Fridays are usually pretty quiet when it comes to games journalism, probably because everyone just wants to start the weekend early and, actually, you know, play some video games for once. Apparently, though, a poster over on ASSEMbler didn't get the memo, as they've revealed the existence of an actual Nintendo PlayStation console that they own.
In case you didn't already know, Sony's PlayStation started life as a joint project with Nintendo. The original device was to act as a CD-ROM drive for the SNES, and it was going to be called the PlayStation. However, the whole thing fell apart when Nintendo double-crossed Sony to work with electronics giant Phillips instead. Of course, the House of N came to regret that decision, as Sony went on to manufacture the PSone and give birth to the brand that we know and love today.
Anyway, as mentioned, that initial prototype - the SNES PlayStation - has been found out in the wild. As you can see from the pictures that we've embedded, the console is complete with both PlayStation and Nintendo trademarks. It's also a bit yellowed.
According to the aforementioned poster, the machine was found "in a box of junk" that their dad was going to throw out. "My dad worked for a company, apparently one of the guys he used to work with, I think his name was Olaf, used to work at Nintendo," they wrote.
Doing the investigative work, our sister site Nintendo Life writes that the name Olaf could indeed be referencing Olaf Olafsson - who, at the time, was president and chief executive officer of Sony Interactive Entertainment. Needless to say, he had worked incredibly closely between Sony and Nintendo as the companies developed the now legendary SNES PlayStation.
So there you have it - the Nintendo PlayStation that never quite was. How do you think it looks? Can you a imagine a present where Sony and Nintendo are a joint force? Unleash your imagination in the comments section below.
[source assemblergames.com, via nintendolife.com]
Comments 47
Awesome
Worked out well for me I've owned every PlayStation since, which I may not have done with the Nintendo collaboration as I was a Sega guy through and through. Bet it's worth a pretty penny now. I'd also love a Mario kart on ps4, but given the hours I work and limited play time that's probably the only one I'd buy, sorry if that offends anyone just not interested in the Nintendo catalogue.
@gingerfrog probably worth an absolute mint if real. BUT, that would rely on somebody being able to verify its authenticity.
@SteveButler2210 its also a shame there won't be anything to play on it
Happy this didn't succeed, been very enjoyable owning both makers systems through the years.
@BLPs Yeah I remember reading that years ago, Sony, being massive back then across the board with electronics, wanted to take a massive cut of the profit share. Nintendo would probably have been in a really bad position right now, maybe even out of the hardware business like SEGA, if they would have gone ahead. Also would Playstation be what it is now? Im quite happy the deal never went ahead.
@BLPs Its also nice to have choice, the more options gamers have the better
@Mrskinner
Chances are if this deal had gone through it would've been a complete disaster all the way around. Glad it never happened.
Ah Nintendo due to your poor actions back then you created one of your biggest rivals. I see even back then Nintendo made great business decisions.
Probably the biggest mistake Nintendo ever made, the Phillips deal was a disaster and we know what happened to Sony's little PlayStation project. For me it was the turning point of Nintendo losing the monopoly on the industry, Sega had a lot more success with the Mega Drive, Sony being embarrassed by Nintendo gave them all the motivation they needed. And most damning of all, 3rd publishers were tired of Nintendo's royalty rates and persistence with making a cartridge platform which were expensive to produce.
I still contend not using CDs was a bigger mistake than backing out of the deal with Sony. If Final Fantasy VII releases on N64 instead of PSone, the industry is probably a different place because while the PlayStation was on the road to moderate success it wasn't until FF VII that things exploded. It's for the best, however. No PlayStation there's no GTA, or at least not as I know it and love it, no Fallout, no Dishonored, Mass Effect etc.
Really wish people would stop buying into this false narrative of Nintendo 'screwing' Sony out if the SNES-CD deal.
Yes, Nintendo callously ditched Sony in favour of Philips (which was obviously a disastrous move), but Sony weren't exactly innocent victims. They wanted an inordinate amount of control over the software licenses, which spurred Hiroshi Yamauchi to seek a better partnership.
Basically, Nintendo was a jerk, 'cause Sony was a jerk first.
@Tasuki Are you implying that Nintendo make bad decisions? Because from what I recall, Nintendo ISN'T the company that has lost billions, sold assets, ripped-off ideas and been continuously hacked like there was no tommorow.
