Height comparison NOTE: These are the PS5 actual heights of the consoles. 39cm NEX T-GEN Go big or go home! Mean and green The PS5 is the biggest GAMING console in modern history. A cool design feature of the Ironically, it was intended After seven years, the latest generation of video game consoles are Xbox Series X is the fake to be even bigger during nally here with the launch of Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and Sony’s perpetual glow on top of the its early design phases. console. Selective vent walls PlayStation 5 last month. The Straits Times takes a look at both are painted with varying depths machines and delves into the roots of Xbox and PlayStation. of green to create this illusion.

CONSOLE MILESTONES Sony Microsoft Xbox One 33.3cm

32.5cm PS3 1988 • Sony works with Nintendo to develop the Super Disc, a CD-ROM attachment for Nintendo’s upcoming gaming console. 1991 Xbox 360 30.9cm 30.2cm PS2 • Sony reveals the Super Famicom with its Super Disc attachment Xbox Series X called the Play Station. Nintendo abruptly announces 29cm PS3 Slim/Super Slim • its intention to end its partnership 30.1cm with Sony. 1992 27.5cm PS4 • Negotiations with Xbox Series S Nintendo of cially end. 26.5cm PS4 Slim • Sony starts developing its own console using a modi ed Super Disc. 1999 27.5cm • Microsoft starts working on 1994 a gaming console, originally • Sony’s PlayStation debuts in Japan. dubbed the DirectX Box and • PlayStation’s global release in 1995 built like a PC, as the company sees over seven million units sold fears Sony’s upcoming PS2 will within the rst year. replace the PC as the dominant console for gaming.

23cm PS2 Slimline 2000 2000 • A smaller, redesigned PlayStation called • Microsoft of cially reveals its the PSOne is released. console, the Xbox. • Its successor, the PlayStation 2 (PS2), is released, eventually becoming the best-selling home console with more than 155 million units sold in its 12-year run, a record yet to be broken. A thinner variation of the PS2 will be introduced in 2004. 2001 2005 • The Xbox launches in North • Making the company's rst entry into the America, selling more than one handheld market, Sony’s PlayStation Portable million units in three weeks. (PSP) is its answer to the Nintendo DS. It goes on to sell 13.7 million • The PSP will see multiple variations such as units globally the following year. the PSP-2000 and PSP Go in the following years. 2005 2006 • Microsoft’s successor • The PlayStation 3 (PS3) is console, known as the Xbox launched, succeeding the PS2. The 360, is released worldwide, PS3 will also see its slimmer with online features such as counterparts in 2009 and 2012. in-game chat and streaming.

2010 2010 • Sony launches the PlayStation • Microsoft introduces the Move motion controller for the PS3. Kinect motion-control sensor for the Xbox 360 which allows gamers to control the console 2011 with their voice and • Sony’s next handheld console movements. called the PS Vita is launched. • The Xbox 360 gets a new Easter egg and slimmer version called the Xbox 360 S. The four Playstation 2013 symbols — triangle, Xbox 10cm square, cross and circle •Sony’s next console, the — are used in the PlayStation 4 (PS4), sports social textured surface of the media integration and streaming, 2013 PS5 as an Easter egg, making it easier to share content • Microsoft’s next console, but this was quickly with others. the Xbox One, is slimmer, and noticed by fans. • In 2016, the PS4 gets a slim has upgraded storage and an version and a separate PS4 Pro optional improved Kinect version with improved hardware. sensor. An enhanced variation, called the Xbox One S, which 6.4cm PS1 2018 supports 4K gaming, is • Launched on the 24th anniversary introduced in 2016. of the PlayStation is the PlayStation • The Xbox 360 gets another Classic, a miniature version of the version called the Xbox 360 console with 20 pre-loaded games. Elite, which has hardware similar to the Xbox 360 S but looks like 2019 the Xbox One. 3.8cm PSOne • Sony discontinues its PS Vita line and moves away from handheld consoles. 2020 2020 • Microsoft’s next-generation consoles, the Xbox Series X and Sony’s next-generation console, • Series S, are released globally. the PS5, is released globally.

PS5 PS5 Xbox Xbox (Digital) (Standard) Series X Series S $599 $729 Price $699 $459 AMD Zen 2 eight-core CPU AMD Zen 2 eight-core AMD Zen 2 eight-core (3.5GHz) (3.8GHz) (3.6GHz) Haptic feedback AMD RDNA 2 (10.3 teraops) GPU AMD RDNA 2 (12.0 teraops) AMD RDNA 2 (4.0 teraops) Dual actuators allow players 16GB GDDR6 RAM 16GB GDDR6 10GB GDDR6 ‘Share’ button to feel physical feedback 825GB SSD Storage 1TB SSD 512GB SSD Dedicated button to from in-game action upload images or videos Optical disc No disc drive 4K UHD Blu-ray No disc drive to be shared with others Adaptive triggers drive 4K UHD Blu-ray Sensors in triggers allow 3.9kg 4.5kg Weight 4.4kg 1.93kg Hybrid directional pad players to experience Backwards The disc-shaped directional different levels of tension PS4 games (most) Xbox One games (all); Xbox 360 and rst-generation pad with eight angular compatibility Xbox games (selected) based on in-game action planes reduces input errors

BEST-SELLING GAME PER CONSOLE GENERATION (COPIES SOLD) PlayStation PS2 PS3 PS4 Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox One Gran Turismo Grand Theft Grand Theft Grand Theft Halo 2 Kinect Grand Theft (1997) Auto: San Auto V (2013) Auto V (2014) (2004) Adventures Auto V (2014) Andreas (2004) (2010) 10.85m 17.33m 21.3m 20m 8.46m 24m 8.72m

Sources: SONY, MICROSOFT, FAMITSU, GAMESPOT, PRIMA GAMES PHOTOS: SONY, MICROSOFT STRAITS TIMES GRAPHICS: BRYANDT LYN, BILLY KER