users weren’t sure if the Console could work on any brand of the TV set or only Magnavox brand TV. On this note, other companies learned to provide information on which TV brand their Console works with.

In 1975, Atari released its video game console game, Pong, which had unique features compared to its competitors. The Atari Pong gaming system was made with a single chip that allowed gaming with sounds and onscreen scoring.

Around the same time the Atari collections became popular, Coleco entered the video game Console market and released its Telstar brand in 1976. This brand came with three games, tennis, handball, and hockey, and was generally accepted by many players. From then on, Coleco released fourteen more consoles with the Telstar name until 1978.

Of the fourteen new consoles from Coleco, only two (Telstar Combat and Telstar Marksman) were successful in the market.

The golden age of video game consoles

The beginning of the golden age of video game consoles can be traced back to the early 1980s when the gaming market experienced a more advanced technological innovation. It was a period when games like Pacman, Mario Bros, Final Fantasy, etc., were released, and the cartridge video game system gained prominence.

In this period, Sega and Nintendo were notably the brands that dominated the gaming market. Sega 1983 released the SG-1000 as its first console before launching a highly successful console called the Sega Master System in 1986. A few years before the Sega Master System, Nintendo released its console named Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1983, which became the best seller out of all consoles in that period.

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Although several other companies launched new consoles in this period, they were overthrown by the competition from the Sega brand and NES. The competition continued, and the two companies came up with brand-new consoles. In 1989, Sega launched the MegaDrive/Genesis, while Nintendo released the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) the following year. Still, in the same year, Sega made the Master System II after it became successful with MegaDrive/Genesis.

Later in 1990, SNK Neo Geo, a company new to video game consoles, joined the industry by releasing the Neo Geo Advanced Entertainment System (Neo Geo AES). The brand was particularly appreciated for its graphics but wasn’t well received by many people because of its high price tag.

The rise of 3d graphics and the introduction of CDs

At the beginning of the 1990s, many video gaming companies started using compact discs instead of cartridges to store games. This allowed for gaming with more capacities and more so enabled 3D graphics instead of 2D.

Phillip, in 1991 released the first-ever CD console but didn’t gain much recognition because of its substandard games. In 1989, TurboGrafx-CD, designed by Hudson Soft and sold by NEC Home Electronics, was released, but this brand had to compete with the Sega Genesis, released just two weeks earlier.

Furthermore, in 1993, Atari made their CD-based Atari Jaguar console with the hope that it’ll compete against SNES and Sega MegaDrive; however, there came some advancement after a year when Sega Saturn and Sony Playstation were released.

Later on, in 1994, we already had Sony Playstation featuring 3D graphics CD ROM drive, and Sega, on the other hand, came up with its new series, the Genesis 2 in 1994 and Genesis 3 in 1997. I also launched another console called Saturn, which competed with every other console in the market.

Nintendo also came up with Nintendo 64 but maintained its cartridge storage system. Also, in 1994, SNK Neo Geo developed its CD-based console but gave a moderate price for its product compared to the Neo Geo AES of 1990.

The introduction of online gaming

By 2000, Sony had developed the Playstation 2, which was even more advanced than its previous development. The console was designed with a top-notch graphics DVD storage system, included classics like God of War, Shadow of the Colossus, etc., and was still popular even after the Playstation 3 was released.

A year later, Nintendo changed its Nintendo 64 cartridge to a DVD model. Both the PS2 and Nintendo 64 at that time had some Internet capabilities.

Later in 2001, Microsoft entered the video game industry when it launched the Xbox. The introduction of Xbox into the gaming system came with much improvement and innovations as online gaming began with the Xbox Live.

The Xbox console competed with Playstation 2 immediately after it came into the foray, and it was developed with a built-in hard drive. Many players loved games like Halo, Fable, and Project Gotham Racing, making Microsoft well-known in the gaming sector.

In 2005, Microsoft also introduced the Xbox 360. The console came with a more flexible and easier-to-use controller, more advanced memory graphics, and gamers could play as single or multiple players.

As of 2013, Microsoft had started marketing its newly released console as an all-in-one entertainment system. This birth the name of the console, Xbox One. The console had one controller, a power cable, and a chat headset that could be used to connect with other players and friends across the globe. Until today, most gaming companies have incorporated online gaming into their products.

