Fifteen years of PlayStation

It’s been 15 years since Sony’s PlayStation brand first burst onto our shelves, and what a whirlwind its been. Read on below for all the highs and lows of the iconic console.

1988 – Up-and-coming Sony executive begins work on a project for Nintendo, to develop a CD-ROM add on for the SNES. He had earlier convinced Nintendo to use Sony processors for the sound chip on the SNES.

1991 – Nintendo dramatically pull out of the deal at CES, announcing a partnership with Philips instead. Rather than abandon their efforts, Sony decide to make their own console.

Dec 1994 – The first ever Playstation is sold in Japan, after a media blitz.

Sep 1995 – Europe and the US get the console almost a year later.

Jan 1997 – Final Fantasy VII releases to critical acclaim and strong sales.

Dec 1997 - Gran Turismo released, goes on to become the best selling Playstation 1 game ever, with 10.85 million sales.

January 1999 – Pocketstation, a PDA companion to the Playstation, is launched exclusively in Japan.

March 1999 – Playstation 2 announced at Tokyo Game Show

March 2000 – Playstation 2 goes on sale in Japan, six months later it hits North American shores.

July 2000 – Sony launch PSOne, a smaller, redesigned version of its original console. It outsold all other consoles, included the newly launched PS2, for the remainder of the year.

August 2002 - Eyetoy, the interactive motion-sensing cam for the PS2, is demoed to the public at the PlayStation Experience. It was released the following year, bundled with compatible minigames.

June 2003 – After a quiet few years for PlayStation, development of the handheld PSP is announced at E3.

December 2003 – The ill-fated PSX digital video recorder is released in Japan. Plans to launch it globally are shelved after abysmal sales.

October 2004 – Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas released for the PS2, goes on to become the best selling PlayStation game of all time across all three consoles.

31st October 2004 – PS2 Slim released.

December 2004 – PSP released in Japan, American launch follows 3 months later.

May 2005 – Ken Kutaragi, now christened the father of the PlayStation, unveils the PS3 at E3. Launch date is set for Spring 2006

March 2006 – Production of PS1 ends: an incredible run of over 11 years.

November 2006 – PS3 finally launches after delays, production troubles, and negative press over its pricing. Simultaneously, the Playstation Network is also launched.

November 2007 – Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune released to universal critical acclaim.

March 2008 – Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, the best selling PSP game, is released.

December 2008 – Playstation Home launched as an open beta

October 2008 – PSP-3000 released, which packed an improved screen and built-in mic.

June 2009 – PSP Go & PS3 Slim officially announced at E3, and a new motion sensing controller is demoed.

August 2009 – Sony announce 138 million PS2s have been sold worldwide.

September 2009 – PS3 slim goes on sale with price cut from original model. It becomes the best-selling console for that month for the first time since its original launch in November 2006.