In a recent interview with MinnMax, former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida delved into his fascinating history with the Nintendo PlayStation prototype. Yoshida shared insights from his early career at Sony, starting in February 1993 when he joined Ken Kutaragi's team, known as 'the father of PlayStation,' during the development of the original PlayStation. He recounted that while the team primarily focused on the console that eventually hit the market, new members were also introduced to the intriguing Nintendo PlayStation prototype.
Yoshida revealed that on his very first day, he was shown the working Nintendo PlayStation prototype and even got to play an "almost finished" game on it. He likened the game to the Sega CD title Silpheed, a space shooter that streamed assets from a CD. Although Yoshida couldn't recall the developer or the exact location of its creation—whether in the U.S. or Japan—he remains hopeful about the game's existence in Sony's archives. "I wouldn't be surprised," he noted, hinting at the possibility that the game might still be preserved on a CD.
The Nintendo PlayStation itself remains a highly sought-after artifact, captivating collectors and enthusiasts due to its unreleased status and the tantalizing "what-if" scenario it represents in the history of gaming. The prototype has garnered significant attention in auctions and collector circles, underscoring its unique place in video game history.
The prospect of revisiting this piece of gaming history, particularly the space-shooter game developed for the Nintendo PlayStation, is intriguing. It's not without precedent; Nintendo released Star Fox 2 years after its cancellation, suggesting that there's a chance this game could one day see the light of day, offering fans a glimpse into an alternate timeline of gaming.
