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[thicc_girls_are_teh_best]

Yes, SIE have already released their own video, but I figure we could have another because why not? If mods feel this thread can be merged, then please do so.

The PlayStation 1 launched in Japan on December 3rd, 1994, and would eventually go on to dominate the 5th generation of console gaming, ushering in a golden age of revolutionary game design & concepts paired with commercially viable 3D for the home.

With a library of over 4,000 games, the system was supported by many of the biggest 3P of the time such as Capcom (Resident Evil, Dino Crisis, Street Fighter Alpha & EX series, Mega Man etc.), Namco (now Bandai-Namco; Tekken, Ridge Racer, Point Blank, Time Crisis etc.), Core Design/EIDOS (Tomb Raider, Ninja etc.), Konami (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Metal Gear Solid etc.), EA, and Squaresoft (now Square-Enix; Final Fantasy VII, Einhander, Parasite Eve etc.), among countless others.

With the PS1, Sony Computer Entertainment Japan & its branch locations in America and Europe (now SIE, Sony Interactive Entertainment), alongside various 3P partners, would either innovate or iterate within the gaming space in multiple ways, such as:

-The first real-time full-3D dungeon crawler RPG (From Software, King's Field)​

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-The first universally praised home conversion of a 3D arcade title (Namco, Ridge Racer)​

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-The first true rhythm game (Sony/Nini-on-sha, Parappa the Rapper)​

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-The first major home racing simulator (Sony/Polyphony Digital, Gran Turismo)​

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-The first major survival horror game (Capcom, Resident Evil)​

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-Home of one of the first major standard-setters of 3D character-based action platformers (Core Design/EIDOS, Tomb Raider)​

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-The first mainstream futuristic racer (Sony/Psygonsis, WipeOut)​

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-The first "AAA" JRPG (Squaresoft, Final Fantasy VII)​

Notable achievements of the PS1 generation include (but not limited to):

-First console to reach the 100 million units sold milestone​

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-First console to introduce a million-seller special pricing line​

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-First console to have very close home conversions of 3D arcade titles (Tekken, Ridge Racer, Tekken 2, Tekken 3...basically all of Namco's System 11 & 12 games and yes Ridge Racer was System 22)​

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-The Net Yazore, a special PlayStation allowing home indie devs to make PlayStation games at a much lower cost​

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-The Dual Shock, the first controller with two analog sticks and two sets of shoulder buttons alongside built-in rumble feature​

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-Popularized the concept of memory cards, first introduced on the Neo-Geo MVS & AES (1990)​

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-The PocketStation (1999), a small portable memory card-sized unit inspired by SEGA Dreamcast's VMU (Virtual Memory Unit) introduced in 1998​

Some of the most notable games in the PS1's library include:

-Ridge Racer 4​

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-Resident Evil 1, 2, & 3: Nemesis​

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-Metal Gear Solid​

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-Omega Boost (think Panzer Dragoon or Star Fox meets Gundam or Macross)​

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-Final Fantasy VII, VIII, and IX​

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-Dino Crisis 1 & 2​

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-Parasite Eve & Parasite Eve II​

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-Einhander (hard but awesome cyberpunk sci-fi based shmup)​

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-Koudelka (think Silent Hill meets gothic horror meets JRPG)​

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-Xenogears (amazing story, but last disc is rushed)​

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-Deception 1 & 2​

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-King's Field 1, 2, an 3​

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-Sentient (not great from a gameplay POV, but amazing game mechanics and AI in terms of story and character interactions)​

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-Vandal Hearts 1 & 2 (two of the best SRPGs on the system not named Final Fantasy Tactics)​

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-Tomba 1 & 2​

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-Jumping Flash 1 & 2​

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-Gran Turismo 1 & 2 (1 to appreciate the origins, 2 to play what 1 wanted to be)​

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-Parappa the Rapper & UmJammer Lammy (Lammy is absolutely the better of the two games but both are amazing to this day)​

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-Silent Hill​

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-LSD: Dream Simulator (think everything but on a super-intense acid trip)​

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-Planet Laika (think Silent Hill meets 50s sci-fi meets Cold War meets Sonic)​

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-Alundra (think Link to the Past but for hardcore players. Or LttP: Kaizo Edition)​

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-Crash Bandicoot 1, 2, & 3​

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-Spyro 1 & 2​

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-Fear Effect 1 & 2 (think Resident Evil meets Chinese supernatural action-horror film meets Jet Set Radio graphics)​

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-Galerians (think Resident Evil meets Akira meets Serial Experiments Lain)​

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-Twisted Metal 2 (Vehicular combat evolved)​

