1988
-
- Sony and Nintendo negotiate an agreement giving Sony the licensing rights to video games on compact disks for a jointly developed game system. [124.379] [189.36]
1991
- February 6
- Nintendo and Sony announce cooperation to develop a compact disk player for the Super Famicom in Japan. [184.D4]
- May 31
- At the Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago, Illinois, Sony announces the Play Station video game system that can play Nintendo's new 16-bit game cartridges, as well as games on compact disk. The Play Station system is set to cost about US$400. [124.378] [189.36] [191.D1] [438.40] [1188.36] [1298.127]
1992
- May 20
- Sega of America announces a partnership with Sony Electronic Publishing to develop video games on compact disks. Sega plans to introduce in November a CD-ROM player for the Sega Genesis game system, for US$299. [199.D5]
- June 24
- At a meeting in Sony headquarters in Japan, president Norio Ohga decides to break from making a Nintendo-compatible 16-bit machine, and "chart our own course". [1298.128]
- October 13
- Nintendo and Sony reach an agreement on a standard for CD-ROM players for a new video game system that can play Super NES cartridges and CD-ROMs. Nintendo will license all game software, and Sony will license, through Nintendo, all other software types. [124.387] [204.D14] [325.88]
1993
- May
- Sony acquires software developer Psygnosis. [1298.130]
1994
- May 18
- Sony forms the Sony Computer Entertainment of America company, to market the PlayStation CD-based video game system in the US, to be introduced in 1995. [228.D6]
- June 15
- Sony announces that LSI Logic will build a custom processor for its upcoming PlayStation game system. The processor will incorporate a 34 MHz MIPS R3000 microprocessor, a graphics coprocessor, video decompression logic, and system logic. [65] [229.D6]
- October
- Sony begins manufacturing the PlayStation video game system. [1298.131]
- December 3
- Sony introduces the PlayStation in Japan. It features a 33 MHz 32-bit MIPS R3000A processor, with special audio and graphics functions integrated, geometry coprocessor, 2 MB RAM, 1 MB video RAM. Graphics resolution is 640x480 in 24-bit color. Price is 39800 yen, about US$399. Sony spent US$500 million developing the system. Code name during development was Play Station X. (100,000 systems sell in the first two days.) [70] [241.S3.6] [338.76] [342.145] [353.27] [356.83] [364.135] [438.40] [483.41] [611.28] [1298.131]
- December
- Unit shipments of Sony PlayStation game systems worldwide to date: 100,000. [241.S3.6]
1995
-
- In Olympia, United Kingdom, the European Computer Trade Show is held, over three days. 8500 people attend. Sony previews the PlayStation video game system. [736.14]
- May 11
- The first Electronic Entertainment Expo is held in Los Angeles, over three days. The show takes its name from Electronic Entertainment magazine. 350 game companies show 1300 games for video game systems and personal computers. Total attendance is 28,000. Sony introduces the PlayStation in a US$4 million booth, including an appearance by Michael Jackson. Sony announces the launch date of the PlayStation as September 9, with a retail price of US$299. Atari announces a price cut to US$149 for the Jaguar system, and demonstrates its Virtual Reality product for the Jaguar. SNK shows the $500 NeoGeo CD system. [244.C8] [488.140] [526.24] [672.150] [674.26] [736.31] [1094.28] [1298.131] [1316.97] (264 companies [1028.38])
- (month unknown)
- Unit sales of the Sony PlayStation in Japan to date: 800,000. [338.76]
- July
- Sony introduces a new version of the PlayStation in Japan, for 29,800 yen (US$359), down from 39,800 yen for the old version. [243.D6]
- (month unknown)
- Unit sales of Sony PlayStation video game systems in Japan to date: 1 million. [247.D9]
- September 9
- Sony Electronics introduces the 32-bit CD-ROM game system, PlayStation, in North America. Price is US$299. (100,000 units sell in the first two days.) [28.34] [246.C2] [247.D9] [262.D1] [340.158] [342.145] [483.107] [560.14] [591.22] [611.28] [630.50] [674.42] [732.22] [987] [1097.30] [1151.28] [1188.36] [1298.132] [1441.143]
- Sony Computer Entertainment America releases the Battle Arena Toshinden video game for the PlayStation in the US. The game innovates in 3D movement in a fighting game. [625.49] [1441.143]
- Sony Computer Entertainment America releases the ESPN Extreme Games video game for the PlayStation in the US. [1441.143]
- Sony Computer Entertainment America releases the Kileak: The DNA Imperative video game for the PlayStation in the US. [1441.143]
- Acclaim releases the NBA Jam Tournament Edition video game for the PlayStation in the US. [1441.143]
- Ocean releases the Power Serve 3D Tennis video game for the PlayStation in the US. [1441.143]
- Sony Computer Entertainment America releases The Raiden Project video game for the PlayStation in the US. [1441.143]
- Ubisoft releases the Rayman video game for the PlayStation in the US. [1441.143]
- Namco releases the Ridge Racer video game for the PlayStation in the US. [1441.143]
- Capcom releases the Street Fighter: The Movie video game for the PlayStation in the US. [1441.143]
- Crystal Dynamics releases the Total Eclipse Turbo video game for the PlayStation in the US. [1441.143]
- Sony Computer Entertainment America releases the Twisted Metal video game for the PlayStation in the US. [1441.143]
- Sony Computer Entertainment America releases the Warhawk video game for the PlayStation in the US. [1441.143]
- September 15
- United Artists releases the film Hackers to theaters in the US.