The evolution of gaming controllers

Just like gaming consoles have evolved and improved throughout the years, their controllers have also experienced a lot of advancement up until today. The first set of controllers used was that of Magnavox Odyssey, which came in the form of two wired analog controllers. Each controller had a button on them and knobs on their sides that allowed players to control vertical and horizontal motions while gaming.

Atari developed their controllers later, enabling players to handle their Pong by moving a paddle-like controller up and down. In the 1980s, a new generation of controllers came in the form of joysticks. 1988 also saw Sega develop a rounded controller with a directional pad and four more buttons, including the start button.

In the 1990s, Nintendo’s controller was quite different from its predecessors. The controller had a three-prong which made it M-shaped. It also featured a directional pad with start buttons and yellow directional buttons. Around 1997, Sony introduced the DualShock Playstation Controller, famous for vibrating when gamers acted in the game.

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In the mid-2000s, we already had Xbox 360, which also came with its directional pad in several colors. Shortly after, Nintendo came up with the Wii remote as an option for controllers. The Wii remote was handheld, like a TV remote, with a small power button, a speaker, and other buttons.

Nintendo and several other video game companies continued to innovate. They came up with new designs of game controllers, and as of 2020, with the advent of Playstation 5, we now have the DualSense. This has a primary color of white and black, a directional pad, and a central touchpad with lightning that changes as you play different games.

The birth of mobile gaming

The birth of commercial mobile gaming can be traced to the introduction of Tetris for the Hagenuk MT-2000 in 1994. However, Mobile Gaming didn’t gain a worldwide audience until the famous Nokia Snake was preinstalled on Nokia’s 6110 model in 1997.

Although the game didn’t have many features and functions, it was everyone’s favorite. After Snake had its day, several similar games were developed; however, there wasn’t sophisticated hardware so programmers couldn’t do much. Despite that, games like card games, races, and shooters were still developed.

The Introduction of Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) service was a noticeable advancement in mobile gaming. This service was designed to allow players to download games on mobile phones, connect to the Internet and enable multiplayer support. As of 2000 and onward, Alien Fish Exchange, a connected version of Tamagotchi initially designed for interactive TV, became a popular game, and with the WAP service, gamers could buy and sell fish to other players.

In 2001, Arcade games and Space Invaders were launched on mobile phones. Two years later, color mobile phones became rampant, and several racing games were founded in the same year.

Touchscreen iPhones were made available in 2007, bringing a more significant revolution to mobile gaming. Shortly after, in 2008, Appstore was launched, allowing developers to sell games to players.

By the end of 2009, Rovio Entertainment launched Angry Birds on the app store. The game was made quite affordable, engaging, and fun. The free version of the game was soon made available on Android, but players had to remove the ads on the play by paying.

The Evolution of the Playstation

On a crisp Saturday morning in early December 1994, few predicted how much of an impact the release of the Playstation console would have on the home entertainment landscape. In hindsight, the rise of the Playstation as a stalwart of the gaming world seems evident, but how did it attain such ubiquity? In this article, we take a look at how the console etched itself into the history of videogames from its humble status as a newcomer to household name.

Playstation History

The first eponymous Playstation games console, abbreviated to PS1, released in Japan on December 3rd 1994 to high acclaim. It shipped to the rest of the world by the end of the year. The PS1 is by no means the first system to make use of the CD-ROM format. It is, however, arguably responsible for the obsolescence of consoles using proprietary limited-storage cartridges such as the Sega Saturn and Nintendo 64.

The optical disc format offered more storage space and allowed systems to interlace graphics, audio, and data simultaneously. This meant full motion video, high-quality audio, and the rendering of 3D polygon graphics. The fifth generation of video game consoles was in full swing. Conversely, cartridge manufacturing costs were high. Finding a way to incorporate 3D assets would have reduced their profitability even more.

Ironically, back in the late 80s, Nintendo enlisted Sony to develop an optical disc hardware expansion for the Super Nintendo system, known as Playstation. Previously, Sony involved itself in the creation of the CD-ROM format, hence the interest from Nintendo. Due to a corporate dispute surrounding contractual obligations, Nintendo pulled out of the deal. Sony, wary not to waste their considerable investment, opted to develop their own gaming console.