Please watch the language -Tasuki-
Nintendo went from the dominant force in gaming to where the Wii U is at now with about 11-12 mil consoles sold in nearly 3 years. From NES to SNES to GC sales dipped significantly each time with Wii being the lone outlier. Of course those sales went from over 100 mil to what we're at now... As this website gets cross over from NLife, I know there will be people who rush at any turn to Nintendo's defense but that doesn't mean it doesn't screw up. Any company that has ever existed makes dumba$$ moves. Sony has made A LOT of dumba$$ decisions. So has Nintendo. So has MS. I don't know if there's a game company that has existed that fell harder than Sega due to its own stupidity.
That's cool. While I'm glad the deal didn't work out, it's always nice to find stuff like this. Yeah it looks a little dinky, but it'd look real nice in a display case.
Bit random, but I just remembered something a guy I know told me which I found interesting in a geeky way. He runs a small business trading in second hand games & consoles, and I took some old stuff across to him to sell, and he explained why the SNES cartridges only go yellow on one half. Apparently, the manufacturing of the two halves of the cartridges was actually contracted out to 2 entirely separate companies (presumably as it saved them money somehow)!
@BLPs So what about the part in Nintendo Life's article that also states Nintendo 'double-crossed' Sony?
We are not on the offensive - never have been and never will be, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't insinuate as such.
Wow, WHAT a piece of video game history! I can't imagine a game industry where Sony partnered with Nintendo. Everything would be completely different today. But man, I seriously hope that this - if it's indeed one of the only prototype models in existence - ends up in a museum of some sort considering how incredibly rare it is.
@SteveButler2210 I would like to add to that.
Why Your Old Super Nintendo and Nintendo yellows.
There are many different types of plastic, but the kind most commonly found in old computer hardware is called ABS, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. In its pure form, ABS plastic is combustible not the sort of thing you want in a mass-market consumer product. Thus, plastic manufacturers mix in a variety of flame retardant chemicals usually involving large amounts of bromine, a naturally brown liquid to help reduce a product's chance of catching fire.
The problem is that bromine undergoes a reaction when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in other words, most sources of light, both natural and artificial. This breaks the bonds that were created during the manufacturing process, and leaves bromine molecules free to seek out oxygen. This process, also known as oxidation, is responsible for the increasingly brown or yellow appearance of old plastics over time. Add heat to the mix can actually accelerate the rate of discoloration.
What can you do about it?
Take apart the console to just the plastic shell. Than use Cream Peroxide 40Vol can be found at hair salons or any place that sells hair salon products or a high-concentration solution of hydrogen peroxide, mixed with a food thickening agent (this is dangerous — risk of skin burns and blindness — and should only be done with an abundance of caution) paint the paste onto all of the console shell or any other plastic that has yellowed, cover with plastic wrap (to keep from drying out) and than place under a UV light (direct sunlight will work too) for a 5-8 hours turn over from time to time to get all sides. Do not allow the hydrogen peroxide to dry! This will cause scars on the plastic surface. If using the sun avoid hot areas such as black asphalt.
Wouldn't everyone love to have their very own Nintendony?
Glad this never happened. Nintendo is so out of touch and full of themselves. If it wasn't from PlayStation I probably wouldn't be a gamer.
I would get so tired of the same milked Mario Bros 100, Zelda 86, and Mario Kart 20. I like new experiences and Nintendo doesn't offer that.
Also Nintendo went from dominate to always being behind PlayStation to where they're now. Dead in console business, except for the few Nintendo fans who haven't grown up yet.
Nintendo made there biggest rival This is probably the beginning of Nintendo making poor choices. They could have been the best of partners in the gaming world, instead Nintendo partnered with Phillips which resulted in crappy Zelda games and a terrible Mario game, and Sony went back to Japan to create the biggest "f you" ever created: the Sony PlayStation Nintendo fans are clueless and still think Nintendo is top and Sony should just leave the console business, but the company that also makes tv's, laptops etc is now showing the gaming company how to truly do gaming RIGHT.
@Dohv totally agree with you, if PlayStation didn't come around and change things like they did, I probably wouldn't be a gamer anymore either. I'm happy we're not stuck with just playing the same Mario/Zelda and all that and we get new game series ask the time.
@Kage_88 No Nintendo is the company that doesn't listen to its fans, makes it so third party companies don't want to work with them and try to force gimmicks on players rather then games. If that's not bad decisions then I hate to think what it is.
