PlayStation: The First 30 Years Book From Read-Only Memory
- Lee Murray
- Sep 29, 2025
- 2 min read
This one has got my attention. Read-Only Memory, the London publisher behind some of the nicest games books going, has teamed up with Sony to produce "PlayStation: The First 30 Years", a 400-page official history.
It measures 375 by 295mm, weighs around 5kg, and is printed on heavyweight matt art stock using CMYK plus a silver ink. This is proper.
What's in it
The content is a visual journey through never-before-seen prototypes, concept sketches and design models, from experimental early mock-ups that never shipped, right through the original PlayStation to the PS5. It gets better: the people who shaped the machines are involved. Ken Kutaragi, the father of PlayStation, original hardware and DualShock designer Teiyu Goto, and PS5 designer Yujin Morisawa all give their account of the decisions behind the kit. Photography is by Benedict Redgrove, with art direction by Michael C Place.
Two editions
Firstly there is the Standard edition at £95, with an embossed case, foil detailing and four ribbon bookmarks. Then there is the Deluxe edition at £245, and this is where it gets next level. The Deluxe edition adds exposed binding, a foil-stamped clamshell box lined with five-colour neon ink, and a large photographic print signed by Teiyu Goto and Benedict Redgrove. Another nice detail is that the Deluxe is limited to exactly 1,994 copies, a nod to the year the PS1 launched. It reportedly nearly sold out within hours, so if you want one, get it ordered quick.
You can only purchase the books through Read-Only Memory, and they are scheduled for shipping in November 2026. There is a nice design feature over at Creative Review if you want to see more.
Some might say there is a touch of irony in Sony pouring this much devotion into a printed celebration of its physical past at the same time it has announced it is stopping physical discs.
It does look a beautiful book. As a designer I probably appreciate this more than most. The Deluxe edition is pricey though, although not for this kind of book. We need to get Retro Delights more established and get sent stuff like this to review!
Discussion
No comments yet, be the first to say something!
Couldn’t load comments right now.