Nintendo PlayStation Prototype

Sony engineer Ken Kutaragi proposed a CD-ROM drive for Nintendo's Super NES, which grew into a Sony-branded console called the PlayStation. Nintendo withdrew from the partnership, and Sony went on to make its own PlayStation. This unit was left behind by the former Sony Computer Entertainment chief Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson at Advanta; Terry Diebold acquired it in a lot at Advanta's 2009 bankruptcy auction. It surfaced publicly in 2015, was examined by the hardware hacker Benjamin Heckendorn in 2016 and proved to work. Heritage Auctions sold it in 2020 for $360,000 to Greg McLemore, founder of Pets.com, who plans a museum of video game hardware.

1. 1990s

   Left at Advanta by Ólafur Jóhann ÓlafssonA

2. 2009

   Acquired by Terry Diebold in Advanta's bankruptcy auctionA

   As part of a larger lot.

3. July 2015

   Reported publicly as a surviving prototypeA

4. 2020

   Sold at Heritage Auctions to Greg McLemore for $360,000A

Designed by

Ken KutaragiAmedium confidence

Made by

SonyAmedium confidence

Associated with

NintendoAmedium confidence

Associated with · 2020

Heritage AuctionsAmedium confidence

1. A

   Wikipedia, 'Super NES CD-ROM'

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