PlayStation Turns 30: An Australian Retrospective

It’s hard to believe the original PlayStation has reached its 30th anniversary in Australia, marking three decades since that iconic grey box first appeared and reshaped the gaming world. For many, the PlayStation wasn’t just a console, it was a cultural touchstone that introduced a new era of interactive entertainment. From its groundbreaking 3D visuals to its vast library of unforgettable titles, Sony’s debut system captured imaginations and forged lifelong passions among players and creators alike.

Back when the PlayStation launched locally, getting your hands on one was no small feat. Stock was scarce, and the price tag hovered around $699 AUD, equivalent to roughly $1300 today. Those lucky enough to secure a unit dove into early classics like Ridge Racer, Battle Arena Toshinden, Jumping Flash!, and Rayman. While the initial lineup felt somewhat cautious, it didn’t take long for the PlayStation to establish itself as a dominant force in Australian homes.

Many of us who now work in games media got our start thanks to PlayStation. A number of former and current IGN Australia staff began their careers at the Official PlayStation 2 Magazine, and the console’s influence on their professional paths can’t be overstated. For some, picking up a secondhand PS1 from a Cash Converters and loading up titles like Metal Gear Solid or Final Fantasy VII was a life-changing moment. That sense of discovery, spending hours immersed in JRPGs, racers, and quirky imports, solidified a love for gaming that turned into a vocation.

Luke Reilly, Senior Editor at IGN Australia, recalls his own formative PlayStation memories: “In the late ’90s, PlayStation was the only console my family owned, but it didn’t matter, it had all the games I wanted. Metal Gear Solid, Gran Turismo, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, you name it. And the demo discs were unbeatable. I bought my first issue of Official PlayStation Magazine Australia in 1999 for the Metal Gear Solid demo, never imagining that a decade later I’d be its editor. That era, for me, represents peak PlayStation, nothing since has matched the joy those systems brought.”

By the turn of the millennium, Sony had secured a commanding lead in the industry, consistently delivering hit games that competitors struggled to match. The PlayStation didn’t just entertain, it brought gaming into the mainstream, landing on the covers of stylish magazines and capturing a broader, cooler audience.

Then came the PlayStation 2, a sleek black machine that felt like something out of a sci-fi film. Launch titles like Ridge Racer V and Tekken Tag Tournament showcased the power of Sony’s “Emotion Engine,” promising graphical fidelity that surpassed even pre-rendered scenes on the original PlayStation. The PS2 wasn’t just a games console, it was also an affordable DVD player, a dual-function device that helped popularize the format and gave developers more space to create ambitious, larger-scale games.

When IGN Australia launched in 2006, the PlayStation 3 was just arriving in Japan. With its built-in Blu-ray player and support for 1080p displays, the PS3 positioned itself as an all-in-one media hub. But the road wasn’t entirely smooth. Memorable moments from its reveal, like the infamous “Riiiiidge Racer!” and “giant enemy crab” segments, sparked mixed reactions, and the high launch price drew criticism. Still, early hands-on sessions left Australian journalists impressed by the system’s potential.

Over time, price cuts and hardware revisions helped the PS3 gain momentum. It was during this generation that Naughty Dog’s Uncharted series emerged, eventually becoming a system-seller. By the time The Last of Us arrived, it was clear that Sony’s first-party studios were producing generation-defining experiences. The PS3 era also saw Sony experiment with motion controls via PlayStation Move, showing a willingness to adapt to industry trends.

Twelve years ago, the PlayStation 4 arrived with a clear message: “For the Players.” The messaging resonated, and the system launched with strong momentum. A redesigned controller, breakthrough titles like The Last of Us Part II, and the arrival of PlayStation VR demonstrated Sony’s commitment to innovation. PSVR, in particular, offered an impressive entry into virtual reality, especially when paired with the more powerful PS4 Pro.

Today, the PlayStation 5 continues that legacy. With support for PSVR 2 and the recent introduction of the PlayStation Portal, a handheld remote-play device, Sony continues to explore new ways to play. While we haven’t touched much on earlier handhelds like the PSP or PS Vita, their influence is still felt in the company’s ongoing experimentation with portable and screen-free gaming.

Looking ahead, speculation about the PlayStation 6 has already begun. What form will gaming take in another 30 years? Will we be playing via neural interfaces, or will physical consoles and TVs still have a place? One thing is certain: the bond between PlayStation and its fans remains strong. Through three decades of evolution, the brand has provided stability, joy, and countless adventures, and its future, as always, rests in the hands of the players.

(Source: IGN)