With each release of a new console, Sony looks toward the future and brings about big anticipation about technological achievements that will help drive the video game industry forward. Since the release of the first Sony PlayStation in 1994 all the way to the PlayStation 5 in November 2020, Sony has been at the forefront of both home and portable console releases over the years.
Sony has had some huge successes over the years and at least one troubled era, but the overall story continues to show Sony as one of the biggest names in home entertainment. Let’s take a look at every PlayStation console ever released and how much they cost.
Sony PlayStation
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The release of the original Sony PlayStation helped drive the video game industry forward in ways that Nintendo and Sega were still attempting to do with their next-gen consoles. Released in Japan on December 3, 1994, and in North America on September 9, 1995, Sony’s use of a CD-ROM format helped usher in the idea that games could be longer, bigger, and with more 3D.
Famously, Sony’s announcement of the original Sony PlayStation in light of their canceled deal with Nintendo to make an add-on for the Super Nintendo was just the words “$299” on stage at the 1995 Electronics Expo in Los Angeles, California. That the price was $100 less than rival Nintendo’s Nintendo 64 console helped drive sales of more than 102 million over the console’s lifespan, from 1994 to 2006.
| Costs | Original PlayStation |
|---|---|
| Original Cost | $299 |
| Adjusted for Inflation (December 2022) | $579 |
| eBay (used) | $69 – $120 (condition dependent) |
| Amazon (renewed) | $119 |
| DKOldies | $139 |
| GameStop (used) | n/a |
PlayStation One
More of a 1.5 console instead of a true second-generation console, the PlayStation One, or PS One as it’s more commonly known, was a revised version of the original console’s hardware.
Smaller and redesigned, the revamped hardware was released on July 7, 2000, and would stay on retail store shelves until March 23, 2006, all while selling more than 28 million units. Fully compatible with all original PlayStation software, the biggest change beyond the smaller design was the removal of some rear ports and removing the reset button.
| Costs | PS One |
|---|---|
| Original Cost | $299 |
| Adjusted for Inflation (December 2022) | $579 |
| eBay (used) | $34-120 (condition dependent) |
| Amazon (renewed) | $141 |
| DKOldies (console only) | $99 |
| GameStop (used) | n/a |
- Sony Psone (Ps1) Console Scph-101 /94015
- Product Type-Video Game Hardware
- Package Quantity-1
- Package Weight-3.17245195018 Lbs
PlayStation 2
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Having sold more than 158.7 million consoles during its lifecycle, this sixth-generation video game console is the current title holder as the best-selling video game console of all time. Released in Japan on March 4, 2000, and in North America on October 26, 2000, like the PlayStation One, the PlayStation 2 also was unveiled at a $299 price point.
By the time it was finally discontinued in January 2013, Sony had seen the release of more than 4,000 games worldwide, selling more than 1.5 billion games in total. With a 12-year lifespan, the PlayStation 2 is still considered one of the longest lifespans of any video game console ever released.
Thanks to the massive success of the PlayStation 2, Sony took another look at the console’s hardware four years after its release date and unveiled a slimline model better known as the PlayStation 2 Slim. Released in 2004, this was a big redesign of the original PS2 console all while being quieter, and thinner, and included a dedicated ethernet port for online gaming.
| Costs | PlayStation 2 | PlayStation 2 Slim |
|---|---|---|
| Original Cost | $299 | $299 |
| Adjusted for Inflation (December 2022) | $579 | $579 |
| eBay (used) | $63-200 (condition dependent) | $89-249 (condition dependent) |
| Amazon (renewed) | $199 | $199 |
| DKOldies (console only) | $214 | $169-244 |
| GameStop (used) | n/a | n/a |
- The Playstation 2 system lets you play original PS1 games as well as the huge selection of PS2 games
- Includes: Playstation 2 System, 1 Dual Shock 2 Controller, AC Cable, AV Cable
- Color: Black
- PlayStation2 is equipped with a 128-bit Emotion Engine processor that enables lightning-fast gameplay and impressive graphics power
PlayStation 3
©History-Computer.com
If there is any console in Sony’s remarkably strong console lineup that could be designated as the weakest release, it would almost unilaterally be the PlayStation 3. Even as the console sold more than 87.4 million consoles worldwide, it struggled out of the gate competing against the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii.