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-Dance Dance Revolution (One of the OG rhythm games and kickstarted a new market)​

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-Tony Hawk's Pro Skater & THPS2 (still considered by many the pinnacle of skateboarding games)​

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-Loaded! (really fun overhead shoot'em up; think something like Gauntlet or Robotron meets Mortal Kombat meets gritty mid '90s Marvel or Spawn meets an asylum)​

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-Grand Theft Auto 2​

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-Rayman & Rayman 2​

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-Driver & Driver 2(kind of an early 3D version of some what would eventually become mainstream with GTA 3 on PS2)​

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-Tomb Raider 1, 2, & 3​

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-Tekken 2 & 3​

Also, if you're in the mood, these are some of my favorite videos discussing the PlayStation's launch in Japan, and games therein:

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A throwback, but goes through all of the Japanese launch titles​

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Classic launch ad from the Japanese side​

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Neat documentary going into the history of the PlayStation 1​

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Very recent video from a cool retro gaming channel going over the original Japanese launch titles​

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And here's one from our very own jaydogg691 !​

And a bonus for the music lovers...

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One of my favorite PS1 video game mixes around (jungle/DnB-themed mix)

Well aside all of that, do any of you have any fond memories with PlayStation? I did focus on the PS1 here, but seeing the brand itself is now 30, anything post-PS1 is also welcome, just preferably no later than PS3 (which is technically 18 years old this gen).

Share your memories & nostalgia!!

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

It would be great to celebrate with a showcase.

 

[Bojji]

What a great console.

I still love how original PS1 looks, disc drive is amazingly integrated into the system. Big ass comfortable buttons (except for that reset one lol).

9/10 console (only PS2 is 10/10)

 

[Katajx]

I didn’t have one myself, I always played it at my friends houses until I got a PS2. So many gems and genres.

It was worth it for JRPGs alone and had immense third party support. We had a 64, but it just couldn’t compete with the PSX library. I played them deep into the ps2 generation.

 

[Rocco Schiavone]

 

[IFireflyl]

Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VIII, Final Fantasy IX, Final Fantasy Tactics, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, Gran Turismo, Metal Gear Solid, Legend of Dragoon, Chrono Cross, Suikoden II...

I freaking loved the OG PlayStation, with all of its fatass, greyed out glory.

 

[Kronark]

I miss the short dev cycles more than anything else. Your favourite designers just banging out new titles every year or two...

More fuel for the Nostalgia trip:

 

[MacReady13]

I was speaking to my brother about the Playstation today! 30 years ago!!! I am 44 so was an early teen when this arrived here in Australia. Picked 1 up not long after launch as I had recently gotten a job and loved it from day 1!

Alien Trilogy. Die Hard Trilogy. Silent Hill. Wipeout. Wipeout 2097. Wip3out. Resident Evil 1, 2 and 3. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Gran Turismo. Formula 1. Formula 1 97. All the Madden and FIFA games playing with my 2 brothers. Dino Crisis. Crash Bandicoot. Metal Gear Solid. Doom. Final Doom...

Boy did I have fun on my Playstation. I truly miss these days of gaming.

 

[violence]

Special time. Radically different games on PS1 versus N64.

My first game on it was FF7. It was also my first RPG. The system felt so alien.

 

[GrayDock]

Got it at launch and is my most played console of all time.
Warhawk was my favorite first year game, alongside Tekken and Air Combat.
Still can't believe that the shield/component damage system from Warhawk wasn't used again...

 

[Arsic]

Two games in your list OP I’ve never heard of or played.

Thank you!

 

[EverydayBeast]

God bless the PS1 but N64 was better.

 

[Raven117]

I could only choose one console that generation. My family didn’t have a ton of disposable income to spend on stuff like that. A wrong choice would have been catastrophic. (I was in middle school)

I had the nes and snes. Loved them. But, on the promise of FF7…. I took a huge risk….

And it was increíble…. Along with a lot of other great games. Never looked back. Been PlayStation ever since. Just hearing that startup music takes me back.

What a time

 

[ReBurn]

I played games on my PS1 until the CD drive rails warped and I had to turn it upside down. I owned multiple consoles that gen but PS1 was my go to once I got it.

