You know what a PlayStation looks like, but did you know there is sought-after rare PlayStation gear?
We all know the original PlayStation, the console that kicked off a series of the most powerful game consoles around. It came with a controller (later upgraded to the innovative DualShock controller), and played music CDs along with game discs.
But beyond the mainstream consoles and peripherals, Sony released some truly fascinating and often overlooked pieces of hardware. Some of these devices are incredibly rare, and you may not have heard of them before today.
Let’s sweep up the dusty corners of PlayStation history and find what is almost a parallel universe, a hidden world of PlayStation hardware. I’ve provided links to the items on eBay, so you can view the current prices.
1. PlayStation TV: The streaming dream
Long before the rise of dedicated streaming devices like the Steam Link (which came along in 2015), Sony flirted with the idea of bringing your PlayStation experience to other screens in your house with the aptly named PlayStation TV.
Released in Japan in 2013 and later in North America and Europe, the PlayStation TV was a compact microconsole that essentially offered a stripped-down PlayStation Vita experience. (Although in Japan, a “PlayStation TV” was a kiosk that played PlayStation games…) Positioned as a set-top box, it initially seems pretty impressive, until you learn how poor the software implementation was.
Its primary function was to play PlayStation Vita, but it also supported streaming some PlayStation 3 games from the PlayStation Now service. While it wasn’t a perfect solution due to potential latency issues, the PlayStation TV was a forward-thinking piece of hardware that showcased Sony’s early interest in game streaming.
Though its library compatibility wasn’t universal, the PlayStation TV offered a unique and affordable way to access a wide range of PlayStation games on any HDMI-equipped display. Its small size and versatility make it a curious and somewhat underrated piece of PlayStation history. Curiously, however, it was hit by compatibility issues, with a blacklist in place to prevent certain “incompatible” PS Vita titles from running.
By 2018, these games had been whitelisted thanks to hackers, but by that time, the PlayStation TV was largely forgotten.
2. PS Vita TV: The Japanese precursor
Before the PlayStation TV graced Western shores, Japan received a very similar device called the PS Vita TV. Released in 2013, the PS Vita TV shared the same core functionality as its later international counterpart. It allowed users to play a selection of PS Vita, PSP, and PSone Classics on their televisions.
While the differences between the PS Vita TV and the PlayStation TV are relatively minor (mostly cosmetic and regional software features), the PS Vita TV holds a special place as the original iteration of this intriguing microconsole concept. Its earlier release and regional exclusivity make it another desirable item for dedicated PlayStation collectors.
More recently, both device variants have become popular as repurposed emulation systems.
3. Sony Bravia KDL-22PX300: The TV with a secret
Imagine buying a new television and discovering it had a fully functional PlayStation 2 built right into it! That was the reality for some lucky owners of the Sony Bravia KDL-22PX300. Released primarily in Europe, this 22-inch LCD television was a fascinating fusion of home entertainment.
Discreetly integrated into the TV were the familiar ports and internals of a PlayStation 2. You could plug in your controllers, pop in your favourite PS2 game, and play directly through the TV without needing a separate console. This all-in-one approach was incredibly convenient and offered a clean, clutter-free gaming setup.
While the screen size might seem small by today’s standards, the KDL-22PX300 remains a highly sought-after item for collectors. Finding one of these gems in good condition today is unusual, but a few of them are still out there.
4. The elusive 10 Million Sales Commemorative PS1 Memory Card
While standard PlayStation 1 memory cards are commonplace, there’s a particularly rare version that celebrates a significant milestone. To commemorate the PlayStation 1 reaching 10 million units sold in Japan, Sony released a special commemorative memory card.
These memory cards often featured unique artwork or branding related to the sales achievement. While functionally identical to regular memory cards, their limited production run and historical significance make them highly collectible. Tracking down one of these elusive memory cards can be a real challenge, but it’s a fantastic piece of PlayStation history to own.
5. The rare PlayStation 1 VCD player: A blast from Asia
In certain Asian markets, particularly Southeast Asia, Sony released a version of the original PlayStation 1 that could also play Video CDs (VCDs). The PlayStation 1 VCD SCPH-5903 offered a unique multimedia capability beyond gaming.
VCDs were a popular video format in the region before the widespread adoption of DVDs. This rare PlayStation variant essentially served as both a gaming console and a basic video player, making it a versatile entertainment device for its time. These VCD-playing PlayStation 1 consoles are relatively rare in Western markets and represent a fascinating regional variation of the iconic system.
(You could also get an add-on that brought VCD support, the Gamars Movie Card. Some of these are still available via eBay and other online retro retailers.)
Your hunt for rare PlayStation hardware begins…
These pieces of rare PlayStation hardware, often overshadowed by the main consoles, offer a fascinating glimpse into Sony’s innovative and at times experimental approach to gaming and home entertainment. While finding some of these rarities might require a bit of digging and perhaps a hefty wallet, the thrill of discovering a piece of PlayStation history you never knew existed is a reward in itself.
So, keep your eyes peeled at retro game stores and online marketplaces – you never know what hidden PlayStation treasures you might unearth!
What are some of the rarest PlayStation hardware pieces you’ve ever encountered? Let us know in the comments below!
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This writer contributes retro gaming news to the site.
