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FOR PLAYSTATION FANS across Europe, today’s a big day as they finally get their hands on the Playstation 4. Both it and the Xbox One are released in time for the Christmas season and will battle it out for a place in people’s living rooms.
Yet the Playstation has come a long way since it first arrived on our shores in 1995. To mark the arrival of the PS4, we take a look back at the consoles, the games and advertisements that came before it.
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
Release date: September 1995
Sold: 102.49 million worldwide
Specs:
CPU: 32-bit (33mhz)
GPU: 32-bit (33mhz)
System RAM: 2mb
Video RAM: 1mb
Resolution: 640×480
Media: CD-ROM
If you want to pinpoint the birth of the original Playstation, you may be surprised to learn that it was Nintendo that got Sony into the console market. Wanting to compete against Sega – who brought out the ill-fated Sega CD at the time – it experimented with bringing a CD add-on to the Super Nintendo and worked with Sony. After that deal fell through, Sony decided to go it alone and the rest is history.
The Playstation became one of the most influential consoles released and opened up gaming to a new audience. This was thanks to a large number of quality titles appearing on it such as Gran Turismo, Tomb Raider, Wipeout, Silent Hill, Tekken, Driver, Resident Evil, Final Fantasy and Metal Gear Solid. The console was so popular that even after the PS2 arrived, games were still being developed for it until 2006.
Best selling games
Figures given are number of copies shipped worldwide. Also included are figures for both sequels and prequels on the same console.
Gran Turismo (10.85 million)
Its sequel Gran Turismo 2 sold 9.37 millon.
(Video: MrYASSER111/YouTube)
Final Fantasy VII (10 million)
Its sequels FF VIII and IX sold 8.15 million and 5.3 million respectively
(Video: ROFLSoup/YouTube)
Tomb Raider 2 (8 million)
The original Tomb Raider sold 7 million.
(Video: cubex55/YouTube)
Metal Gear Solid (7 million)
(Video: Marek Šterbinský/YouTube)
Crash Bandicoot (6.8 million)
(Video: cubex55/YouTube)
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
Release date: March 2000
Sold: 155 million worldwide
Specs:
CPU: 128-bit (299mhz)
GPU: ‘Graphics Synthesizer’ (147mhz)
System RAM: 32mb
Video RAM: 4mb
Resolution: 720×480 for SD, 1280×720 for HD
Media: 4.7 GB DVD
Building upon the success of the Playstation wasn’t going to be an easy task, but the PS2 not only surpassed its predecessor but became the most successful Playstation model released. Seeing off challenges from both Nintendo’s Gamecube and Sega’s Dreamcast, the latter ended up leaving the console market entirely, it dominated the console market until it made way for the PS3.
Best Selling Games
Figures given are number of copies shipped worldwide. Also included are figures for both sequels and prequels on the same console.
GTA: San Andreas (17.33 million)
GTA: Vice City sold 9.61 million while GTA III sold 7.9 million
(Video: Moiz009/YouTube)
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec (14.89 million)
Gran Turismo 4 sold 10.76 million
(Video: Tomsas1roed/YouTube)
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (7 million)
(Video: SneakingFox/YouTube)
Final Fantasy X (6.6 million)
FF XII saw 5.2 million copies shipped.
(Video: Playstation/YouTube)
Kingdom Hearts (5.9 million)
(Video: cubex55/YouTube)
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
Release date: March 2007
Sold: 80 million worldwide
Specs:
CPU: ‘Cell’ (3.2ghz)
GPU: ‘Reality Synthesizer’ (500mhz)
System RAM: 256mb (3.2ghz)
Video RAM: 256mb
Resolution: 720×480 for SD, 1280×720 and 1920×1080 for HD
Media: 25gb BD,
The Playstation 3 faced a number of obstacles when it launched. A high price and strong competitors in the form of the Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii meant that it didn’t have quite the impact it would have liked. While it didn’t get off to the strongest start, thanks to titles like The Last of Us, the God of War series and GTA V, it still kept up the momentum Sony had with the PS2.
Best Selling Games
Figures given are number of copies shipped worldwide. Also included are figures for both sequels and prequels on the same console.