 

[TGO]

And still works

Keep mine sealed up.
Got the box but it has the accessories in it
Also have a newish hardly used Dualshock, still has that new smell
Although this isn't my original, the original (SCPH-1002)one with all the ports fall to the whole have to turn upside down trick
This is a SCPH-7502
The PS2 fat sits on my bed table and yet again still works but the Clock battery is dead so it doesn't keep the time.
Crazy it doesn't feel like it's 30 years old
The original PS3 fat is the only console I don't still have, it got replaced with the first Slim PS3 and still works

 

[existensmaximum]

Meh. I lost all interest in gaming for quite a few years when it was released. Going from beautiful 2D to ugly-ass early low polygon 3D was a huge step down for me and I didn't really get excited for console gaming again until the PS3, with the exception of some GameCube games.

Never liked the PS1, still don't.

 

[cinnamonandgravy]

The system felt so alien.

thats a good way of putting it.

black discs. sony. long ass loading times. weird ass d-pad. low and sleek console. giant game boxes.

 

[Sebastian1295]

Parasyte eve is still has one of the most insane openings to a video game ever and one of the best experiences on the ps1 back in the day. I still don't understand why square enix don't remake it and the second one as well. Instant classics for that system.

 

[Fahdis]

Give this man Gold. What an amazing thread.

Also, don't forget Ace Combat and Tomba!

 

[digital_ghost]

Celebrate Load Times C'mon!

Its a celebration.

 

[Robb]

Love the Ps1. I did most of my gaming on it back then. Also owned a GameBoy.

Spyro trilogy, Crash Bandicoot Trilogy, Crash Team Racing, Rayman, and Croc 1/2 were my favorites.

 

[Syphon Filter]

PS1 is the best Playstation and best console of all time.

 

[bitbydeath]

Played it til the chips fell off. (The plastic parts that held the disc in place)

I was more of a PC gamer back then, FF7’s release was my conversion point.

 

[SweetTooth]

Everything about this console is ICONIC. The best ever.

 

[El Muerto]

My first games were Megaman X4 and Syphon Filter. I remember waking up on christmas and me and my brothers unwrapped it. Played it well into the PS2 era. So many memorable games. Still have one hooked up to a sony trinitron with a book full of burned games.
I remember this being my jam at the time.

 

[LavitzSlambert]

Nice job including Einhander and Galerians. I don't have my PS1 any longer, but I was able to grab a Playstation Classic so I can at least keep the illusion and play everything else via PS2 or PS3 BC. Awesome console and my intro to 3D gaming.

Also, obligatory

 

[cartman414]

PS1 is the best Playstation and best console of all time.

Nostalgia goggles. That generation was growing pains for 3d.

ETA: Oh, it's Syphon Filter. Figures.

 

[jaydogg691]

I made this video to celebrate the 30th!

 

[A.Romero]

I got an N64 like most kids back then but I felt ripped off. I ended up selling it and getting a PSOne and never looked back.

Such a good console. I have nothing but good memories.

 

[Radical_3d]

The love I have for the SCE from PS1 to PS3 is why I deeply hate SIE from PS4 onwards.

 

[Esppiral]

I still have that Demo1 intro and menu music and sounds echoing in my mind, beautiful times.

 

[Soodanim]

Being born in ‘88 the PS1 is a core part of my childhood. Of course I have many memories, but the first is the strongest.

It was the run up to Christmas, and I saw adverts on the telly for Croc 1. I wanted it. It looked amazing. Christmas rolls around, and I remember 2 presents in particular. A small square one, and a large box. Despite the suggestions of the big one first, I opened the small one. It was Croc. Amazing! But I didn’t have a PlayStation. Did my parents not know? Was the bigger present… I had slightly ruined the surprise, but it added to the excitement. I opened the bigger box, almost nervous because I had to find out. There it was. That beautiful grey masterpiece.

That was the beginning of an incredible period of seemingly endless innovation. I was getting the Official magazine and playing the fantastic demo discs, sampling so many games. You just don’t get that these days, and anyone that wasn’t lucky enough to be around won’t appreciate just how much we got to try. A good chunk of my top 10-20 of all time would be PS1 games, with most of the rest being franchises that started on PS1.

As for Croc, I have the remaster wishlisted on GOG. There’s zero chance I’m not getting that day 1, I’m fully embracing the nostalgia with this one.

I’m need to make time to fully absorb and digest the huge OP, but that DnB mix at the bottom is getting and put on my phone ASAP. That reminds me of something not everyone will know:
Cool Borders 2 had two different soundtracks. One was the typical 90s electric guitar shredding, and that’s what NTSC got. But there was also a PAL soundtrack that had a completely different feel to it. Personally I think it fits the game far better. Drum n Bass has a way of being high tempo but calming, and I think that fits a snowboarding game perfectly.

 

[Synastry]

Great Thread OP.

My first time seeing the ps1 was at my cousins house he had gt1 and ff7 and at the time I was still a Nintendo fan.

