PlayStation

In short: Game console series by Sony: PlayStation (1994), PS2 (2000), PS3 (2006), PS4 (2013) and PS5 (2020).

In more detail: The first PlayStation relied on the CD-ROM instead of plug-in cartridges, making large games with music and video possible. The PS2 used DVDs and doubled as a DVD player; the PS3 and later consoles use Blu-ray.

In Depth

Media by generation

PS1: CD-ROM, PS2: DVD and CD, PS3: Blu-ray, PS4 and PS5: Blu-ray (PS5 also as a Digital Edition without a drive). Memory cards store saves. Handhelds: PSP (UMD disc) and PS Vita (card).

Buying second-hand

What matters is the game case with disc, the region of the system (PS1 and PS2 have region locks, PAL and NTSC) and the console generation. PS4 games run on the PS5; PS1 to PS3 games do not run on the PS5.

Accessories

Controllers (DualShock, DualSense), cables and memory cards belong with it. On old consoles the drive may weaken over time, see optical drives.

See also: Xbox, Game consoles