Released in Japan on November 11, 2006, and November 17, 2006, in North America, two versions were released. The $499 20GB model and $599 60GB model were initially panned for their high prices and lack of standout games. The lone bright side was the inclusion of Blu-ray capabilities which gave the PS3 one of its most compelling reasons to purchase and make part of a home entertainment system.
Like the PlayStation 2, Sony released a slim model of the PS3 in 2009 that was smaller, lighter, and less power-intensive than its predecessor. Selling more than a million units within its first three weeks on sale, the PS3 release fixed a lot of the problems that had plagued the original PlayStation 3 release.
| Costs | PlayStation 3 | PlayStation 3 Slim |
|---|---|---|
| Original Cost | $499/599 | $299 |
| Adjusted for Inflation (December 2022) | $587/$735 | $579 |
| eBay (used) | $79.99-249 (condition and size dependent) | $109-$269 (condition and size dependent) |
| Amazon (renewed) | $204-269 (size dependent) | $269 |
| DKOldies (console only) | $139-249 | $139-$249 |
| GameStop (used) | n/a | n/a |
- Internet ready with built-in Wi-Fi . To reset the device insert a small pin to the reset button and hold own for 5 seconds.
- ncludes Wireless Controller (color of controller varies) and power source. To reset the console, Continue to hold the power button and you will hear a second beep, indicating the video reset.
- Keep holding the power button down until you hear a third beep. The console will power off afterwards. Activate the Safe Mode feature and select 'restore file system
- High-Definition Blu-ray player for the best movie experience. Plays DVDs and CDs
- 250GB HDD for storing games, music, videos, and photos
- New slimmer, lighter PS3 system, Wireless controller
- 320GB HDD for storing games, music, videos, and photos
- Streams thousands of movies and TV shows instantly from Netflix
- Built-in Blu-ray player with 3D capabilities. HDMI output for 1080p resolution.
©ADPashnin/Shutterstock.com
PlayStation 4
One of the most popular video game consoles of all time, the Sony PlayStation 4 has sold more than 117.2 million consoles and counting.
Released in North America on November 15, 2013 (and in Japan in February 2014), the PlayStation 4 quickly became the most dominant console of the eighth generation of consoles. Supported by dozens of outstanding exclusive titles including God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Marvel’s Spider-man, the PlayStation 4 has received huge amounts of critical acclaim. As of this writing, it has remained the second best-selling home console of all time since October 2019.
The success of the original release model grew so fast that Sony released two additional models, the PlayStation 4 Slim (or PS4 Slim) and PlayStation 4 Pro, or PS4 Pro. Like the PlayStation 2 Slim and PS One, the two PlayStation 4 models were less of a redesign hardware-wise and more of an internal change.
| Costs | PlayStation 4 | PlayStation 4 Slim | PlayStation 4 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Cost | $399 | $299 | $399 |
| Adjusted for Inflation (December 2022) | $508 | $579 | $508 |
| eBay (used) | $79-249 (condition and size dependent) | $150-$300 (condition and size dependent) | $180-380 |
| Amazon (renewed) | $204-269 (size dependent) | $342 – $484 | $384 |
| DKOldies (console only) | $139-249 | $299 | $349 |
| GameStop (used) | $299 | $259-$289 | $329 |
- "Suspend mode" eliminates the load time on your saved game and allows you to immediately return to where you left off by pressing the power button.
- Enables the greatest game developers in the world to unlock their creativity and push the boundaries of play through a platform that is tuned specifically to their needs.
- Engage in endless personal challenges between you and your community, and share your epic moments for the world to see.
- Gamers can share their epic triumphs by hitting the "SHARE button" on the controller, scan through the last few minutes of gameplay, tag it and return to the game.
- Includes a new slim 1TB PlayStation 4 system, a matching DualShock 4 Wireless Controller.
- Play online with your friends, save games online and more with PlayStation Plus membership (sold separately).
- All the greatest, games, TV, music and more. Connect with your friends to broadcast and celebrate your epic moments at the press of the Share button to Twitch, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.
- Mount is not included
- PlayStation 4 Pro - the super charged PS4 - take play to the next level with PS4 Pro: See every detail explode into life with 4K gaming and entertainment, experience faster, smoother frame rates and...
