This yr, PlayStation celebrated anniversaries such because the thirtieth Anniversary of the North American launch. Moreover, final month marked the PlayStation 5’s fifth Anniversary (in addition to that of its launch titles together with Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Astro’s Playroom). With the brand new yr across the nook, PlayStation shall be set to have fun extra anniversaries, particularly tenth and twentieth anniversaries of some video games and platforms (and likewise a pair extra thirtieth anniversaries):
thirtieth Anniversaries: Crash Bandicoot And Parappa The Rapper
Two of essentially the most iconic PlayStation mascot characters from the 90s will flip three a long time outdated subsequent yr. First off, Naughty Canine’s Crash Bandicoot was the hit PlayStation mascot that’s arguably essentially the most synonymous with the model. Launched on September 9, 1996, the gaming world witnessed the rise of the spinning mutant marsupial from Australia… that additionally was recognized for heckling Nintendo and Mario outdoors of their headquarters. Very like his purple dragon counterpart (who’s bought just a few extra years earlier than his anniversary), Crash would assist PlayStation’s rise to prominence within the early 3D period of gaming and has since gotten below the possession of not solely Activision, but in addition of PlayStation’s longtime rival competitor Microsoft/Xbox.
You gotta imagine that the rapping canine additionally turns 30 years outdated subsequent yr… not less than again in Japan. Developed by NanaOn-Sha, Parappa The Rapper might be seen as one of many earliest makes an attempt at console music/rhythm video games, which might additionally give method to the style’s recognition with later video games together with Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Hero, and Rock Band. Parappa was launched first in Japan on December 6, 1996 earlier than his North American launch the next yr. Apart from a cameo in 2012’s PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale and in Astro’s Playroom/Astro Bot in 2020 and 2024 respectively, Parappa has not been seen that a lot motion after his 2001 PS2 sequel and 2017 PS4 remaster. On the intense aspect, each the unique Spyro The Dragon and Spyro Reignited Trilogy included an easter egg of his iconic catchphrase.
To not point out, the franchise has a lesser-remembered spinoff sport Um Jammer Lammy launched in 1999, with the brand new lead character making cameos alongside Parappa. Did you additionally know or keep in mind that Parappa had a short-lived Japanese anime TV collection in 2001 (through Behind The Voice Actors)?
twentieth Anniversary: Okami
At the moment, Okami has an HD remaster on the PlayStation 3, PC, and eighth gen consoles. A protracted-awaited sequel was additionally introduced at The Recreation Awards final yr.
Although again in April 2006 in Japan, the sport was initially a PlayStation 2 unique. A lately woke up wolf deity is tasked with defeating an evil pressure that has threatened to engulf outdated Japan in darkness. Developed by Clover Studios and printed by Capcom, Okami has developed one thing of a cult following through the previous couple of a long time. It’s simply that the sport was sadly a monetary flop, with the sport ported to the Nintendo Wii a pair years later and acquired a religious successor (Okamiden) on the Nintendo DS in 2010. On the intense aspect, Okami additionally made it as a VIP bot in final yr’s GOTY winner Astro Bot.
twentieth Anniversaries: PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Community
You possibly can’t point out the twentieth Anniversary of the PlayStation 3 with out pairing the net service that started on the console. Sony’s third console shall be remembered for each good and dangerous issues surrounding its November 2006 launch. On the not so fairly aspect, the street to PlayStation 3 shall be remembered for its notorious E3 2006 showcase from the sticker shock of $599/$699, the overly advanced Cell Processor that was a serious complications for builders, and its lackluster launch that originally cemented Sony’s HD gaming-multimedia hub as a laughing inventory to its opponents the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii (the latter launching across the similar time as Sony’s new console). Whereas free membership for Sony’s competitor to Xbox Stay was one in every of Sony’s saving graces, it might take the PlayStation 3 and PSN a number of extra years to catch on and make a serious turnaround throughout the brand new console technology.
When it comes to launch titles no matter regional launch dates, PlayStation 3 supplied the likes of MotorStorm, Name of Responsibility 3, Resistance: Fall of Man, Ridge Racer 7, and Marvel Final Alliance.
Whereas PSN at the moment stays operable on the PS3 to at the present time, the service shouldn’t be almost as accessible and useful because it as soon as was for a few years. On occasion, PSN on PS3 has had outages and associated connectivity points (resembling this outage reported by PSLS). Actually, PSN connectivity on PS3 was supposed to finish just a few years in the past earlier than followers demanded prolonged help (through the PlayStation Weblog). Solely time will inform if the PS3 will proceed to have PSN entry by to November 2026 or if help shall be severed earlier than then.
tenth Anniversary: PlayStation 4 Slim/Professional
Following the standard redesigns and revisions of sport consoles after just a few years, Sony adopted up in 2016 by introducing a redesigned PS4 and an upgraded mid-gen refresh often known as the PS4 Professional (through the PlayStation Weblog). Nothing an excessive amount of to say with the PS4 Slim as its what one would count on: a smaller and lighter PS4. For the PS4 Professional, it introduced the platform a {hardware} improve that particularly was useful for 4K gaming and content material consumption. Although even for house owners of the PS4 Professional that didn’t have 4K TVs, PS4 Professional nonetheless enhanced current video games for 1080p and in some instances, greater framerates as effectively.
Moreover, the newer PS4 fashions additionally coincided with one other PlayStation {hardware} having its personal tenth anniversary: PlayStation VR and its bundled tech demo sport – The Playroom VR.
tenth Anniversary: Uncharted 4
The final notable anniversary to be looking out for in 2026 is for Uncharted 4: A Thief’s Finish. This marked the ultimate journey of Nathan Drake in Naughty Canine’s hit Indiana Jones-esque motion journey franchise Uncharted. Reunited together with his long-lost brother Sam, Nathan Drake embarks on his best problem but in uncovering misplaced treasure associated to his and Sam’s ancestral namesake.
Regardless of releasing in Could 2016, Uncharted 4 wouldn’t fairly be the ultimate journey within the franchise in spite of everything, regardless of Nate’s retirement into household life together with his spouse Elena Fisher. Uncharted 4 would obtain a derivative sport in 2017 starring feminine leads Chloe Fraser and former antagonist Nadine Ross. Judging that no Uncharted 5 nor one other spin-off sport had been ever launched previously almost 10 years, Uncharted: The Misplaced Legacy was the true last bow for the franchise, proper?
Not fairly. Sony launched a film adaption in early 2022 starring MCU Spider-Man actor Tom Holland as Nate and Marky Mark Walburg as mentor determine Victor “Goddamn” Sullivan. And to convey up Group Asobi’s Astro Bot franchise for the umpteenth time, additional references and cameos of Nathan Drake and the Uncharted franchise made it to the PlayStation 5 exclusives. Finally, each Uncharted 4 and The Misplaced Legacy would additionally get remastered and bundled in Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Assortment the identical yr. With this, the franchise broke into the PC gaming realm.
What do you assume? Some other upcoming PlayStation anniversaries we missed for 2026? Tell us under!