In parallel, Nintendo agreed to a new deal with a rival competitor to manufacture a similar add-on. This fell through soon afterward. A tense legal battle ensued between Sony and Nintendo with the latter disgruntled by the use of a technology they had failed to successfully commercialize. Sony came out on top and was allowed to continue development.

Specifications

Technically speaking, the Playstation sported a 32-bit 33 Mhz CPU, 2 MB of Ram, dual-speed CD-ROM drive, 16.7 million colors, a GPU and GTE with 1 MB of dedicated RAM capable of rendering up to 360,000 polygons per second, and resolutions up to 480i. Now relics from the past, 128KB memory cards were used for storing game saves and other data.

The Playstation games console went on to sell over 100 million copies and was unquestionably the most popular system of that era. Thanks in part to the release of timeless classics such as Metal Gear Solid, PaRappa the Rapper, Driver, and Final Fantasy VII.

PSOne

In what would become a future trend for all subsequent Sony consoles, the PSOne – a streamlined and compact version of the Playstation games console – released on July 7th 2000. It included a rounded case, incorporation of the controller and card ports into the main chipset, and the removal of the reset button among other minor alterations. The PSOne represented the definitive revision for the console. Manufacturing ended on March 23rd 2006, bringing to a close an era that is looked back on with much nostalgia.

Playstation 2

On March 4th 2000 the Playstation 2 launched in Japan. As part of the sixth generation of consoles, it rivaled Microsoft’s Xbox, Nintendo’s GameCube, and to a lesser extent Sega’s Dreamcast.

Arguably one of the most successful systems ever, the Playstation 2 sold over 150 million units worldwide with a production cycle that lasted over 12-years. Certain publishers even released games specifically for the PS2 as late as 2013, emphasizing how popular the console truly was.

Specifications

Equipped with Sony’s Emotion Engine CPU, clocked at 300 MHz, and 32 MB of ram, the PS2 was the first console to make use of DVD technology. This allowed developers to use significantly more data to craft games. The custom-designed GPU unit was known as the Graphic Synthesizer. It rendered up to 16 million polygons per second, running at a resolution of 480p. The PS2’s ability to play the majority of Playstation games made it the first console to support backwards compatibility. The Playstation 2 also introduced a rudimentary operating system used to navigate between media and an array of settings.

In addition, the incorporation of USB ports and an expansion bay compatible with both a hard drive and network adapter set the tone for future iterations of the Playstation games console. Similarly to the Playstation games, memory cards were once again the main storage solution, though the capacity was beefed to 8MBs to compensate for the growing space requirements of this generation’s games.

Speaking of games, the PS2 saw the release of seminal titles such as Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and a succession of titles from the Metal Gear Solid and Call of Duty franchises. Though online functionality was part of the features on offer, responsibility for servers and network connectivity fell to developers. Though by no means comparable to today’s standards, console multiplayer began to gather steam and lay the foundations for what the Playstation 3 would offer.

PS2 Slimline

The PS2 Slimline launched in late 2004. The revision offered a sleeker and smaller case that was much quieter than previous models, as well as the inclusion of an Ethernet port, though the hard drive bay was removed.

Playstation 3

After initial delays due to production issues, Sony made its entrance into the era of high definition gaming with the launch of the third installment of its Playstation games console on November 11th 2006. The PS3 adopted the Blu-ray disc format, further increasing the storage capacity available for games. In line with the tentative first steps of the extension bay found in the PS2, the console integrated a 20GB, or optional 60GB hard drive, though as manufacturing progressed it was possible to obtain models with up to 500GB. In addition, the console included Wi-Fi connectivity as well as a host of USB, flash card, and Bluetooth 2.0 options.

Sony’s proprietary OS took a leap forward with the XrossMediaBar navigator. Via a set of categories, users could stream video via now established apps such as Netflix, browse the internet, listen to music, and view high-quality images, as well as interact with friends. The ability to create profiles for a more personalized experience was also introduced and connectivity between handheld devices, such as the PSP and PS Vita, which could remotely control the console.

Sony’s social gaming service Playstation Network, Playstation Store, and the Playstation Plus subscription service were also launched. These services allowed players to purchase and download games, take part in multiplayer games, as well as receive exclusive beta access to upcoming titles and special discounts.