- 4K gaming and entertainment - games and movies shine with amazing 4K clarity
- graphics become sharper and more realistic, skin tones become warmer and more lifelike, while textures and environments burst into life like never before
- High dynamic range - With an HDR enabled TV, compatible PS4 games display an intensely vibrant range of colours, closer to the full spectrum that the human eye can see
- Enhanced games - PS4 Pro games burst into life with intensely sharp graphics, stunningly vibrant colours, textures and environments and smoother, more stable performance
PlayStation 5
Sony’s release of the PlayStation 5 as part of the ninth generation of video game consoles was met with huge expectations. Graphics are better than ever before as they offer a more realistic gaming experience than has ever been seen on a home console.
Games can display at 4K resolution and 120 FPS (frames per second) which only adds to the arguments why a PS5 is a must-own. Released worldwide on November 19, 2020, the PlayStation 5 has already eclipsed more than 30 million units sold as of January 4, 2023.
Part of Sony’s launch strategy was to incorporate two consoles into the PS5 world, a digital-only console variant and a disc-based version. Launching at $399 and $499 respectively, Sony has yet to change any pricing even as they continue to try and meet demand. Given the level of inflation over the last two years, Sony could have raised prices on both console units but has rejected the idea of doing so, at least for now.
| Costs | PlayStation 5 Digital | PlayStation 5 Disc |
|---|---|---|
| Original Cost | $399 | $499 |
| Adjusted for Inflation (December 2022) | $455 | $569 |
| eBay (used) | $399-$749 (condition and size dependent) | $405-$700 (condition and size dependent) |
| Amazon | $399 | $499-$559 |
| DKOldies (console only) | n/a | n/a |
| GameStop (used) | $359-$449 | $459-$559 |
- Multiple machines in one
- 3D audio technology
- Excellent image quality
- Hooks up to Discord and Twitch
PlayStation Portable
Launched in North America on March 24, 2005, Sony, having seen Nintendo’s huge success with portable consoles, introduces the PlayStation Portable, or PSP.
Selling more than 80 million units during a five-year period, the PSP was an outstanding portable console that brought the power of Sony’s exclusive games and converted them into a portable experience. The console did see several revisions over its lifespan allowing for a slightly improved screen, bigger internal memory, and slightly refined hardware over the course of a ten-year period. Ultimately, for a myriad of reasons, the PSP was canceled in favor of work beginning on the PlayStation Vita, Sony’s last portable console.
| Costs | PlayStation Portable |
|---|---|
| Original Cost | $249 |
| Adjusted for Inflation (December 2022) | $382 |
| eBay (used) | $49-199 (condition dependent) |
| Amazon (renewed) | $184-228 |
| DKOldies | $139-319 |
| GameStop (used) | n/a |
- Sony PSP 2000 International Console, Fully Technician Tested.
- Comes bundled with Two Batteries for extended play sessions.
- Comes bundled with AC Adapter and USA Charging Cable.
- In bulk packaging with bubblewrap for transit.This Certified Refurbished product is manufacturer refurbished, shows limited or no wear, and includes a 90-day warranty
- Amazon Renewed is your trusted destination for pre-owned and refurbished products
PlayStation Vita
The successor to the PlayStation Portable, the PlayStation Vita remains widely regarded as one of the best portable gaming consoles of all time. Part of the eighth generation of gaming, the Vita was able to build a dedicated following, though it failed to live up to the PSP’s sales numbers only moving as many as 16 million units, a number Sony has never confirmed.
Like the PSP, the Vita also saw a second iteration launch a few years after the initial February 22, 2012 launch. The second generation included a larger battery and an LCD screen instead of the initial (and well-loved) OLED display. Even with its cult-like status and console-ready games, the Vita’s development was cut by Sony in favor of the PlayStation 4 though it remained available to customers until March 2019.
| Costs | PlayStation Vita |
|---|---|
| Original Cost | $249 |
| Adjusted for Inflation (December 2022) | $382 |
| eBay (used) | $70-495 (condition dependent) |
| Amazon (renewed) | $244 |
| DKOldies | $219 |
| GameStop (used) | n/a |
- Game with Dual Analog Sticks for precision control
- Play a wide range of PS4 games on PS Vita system with Remote Play
- Experience a growing library of games at your fingertips
- Over 900 games available to play on PS Vita system through PSN, including new hits, PS one Classics, PS Mobile games, and more
- Experience brilliant gaming with the 5" OLED touchscreen, Requires a Sony Vita Memory Card for any downloaded games and card-based games that create save files
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Irina Zharkova31/Shutterstock.com.
