- Celebration in Europe and North America with a focus on a photo book and a collaboration with Reebok
- The 400-page book prioritizes images, prototypes, and designs; release planned for Spring 2026
- Commemorative sneakers in October: three models by region with limited-edition packaging
- Historical review: origins of the PSX, battle with Sega, jump to CD, DualShock and iconic games
September marks the end of Europe and North America PlayStation's thirtieth anniversary, an anniversary that arrives with nods to the past and announcements designed for collectors and fans. In Spain, the first PlayStation landed on 29th September 1995, and today His legacy is once again on everyone's lips.
The commemoration includes a large-format photo booka whirlpool bath, God of War Limited Edition DualSense and a collaboration with Reebok, as well as community initiatives. All of this comes after the key date in Japan (December 3, 1994), whose round anniversary was celebrated in 2024, and completes a year of shared memories around the brand.
Three decades that changed video games
El PlayStation germ is linked to Ken Kutaragi, whose technical collaboration with Nintendo on audio resulted in a joint project that did not come to fruition due to contractual differences. After the breakup, Sony stayed the course: a console of its own, focused on CD-ROM and 3D graphics, to attract a broader, more mature audience.
To consolidate the catalogue, Sony secured support from key third-party companies. Namco brought Ridge Racer and Tekken to the table at the premiere, followed by publishers such as Konami and Capcom, with names that are history today: resident evil o Metal Gear Solid, among many others.
The decisive moment came at E3 1995, when Sony announced a price of $299 for PlayStation compared to $399 for Saturn. That dramatic effect, along with a aggressive marketing campaign in the West, paved the way for an unstoppable sales boom.
La The first PlayStation (PSX) sold over 102 million consoles and remained in production for over a decade.. Even its redesign, PS One, became the top seller years later, in the midst of the transition towards new generations.
The technical leap and the CD
The 32 bit processor and a clear focus on 3D, PlayStation prioritized balanced hardware and, above all, a cheap and large storage medium: the CD-ROMThis allowed games to be produced at a lower cost and facilitated the arrival of large third-party projects.
The paradigmatic case was Squaresoft with Final Fantasy VII, which embraced the CD for its greater capacity and development flexibility. CGI scenes became a hallmark, although the limited RAM forced teams to squeeze the machine with ingenuity.
There was also a less friendly face: the vulnerability to unauthorized copying, simpler on CD than on cartridge. Still, the format was a key factor in the platform's success during that generation.
From the original controller to the DualShock
The first PlayStation pad introduced the triangle, circle, X and square icons with its own design logic. The transition to 3D worlds led Sony to launch the DualAnalog and, in 1997, the DualShock, which added vibration and ended up becoming the standard.
The accessory ecosystem left its mark with the Memory Card, the gun GunCon for on-rail shooters, or the curious PocketStation in Japan, which expanded the possibilities with mini-games and additional features.
Games that defined an era
PlayStation cemented its success with a roster of icons: Gran Turismo marked a before and after in driving simulation and Final Fantasy VII brought the JRPG to a mass audience in the West.
The console was also home to Metal Gear Solid, a benchmark of modern stealth, and of resident evil, which popularized survival horror. Works such as Silent Hill, which left an indelible mark.
On platforms, Crash Bandicoot y Spyro the Dragon They became emblems of the machine. In combat and speed, Tekken y Ridge racer They have provided identity to the catalogue since its premiere.
The phenomenon transcended exclusivity: franchises like tomb raider, Wipeout u Oddworld They shone on PSX, which ended up accumulating nearly 1.000 million games sold among all its references.
A large-format book for collectors
Sony has presented PlayStation: The First 30 Years, a 400-page volume that traces the evolution of the brand through photographs, prototypes and concept artIt's a work designed to be enjoyed at leisure, spanning three decades of design and manufacturing.
The book prioritizes the image over the text, with controllers, consoles and accessories in various stages of development, as well as views of production lines and previously unseen footage. A visual approach that bridges the gap between engineering and popular culture.
The publication will arrive at bookstores in spring 2026, with reservations already available. The Standard edition costs around 115 eurosWhile Deluxe amounts to 290 euros and includes presentation and special extras.
As with other licensed items, the distribution and sale of the book is the responsibility of authorized publishers and partners, and may involve external links with their own privacy policies.
Reebok joins the party and the community speaks
As part of the celebration, Sony and Reebok are launching a collection of commemorative sneakers Available in October. Each region will have its own model: InstaPump Fury 94 (Japan), Pump Omni Zone II (USA) y Workout Plus (UK).
The pairs present an aesthetic gray inspired by the original PS, design details that evoke hardware and a limited edition packagingThe Japanese model features a cord holder reminiscent of the controller connector.
Although each silhouette is linked to its reference market, a selective distribution in stores and digital platforms, given its nature as a collectible item.
The bell #MyPlayStationMemory has channeled thousands of testimonies from players, with memories ranging from PSX to the presentA collective album that accompanies the commemorative products for this anniversary.
Thirty years later, that drive for the CD-ROM, accessible design, and third-party support explains why PlayStation went from being a risky bet to becoming a pillar of the industry, and why its celebration continues to attract several generations.
I am a technology enthusiast who has turned his "geek" interests into a profession. I have spent more than 10 years of my life using cutting-edge technology and tinkering with all kinds of programs out of pure curiosity. Now I have specialized in computer technology and video games. This is because for more than 5 years I have been writing for various websites on technology and video games, creating articles that seek to give you the information you need in a language that is understandable to everyone.
If you have any questions, my knowledge ranges from everything related to the Windows operating system as well as Android for mobile phones. And my commitment is to you, I am always willing to spend a few minutes and help you resolve any questions you may have in this internet world.