This month marks three decades since Sony introduced the original PlayStation to North America, an event that heralded a new phase in the intense competition among console manufacturers. To honor this significant 30th anniversary, Sony has released a special video designed to evoke a strong sense of nostalgia, particularly for those who vividly recall the distinctive start-up sounds of the classic PlayStation console.
Following the release of this commemorative video, Sony extended an invitation to fans, encouraging them to share their cherished PlayStation memories on social media using the hashtag #PlayStation30Memories. The company plans to feature a selection of these fan-submitted recollections in a dedicated celebration video.
Towards the end of last year, Sony also unveiled special 30th-anniversary editions of its current-generation hardware, including the PlayStation 5 Slim, PS5 Pro, and the handheld PS Portal, all featuring retro designs inspired by the aesthetic of the original PS1. Notably, even the former PlayStation CEO, Jim Ryan, was presented with a PS1-styled PlayStation 5 upon his retirement in 2023.
Earlier in the week, Circana, a market research firm, published data on the best-selling games from the original PlayStation era. Many of these enduring titles, such as Metal Gear Solid, Gran Turismo, Final Fantasy 7, Resident Evil 2, and Tekken 3, continue to hold significant popularity even decades after their initial release. Separately, GameSpot compiled its own definitive list of the top 20 PS1 games of all time, which notably included several acclaimed titles that did not necessarily appear on the best-seller charts of that period.