The Nintendo PlayStation console that never was

Attics. The ubiquitous storage space that either holds a couple of suitcases, some dead mice and a draft, or a priceless heirloom you'd forgotten the existence of.

For YouTuber Dizzle521 (real name Daniel Debald), it was a case of the latter. 

Apparently stored away in his father's home was this yellowing hunk of video game history: a Nintendo PlayStation Superdisc. 

While it might look like the product of a regrettable one-night stand between a SNES and PlayStation, this is actually a prototype dating back to the early nineties.

As Nintendo looked to work beyond the cartridge-based game system it had employed with its NES and SNES consoles, they began considering their options with various CD driver manufacturers. A contract was signed with Sony, with engineer Ken Kutaragi keen to develop a disc drive that would allow the SNES to play disc games, in addition to Sony creating its own console that would be compatible with Nintendo's game catalogue.

Nintendo was reticent to relinquish control of its software licencing to Sony, and decided to partner with rival hardware group Philips to create a CD drive (which never became a success). Sony, then keen on the idea of entering the video game market, continued to develop their own system, eventually releasing the PlayStation in 1994. 

This rare piece of console history is one of only 200 prototype consoles developed by Sony and Nintendo to demonstrate the potential fruits of their ill-fated union. Having published photos of the device on Reddit, Daniel has sent gaming collectors into a fit of raging envy over the find, with wild valuations north of $1,000 should the console prove to be genuine.

Maybe if we had a dig around in the very back of the attic, right where those nasty cobwebs are lingering next to what could be a dead pigeon, perhaps we'll find a SEGA Dreamcast Xbox lovechild?

[Via: Gamespot]