Gran Turismo 5 (10.66 million)
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue sold 5.35 million
(Video: Hostilenemy/YouTube)
GTA V (7 million)
GTA 4 sold 2.73 million
(Video: GameNewsOfficial/YouTube)
God of War III (5.1 million)
The God of War collection sold 2.4 million.
(Video: VISO Games/YouTube)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (4.8 million)
Call of Duty: Black Ops sold 3.2 million, Modern Warfare sold 1.9 million and World at War sold 1.83
(Video: Gamehelper/YouTube)
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (3.8 million)
Uncharted 2 also sold 3.8 million while the original sold 2.6 million.
(Video: UNCHARTED/YouTube)
Release date: November 2013
Sold: Unconfirmed (sold one million in 24 hours in the US)
Specs:
CPU: low power x86-64 AMD ‘Jaguar’, 8 cores
GPU: 1.84 TFLOPS
System RAM: 8GB GDDR5
Video RAM: 1GB
Resolution: 720p, 1080p and 1080i
Media: BD x 6 CAV, DVD x 8 CAV
Since it’s only been released today, it’s far too early to say whether the PS4 is going to be a success or not, but the early signs are encouraging. It sold one million consoles in 24 hours in the US and Sony expect to sell 5 million by March, meaning that there are high hopes it will come out on top this generation.
Beyond the 30 launch titles, gamers can look forward to titles like Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes, Infamous: Second Son, The Witcher III, Minecraft, Dragon Age: Inquisition, and Kingdom Hearts III which are expected to arrive next year.
As great as the games were, the Playstation wouldn’t be as significant as it was if it wasn’t for the numerous advertising campaigns it ran. Since its launch, it’s been responsible for some of the most memorable ad campaigns shown on TV and while some of them didn’t go to plan, there were more than enough ads to make sure the console stuck in your mind.
Double life
(Video: DigThatBoxRETRO/YouTube)
Alien girl
(Video: VideoGameAds/YouTube)
Long live play
(Video: IGN/YouTube)
This is living
(Video: Antonio Hagiu/YouTube)
For the players since 1995
(Video: Playstation Acesss/YouTube)
Playstation 4 ‘Perfect day’
(Video: Playstation/YouTube)
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Remember getting the original Playstation and a copy of ‘Die Hard: Trilogy’ at Christmas. At the time I thought the graphics were mind blowing. They are utter poo now.
Oh you just brought back some happy memories.dont think me and my friend left my house for a week.
Ok system but underwhelmed by the entire experience. Pretty cool graphics and the controller is pretty cool but nothing life changing.,,,,,,,
http://goo.gl/f6QRLF
Had the PS4 (and nothing else ) reserved since September with Xtravision only for them to ring me on Wednesday telling me that they would only honour reservations if bought as part of a game/controller bundle because Sony didn’t distribute them in standalone SKUs, adding 100 euros to the price, so I didn’t bite. I think that’s against the law, isn’t it?
I’ve changed my mind anyway and will wait until Feb/March as the game selection isn’t great right now and the 1st-gen models usually have a high-ish failure rate.
You should have gotton it anyway. They are selling in some places online for nearly up to a grand. That would have been a nice Christmas for you.
I prebooked the ps4 with xtravision and got it today, no bundle involved!
I went to get my name on the list to get a ps4.i know I wouldn’t get it before Xmas,but I thought id get my name down so I could get it in the new year.
They are no longer taking orders.
This just shows you how popular this console is.
PS3 is unbelievably good,I’m sure the ps4 will be even better
It’s totally against the law they entered into contract with you and they have to honour it. It’s not your fault that they got things wrong! Also many people complained about this to The consumer protection agency and they got in touch with xrtavision and they told them that they have to honour their agreements! So call them back !!!
Final Fantasy VII was the best game ever. I really miss my old PS1.
Yeah I do remember… Was like 100 or more hours into the game, levelling up and trying to fight and win that “weapon” thing at the bottom of that sea, and then suddenly my memory card got corrupted and save file was not readable anymore. Thought my world ended then had to start all over again :)
Lost/corrupted memory cards were the end of the world for a 90′s kid!
As well as sudden power cuts and tripped switchs haha
I was addicted to the resident evil series.although it got a bit boring after res evil 3.
Loved command and conquer too.
Got my ps4 yesterday. It’s some piece of kit. Killzone. Battlefield 4. To quality. And if children are obese is not because of game consoles. It’s because children are eating too much rubbish. Simple. parents fault. I don’t see anything wrong with children playing video games as long as it’s within their age group and they do need their exercise. Most things in moderation.