Specifications

Under the hood, a microprocessor known as Cell, jointly designed by IBM, Toshiba and Sony, offered up to 3.2 GHz coupled with 256 MB of Ram. The GPU was an NVIDIA RSX Reality Synthesizer with 256 MB of GDDR3 memory allowing resolutions up to 1080p. The first PS3 models were also backward compatible with PS2 games.

The PS3 didn’t sell as well as previous iterations. It struggled to compete with the Nintendo Wii’s era-defining gameplay. The fact that Microsoft’s Xbox 360 launched earlier proved problematic. It effectively meant the poaching of a number of Playstation-exclusive games. An initial high market price irked many players. Developers shied away due to the inherent programming challenges befalling the console’s architecture. In addition, we still do see infamous bugs and PS3 Error Codes taking place. The most famous being the greatly feared yellow light of death.

Beyond the many issues, the PS3 selection of games was systematically impressive. Releases included Red Dead Redemption, The Last of Us, The Uncharted series, and a selection of titles from the Call of Duty Franchise.

PS3 Slim

In an effort to cut costs to finally make the PS3 profitable and fix a number of performance issues, Sony released the PS3 slim on August 18th 2009. Beyond the slimmer design, the unit required less power to function. It was also significantly quieter due to manufacturing changes of the Cell microprocessor. In addition, the PS3 branding was updated and PS2 game compatibility was removed. The Slim was generally well-received notably due to the lower price and the inclusion of a 120GB hard drive.

PS3 Super Slim

Six years after the initial release of the console, a redesigned PS3 Super Slim launched on September 25th 2012. The Super Slim was smaller and lighter than the Slim, incorporating a sliding top disc insertion mechanism. It was available as a 250gb and a 500GB version. Production ended in May 2017.

Playstation 4

Released on November 15th 2013, the Playstation 4 represented Sony’s foray into the 8th generation of video game consoles. It incorporates an array of era relevant features such as VR compatibility, HDR, and 4K. The system is based on an accelerated processing unit developed in conjunction with AMD. It combined a CPU, APU, and GPU into one chip. This x86 8 core Jaguar APU serves Sony’s aim to replicate the hardware found in personal computers. By doing so game design is greatly simplified for developers.

Specifications

Clocked at 1.6GHz and coupled with an integrated 8GB GDDR5 AMD GCN Radeon, the APU is able to handle resolutions up to 1080p for games and 4K for video playback. A Blu-Ray drive allows read speed up to three times faster than its predecessor. The PlayStation 4 is also fully Wi-Fi compatible and features two USB 3.0 ports and Bluetooth. It includes a 500GB internal hard drive. An auxiliary ARM processor handled background tasks independently of the hardware rendering games. These include social features and updates. Rest Mode also introduced downloads while the console is in low consumption mode.

The PlayStation 4 has an emphasis on sharing and social interaction. Highlighted by the inclusion of a ‘Share’ button on the controller and remote play (PS Vita, Smartphone, etc.). The OrbisOS proprietary software is notably revolutionary in that it allows players to clip or screenshot in game. Players can then share with each other and on social media platforms. In addition, live streaming is possible on dedicated stream platforms or through Playstation’s own in-house feature.

The PlayStation 4 isn’t intrinsically backward compatible. Sony’s Playstation Now distribution service does, however, allows the streaming of PS3 games via the Cloud. Certain PS2 titles are playable as emulated versions with HD capabilities.

In contrast to the PS3, PlayStation 4 launched with great fanfare and sold very well. Many praised the system for the quality of the hardware and performance, notably compared to the competing Xbox One. Sony has sold over 70 million units worldwide. Spurred on by PlayStation 4 exclusives such as Horizon Zero Dawn, No Man’s Sky, and Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End.

Playstation 4 Slim

Staying true to form, Sony released the Playstation 4 Slim on September 2016. As has become the norm, the revised model is significantly smaller than the original. It ships with a 500GB hard drive, and later on 1TB. The only other notable difference is the removal of the optical audio port and added spacing between the USB ports.

Playstation 4 Pro

Announced in parallel to the Slim version, Sony released the Playstation Pro on November 10th 2016. Much more than a revision, the Pro is essentially an upgraded PlayStation 4. It includes an improved AMD Polaris GPU capable of rendering games in 4K with HDR support. As well as a better CPU clocked at 2.13 GHz. All PlayStation 4 games are compatible. The Pro unit displays better performance in comparison to the original.