@ShogunRok I totally come in peace (and I'm sure my Link avatar doesn't help assuage any fears haha), but to be fair, the article didn't add the reason why Nintendo double-crossed Sony, as @BLP and NintendoLife pointed out. I don't think PSquare was coming off on the offense, I just think it makes the tone of the story sound fanboish and unbalanced, as I too was looking for an article on gaming history (I know, I know it's a fan site, what should I expect? Lol) Though in Push Square's defense, the N-Life article is linked, so there's that.
@Sir_JBizzle If it came across that way, then I apologise. That said, I never intended for this to be a an in-depth article - that's why I glazed over the details. I may as well link to Damien's great article on the making of the original PlayStation here, as it goes into far more detail: https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2012/08/feature_the_making_of_the_sony_playstation
As for my reply to @BLPs ' comment, I want to make it clear that we're open to criticism of what we write. That's perfectly fine. However, I won't stand by while our motives are put into question. We write because it's our job, and because we love PlayStation and gaming in general. As such, I would ask that all of the staff here are treated with the necessary respect for what we do.
You guys need to chill. Honesty both Sony and Nintendo are at fault. It was more of a miscommunication. Sony thought that because the CD based technology was theirs they would have rights to the games and characters used for the system. Nintendo instead of explaining it just blinded sided Sony and jump ship for Philips , making Sony look bad at the CES. If both sides would have said something to one another that whole mess would have been avoided. It was just a big ego fight that all it was.
@BLPs That's the problem, though: the whole story doesn't matter at this point. The article was purely pointing out that this console had been found in the wild - the details were glazed over as a result. I used the same wording as Nintendo Life.
I understand your criticism, and I'll take it on board - we always do - but it was the general tone of your initial comment that lead to my original reaction. If you've got something to say about the article, that's fine, but again, I don't enjoy seeing people put my, or anyone else's journalistic integrity into question.
@jgrangervikings1 - I really would... If I could play Nintendo and Sony exclusives on the same console I would be ridiculously happy.
Essentially, kiss Nintendo's rearend to make BLPs happy.
@jgrangervikings1
Hell no it wouldn't make me happy. The PlayStation as it exists today wouldn't be around. Basically what you would have is just Nintendo games with Sony's name slapped somewhere on the box as well. There likely would be no Xbox either - that would be a very bad thing - and third party games like Fallout 4 or GTA would be skipping consoles entirely or would be toned down in material to meet a more kid-friendly standard. I think the way it all worked out is better for everybody.
@BLPs Honestly, I see your point, but if people end up caring that much in the first place, then I really don't think they should be paying attention to the internet as a whole.
Again, not saying anyone's at fault, and I know all too well that passionate people can get worked up online, but I personally don't think there's a real issue here. That said, if I do manage to colour someone's opinion with the words that I write, then I take full responsibility.
@Gamer83 Basically.
@BLPs: If your goal is to come over here and disrupt comments everytime then I suggest take it elsewhere. It's clear your like Nintendo that's fine but this attitude of yours and this stirring the pot needs to stop. You have done stuff like this in the past and your are just looking for a rise. I you can't respect people whether it's staff, other users, etc. well you might earn yourself a vacation and I know you don't want that. So please knock the fanboy stuff off.
Thanks.
@Kidfried
There's certain people here who simply can't stand anything that isn't 100% negative about Sony. I've actually had my run ins with people too because I don't pretend that Sony is perfect and have been highly critical. But I can give credit where it's due also. Others, it's clear they want to see the company fail and take issue with writers pointing out facts even where they exist. The comment section the other day about Sony's massive success in Europe had some absolutely stupid remarks in there. But it doesn't surprise me. Sony had a good E3 show, got credit for it and the Nintendo and Xbox fanbases can't take it. The nonsense on the Xbox side has been to a much lesser degree however because MS also had a strong E3 and has the best lineup for the rest of 2015 when you factor in multiplats and exclusives. Sony can hopefully start kicking out the exclusives with some more regularity in 2016. Not saying we need 11 or 12 but if Uncharted 4, Street Fighter V, Ratchet & Clank and Horizon could all make it that'd be nice. Just three of the four would be an improvement over the last couple years, honestly.
