Believe it or not, next year will mark three decades since the release of the original PlayStation console. Sony released their masterpiece to the public on December 3rd, 1994, and it’s safe to say that the Japanese company successfully managed to change the world. The immersive experience took the planet by storm, and in the thirty years since, gaming has come on in leaps and bounds.
We all know that PlayStation has been one of the leading game consoles since its inception in 1994, and fanatics have been glued to the many different PlayStation consoles over the years.
From the original console, all the way to the recently released PlayStation 5, each one of these consoles has left a lasting impression on the gaming community. One of the main selling points of the PlayStation in recent years has been its expansive games library.
The PS Store has thousands of titles available with games as varied as sports simulations to casino games. If you’re a fan of multi-faceted iGaming platforms like Cafe Casino, you’ll enjoy PlayStation’s wide array of games, as it lets you bring in some diversity into your iGaming experience. Whether it’s craps or Fallout 4, you can stimulate your brain with problem-solving skills across the board.
To pay homage to these amazing consoles, let’s look at all the PlayStation models, the number of units sold, the most popular games each console has, and the technical comparison of their power.
PlayStation
Starting off with the first console, the original PlayStation – not to be confused with its more streamlined younger brother, the PS1 which came out some six years later – was released in 1994 and was one of the first consoles to introduce real 3D gaming into the home. It was a huge success, selling over 102 million units worldwide.
Some of the most popular games in gaming history were released on this console. Games such as Metal Gear Solid, Crash Bandicoot, Gran Turismo, Final Fantasy, and Spyro the Dragon were all released on the PlayStation. With games of that caliber, it’s no wonder that Sony’s original creation performed so impressively on the market.
PlayStation 2 (PS2)
The PS2 followed in 2000 however, it was initially outperformed by that younger brother we just mentioned. Yes, the PS One went on to outperform every other console during the year 2000 however, the PS2 eventually came out on top. Although it was initially overshadowed, the PS2 eventually went on to become the best-selling console at the time with over 155 million units sold.
Not only did this console have better graphics and sound than its two predecessors, but it also had the ability to play DVDs. Popular game titles included Gran Turismo 3, Grand Theft Auto – both Vice City and San Andreas – and Final Fantasy X.
The PS2 also saw the birth of online gaming, yet it wasn’t until its upgraded family member was released six years later that the gaming boom truly entered another stratosphere.
PlayStation 3 (PS3)
The PS3 was released in 2006 and while its initial high price tag hurt its sales, it still managed to sell over 87 million units. This was the first PlayStation console to truly introduce online gaming, motion gaming (via PlayStation Move), and Blu-ray playback. Popular titles included Metal Gear Solid 4, Uncharted 2, and The Last of Us.
The console faced some stiff competition at the time of its release, however. Microsoft’s Xbox 360 also sold 84 million units during the same time frame, and for the first time, Sony truly had some competition in the world of gaming. In the years prior, both Nintendo and Sega were players in the industry, but the arrival of Bill Gates on the scene meant that the Japanese company had to up their game.
PlayStation 4 (PS4)
The PS4 was released in 2013 and was Sony’s most successful console yet with over 115 million units sold. This console introduced new features such as HDR and 4K video streaming, as well as virtual reality (via PlayStation VR). Popular titles included Horizon Zero Dawn, God of War, and The Witcher 3.
The console marked PlayStation’s return to the undisputed market leader, comfortably outselling the Xbox One, which sold an estimated 60 million units.
PlayStation 5 (PS5)
Finally, the PS5 was released in 2020 – yes, really – and has become so popular that it has been out of stock for as long as we can remember. Even three years on from its initial release, it’s difficult to locate a store with the console in stock.
With a powerful processor, 4K/HDR gaming, 3D audio, and ultra-fast loading times, the PS5 has become the most powerful PlayStation console to date. Popular titles include Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Demon’s Souls, and Returnal.
As you can see, each PlayStation console has been an incredible success, selling millions of units worldwide and introducing groundbreaking features each time. The PlayStation 5 has truly taken the gaming experience to a whole new level, making it the most popular PlayStation console yet.
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