Sony has unveiled a throwback collection to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the original PlayStation. The original PlayStation was first released in Japan in December 1994 before getting a global launch the following year. Boasting games like Tomb Raider, Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy 7, it became the first games console to ship over 100million units. It spawned a range of follow-up consoles, from 2000’s PlayStation 2 through to the PS5, which launched in 2020.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the PS1, Sony has confirmed a new version of the PS5. The console will come with the same grey shell as the original, a matching DualSense controller and a cover, in case players want to purchase a disc drive for the digital console. The 1tb console will also come with a limited edition poster, a PS1 paperclip and come stickers, though pricing details have yet to be confirmed.
A PS5 Pro Remix
A PS5 Pro version of the limited-edition anniversary console will also be made available, and this one even comes with a stand. Both consoles will be available from November 7 with pre-orders launching next week, via Sony.
More Than Just a Console
Players can also get their hands on the PS1-style DualSense controllers, and Sony is also offering a 30th anniversary edition of the PlayStation Portal Remote Player.
A Nostalgic Celebration
“We believe the beginning of our journey is an important part of our history at Sony Interactive Entertainment, which is why we are honouring this moment by bringing the original PlayStation design theme into the latest products for PS5 to commemorate the last 30 years,” the company said in a blog post. “As we look ahead to the future, we will continue to innovate as technology evolves, so you can enjoy each memorable moment in your continued journey with PlayStation.”
A Classic Design with Modern Power
The PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection is celebrating three decades of Sony gaming. The original PlayStation console turns 30 years old this year (it launched in December 1994 in the company’s native Japan before heading Stateside in 1995), and Sony is marking the occasion by giving the PS5 Slim, the recently-announced PS5 Pro and a set of accessories including the DualSense Edge controller a glorious gray-scale makeover.
A Must-Have for Nostalgic Gamers
This anniversary range was announced earlier this week (on Thursday, September 20) in a PlayStation Blog post, and it’s the stuff of dreams for nostalgic PlayStation gamers. As somebody who cut their gaming teeth on the PSX, this collection has my bank balance sweating. I was already sold on the PS5 Pro, but the chance to score one with a design that mimics my very first console? Shut up, and take my money!
A Limited-Edition Rush
It’s not just me that’s fallen in love with the PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection either the limited-edition range is turning heads across the internet. Unfortunately, the bad news is that scalpers will almost certainly be out in force hoping to snap up as much stock as possible to sell it back to us regular gamers at hugely inflated prices. That’s why we’re here to help you secure your Anniversary edition PS5 console, DualSense controller or PlayStation Portal at standard MSRP.
Securing Your Slice of Gaming History
When and Where to Pre-Order
The PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection is set to release on November 21, but there will be a pre-order window, and it’s highly likely much (if not the majority) of stock will be snapped up months before the collection is launched. So, if you’re eyeing up a console or accessory in the set, you’ll need to be ready ahead of time.
Starting September 26, the PS5 Pro 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Bundle, PlayStation Portal 30th Anniversary Limited Edition and DualSense Edge 30th Anniversary Limited Edition will be available to order exclusively on PlayStation Direct (in regions where PlayStation Direct is unavailable these will be stocked at yet-to-be-announced “participating retailer”)
Also on September 26, the PS5 Slim Digital Edition 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Bundle and the standard DualSense 30th Anniversary Limited Edition will be available for pre-order on PlayStation Direct.
A Confusing Release Schedule
The key difference is these will also be sold at “participating retailers” worldwide including in the U.S. and U.K. However, the PS5 Slim will only be sold outside of PlayStation Direct from October 10. Sony sure has made this all a bit confusing.
So, to sum up, if you’re in the U.S. the entire PlayStation 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Collection will be available on PlayStation Direct from September 26. With the PS5 Slim and DualSense controller also available from “participating retailers”, the PS5 Pro Bundle, DualSense Edge and PlayStation Portal will remain exclusive to PlayStation Direct in the U.S. (at least, for now).
If you’re eager to secure any of these items be sure to bookmark this page, as we’ll be updating it with links to the all-important retail listing pages as soon as they go live. We're here to make navigating this confusing pre-order process a breeze.
What's Included in the Collection?
The PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection is comprised of five separate items. The headliner is unquestionably the PS5 Pro 30th Anniversary Limited Edition BundIe this includes a special-edition gray PS5 Pro console, DualSense controller, DualSense Edge controller, DualSense Charging Station, vertical stand and a Console Cover for a Disc Drive (though you will have to buy the actual disc drive separately for $79)
Nostalgia in Every Detail
Other nifty extras in the bundle include a controller cable that is themed to look like the cable that connected the original PSX controller to the console (which is unbelievably cool, in my humble opinion), four PlayStation Shapes cable ties, a PlayStation-branded sticker and paperclip, and a limited-edition PlayStation poster (you get 1 of a possible 30 designs).
A Collector's Dream
There will be 12,300 units of this PS5 Pro bundle available, and each one will have its number etched into the side, making it a true collector's item for PlayStation fans everywhere.
Options for Every Budget
If you're not looking to splurge on the Pro, there’s a PS5 Slim Digital Edition decked out in this nostalgic grey, alongside the console this package includes the Console Cover for a Disc Drive (again the actual drive is a separate purchase), a vertical stand, the controller-cable, cable ties, sticker and paperclip, and the limited-edition poster.
Beyond the Consoles
If you don’t want to buy a whole new PS5 console, you can instead grab a PSX-themed PlayStation Portal, DualSense Edge or a standard DualSense controller.
What About the Price?
At the time of writing, Sony has yet to confirm pricing for any of these items. However, considering the PS5 Pro’s base price of $699/£699, and the fact you’re getting a DualSense Edge (worth $199) plus all those limited-edition extras, I would estimate this bundle to be in the four-figure range. The rest I expect to be largely in line with the price of the standard non-limited-edition items (maybe $5-10 more). However, these are just estimates, and we’ll add confirmed pricing details once available.
The Verdict: A Nostalgic Trip
The PS5 is getting a classic makeover to celebrate 30 years of PlayStation, and it's a celebration that nostalgic gamers won't want to miss. The grey aesthetic and classic design elements will be a hit for those who remember the glory days of the original PlayStation, and the limited edition consoles and controllers will be sought-after collector's items. With pre-orders opening soon, get ready to jump back into the past with this blast from the past.
