It may not look “modern” anymore, but the flat greys of Sony’s early PlayStation hardware brings wide smiles to those of us who grew up playing classics like Resident Evil and Final Fantasy.
Though years of play wore down the originals, Sony’s issuing original PlayStation-themed gamepads and headphones in honor of the orig nal console’s 20th anniversary. They look like this:

The brand’s seen a variety of applications in the past 20 years: four home game consoles, two handheld game consoles, countless services, peripherals and, now, a virtual reality headset, all branded “PlayStation.”
The gamepad, however, is especially iconic.
Sony’s “DualShock” line of gamepads has become a modern symbol for gaming, both literally and figuratively. When you’re clicking through a menu of media types on a modern phone, a regular stand-in for the word “games” is a gamepad that looks distinctly similar to the classic DualShock design. The design set a standard for modern gamepad design. Both Nintendo and Microsoft took cues from Sony’s original DualShock controller design when looking to their own gamepads.
Ironically, the first DualShock controllers were introduced two years after the original PlayStation launched; the gamepad seen above is intended to celebrate the original console’s anniversary, not the gamepad itself.
The 20th anniversary edition DualShock 4 gamepad for the PlayStation 4 and Wireless Headset arrive this September, for $64.99 and $99.99 (respectively). The nostalgia is free.


Newsflash: PlayStation TV coming to the West this autumn
Sony’s new Xperia Z3 compact tablet boasts PlayStation 4 remote play, controller mount
PlayStation 4 impressions: An Xbox fan and a Sony lover go head to head
Sony Unveils its Vision for the Future of Video Games with PlayStation 4
Put some old-school in your new-gen with this 20th Anniversary special edition PlayStation 4
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Japanese public toilet in Tokyo has windows that change colour when you use it
May all your fairy tale dreams come true, with these real wearable glass slippers!
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Dragon Quest Slime toys appear at McDonald’s Japan in crossover with Grimace and pals【Video】
Idol singer from Keyakizaka46 says she’s now working as a Tokyo bar hostess
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Large amount of supposed human organs left in Osaka marketplace
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
A Japanese dating app matched our bachelorette with a Buddhist monk, and she learned some things
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Final PlayStation 4 design revealed! Priced at $399! 【Update: Photo gallery】
Countdown to PlayStation 4 in Japan – Mr. Sato heads to the Sony Building to join the fun
Sony announces PlayStation Classic retro mini console【Video, photos】
NBA star collaborates with Sony and Nike to create awesome PlayStation-themed basketball shoes
Rumour: PlayStation 4 camera to be sold separately
Sony promises no restrictions on used games for PlayStation 4 – releases cheeky video to rub it in
Sony’s PlayStation turns 20 years old, we look back at how it all began and the games we loved
No console? No problem! Sony tests streaming video games direct to TV sets
Sony ends shipments of PlayStation TV in Japan
Party at Sony’s place! Over a million PlayStation 4 consoles sold in first 24 hours
Newsflash: Sony unveils “Project Morpheus”, new virtual reality headset for PlayStation 4
Get some Nintendo on your Sony with these PS4 skins (Oh, and they have an Evangelion one too!)
Despite success abroad, even Sony’s PlayStation 4 can’t inject life into Japan’s console market
The “Nintendo PlayStation”: a look at the console that could’ve changed gaming history【Video】
It’s official! The Sony PlayStation is coming to China
Leave a Reply