The original PlayStation console, the PS1, has just turned 15 (in North America that is). The device was launched in the North American region on 9 September 1995, having made its debut in Japan the previous year, on 3 December.

Since that auspicious launch day in 1995, PlayStation has sold over 377 million hardware consoles across its product portfolio, and more than 2 billion software units around the world. In the U.S. alone the company has generated over US$63 billion in revenue – the equivalent to 40% of the overall video game market share in the U.S to date.

The US PlayStation blog has compiled a couple of cool infographics to mark the anniversary. An interactive 15 year timeline of PlayStation brand can be found on the official 15th Anniversary site. Below we have a cool infographic showing off what 3 000 American PlayStation gamers think about the legendary console.

Marking the occasion is official word from Jack Tretton, CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC:

“When you look in the rearview mirror at what was happening in 1995, you see that the video game industry was an entirely different animal. Cartridges were still the preferred medium, and the market was a modest US$2.6 billion in sales revenue annually.” 

“Many critics thought that a disc-based console with a lot of horse power would shoot over the heads of consumers, but our users proved them wrong.” 

“Now, we are seeing a convergence of video games and home entertainment, and a market that is a robust US$20 billion in revenue. In the next 15 years and beyond PlayStation will continue to bring new and more immersive experiences, like stereoscopic 3D, augmented reality as well as genre-defying gameplay into consumer living rooms.”

To view the original size: Right click on image -> View Image

Some potential PlayStation logos have also been dug out of the archives.