SNES PlayStation Prototype: Ken Kutaragi Confirms Rare Console Still Exists

The legendary 'SNES PlayStation' remains one of the most iconic and intriguing 'what ifs' in gaming history.

This rare console prototype was the result of a groundbreaking—yet ultimately ill-fated—collaboration between Nintendo and Sony in the early 1990s, a partnership that could have dramatically altered the trajectory of the game industry.

The SNES PlayStation, a hybrid device combining Nintendo’s Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) with a Sony-developed optical disc drive, became symbolic of both lost opportunity and innovation. First discovered in the wild in 2016, the SNES PlayStation prototype quickly became a prized collector’s item.

The prototype famously sold at auction in 2020 for a staggering $360,000, underlining its legendary status among retro gaming enthusiasts.

However, recent developments indicate the original unit is not unique: Ken Kutaragi, the former CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment and often referred to as the "Father of PlayStation," has confirmed he still possesses an SNES PlayStation prototype of his own. This revelation came to light through Tokyo-based videographer and photographer Julian Domanski.

After a recent meeting with Kutaragi, Domanski posted images on social media, revealing he had the rare chance to inspect what he called a "Nintendo PlayStation." Domanski reported, "The former CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment has one in his closet," providing photographic evidence to gaming fans worldwide.

During his visit, Domanski also had his PlayStation 1 console personally autographed by Kutaragi, underscoring the historical significance of the encounter. The enduring fascination with the SNES PlayStation is fueled by stories from industry insiders.

Former Sony executive Shawn Layden told Eurogamer that Nintendo’s last-minute decision to switch partners, ultimately favoring Philips for its disk drive add-on, left Sony and Kutaragi sidelined after years of development work.

As Layden described, Kutaragi was "proverbially left standing at the altar with his optical disc drive in hand" following Nintendo’s abrupt change in direction during the 1993 Computer Entertainment Show. Yet, remnants of this cross-company experiment persist within Sony.

On a recent episode of the MinnMax podcast, PlayStation’s Shuhei Yoshida fondly recalled playing an "almost finished" space shooter on the SNES PlayStation prototype during his early days at Sony.

While most of these experimental consoles disappeared into obscurity, Kutaragi’s prototype proves that hidden relics of gaming history still exist in executive closets and private collections. The SNES PlayStation remains a testament to what could have been—a collaboration that, while short-lived, paved the way for the eventual launch of the Sony PlayStation in 1994.

This console redefined the gaming landscape, while Nintendo continued to innovate with hardware including the Nintendo Switch and its vibrant ecosystem of games on the eShop.

As more details and prototypes come to light, the story of the SNES PlayStation continues to captivate historians, industry veterans, and fans alike. For more insights into rare Nintendo and Sony prototypes, the latest Nintendo Switch news, and retro gaming discoveries, stay tuned to our breaking coverage.

Nintendo PlayStation SNES Sony Xbox Series X|S Sony Computer Entertainment Ken Ken Kutaragi SNES PlayStation Rare