PlayStation stands as a titan in the gaming world, its legacy stretching back to the iconic PlayStation 1 with defining titles like Final Fantasy VII, all the way to the latest PlayStation 5, home to blockbuster hits such as God of War: Ragnarok. Over the past three decades, Sony has launched numerous consoles, including revisions, portable systems, and new generations. With the PS5 Pro now available for pre-order, we've put together a comprehensive list of every PlayStation console ever released.
As Sony celebrates 30 years since the debut of its first console, let's take a nostalgic journey through the history of PlayStation!
AnswerSee ResultsLooking to save on a new PlayStation 5 or new titles for your system? Be sure to check out the best PlayStation deals available today.
How Many PlayStation Consoles Have There Been?
In total, fourteen PlayStation consoles have been released since the first PlayStation debuted in North America in 1995. This count includes Slim revision models and the two portable consoles released under the PlayStation brand.
Latest Model
PlayStation 5 Pro
5See it at Amazon
Every PlayStation Console in Order of Release
PlayStation - September 9, 1995
The original Sony PlayStation marked the beginning of an era. Unlike Nintendo's cartridge-based systems, the PlayStation used CD-ROMs, offering significantly more storage space. This paved the way for major developers like Square Enix to create games for the console. The PlayStation is celebrated for iconic titles such as Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy VII, Resident Evil 2, Vagrant Story, Crash Bandicoot, and many other legendary PS1 games.
PS One - September 19, 2000
The PS One was a sleek redesign of the original PlayStation, maintaining its functionality in a smaller package. Notably, it omitted the reset button. In 2002, Sony introduced an attachable screen called the Combo, made possible by the removal of certain ports. Remarkably, the PS One outsold the PlayStation 2 in 2000, a testament to its enduring popularity.
PlayStation 2 - October 26, 2000
The PlayStation 2 revolutionized gaming with enhanced visual fidelity, moving beyond the polygonal figures of its predecessor to detailed 3D action titles. It remains the best-selling console of all time, though the Nintendo Switch is steadily gaining ground. Discover the reasons behind its success with our selection of the best PS2 games.
PlayStation 2 Slim - November 2004
The PlayStation 2 Slim brought significant enhancements in performance, efficiency, and design. It featured a top-loading disc drive, addressing issues with dual-layer discs, and was more power-efficient thanks to a redesign of its internals. The smaller form factor earned it the 'Slim' moniker, setting a trend for future PlayStation revisions.
PlayStation Portable - March 24, 2005
The PlayStation Portable (PSP) was Sony's first portable console under the PlayStation brand. It supported games, movies, and music, using UMDs for physical media. The PSP could connect with the PS2 and PS3 for certain titles, offering a versatile gaming experience. The best PSP games showcased the potential of the platform across various genres.
PlayStation 3 - November 17, 2006
The PlayStation 3 was a leap forward, introducing the PlayStation Network (PSN) for online multiplayer and digital downloads. It was backwards compatible with PS1 and PS2 titles and supported Blu-ray discs, enhancing its role as a multimedia hub. The PS3's Blu-ray capabilities have made it one of the best Blu-ray players available in 2024.
PlayStation 3 Slim - September 1, 2009
The PlayStation 3 Slim reduced the weight, size, and power consumption of its predecessor by over 33%. It featured a revamped cooling system but notably dropped support for PS1 and PS2 titles, a feature that has not returned in subsequent models.
PlayStation Vita - February 22, 2012
The PlayStation Vita was Sony's next portable gaming device, offering advanced features and the ability to play titles across PS3 and Vita. It later added Remote Play for PS4, allowing streaming of PS4 games to the Vita within homes.
PlayStation 3 Super Slim - September 25, 2012
The PlayStation 3 Super Slim, the final revision of the PS3, featured a top-loading Blu-ray drive, improved power efficiency, and a slimmer design. It proved to be the most durable PS3 model due to its design and disc drive.
PlayStation 4 - November 15, 2013
The PlayStation 4 offered a significant performance boost over the PS3, enabling a leap in visual quality. It hosted acclaimed titles like Uncharted 4, God of War, and Ghost of Tsushima. The PS4 introduced a removable HDD for easy storage expansion and the ergonomic DualShock 4 controller. Explore the best PS4 games for a taste of its modern classics.
PlayStation 4 Slim - September 15, 2016
The PlayStation 4 Slim was a more compact and power-efficient version of the PS4, featuring a smaller form factor and quieter cooling system without sacrificing performance.
PlayStation 4 Pro - November 10, 2016
The PlayStation 4 Pro introduced 4K support with upscaling technology and HDR, doubling the GPU power of the original PS4 to provide enhanced frame rates.
PlayStation 5 - November 12, 2020
The PlayStation 5 is the most powerful console in the PlayStation lineage, supporting ray tracing, 120FPS, and native 4K output. The accompanying DualSense controller added adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. Dive into the best PS5 games to experience the pinnacle of modern gaming.
PlayStation 5 Slim - November 10, 2023
The PlayStation 5 Slim retained the PS5's powerful hardware in a smaller, modular design, allowing for the purchase of a disc drive separately.
PlayStation 5 Pro - November 7, 2024
The PS5 Pro, revealed during Sony's PlayStation 5 Technical Presentation, focuses on higher frame rates, improved ray tracing, and machine learning through PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR). It features a sleeker design without a disc drive and is priced at $699.99 USD, including a 2TB SSD, a DualSense controller, and Astro's Playroom.
Upcoming PlayStation Consoles
The PS5 Pro marked the significant console release of 2024. As for the next generation, the PS6 is speculated to launch sometime between 2026 and 2030.
AnswerSee Results
