Sony Shows Us the Evolution of the PlayStation 1, 2 and 3

If you still had any lingering doubts about whether or not Sony was set to unveil the PlayStation 4 at their special event this coming Wednesday, I think it’s safe to cast them aside.

Over the course of the weekend, Sony rolled out three separate videos. Each clip checks in at around two minutes and aims to gloss over what each console in the PlayStation line has given the world of digital interactive entertainment.

You’ll find the evolution of the original PlayStation at the head of this post, and you’ll see the evolution of the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 below.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]

PlayStation 2 reaches retirement age, is discontinued in Japan

Sony's PlayStation 3 has been on the market so long you'd think that production of the relatively ancient PS2 stopped some time ago. Well, that wasn't true, but according to the Japanese PlayStation website, the PS2 has now officially been discontinued in the region. Japanese site Famitsu adds that shipments of the console have ended, so once the remaining stock has been depleted in Japan, there'll be no replenishment. It's a sad thought, but let's remember the good times-- the PS2's various iterations have been entertaining gamers for 12 years, and with over 150 million units purchased worldwide it's become the best selling console in history. We're not sure if the PS2 is still shipping to other regions, but its retirement in Japan is probably the beginning of the end globally, so we'd recommend you pick one up now if you intend to explore that extensive back catalogue one day. The PS2 era may be drawing to a close, but its legacy will live on and it can now rub controllers with the other greats in console heaven -- we still miss you, Dreamcast.

[Source: Engadget]