PSN has been down now for hours. I’m sick as a parrot. Was playing ghosts online earlier. It was fantastic. Itching for another game. Can’t believe it
Thats the opinion of the majority of gamers Allan, and myself included. Unfortunately, it wont stop idiots who have never touched a control pad in their lives blaming gaming for the worlds ailments!
Note: if you’re coming on here to B&M about kids playing games, please do it somewhere else.
The ruination of an entire generation…
I had a ps1 and a ps2, then I had kids. The end
I feel your pain…
That was television. And it was a ruination of good conversation
I’ll give that thug in gta an extra slap of the ball bat in your honour Monty
Thanks les, I’d appreciate that
U just need to buy one for research purposes.
^^^^^^^this I concur with^^^^^^^^^^
All things considered, I think my 3 year old should ask santa for a ps4 with GTA 5 and FIFA 2014. I’ll even help him to write the letter.
Xbox all the way, it’s slicker, better functionality, a real entertainment system for adults, PlayStation is great for kids but has suffered badly in the past eight years compared to the Xbox, which has much better games
PS4 is a better console than Xbox one and you know it.
Yes Karol, I’m sure you’re right, sure what would I know? I only work as a humble technology consultant. Mind you I’ve had the last two generations of both consoles to help make a balanced judgement
I have no doubt previous generations were better for xbox. But this time it’s sony with the better console. Look it up if you don’t believe me. It’s superior in many ways.
Karol all the graphics cards in the world won’t make up for psn being so crap ,xbox live is the reason the xbox is a better all round system nobody buys these consoles now on the basis that it is just for games, but who cares as long as whatever you buy you enjoy
Xbox 360 lost out to ps4 mostly cos of xbox live. Monthly charge where psn was free.
This time around its once off for Sony. Not for Microsoft. Also far cheaper with sony for same spec. Im waiting till new year but ill get ps4
Psn was free but it is rubbish compared to xbox live and now psn is more expensive than live since it is now a pay for service ,nor trying to start s fabm boy East they both have equally great things about but xbox live is far superior to the psn
How do you know it’s far superior? Have you got a ps4?
You know the WII was fun for all the family didn’t get them anywhere, XBox could fail cause of it going for entertainment tv features etc. People that play consoles play for games, and the PS has had the best own brand games(Uncharted, last of us, GOW), XBox had Halo and nothing elae stands out.
I don’t think the 360 had better games that PS3. Uncharted was amazing and The Last of Us is one if the best games I’ve ever played!
Psn done me fine had great craic with it and did not have to pay monthly. As for xbox there was always the dreaded dns gateway problems plus monthly fee on top.
Nah I disagree I still think ps4 is better value for same spec actually I love the robot demo looks pretty sweet
You have to pay for PSN on the PS4, it’s not free and it’s absolutely rubbish compared to XBLive, and it’s even better this time round with the new Kinect. If you don’t pay for PSN you don’t play online games, period. 77million PSN account details were stolen from Sony and only last week they had to reset all passwords in the EU because of more hacking. PSN is very insecure. PSN has had a lot of features disabled because it can’t handle the load, it’s driving me mad!. Xbox Live is working perfectly and has never been hacked. There is no such thing as a DNS gateway problem!
Sean, a lot of people will be very disappointed with the “the robot demo” when they can’t get it to work on Christmas Day, then there will be a lot of curses when they realise they have to pay extra for the second-rate PS Camera before it will work. Of course, the XBone comes with the very high spec Kinect 2 as standard.
The play station 2 was the last console that I bought, I was addicted to Gran Turismo. That clip of Gran Turismo 5 looks unreal compared to the earlier versions I was used to, itching for a game now!
Gran turismo 5 is the best car simulator out there for a console
Its three years old now, there ass better simulators
If people are going to buy a console then it would have to be a PS4. it’s 30% faster and 20% cheaper than an Xbox One.
