SonyGeneration 5
PlayStation
1994
AU Release
15 November 1995
AU Launch Price
$495 AUD
~$1060 today
Units Sold
102M
Technical Specifications
Processor
MIPS R3000A (33.87 MHz)
Memory
2 MB RAM + 1 MB VRAM
Storage
Memory Card (1 MB)
Media
CD-ROM
Best-Selling PlayStation Games
Global lifetime sales
Cultural Impact
The original PlayStation didn't just launch a console — it launched a brand that would become synonymous with gaming. Sony entered an industry dominated by Nintendo and Sega as an outsider, and within four years had captured the market. By targeting older teens and young adults with mature, technically impressive games like Tekken, Final Fantasy VII, and Metal Gear Solid, Sony repositioned gaming as cool for adults. The PS1 sold over 100 million units and proved that the games industry was a mainstream entertainment medium.
Did You Know?
The PlayStation was originally designed as a CD-ROM add-on for the Super Nintendo before Sony and Nintendo parted ways
Final Fantasy VII moved an estimated 3 million PlayStation consoles when it launched in 1997
The PS1 introduced the now-iconic DualShock controller with dual analogue sticks and rumble motors
Original Launch Commercial
From the Same Generation (Gen 5)
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