"PlayStation Consoles: Complete Release Date History"

PlayStation stands as a titan in the gaming world, with a legacy stretching back to the iconic PlayStation 1, which debuted with groundbreaking titles like Final Fantasy VII. Fast forward to the present, and the PlayStation 5, alongside hits like God of War: Ragnarok, continues to push the boundaries of gaming. Over the past three decades, Sony has released an impressive array of consoles, from sleek revisions to portable powerhouses and cutting-edge new generations. With the PS5 Pro now available for pre-order, we're excited to take you through the complete lineup of every PlayStation console ever released.

As Sony celebrates 30 years since the launch of its first console, join us 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 first PlayStation hit North America in 1995. This includes Slim revision models and the two portable consoles 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

Launching the PlayStation era, the original PlayStation revolutionized gaming by adopting CD-ROMs over cartridges, enabling developers like Square Enix to create expansive games. Iconic titles like Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy VII, Resident Evil 2, and Crash Bandicoot cemented its legacy.

PS One - September 19, 2000

A compact redesign of the PlayStation, the PS One offered the same gaming experience in a smaller package, sans the reset button. In 2002, Sony introduced the Combo, an attachable screen for the PS One, made possible by removing some ports. Interestingly, the PS One outsold the PlayStation 2 in 2000.

PlayStation 2 - October 26, 2000

With the PlayStation 2, gamers experienced a leap in visual quality, moving from polygonal characters to detailed 3D models. Still the best-selling console ever, it's beloved for classics like those listed in our best PS2 games roundup. The Nintendo Switch, though, is steadily closing the gap.

PlayStation 2 Slim - November 2004

Introducing significant improvements, the PlayStation 2 Slim boasted a top-loading disc drive and enhanced efficiency, becoming much smaller and setting the trend for future Slim revisions across PlayStation generations.

PlayStation Portable - March 24, 2005

Marking Sony's venture into handheld gaming, the PlayStation Portable (PSP) offered versatile entertainment, playing games, movies, and music via UMDs. It also connected with PS2 and PS3, enhancing gameplay experiences with titles listed among the best PSP games.

PlayStation 3 - November 17, 2006

Stepping up significantly, the PlayStation 3 introduced the PlayStation Network, enhancing online gaming and digital downloads. It was also backward compatible with PS1 and PS2 games and supported Blu-ray playback, setting a standard for future consoles.

PlayStation 3 Slim - September 1, 2009

Three years later, the PlayStation 3 Slim reduced size and power consumption by over 33%, but dropped backward compatibility with PS1 and PS2 games, a feature yet to return.

PlayStation Vita - February 22, 2012

Returning to portable gaming, the PlayStation Vita boasted advanced features and cross-play with PS3 and later PS4 titles, making it a standout handheld system.

PlayStation 3 Super Slim - September 25, 2012

As the final PS3 revision, the Super Slim featured improved efficiency, a top-loading Blu-ray drive, and a slimmer design, noted for its durability.

PlayStation 4 - November 15, 2013

With internals five times faster than the PS3, the PlayStation 4 brought stunning visuals and titles like Uncharted 4 and God of War. Its removable HDD and the ergonomic DualShock 4 controller enhanced the gaming experience, as seen in our best PS4 games list.

PlayStation 4 Slim - September 15, 2016

More efficient and smaller, the PlayStation 4 Slim maintained the same performance as the original PS4, appealing to gamers with its compact design and quieter operation.

PlayStation 4 Pro - November 10, 2016

Introducing 4K and HDR support, the PlayStation 4 Pro offered enhanced graphics and frame rates, leveraging twice the GPU power of the standard PS4.

PlayStation 5 - November 12, 2020

Powering into the new generation, the PlayStation 5 delivered ray tracing, 120FPS, and native 4K output. The DualSense Controller added adaptive triggers and haptic feedback, enhancing immersion in games highlighted in our best PS5 games list.

PlayStation 5 Slim - November 10, 2023

Maintaining the PS5's power in a smaller form, the PlayStation 5 Slim introduced a modular design, allowing for a disc drive to be purchased separately.

PlayStation 5 Pro - November 7, 2024

Confirmed by leaks, the PS5 Pro focuses on higher frame rates, improved ray tracing, and machine learning through PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR). It opts for a sleeker design without a disc drive, launching at $699.99 USD with a 2TB SSD, DualSense controller, and Astro's Playroom included.

Upcoming PlayStation Consoles

The PS5 Pro marks the latest in 2024's console releases. As for the next generation, speculation suggests a PS6 release between 2026 and 2030.