Sony Veteran Remembers 'Almost Finished' Video Game for the Canceled Nintendo PlayStation Console

Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida recently shared anecdotes about his experience with the unreleased Nintendo PlayStation prototype, including playing a nearly completed game developed for the defunct console.

In a MinnMax interview, Yoshida recounted his career journey at Sony, starting from his early collaboration with Ken Kutaragi, the renowned "father of PlayStation." Joining Kutaragi's team in February 1993, during the original PlayStation's development, Yoshida and his colleagues were introduced to the Nintendo PlayStation prototype. He emphasized that this was a functional prototype, not just a concept.

Yoshida stated that a nearly finished game was available to play on the prototype on his first day. He described the game as reminiscent of a contemporary space shooter, possibly similar to Sega CD's Silpheed, which utilized CD-based asset streaming. While he couldn't recall the developer's identity or the game's origin (US or Japan), he expressed optimism about its potential survival.

"I wouldn't be surprised," Yoshida commented, referencing the CD-ROM format, suggesting the game's data might still exist in Sony's archives.

The Nintendo PlayStation remains a highly sought-after collector's item, its unreleased status fueling its mystique as a glimpse into a potential alternate gaming history. Its prototype has commanded significant attention in auctions and among collectors.

The prospect of this Sony-developed space shooter seeing the light of day is intriguing. Considering Nintendo's eventual release of Star Fox 2 years after its cancellation, the possibility of this lost game's rediscovery isn't entirely far-fetched.