Did you know the PlayStation’s origins were a CD-ROM add-on for the Super Nintendo? It’s true!
Nintendo eventually changed course and retreated from the partnership, leading Sony to develop the PlayStation as a standalone console.
As they say, the rest is history. Over the past thirty years, Sony has released seven consoles (five home consoles and two handhelds) and a handheld accessory. While they’ve enjoyed success over the past three decades, not everything has been a home run. Let’s rank every Sony console, starting with that handheld accessory.
PlayStation Portal
In theory, playing PlayStation 5 games on the go is great, but the PlayStation Portal is extremely limited.
The PlayStation Portal streams games from your PS5, which means you always have to be on the same Wi-Fi network. It’s not quite Sony’s own Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch, but if you want to play PS5 games when someone else has control of the TV, it gets the job done.
PlayStation Vita
I spent way too much time debating where to rank the PlayStation handhelds, as honestly, none of them are impressive at the end of the day.
While the PSP is no poster child for success (more on that later), the Vita struggled due to its poor game library. Sure, it had Persona 4 Golden, but I’m not dropping $250 to play one game.
The Vita has a devoted cult following, but it proved that Sony shouldn’t invest in the handheld market.
PlayStation Portable
I’ll admit that I was all-in with the PSP. I bought the games and UMD movies, and I loved using it as an MP3 player. I loved this thing, but I’ll be the first to admit that it wasn’t a successful system.
Like the Vita, its software library was lacking, though it did have several Grand Theft Auto titles to help make owning a PSP worthwhile. It failed to compare to Nintendo’s handhelds, though. Plus, looking back, the control setup was far from ideal.
PlayStation 3
It took a while for the PS3 to get going after its miserable start, but Sony was able to eventually right the ship and deliver quality games.
Ironically, its best game was the PS3’s Swan Song in The Last of Us, but when it stopped being an overpriced supercomputer that played Blu-Rays, the PS3 had an impressive lineup of exclusives, headlined by the Uncharted trilogy, God of War III, and Journey.
While it wasn’t as successful as the Xbox 360 or Nintendo Wii, it still carved out a respectable place during its console generation by the end.
PlayStation 5
The biggest issue with the newest PlayStation has been something that has plagued this console generation in general: not enough exclusives. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart isn’t exactly a system seller, and console exclusive titles like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 have eventually made their way to PC.
There’s no denying that the PlayStation 5 is an impressive system, but it’s one that, in my opinion, has failed to deliver a reason to own one. But again, that’s just an issue that Sony and Microsoft have faced over the past few years.
PlayStation 4
Sony desperately needed to right the course following the disastrous launch of the PS3. With a little help from Microsoft, mission accomplished.
The PS4 came out firing from day one, with its iconic tutorial on sharing games. There were plenty to share, with games like The Last of Us Part II, Marvel’s Spider-Man, Ghost of Tsushima, and an impressive number of third-party and indie classics.
Best of all, the DualShock 4 is an impressive controller I fell in love with when I first held one at E3.
PlayStation 1
The PlayStation 1 remains a beloved console to this day on the back of its iconic library of games. Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil 2, Silent Hill; they’re all here for you on PS1.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg, too. The 32-bit console, backed by CD-ROMs over cartridges, provided a more immersive experience than the Nintendo 64, helping to launch Sony into the stratosphere from day one.
PlayStation 2
Where do we start with the PS2, one of the best game consoles of all time?
Launching at a price point of $299, the PlayStation 2 was an extremely affordable entertainment option, delivering classic games from day one. Starting with Twisted Metal Black, introducing the 3D Grand Theft Auto titles to the world, and finishing up with God of War, the PS2’s longevity is unmatched even today.
Follow us on MSN for more of the content you love.
Read More:
Leave a Reply