Fast forward to the end of 98 and me and my mom went over to a game store to buy the N64 but sad face they were sold out and me not wanting to leave that store empty handed I ask what else he had and the guy showed the PS1 and from that moment on I would never again own another Nintendo system.

I didn't have many games but the once I had kept me busy.

NBA Live 98
NBA Live 99
GT1
GT2
Tomb Raider 2
Tomb Raider3

And a few Demo disk.

 

[Bartski]

I never owned one, but had access borrowing it from a friend, playing RE2 or MGS when they were new… As a PC guy I remember how hard was it for me getting used to a controller. Good times.

 

[Loomy]

To this day, FF8 is my favourite Final Fantasy

 

[Principal]

You mentioned Alundra and therefore you made me happy. FF8 is legit as well!

 

[Cyborg]

So many great games! PlayStation brought us a lot! Thank you.

 

[Ozzie666]

Omega Boost, under rated classic. That intro was corny as hell too. Obviously nowhere near the launch period, but still - Great game. For those of us who were Nintendo and Sega diehards, there was a lot of hesitation with the Sony. I remember thinking there is no way they could succeed and nothing would change. Boy was I wrong.

 

[Judge Magister]

So many hours playing GT2, Tekken 3 or Tomb Raider games back then. And of course FFVIII, i played it endlessly.

PS1 and PS2 have so many good games that i like. Same thing with Sega Genesis.

Add:

 

[Nitty_Grimes]

 

[Lysandros]

My favorite Playstation console from my favorite generation. Home to my absolutely favorite games; Metal Gear Solid, Vagrant Story, FF9. Best design/architecture of its era, such an ingenious system. Kutaragi's little miracle.

 

[Ceadeus]

How does it work , do we celebrate this event like we celebrate Halloween?

In remembrance of the dead IP's? Mouahahaba

I'm kidding, I've celebrated by watching the sold out, scalped 30th years limited edition PS5 startup video.

Edit: on youtube

 

[Vroadstar]

I was so into PS1 and Resident Evil back in the day, that I beg my wife to pawn our wedding ring under the guise of we need money for our first born LOL.

 

[TheGodfather07]

Still some of the best times of my life. Being a kid playing PS1 and N64! Went by in a flash. Adulthood is a slow drag in comparison.

 

[MrCunningham]

It's weird how I never really owned a Playstation 1... but I always had access to one. I owned 20+ PS1 games, but never had the system.

I would use to emulate most of them on a Windows 98SE PC using Connectix Virtual game Station. I also had a retail version of Bleem, but I could never get it to work right. I still have Castlevania: SOTN, Ridge Racer Type 4, Wipeout 3, and a few other discs hanging around.

The first game I ever played for the PS1 was Wipeout, and Rayman, two games that I rented from a Hollywood Video with a PS1 unit. Wipeout blew my mind.

Rayman was cool to look at. But I didn't find it to be much better than the 16bit platformers that were available. Still a great game. I have good memories of completing Metal Gear Solid on the PS1, the original Driver, Rage Racer and Ridge Racer type 4, the Wipeout games, Suikoden (borrowed), the Command and Conquer Red Alert games. I put a lot of time into those. Crash Bandicoot. I consider Silent Hill to be one of my favorite games on the console.

I had this poster on my wall when I was a teenager.

[image]

 

[Hunter 99]

Wow 30 years have passed just like that still what a time to be alive back then.

I got my ps1 for Christmas with tekken 2 and tomb raider 2. Best day ever, getting all hot and flustered in my room in awe with what to play first!
No school for the next week or so just gaming and loving every second.

(Megadrive was my first console so the moment ps1 arrived I was completely absorbed with the new pad and the graphics,the fact you could put cds in there too!)

 

[DenchDeckard]

One of the greatest systems of all time. I still have my day one UK model with the Audio outputs.

I played so many games on this thing. I even have this little expansion card thing that lets you play imports so I played games like Parasite Eve on it.

Damn I love my PS1.

 

[RJMacready73]

my main memory of the PS1...

seriously though, what a machine.. coming back from the clubs and sitting around with my mates in a party with Wipeout cranked to the max on the ole stereo buzzed of our nuts

 

[Calverz]

We already have a thread for this.

30 years later, PlayStation has lost its edge

Silent Hill 2 Stellar Blade Astro Wukong Alan Wake 2024 had some great games I don't know why this negativity Those are 3rd-party games except for Astro.

www.neogaf.com

 

[kingfish]

What a generation this was.

My first home console, and my all time favorite (tied with the PS2).

Happy birthday!