Now, in an alternate universe, you're playing with power
by JC Fletcher 
{ Dec 28th 2007 at 3:00PM }
You can see in this early prototype the beginning of what would become the PlayStation controller: the triangle-shaped start button and the eight gameplay buttons (two of the face buttons would become shoulder buttons in the final controller). This thing would be the prize of any game collection. We don't know how this eBay seller got his hands on this thing; we'd expect it to be locked up in Nintendo headquarters somewhere. It must have been an ordeal to obtain.
It is priced accordingly.
[Via GameSniped]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mgroves @ Dec 28th 2007 3:07PM
Wow, it's like the missing link between SNES controller and PSX controller.
Andrew M @ Dec 28th 2007 3:13PM
Somehow I doubt the authenticity of this...I mean first off it connects using a serial port...what nut would make a Console that uses serial ports like on a computer...FAKE!!!
Christmas NiGHTS @ Dec 28th 2007 3:21PM
It was an early dev kit
Anything's possible
MountainLionLink @ Dec 28th 2007 3:24PM
It's called a devi-kit, look back at older devi-kits for examples of computer connections so programing can be done easier.
I would say "duh" but meh, its not needed.
vidGuy @ Dec 28th 2007 3:43PM
Most dev kits controllers connect via serial or PS/2. I'll say it... duh!
SUPERPHILO.O @ Dec 30th 2007 12:04PM
Have you ever seen a Genesis controllers were the same shape as serial ports.... and Devkits controllers normally hook up to computers like everyone else has said... Oh and some consoles now (Xbox 360) have usb controllers..... Wii even uses bluetooth which is used on many computers. So it's pretty normal for controllers to have the same ports or technologies as computers.
Michael Langford @ Dec 30th 2007 12:57PM
DB9 (what you're calling a serial port) is a common connector for controllers for devices of all electronics of the period, not just video games.
Many of them actually are RS232 devices (i.e. a "real" serial port device).
Your incredulity is astounding, since one of the modern systems, Xbox 360, uses standard USB2.0, the common connector of today. Why would things have been different in the past?
--Michael
HellsHammer @ Dec 28th 2007 8:56PM
This is real. I've seen it a few time before.
There used to be a SNES fansite (I look and I couldn't find it recently) that had all the info about the fallout of Sony and Nintendo. The site even had developers pictures of the Nintendo CD system.
Seems Nintendo made a big mistake and ended up creating a competitor...oops.
DomoBraden @ Dec 28th 2007 9:40PM
You know, maybe this is narrow thinking, but I'm kind of glad the Sony/Nintendo console ever came to be. For all we know it could have potentially been a glorified CD-i, effectively deleting all gaming history post-PSX/N64. *shudders* It's an eerie thought...
DomoBraden @ Dec 28th 2007 9:41PM
*never -- never came to be...that's what I meant to type..
Christmas NiGHTS @ Dec 29th 2007 12:06PM
You're right, though, but it probably would've fallen out thus;
Nintendo 64 would be a CD console, no PlayStation, and one competitor to thrash the ill-prepared Saturn instead of 2
It would probably be a 2 console game right now
David W. @ Dec 28th 2007 11:44PM
haha before I read the title I thought to myself...looks like a playstation controller and a Genises controller smashed together...then I read the story and yea, made sense :P
Hannes The Hun @ Dec 29th 2007 10:41AM
well, there you go, an early PSX controller prototype, directly from the Sony showcase: http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20040429/scej09.jpg
... and so Big N created a monster.
Nushio (NDF - Blue) @ Dec 29th 2007 10:29PM
Wow, Nintendo copied Sony! Wiimotes have the + and - buttons too!
Logan M. @ Dec 30th 2007 3:58AM
I would so buy this, but the $8.95 shipping is just too much for me. :(
peter gusztav @ Dec 30th 2007 9:20AM
great article,I havnt heard about the snes for a long time. I even placed it on my blog, with extra comments, www.opentopix.com/topic/gadgets/the-coolest-sns-pad
Kaczmar @ Dec 30th 2007 10:47AM
I call bullsh*t. Conveniently the back label of the controller is covered by cord and the text is blurry.
This is a weird third party (maybe Asian) controller that looks similar. Nothing more...
Joe @ Dec 30th 2007 11:54AM
its not a sony snes cd controller, it is a playstation dev controller made after the break up of nintendo and sony.
SUPERPHILO.O @ Dec 30th 2007 12:13PM
I speak good
terronthesnake @ Jan 11th 2008 9:42PM
Every one who thinks this is fake, well i'm not even going to say it again(everyone else already has) But pay attention to what the smart people here are saying!!!!What do you think a Video Game System is.....hmmmm a glorified computer...dilweeds!