A second Nintendo PlayStation prototype has been uncovered

Recap: It has been practically a full decade since an ultra-rare prototype of a Tremendous Nintendo / PlayStation mashup was found. The curious creation was the results of a partnership between Nintendo and Sony within the early 90s that in the end soured, and it was believed that each one 200 or so prototypes had been destroyed.

The unit found in 2015 was believed to be the one surviving instance, and fetched a wholesome $360,000 at public sale. A controller for the system went for $35,000. Because it seems, there’s at the very least one different Nintendo PlayStation in existence.

Japanese photographer Julian Domanski just lately met with former Sony Pc Leisure CEO Ken Kutaragi, who simply so occurred to have one other prototype in his closet.

I by no means thought I would see one thing so uncommon, however at this time I really obtained to fondle a Nintendo PlayStation!
The final one in existence was believed to have bought at public sale for $300,000. Seems the ex CEO of SonyCEA has one in his closet. Ken Kutaragi, high bloke. Signed my PS1 too! pic.twitter.com/EGRos3IVT8

– Julian Domanski (@kantan_japan) March 1, 2025

Kutaragi joined Sony in 1975 and labored his approach up the ranks. The corporate had little interest in video video games on the time however after watching his daughter play Nintendo’s Famicom, Kutaragi noticed a future in it. Working in secret, he developed the SPC700 sound chip that’d ultimately discover its approach into the SNES.

The undertaking led to Nintendo and Sony working collectively on a CD-ROM add-on for the SNES in addition to a console known as the Play Station that accepted each SNES cartridges and CDs. Given Kutaragi’s involvement, it is not terribly stunning to be taught he stored a prototype hidden away all this time.

Kutaragi went on to supervise the unique PlayStation in addition to the PS2 and PS3, and is thought in lots of circles because the Father of the PlayStation. He left Sony in 2007.

Domanski shared photographs of the prototype on X, which seems to fluctuate barely from the unit that cropped up in 2015. Kutaragi’s system, for instance, has three audio jacks on the entrance whereas the 2015 unit solely featured a single headphone jack. We might love for Kutaragi to elaborate extra on the undertaking and his prototype, though that appears unlikely contemplating that is the primary now we have even heard of its existence.

Picture credit score: Julian Domanski