Sony PlayStation Launches

On December 3, 1994, Sony released the PlayStation in Japan, entering the console market with a machine that would sell over 100 million units worldwide. The PlayStation's CD-ROM format (versus Nintendo's cartridges) allowed larger, more complex games with full-motion video and orchestral soundtracks. Games like Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid, and Resident Evil told cinematic stories that appealed to adults, not just children. Sony's marketing targeted 18-35 year-olds — a demographic Nintendo and Sega had largely ignored. The strategy worked: the PlayStation made gaming cool for adults, established the disc-based format as standard, and dethroned Nintendo as the dominant console maker. It also marked the beginning of Sony's gaming empire, which would grow through the PS2 (the best-selling console ever at 155 million units), PS3, PS4, and PS5.