Sony has rolled out its PlayStation 30th Anniversary collection which includes redesigned consoles and accessories that pay tribute and bring back the nostalgia of the PlayStation 1 which launched on December 3, 1994.
“As you all know, the original PlayStation debuted in Japan on December 3, 1994,” said Hideaki Nishino, CEO, of Platform Business Group at Sony Interactive Entertainment. “We knew that in 2024, to celebrate this 30th anniversary milestone, we had to create something that honors the history and joy that PlayStation has brought us all since the 90s.”
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The consoles and accessories included in the collection are all wrapped in the original PlayStation 1 grey color. The accessories also bring back the design hues of the PlayStation One including the colored action buttons and the colored PS1 logo.
For example, the DualSense USB-C cable now has a boxy head reminiscent of the cable of the PS1 controller connector that went into the console. There are two separate bundles that players can shop for; the PS5 Digital Edition bundle and the PS5 Pro bundle.
Included in the limited edition PS5 Digital Edition Bundle are a limited edition PS5 Digital Edition console, a limited edition DualSense wireless controller, a Console cover for Disc Drives, a matching vertical stand, 30 possible posters, and four PlayStation Shapes cable ties, PlayStation sticker, and a paperclip.
In the limited edition PS5 Pro Bundle, you will find the Limited Edition PS5 Pro console, DualSense Edge wireless controller, DualSense Charging Station, and every other item included in the PS5 Digital Edition Bundle.
PlayStation Portal Remote Player has also gotten a makeover for the PlayStation 30th anniversary celebration and can be purchased separately along with the PlayStation 30th anniversary DualSense Edge and DualSense controller. The DualSense Edge 30th anniversary design stood out with engraving of the PlayStation logo on the touchpad and triggers.
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Nishino announced that only 12,300 PS5 Pro 30th anniversary consoles will be made. Each of the consoles will be branded with a number showing its position in the 12,300 available consoles.
What angered gamers about the PlayStation 30th anniversary consoles
While the lineup for the PlayStation 30th anniversary collection is nostalgic and amazing, several players are frustrated that the disc drive was not included in the collection. According to many, for the consoles to pay proper homage to the PS1, it should have a disc drive since the PS1 had one.
“To be truly authentic to the original, it should come with a disc drive,” wrote @boy638.
“I can’t believe, they’re showing us two PS5 consoles without a disc drive for the anniversary,” wrote @hybridcore4684.
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“‘We made this to celebrate 30 years of PlayStation’. Left out a disc drive and backwards compatibility with PS1 PS2 PS3 PS4 discs. What a massive waste of what could have been the greatest console drop of ALL TIME,” said @monographgames.
Sony and its competitors are shifting from physical editions of games to digital editions—and most developers are following the trend. Players who want to stick to playing their physical discs are forced to purchase the disc drive separately—and that comes with added cost.
It is easy to argue that Sony and its competitors are switching to digital-only consoles to promote their subscription services and control how players share games. However, we have seen Nintendo shut down digital stores leading to the loss of entire game libraries. Acts like that make players more apprehensive about trusting Sony and their competitors to manage their game library.
Pre-orders for the PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection will begin on September 26 while the collections will become available on November 21. Will you purchase one of the bundles of the PlayStation 30th anniversary collection? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.
