Thirty years after its initial launch, Sony is commemorating the legacy of the PlayStation console with a series of initiatives that highlight its profound impact on gamers and the video game industry. The Japanese electronics company celebrated the 30th anniversary with various initiatives, including a light installation in Turin and an emotional video reviewing its history.
The video, shared on the official PlayStation Twitter account, included scenes from landmark games that have accompanied generations, showcasing iconic titles such as Final Fantasy VII, God of War, Death Stranding, Shadow of the Colossus, The Last of Us Part II, Horizon: Forbidden West, and Uncharted.
In the celebratory video, Sony addressed its users, saying, “In the last thirty years, we have come a long way together, building epic stories and bringing unique experiences to life,” and thanked its fans with images of some of its most recognized games in modern history, including God of War, Horizon, and The Last of Us.
Sony also released a commemorative edition of the PlayStation 5 with nostalgic nods that pay homage to the original console’s characteristic gray color, aiming to celebrate its legacy with a line of limited edition products.
The PlayStation, first released in Japan on December 3, 1994, revolutionized the video game industry by introducing innovative graphics and focusing on a teenage and adult audience. Utilizing CD-ROMs instead of cartridges, the PlayStation allowed for games with longer, more challenging, and more complex stories, which significantly contributed to its success. The console’s design was simple yet futuristic, and its distinctive gray color and appearance won the hearts of fans.
Among its pioneering features, the PlayStation was the first console to enable 3D graphics, showcasing significant technological leaps compared to its 2D predecessors. This innovation was instrumental in the appeal of classic games such as Tomb Raider and Final Fantasy VII, paving the way for subsequent advancements seen in PlayStation 2 titles.
The success of the PlayStation is also attributed to its extensive catalog of titles aimed at a teenage and adult audience, promoting mature titles like Tekken, Resident Evil, and Metal Gear Solid. Resident Evil, in particular, introduced hungry zombies and survival horror elements, validating PlayStation’s approach to new ideas and creating the survival horror genre. The game became one of the biggest franchises of all time, known for its memorable moments, and continues strongly to this day.
Another hallmark of the PlayStation era was Metal Gear Solid, created by Hideo Kojima. The game made its leap from classic 2D to 3D on the PlayStation, becoming emblematic of video games’ ability to tell stories that rival cinema in narrative density and visual spectacle. It featured constant action and suspense, memorable heroes and villains, and unprecedented moments that broke the separation between the player and what was happening on the screen, demonstrating that video games could tell mature and imposing stories.
The console also introduced iconic characters and franchises such as Crash Bandicoot. Developed by Naughty Dog, Crash became an important mascot for the PlayStation, helping to define its identity and serving as a sort of first ambassador of the home console. “Crash Bandicoot charmed almost everyone and, while lacking in complexity compared to Nintendo’s revolutionary Super Mario 64, compensated with colorfulness, dark humor, and charisma” as ABC Color reported.
The PlayStation’s ability to handle diverse genres also extended to racing games. “Gran Turismo” revolutionized racing games on consoles, offering realistic racing experiences and establishing the importance of driving simulators (ABC Color). It allowed players to buy and sell vehicles and parts to succeed in increasingly challenging races and became the best-selling game of all time on the original PlayStation, with over 10 million copies sold (ABC Color).
The impact of the PlayStation extended beyond Japan. Its arrival in the United States and Europe changed the consumption habits of many users, establishing new standards in the gaming market. Sony also made the general public take video games more seriously in the 1990s.
Despite initial struggles, the PlayStation became the first video game platform to sell more than 100 million units, achieving this milestone in under a decade. Its success cemented Sony as a dominant force in the video game industry, triumphing over Sega and competing effectively with Nintendo’s family-friendly N64 console.
Personal stories from gamers reflect the nostalgic impact of the PlayStation. Cyril, a 46-year-old from Normandy, welcomes visitors into his garage filled with consoles and games from floor to ceiling. He possesses several models of controllers, connected steering wheels, and many other gaming accessories, and is only missing 14 games to have the complete collection of PlayStation games released in Europe since its launch. Cyril states, “The goal is also to share memories, to have a little flashback to the 1990s, to have that nostalgic shot. Sometimes the game is just an excuse to discuss and return to a perhaps more carefree time,” as France Info reported.
Similarly, Dario Zrno, the editor-in-chief of Reboot, a gaming culture web portal from Croatia, recalls acquiring a PlayStation in 1996 and growing up with games alongside his family. He believes that the PlayStation raised the entire gaming industry and culture to a new level, leading to the situation where today practically everyone is a gamer and plays games at least on their mobile phones, as Al Jazeera reported.
Over the past 30 years, the PlayStation has undergone an extraordinary evolution, becoming a global cultural phenomenon and consolidating its status as a cultural icon, particularly as a cultural symbol for the youth. From 1994 to today, PlayStation has redefined the world of video games through five generations of consoles, including two Pro models and portable versions, alongside a legacy of re-releases and special editions.
Sony continues to innovate, as shown by the release of the PlayStation 5 (PS5) in November 2020, which is still strong in sales and has sold 65.5 million units. The PS5 features a more precise controller from a sensory point of view, and an adaptive controller was created to allow gamers with disabilities to play comfortably. Sony’s strategy is moving towards a more multiplatform territory, as evidenced by its decision to launch games on PC.
Hermen Hulst believes that what makes PlayStation unique is its ability to constantly innovate while maintaining a focus on quality, continuing the tradition of high-quality and innovative gaming experiences.
As Sony celebrates the PlayStation’s legacy, it remains committed to innovating, inspiring, and connecting, having laid the foundation for very successful successors: PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and the latest PlayStation 5. The PlayStation has managed to surpass its competition, even when that competition is not on the same level.
Reflecting on the past three decades, Serkan Toto, an industry analyst, stated, “Without PlayStation, the video game industry would not be as big as it is today,” about a sector that generated $196 billion worldwide in 2023, according to data from the consulting firm Bain, as DW Deutsche Welle reported.
The nostalgic impact of the PlayStation on gamers and the industry is profound. The console not only transformed gaming technology but also elevated video games to a respected medium that captivates hundreds of millions of people annually, transforming video games from “electronic toys” into true interactive cultural experiences. The journey of the PlayStation is filled with memories that are part of video game history and marks a new direction for the industry, thanks to its innovative graphics and a catalog of titles aimed at a teenage and adult audience.