In a fascinating interview with MinnMax, former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida delved into his intriguing history with the Nintendo PlayStation prototype. Yoshida, a veteran in Sony's gaming division, recounted his early career days working under Ken Kutaragi, widely known as 'the father of PlayStation.' Joining Kutaragi's team in February 1993, Yoshida was involved in the development of the original PlayStation that eventually graced store shelves. However, he also had the unique opportunity to experience the Nintendo PlayStation prototype.
Yoshida shared, "Everybody who joined [Ken Kutaragi]'s team around that time, the first thing they showed us was that Nintendo Sony PlayStation, like a prototype already working. And also they had almost finished a game on it. And I got to play the game on the system, the day I joined." This game, as Yoshida described, was reminiscent of a space shooter similar to the Sega CD title Silpheed, utilizing CD streaming for its assets. Although Yoshida couldn't recall the developers or the specific location of development, he hinted at the possibility of the game still existing in Sony's archives, stating, "I wouldn't be surprised. You know, it was like a CD, so… yeah."
The Nintendo PlayStation itself remains a coveted artifact among gaming enthusiasts and collectors, symbolizing a fascinating 'what-if' scenario in the histories of Sony and Nintendo. Its allure is heightened by its unreleased status, often fetching attention in auctions and collector circles. The prospect of revisiting Sony's space-shooter game designed for the Nintendo PlayStation adds an exciting layer to this narrative. After all, Nintendo has set a precedent by releasing the long-canceled Star Fox 2 years after its initial cancellation, suggesting that perhaps this piece of gaming history could yet emerge from obscurity.