- A prototype of the PlayStation game Wipeout is played in a nightclub.
- The PlayStation logo appears in the game.
[897]
- September
- Konami releases the Policenauts video game for the PlayStation in Japan. [471.51] [577.61]
- September 29
- Sony launches the PlayStation in Europe, for 299 UK pounds sterling. (600,000 are sold by the end of the year.) [1298.133]
- November 1
- Acclaim releases the Mortal Kombat 3 video game for the PlayStation in the UK. [808]
- December 6
- Sony announces sales of the PlayStation video game system in the US to date: 300,000 units. Sales of the Sega Saturn video game system in the US to date: 130,000. [597] (800,000 PlayStation [377.62])
- December 31
- Squaresoft releases the Final Fantasy IV video game for the PlayStation. [411]
1996
- January 1
- Acclaim releases the Mortal Kombat 3 video game for the PlayStation in the US. [808]
- January
- Square announces that Final Fantasy VII will be released for the Sony PlayStation, not the Nintendo 64. [674.42] [1151.28]
- January (month)
- Top selling PlayStation video game in the US for the month: NFL GameDay by 989 Sports. [827.32]
- March
- Capcom releases the Darkstalkers video game for the PlayStation in the US. [591.24]
- Unit sales of the Sony PlayStation worldwide to date: 1 million. [342.145] [1093.34]
- March 22
- Capcom releases the Resident Evil video game for the PlayStation in the US. The game innovates by creating the survival-horror genre. (Total sales: over two million copies.) [298.30] [411] [505.59] [625.49] [740.85] (March 30 [834.17]) (May [577.102])
- March (month)
- Top selling PlayStation video game in the US for the month: Resident Evil by Capcom. [779.25]
- April (month)
- Top selling PlayStation video game in the US for the month: Resident Evil by Capcom. [828.24]
- May 19
- Sony drops the price of the PlayStation in the US, from US$299 to US$199. [259.D9] [591.22] [741.18] [869.26] [1094.28] [1298.133] (August [674.42])
- May
- Unit sales of Sony PlayStation game systems in North America to date: 1.4 million. [262.D1]
- May (month)
- Top selling PlayStation video game in the US for the month: Resident Evil. [869.26]
- (month unknown)
- Unit sales of Sony PlayStation game systems worldwide to date: 5 million. [356.83]
- June 14
- Acclaim Entertainment releases the Mortal Kombat 3 video game for the PlayStation in Japan. [808]
- (month unknown)
- Sony releases the Crash Bandicoot video game for the PlayStation. (Total sales: in US, 1.5 million; in Japan, 610,000; in Europe, 725,000.) [545.23]
- Capcom releases the X-Men vs. Street Fighter video game for the PlayStation in the US. [626.93]
- July (month)
- Top selling PlayStation video game in the US for the month: Resident Evil. [871.35]
- August 2
- Acclaim Entertainment releases the Mortal Kombat II video game for the PlayStation in Japan. [808]
- August
- Sony releases the Jumping Flash! 2 video game for the PlayStation in the USA. [557.94] [1188.45]
- Namco releases the Namco Museum Volume 1 video game for the PlayStation in the US. [626.34]
- August 31
- Sony releases the Beyond the Beyond video game for the PlayStation in the US. [630.50]
- August (month)
- Top selling video game in the US for the month: Tekken 2 for the PlayStation. [793.36] [914.18]
- September 1
- Sony drops the price of several PlayStation games which have sold over 150,000 copies: Destruction Derby, NHL Face Off, Twisted Metal, WarHawk, WipeOut, NFL GameDay. [793.19]
- September
- Accolade releases the Bubsy 3D video game for the PlayStation in the US. [1408.44]
- September 30
- Activision releases the Blast Chamber video game for the PlayStation. [411]
- September (month)
- Top selling PlayStation video game in the USA for the month: Madden NFL '97. [981.23]
- October 13
- Acclaim Entertainment releases the Mortal Kombat Trilogy video game for the PlayStation in the US. [808]
- October
- Crystal Dynamics releases the Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen video game for the PlayStation in the US. [1409.66]
- Jaleco releases the Tetris Plus video game for the PlayStation in the US. [626.34]
- October 31
- Eidos Interactive releases the Tomb Raider video game for the PlayStation. The game innovates with 3D third-person adventure gameplay. (Total lifetime sales for the PlayStation: 1.9 million.) [308.82] [411] [444.34] (November [625.50] [691.86] [1151.29])
- October (month)
- Top selling PlayStation video game in the USA for the month: Mortal Kombat Trilogy. [976.28]
- November 1