However I think buying the parts needed to build your own PC would be a better option. for €500 you could easily build a PC (and no, it really is not difficult to do) that would be much more powerful than a PS4 and have the freedom to upgrade to make it even more powerful at anytime in the future (can’t do that for a console), the games are at good prices and when sales come on, the discounts are massive (thereby you can make a saving in the long run). Only downside is that there are some great exclusives on PlayStation, but with the fact that there are more registered users on Steam (which is just one avenue to purchase PC games) than Xbox Live, 65 million compared to 48 million, PC gaming will get more momentum when it comes to games coming onto the platform.
Either ways, good luck to all of the people who bought a PS4 today or intend to get one soon.
Yeh my brother is only 17 and he built the computer i’m using it’s not that difficult just like a big lego set.
But of note if you want to build a gaming PC to last the 8 years of new releases as the ps4 or xbone will, you will have to get good parts$ which adds up over a build.
CPU , motherboard, hard drive , graphics card, ram, sound card, power supply unit, fan, heat skin, thermal paste, cables, case for the PC, keyboard , mouse all brought with 8 years of gaming in mind you’re looking at €1000 plus and that’s without a monitor.
But yes they are better
Agree, it’s a good option but it can get costly and you’ll always want the better (more expensive) memory and graphics card and that’ll drive up the cost. Best to set a budget and try and stick to it.
Liam no offence mate but 500 euro won’t buy you better pc than ps4… First of all it’s even hard to compare as hardware itself doesn’t mean here anything (different os etc.), second, reasonable graphics card for pc cost more or less same as ps4. And it’s only graphics card, where is rest components ? :)
These are the real cause of childhood obesity
By your logic, everyone who plays games on a console is obese, yet there are many who do play games and are not only not obese but not even overweight. Bad diets and a lack of exercise are the causes of childhood obesity.
5’10 10stone Gamer all me life
Childhood obesity is like anything childhood- parents responsibility
No….that would still be food!
Long distance runner and hoping to become a personal trainer….also a huge gamer since I was about 7. Go figure.
No its not. Its sh**** pizzas. Calorific soft drinks and a failure to get them off their as***
The ad. Close your eyes and remember. Flock of seagulls “I ran” blasts out of nowhere, hits you in the mush…gta vice city…now there was a game. And medal of honour. Tonnes of levels played it for months, then they brought out the pacific one that was poo with 5 levels
Final Fantasy X was the 1st jrpg I ever played. Very fond memories of that game.
Does it bother anyone else on the Ps4 “Pefect Day” ad that the first guys comes in too early on, “Just a perfect day”.
Concerned about the damage these games are having on our children.
I fear they’re emasculating our children and suppressing any intellectual curiosity they may have had.
Instead of buying your kid a game this Christmas, buy them a book instead.
They’ll thank you in the future and so will humanity.
Good point Monty because books are so much better than GTA ,FIFA and the likes
No they won’t
From helping Pre-schoolers develop better motor skills to helping children with dyslexia improve their reading ability, video games can be very beneficial to people: http://business.financialpost.com/2013/09/14/11-ways-playing-video-games-makes-you-smarter-and-healthier/
All that is needed is moderation.
I could think of plenty more that is “emasculating” boys and it certainly ain’t femi- sorry I mean video games
You’re absolutely right Monty. My son Leopold is seven and he’s already made his way through most of the literary classics, he’s currently midway through ‘War and Peace’ and having a tremendously good time with it. For entertainment he works on his memoirs or perhaps listens to a concerto on the wireless. These ‘video games’ things are for plebs and neanderthals.
Absolutely. I’ve been playing video games pretty much my whole life and I’m as dumb as a stump. I keep getting my shoulder stuck on door arches and sliding my feet in a walking motion. That can last for days if I’m not helped. I keep trying to open things by pressing “x” but it does nothing. Save your children this Christmas and get them a book. I hear “50 Shades of Grey” is a best seller.
PS. I also suffer from the square eyes syndrome my mother warned me about. I should have listened.
I see reading has resulted in you being exceptional at research monty! A quick perusal of that interweb doohicky and you’ll find that recent research has shown that 30 mins of gaming a day actually have a lot of positive benefits on a very broad (and growing) spectrum, ranging from cognitive development to pain management for burn victims.
I’ll just drop this link here, perhaps you’d like to have a read of it seeing as you seem to enjoy it so much! http://www.businessinsider.com/heath-benefits-of-video-games-2013-9?op=1
These games consoles are also being used to train surgeons on using remote instruments for surgery among other things. Everything is good in moderation including reading books!
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