PlayStation Consoles: Complete Release Date History

PlayStation stands as a legendary name in the world of gaming, having transformed the industry with its iconic consoles and groundbreaking titles. From the revolutionary PlayStation 1, which brought us classics like Final Fantasy VII, to the cutting-edge PlayStation 5, home to blockbusters like God of War: Ragnarok, Sony's brand has remained a cornerstone of the gaming world. Over the past three decades, PlayStation has released a diverse range of consoles, including revisions, portable systems, and new generations. With the latest PS5 Pro now available for preorder, we're taking a comprehensive look back at every PlayStation console ever released.

As Sony celebrates the 30th anniversary of its first console launch, let's embark on a nostalgic journey through the history of PlayStation!

How Many PlayStation Consoles Have There Been?

In total, fourteen PlayStation consoles have been released since the debut of the original PlayStation in North America in 1995. This count includes Slim revision models and the two portable consoles that Sony has released under the PlayStation brand.

Latest Model### PlayStation 5 Pro

5See it at AmazonEvery PlayStation Console in Order of Release

PlayStation - September 9, 1995

Marking the beginning of an era, the Sony PlayStation broke new ground by adopting CD-ROM technology, offering significantly more storage than the cartridge-based systems of the time. This innovation attracted major developers like Square Enix, resulting in iconic titles such as Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy VII, Resident Evil 2, Vagrant Story, and Crash Bandicoot. The PlayStation 1 left an indelible mark on gaming history.

PS One - September 19, 2000

An evolution of the original, the PS One was a compact redesign that retained the same capabilities in a smaller package. Notable changes included the removal of the reset button and the introduction of the Combo, an attachable screen released in 2002. Remarkably, the PS One outsold the PlayStation 2 in its launch year.

PlayStation 2 - October 26, 2000

Launching with a leap in visual quality, the PlayStation 2 brought gamers into the realm of detailed 3D worlds and remains the best-selling console of all time. It offered groundbreaking titles that have stood the test of time, and you can explore our picks for the best PS2 games to understand its enduring appeal.

PlayStation 2 Slim - November 2004

Improving upon its predecessor, the PS2 Slim introduced a top-loading disc drive, enhanced efficiency, and a significantly reduced size. This model set the stage for future Slim revisions in the PlayStation lineage.

PlayStation Portable - March 24, 2005

As Sony's first portable console under the PlayStation brand, the PSP (not to be confused with the PlayStation Portal) allowed gamers to enjoy titles, movies, and music on the go. Utilizing UMDs for storage, it also offered connectivity with PS2 and PS3 for enhanced gameplay experiences.

PlayStation 3 - November 17, 2006

With the PlayStation 3, Sony introduced significant advancements, including the PlayStation Network (PSN) for online multiplayer and digital downloads. The console supported Blu-ray playback and was backward compatible with PS1 and PS2 games, cementing its place as a versatile entertainment hub.

PlayStation 3 Slim - September 1, 2009

Three years after the original PS3, the Slim version reduced the console's size, weight, and power consumption. Despite its smaller footprint, it notably removed backward compatibility for PS1 and PS2 games.

PlayStation Vita - February 22, 2012

Marking Sony's return to portable gaming, the PlayStation Vita offered a powerful handheld experience with cross-play capabilities with the PS3. Later, it added Remote Play functionality for the PS4, enhancing its versatility.

PlayStation 3 Super Slim - September 25, 2012

As the final iteration of the PS3, the Super Slim model featured a top-loading Blu-ray drive, improved efficiency, and a more compact design. It proved to be the most durable PS3 model due to its enhanced build.

PlayStation 4 - November 15, 2013

With a significant leap in performance, the PlayStation 4 introduced stunning visual enhancements and a suite of acclaimed titles such as Uncharted 4, God of War, and Ghost of Tsushima. It also featured a removable HDD and an ergonomic DualShock 4 controller.

PlayStation 4 Slim - September 15, 2016

A more compact and power-efficient version of the PS4, the Slim model retained the same performance while offering a smaller footprint and quieter operation.

PlayStation 4 Pro - November 10, 2016

Marking Sony's foray into 4K gaming, the PS4 Pro introduced enhanced graphics with 4K upscaling and HDR support, doubling the GPU power of the original PS4 for improved performance.

PlayStation 5 - November 12, 2020

As the most powerful PlayStation to date, the PS5 brought ray tracing, 120FPS capabilities, and native 4K output. Accompanied by the innovative DualSense controller with adaptive triggers and haptic feedback, it has set new standards in gaming.

PlayStation 5 Slim - November 10, 2023

Building on the PS5's success, the Slim version introduced a more compact design and a modular approach, allowing users to purchase a disc drive separately.

PlayStation 5 Pro - November 7, 2024

Confirmed by leaks and officially unveiled at Sony's PlayStation 5 Technical Presentation, the PS5 Pro focuses on higher frame rates, improved ray tracing, and machine learning through PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR). It adopts a sleeker design without a disc drive, launching at $699.99 USD with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense controller, and Astro's Playroom pre-installed.

Upcoming PlayStation Consoles

The PS5 Pro is the latest console revealed for 2024. While we don't have a confirmed date for the next generation of PlayStation consoles, speculation suggests the PS6 could arrive anytime between 2026 and 2030.