====== Sony PlayStation ====== * //also known as: PS, PSX((Stands for __P__lay__S__tation E__x__perimental, and was the system's project name)), PS1, PSOne// [[company:Sony]]'s **PlayStation** was the big boy of its console generation. It began as a CD-ROM add-on for the [[hardware:snes]]. [[company:Nintendo]] approached Sony to develop it (and later Phillips) because of good relations regarding the Super Nintendo's sound chip, also made by Sony. Concurrently Sony began work on a system that would play SNES cartridge and CD based games, as well as its own software. The Super CD saga is well documented on the Internet, but most importantly, this was the beginning of the PlayStation. //Alternate introduction:// [[http://ps411.com/sony-playstations-some-interesting-facts/|Sony Playstations - Some Interesting Facts]] ===== Personality ===== ====Audio==== As a member of the hardware generation that made optical media a standard the audio is often streamed of CD. So no one talks about the PlayStation's sound chip with the affection some may speak of the Mega Drive's, for example. And from its generation onwards consoles' sound chips all seem to lack identity. ====Visual==== The sort-of inept way it handles polygons is still charming. Unlike the [[hardware:n64|Nintendo 64]], the PlayStation doesn't really get perspective, so polygons have a habit of warping, and jittering. There's also some sort of wonderful balance between the amount of triangles it can output, and the quality of its non-smoothed textures. All these graphic elements combined can make things appear to be on the brink of collapse, and the more alive for it! ====Design==== The first hardware version is perhaps well described as a slightly 'cooler' (though it appears much less so now), less friendly [[snes|SNES]]. Though the [[#PSOne]] revision is 'cuter', more [[dreamcast|Dreamcasty]]. ====Library==== For the first phase or two of its life Sony focused on a really diverse software lineup. There are similarities to be drawn to the [[nes|NES]]: both were the most popular consoles of a key era of hardware development. So the PlayStation has lots of experiments in 3-D, and in using the high capacity CD format. Rhythm games became a popular genre, it was the big RPG console, there are some icon stealth games--. It lacks a bit in the first-person shooter category, and the Saturn versions of 2-D games, particularly shooters and fighters, are usually superior. But, otherwise, there is a big glorious mess of interesting games to discover. ===== Prototypes, Concept drawings, and Artist's Impressions ===== | {{:fig:hardware:ps_protoetc_01.jpg?200}} | {{:fig:hardware:ps_protoetc_02.jpg?200}} | {{:fig:hardware:ps_protoetc_03.jpg?200}} | | {{:fig:hardware:ps_protoetc_04.jpg?200}} | {{:fig:hardware:ps_protoetc_05.gif?200}} || =====Appearances===== ^ Blockids((Also has a limbed memory card chappy)) ^ | {{:fig:hardware:ps_appear_blockids.png|}} | ===== Models ===== * [[wp>PlayStation_(console)#Summary_of_PlayStation_models|Summary of PlayStation models]] ==== Net Yaroze ==== {{ :fig:hardware:ps_net_yaroze.jpg}} The **Net Yaroze** allows people to develop their own Playstation games, in C++. Gams are programmed on a computer (PC, Mac, or PC-98). The main drawback of the system is that games must fit in the Playstation's RAM, which, in practice, means 3.5MB. A compilation of known games, //[[game:net_yaroze_collection]]//, is available to download. * [[wp>Net_yaroze]] * [[http://blog.hardcoregaming101.net/2011/02/net-yaroze-on-ps1-we-need-you.html|Net Yaroze on PS1 – we need YOU]] - Hardcore Gaming 101 blog post, by John Szczepaniak, detailing games. * [[http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/169245/15_years_later_how_sonys_net_.php|15 Years Later: How Sony's Net Yaroze Kickstarted Indie Console Development]] - Gamautra article, by John Szczepaniak. ==== PS One ==== A smaller, somewhat friendlier, design, and released late in the systems era, as has become Sony's habit. It comes in a very light grey—almost white, and was packaged with a [[DualShock]] controller. ===== Periphera ===== ==== Controllers ==== === Dual Analog Controller === The short-lived precursor to the DualShock. The version released outside Japan has no vibration function, the 'handles' are slightly longer than the original controller and the DualShock, and the sticks have a concave top. * [[wp>Dual_Analog_Controller]] === DualShock ==== === NeGcon === * [[wp>NeGcon]] === Jogcon === * [[wp>jogcon]] ==== Light Guns ==== === Guncon / G-Con === * [[wp>GunCon]] ==== Storage ==== === Official Memory Cards === === DexDrive === A device that interfaces between a PlayStation memory card, and a computer, allowing the user to transfer and swap saves. Very useful for a game like //[[software:RPG Maker]]// for trading creations. A version was also made for the [[hardware:n64#dexdrive|Nintendo 64]]. * [[wp>DexDrive]] ==== PocketStation ==== ===== Emulation ===== The Playstation now has a few good emulator options. **Xebra**, a Japanese emulator, is the most accurate and has the highest compatability. If a game does not run in another emulator, use this one. **pSX** may still be a useful option for those after an authentic Playstation experience.\\ If you want to have access to extra features, such as enhanced resolutions, then **ePSXe**, with its selection of plug-ins, is still a good option. Though **PCSX-Reloaded** may now edge it out compatibility wise. Regarding plugins: both **ePSXe** and **PCSX-Reloaded** should come with Pete's or P.E.Op.S plugins which are inaccurate but feature rich. If you are interested in getting accurate emulation out of either of these emulators, check out [[http://emu-russia.net/en/files/plugins/psx/|edgbla's software renderer]] for graphics and the [[http://forums.ngemu.com/showpost.php?p=1996771&postcount=472|P.E.Op.S DSound 1.10b]] plugin for sound. //Last updated: May 27th, 2012// * Homepages: [[http://psxemulator.gazaxian.com/|pSX]] [[http://sites.google.com/site/ultimasites/psx-frontend|pSX Frontend]] | [[http://www.epsxe.com/|ePSXe]] | [[http://pcsxr.codeplex.com/|PCSX-Reloaded]] | [[http://drhell.web.fc2.com/ps1/index.html|Xebra]] ===== See also ===== * [[sb:recommended:playstation]] * [[wp>Sony Playstation]] * [[http://www.zophar.net/psx.html|PlayStation Emulators]] - Playstation emulation downloads, and details, at Zophar's Domain. * [[http://www.zophar.net/documents/psx/psx-documentation-project.html|PSX Documentation Project]] - Complete technical information at Zophar's Domain. * [[http://www.vis-atk.com/2011/01/29/u-r-not-rede/|U R NOT (red)E]] - Article on the development of the PS logo, on Visual Attack Formation.