Sony Veteran Remembers 'Almost Finished' Video Game for the Canceled Nintendo PlayStation Console

Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida recently shed light on his experiences with the Nintendo PlayStation prototype, including his opportunity to play Sony's "almost finished" game designed for the canceled console. In an interview with MinnMax, the veteran PlayStation employee delved into his career at Sony, tracing back to his initial days collaborating with Ken Kutaragi, known as 'the father of PlayStation.' Yoshida joined Kutaragi's team in February 1993, during the development of the original PlayStation, which ultimately made it to retail. However, members of the team also had the chance to explore the Nintendo PlayStation.

"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," Yoshida revealed. "And also they had almost finished a game on it. And I got to play the game on the system, the day I joined."

Yoshida likened the game to a contemporary space shooter, possibly the Sega CD title Silpheed, which streamed assets from the CD. Although he couldn't recall the developer or the country of origin, he hinted at the possibility that the game might still exist in Sony's archives. "I wouldn't be surprised," Yoshida remarked. "You know, it was like a CD, so… yeah."

The Nintendo PlayStation remains a coveted rarity due to its unreleased status, symbolizing a fascinating "what-if" scenario in the histories of both companies. The prototype has garnered significant interest in auctions and among collectors.

The prospect of seeing a version of Sony's space-shooter designed for the Nintendo PlayStation is tantalizing. This isn't without precedent, as Nintendo released the long-canceled Star Fox 2 years after its cancellation. Perhaps there's a chance that this unique piece of video game history could one day be unveiled to the public.