Sony’s PlayStation (PSX) was formerly the most popular video gaming console. Despite being up against the Nintendo 64 and the next-generation Sega Dreamcast at the time, the PlayStation was so popular that Sony predicted that one out of every four households in the United States owned one.
You’ll discover about the PSX’s development, what’s inside the box, and how it all works together in this episode of HowStuffWorks. You’ll also learn about the controller, which includes the well-known Dual Shock model.
PlayStation’s Background
In 1988, Sony and Nintendo agreed to collaborate on the development of the Super Disc, a CD-ROM attachment for the soon-to-be-released Super Nintendo. The Super Disc was never launched due to numerous contractual and licencing issues. Instead, Sony released a modified version in 1991 as part of the Play Station system.
These Super Discs, unique interactive CDs based on Sony and Phillips’ CD-ROM/XA technology, were read by the first Play Station. This expansion of the CD-ROM format allowed the processor to access audio, video, and computer data at the same time. The Play Station could also play audio CDs and accept Super Nintendo game cartridges through a cartridge connection. The Play Station was designed to be the centrepiece of a home entertainment system. Before deciding to retool the design, Sony only produced roughly 200 of these.
The PlayStation X, or PSX, was the first console to ditch the Super Nintendo cartridge port in favour of CD-ROM-based games. The console’s component hardware was also updated to offer a more immersive and responsive gaming experience. The PlayStation, which debuted in Japan in December 1994 and in the United States and Europe in September 1995, immediately became the most popular gaming system available.
Games for the PlayStation
Because PSX games are CD-ROM-based, they are limited to a maximum file size of 650 megabytes. However, this is a substantial amount of area. In fact, most games only use a small portion of it for the game itself. The spectacular full motion visual intros and intermissions that PlayStation games are known for can take up a lot of room.
There is a perceptible delay when loading the game from the CD, which is not present with cartridge-based games. Of course, the speedier loading comes at the cost of a drastically reduced amount of cartridge storage.
PSX CDs stand out from the crowd because they are black instead of silver. But don’t be fooled by it. The CDs are just as vulnerable to scratches and extreme heat as regular audio CDs, if not more so, because a scratch on a gaming CD might render it completely useless.
All of the genres are represented in the PlayStation games. It boasts by far the largest game library of any system currently available. Prices for games range from under $10 for some pre-played titles to over $50 for some of the most popular new releases.