PlayStation,video gameconsole released in 1994 by Sony Computer Entertainment. The PlayStation, one of a new generation of 32-bit consoles, signaledSony’s rise to power in the video game world. Also known as the PS One, the PlayStation usedcompact discs (CDs), heralding the video game industry’s move away from cartridges.

After a failed venture with Nintendo to release the PlayStation as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System–CD in the early 1990s, Sony made the decision to market its own console. The PlayStation was released inJapan in December 1994, and it made its American debut in September 1995; both releases elicited critical acclaim and impressive sales. Titles such asTwisted Metal andRidge Racer were very popular. By 2005 the PlayStation had become the first console ever to ship 100 million units. PlayStation’s premier games included fan favourites such asFinal Fantasy 7,Crash Bandicoot, andTekken, all of whichspawned numerous sequels.

The original PlayStation continued production until March 2005, when it was eclipsed by the next generation of 64-bit consoles, including Sony’s ownPlayStation 2 (PS2; introduced in the early 2000s). The PS2 offered an ability to play over the Internet, which, combined with the most extensive line of games ever marketed for a console, led to its sales dominance over its 64-bit rivals Sega Dreamcast andNintendo GameCube. In fact, PlayStation 2 went on to ship 100 million units faster than any of its predecessors or contemporaries. However, the next installment of the PlayStation consoles, thePlayStation 3 (released in 2006 and 2007), did not enjoy the same initial success as the earlier incarnations of the console, with ongoing competition from the MicrosoftXbox 360 and theNintendo Wii.

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In 2013 Sony released thePlayStation 4 (PS4), a next-generation console designed to compete with the Xbox One. Critics and players embraced the new platform, which boasted outstanding graphics and a smooth online multiplayer experience. The PS4 also doubled as a Blu-ray player and a mediastreaming device, and Sony’s PlayStation Now subscription service provided access to hundreds of current andlegacy games. Sony entered the expandingvirtual reality (VR) market with the release of thePlayStation VR (PS VR) in October 2016. The PS VR system included a PS4 as well as a VR headset and controllers. The PS VR was priced well below similar PC-based VR systems, leading many to assume that it would make significant inroads into the market, but sluggish sales across the VR industry led analysts to drastically downgrade their expectations.