@Kage_88 you do know how Nintendo treated the game publishers back in the days of the NES, right right? And do you really think Sony would agree to Nintendo's draconian policies as a business partner? Nintendo deserves all the credit in the world for saving console gaming in the 80s, but that doesn't mean they should be exempt from criticism.
Nice article, do any games work for the console? need to have as nice game of spyro kart on the super playstation lol.
@EyeDeeN076 nice spot, I recently bought a mega drive over a snes as the snes for sale are all yellow (and £400) and exactly what you have wrote is spot on. They look terrible, like they have been sat in a chain smokers house.
Nintendo is far from perfect. Just look at the Wii U. It's not even 4 years old yet and it might be phased out by this time next summer if rumors are true. Don't get me wrong, I love the good first party games that came to it, but it's clear that Nintendo had no idea what they were doing after they cranked this thing out. They also need to quit relying on Mario so much and crank out new IPs, and resurrect dormant ones like Earthbound/Mother and F-Zero. I was one of the biggest Nintendo fanboys ever until I noticed how bad Wii U was flopping and publishers all at once backing away from making games for the damn thing. Then PS4 was announced, then I watched Sony's E3 that year for once, and I was in love with Sony ever since. Don't get me wrong, I still love Nintendo, but things desperately need to change within that company. NX needs beefy hardware to compete and bring back the 3rd party publishers. We need a slew of new IPs instead of cranking out a million Mario games, and to repair the damage done to consumer trust, somehow allow for Wii U to have backwards compatibility. And for the love of it all, fire Reggie and Iwata and replace them with someone who will actually bring the company up to speed with what's going on in the modern gaming world! Seeing BLP's blatant Nintendo fanboy ism has brought out the honest critic in me, sorry!
@ShogunRok I know I'm late (had some things to do) but I wanted to drop in and let you know that you guys are a-ok to me! I personally didn't even really have a beef with the article and was just playing devil's advocate by looking at multiple POVs. I wouldn't ever question you or your staff's journalistic integrity, so if my comment came across that way, I should be the one apologising, I'm one that's more for healthy, even discussion, rather than being a disruptive force.
For what it's worth, you guys (and your sister sites) are top notch and are one of the very few places I'll even go for Sony, MS, and Nintendo news. So yea, I said that to say this, keep up the good work!
@Sir_JBizzle Thanks very much, and don't worry about it!
pushsquare is easily one of my most trusted games news sites. It's impossible to please everyone but take it from me, you all do a great job here, you've got my support!
@BLPs Well you were doin great until you made that silly FOX comment... Of all main-stream media outlets(all of which suck), FOX is by far the most complete. Which is why their viewing audience and ratings are double the next closest competitor. I assume like most misinformed FOX haters, you are just repeating what your peers say and have never actually watched FOX. I have no intention of engaging in a debate on this thread, just couldn't let that one go unchecked.
@LieutenantFatman
Nah, it'd be easy to keep everybody happy. Just talk crap about the PlayStation, praise everything MS and Nintendo do and the writers here would stop getting called out. I mean, it's a PlayStation site, but heaven forbid the writers don't trash the PS4 in every article. They should also take advice from people who don't have experience in the field of journalism because obviously those are the people who know more about it.
@BLPs While you're busy having a go at other people for not giving the real picture, do you think it would be possible for you to comment without adding the 'I'm a developer' routine every time? It's getting tedious. You are not a developer you are a student. There is a big difference.
@Eldritch
There's also the 'I'm the victim, I'm not allowed to have an opinion, everybody tells me how to think' routine, that is extremely annoying. I don't know what goes on in his classes but I know at this website nobody has ever told him how to think. They have said they're annoyed with the constant 'Sony sucks,' 'm-rated games suck' bs but nobody has said he has to like PS4 either.
@ShogunRok Dat Profile Pic! " May he rest in peace, the betrayed and outraged Milliardo Peacecraft"
@BLPs Nintendo ditched Sony at the altar. The deal didn't fall through - in fact, even after Nintendo dropped the bombshell, the two companies still worked on the concept. Nintendo used its Philips deal to extract itself from the Sony partnership. It was a very dodgy piece of business.
@3Above YES!
@Jazzer94 welll no im sad i did fail it should of happened it would of been cool seeing a crash and marrio spin off but if that happened we wouldnt have that cool comerical but still or maby spyro in smash ?
oh god misspelled it typed too fast
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