September 29, 2025 – It’s a date etched into the memory of millions of gamers. Three decades ago, on September 29, 1995, the original PlayStation console arrived in North America and Europe, changing the gaming landscape forever. To celebrate this monumental 30th anniversary, Sony is taking fans on a trip down memory lane with a wave of exclusive, nostalgia-packed merchandise that honors the brand's incredible journey.
Leading the charge is a piece of gaming history you can actually hold in your hands. Sony has just unveiled "PlayStation: The First 30 Years," a stunning 400-page hardback photography book that promises to be the ultimate visual archive for any fan.
As detailed on the official PlayStation Blog, this tome is more than just a collection of pictures; it's a "visual journey" curated in partnership with the acclaimed art book publisher, Read-Only Memory. Known for their meticulously researched books on everything from Sega hardware to the lore of Zelda, the publisher has worked closely with Sony to unearth a treasure trove of archival gems.
The book is packed with never-before-seen content, including early hardware prototypes, forgotten concept art, and intimate behind-the-scenes photos that tell the complete story of PlayStation's evolution. Readers can expect to see the journey from the iconic "chunky gray" PS1 all the way to the sleek, modern lines of the PS5.
Crafted for the true collector, the book is printed on premium matte art stock for a luxurious feel. It will be available in two distinct editions. The standard version is priced at £95, offering the full visual experience. For the ultimate fan, the Deluxe Edition is a true centerpiece, limited to just 1,994 copies (a nod to the console's Japanese launch year). Priced at £245, it comes with a elegant presentation box and a set of exclusive art prints, making it what Sony describes as "sure to become a coveted collector's item."
Pre-orders are now live exclusively through the Read-Only Memory online store, with worldwide shipping expected in spring 2026.
But the celebrations don't stop on the bookshelf. In a move that blends gaming history with streetwear culture, Sony has teamed up with Reebok to launch a trio of region-specific sneakers. Each design pays homage to the key launch markets from 1994-1995, drawing inspiration from Reebok's own iconic '90s silhouettes.
The collection includes:
- The InstaPump Fury 94 for Japan
- The Pump Omni Zone II for the U.S.
- The Workout Plus for the UK
The sneakers are infused with subtle PlayStation DNA, featuring textured gray accents reminiscent of the original PS1, discreet logos, and controller-button motifs on the side panels and outsoles. While exact pricing is still under wraps, the collection is expected to drop in October 2025 and will come packaged in special edition boxes that mirror the console's original launch design.
These new collectibles join Sony's previously announced 30th-anniversary PS5 hardware lineup, which includes limited-edition consoles and DualSense controllers finished in the beloved retro gray color scheme. Thirty years on, it seems the classic look that started it all is still the height of cool.