On what date was the original Sony PlayStation released in Japan?

The original Sony PlayStation was released in Japan on December 3, 1994.

Sony entered the dedicated home-console market after developing a CD-ROM project with Nintendo that ultimately ended. The PlayStation used compact discs instead of cartridges, helping publishers store more audio, video, and game data at a lower production cost.

The Japanese launch preceded the console’s arrival in North America on September 9, 1995, and Europe on September 29, 1995. Its early success was supported by games such as Ridge Racer and the later worldwide impact of titles including Final Fantasy VII and Gran Turismo.

A common mix-up is confusing the original PlayStation’s Japanese launch with its North American launch. December 3, 1994, is the date associated with the first retail release of the PlayStation hardware anywhere in the world.