- The video game Arc the Lad II is released for the PlayStation in Japan. It allows importing saved-game data from the first game. [630.50]
- November
- Psygnosis releases the WipeOut XL video game for the PlayStation. [304.126] [1409.64]
- Atlus releases the Revelations: Persona video game for the PlayStation in the US. [565.102]
- November (month)
- Top selling PlayStation video game in the USA for the month: Twisted Metal 2. [1040.29]
- Year
- Top selling video game in Europe for the year: Formula One for the PlayStation. [1091.47]
1997
- January 15
- 989 Sports releases the Cool Boarders video game for the PlayStation in the US. [630.62]
- January 31
- Square releases the Final Fantasy VII video game for the PlayStation in Japan. (Two million copies sell in the first three-day weekend. Total worldwide sales over its lifetime: 8.6 million.) [556.99] [591.24] [630.62]
- January (month)
- Top selling PlayStation video game in the USA during the month: Tomb Raider. [874.D10] [1074.36]
- February
- Namco releases the Namco Museum Volume 3 video game for the PlayStation in the US. [626.34]
- Unit sales of PlayStation systems in the United States to date: 3.4 million. Sales worldwide: 11 million. [591.22]
- Namco releases the Soul Blade video game for the PlayStation in the US. [630.62] [740.85]
- March 1
- Sony announces price cuts on the PlayStation by 25 to 35 percent in Australia, Great Britain, France, and Germany. [597]
- March 4
- Sony drops the price of the PlayStation in the United States to US$149, sets the standard software price at US$49.95, and introduces a series of Greatest Hits titles at US$24.99. [591.22] [597] [674.45] [873.D3]
- March
- Sony begins selling the Net Yaroze, a programmable PlayStation video game system in Japan. [1093.34]
- (month unknown)
- LucasArts releases the Masters of Teräs Käsi video game for the PlayStation. [304.54] [643.116]
- Capcom releases the Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter video game for the PlayStation in the US. [626.93]
- Acclaim releases the Fantastic Four video game for the PlayStation in the US. [746.159]
- August
- Chris Slate founds PSM magazine for PlayStation users. [954.37] [1188.35]
- August 26
- 989 Studios releases the GameDay 98 video game for the PlayStation in the US. [630.62]
- EA Sports releases the Madden NFL 98 video game for the PlayStation in the US. [630.62]
- August 27
- Sony releases the Dual Analog controller for the PlayStation in the US. [630.62] [1188.38]
- August 31
- Acclaim Entertainment releases the Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero video game for the PlayStation in the US. [808]
- September
- The name of P.S.X. magazine in the U.S. is changed to Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. [630.62]
- September 7
- Sony CEA releases the Final Fantasy VII video game for the PlayStation in the US. [304.127] [556.99] [576.102] [591.24] [625.50] [627.36] [630.50] [674.45] [740.86] (September 3 [630.62]) (September 4 [869.19]) (August 31 [411])
- September 30
- Capcom releases the Resident Evil Director's Cut video game for the PlayStation in the US. [411] [834.17]
- October
- Konami releases the Castlevania: Symphony of the Night video game for the PlayStation in the US. [304.152] [630.62] [740.90]
- Hasbro releases the Frogger video game for the PlayStation in the US. [626.34]
- November 5
- Sony CEA releases the Crash Bandicoot 2 video game for the PlayStation in the US. [628.60]
- Psyngosis releases the Colony Wars video game for the PlayStation in the US. [628.60] [740.85]
- November 11
- 989 Studios releases the Cool Boarders 2 video game for the PlayStation in the US. [628.60]
- November 15
- EA Sports releases the NBA Live 98 video game for the PlayStation in the US. [628.60]
- November
- Square releases the Final Fantasy VII video game for the PlayStation in Europe. [556.99]
- Accolade releases the Test Drive 4 video game for the PlayStation in the US. [492.5] [506.4]
- November 19
- Sony releases the PaRappa the Rapper video game for the PlayStation in the US. The game innovates by popularizing music/rhythm-based games. [625.50] [628.60] [740.86]
- November 22
- Eidos releases the Tomb Raider II video game for the PlayStation in the US. (Total lifetime sales: 1.8 million.) [308.82] [411] [444.34] [628.60] [630.62] [633.98]
- December
- Square releases the Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon video game for the PlayStation in Japan. [545.81]
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