Sony's PlayStation game console sweeps consumer and trade media awards; New PlayStation video game system receives praise from nation's leading media outlets

Business Wire, Dec 26, 1995

FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 26, 1995--National newspapers, magazines and broadcast media are confirming what hundreds of thousands of consumers already know -- Sony's PlayStation game console is the hottest holiday gift this season.

Sweeping top awards in every genre from gaming magazines (the video game industry experts), software for the PlayStation game console excites everyone from the beginning player to the discriminating gamer in every category including action, fighting, shooter, sports and racing.

The PlayStation game console and several of its game titles have been selected as the very best in the video game category by national media including CBS This Morning, Chicago Tribune, Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM), Game Players Magazine, Popular Science, San Francisco Examiner Magazine, U.S. News & World Report, Video Games Magazine and Washington Post's Fast Forward Magazine.

"We are honored that the PlayStation and its games have received such high accolades from leading media outlets," said Martin Homlish, president, SCEA. "The overwhelming response from the press dramatically reinforces the consumer support for the best next-generation gaming system on the market."

In the sixth annual CBS Toy Test, Battle Arena Toshinden was awarded the number one spot as the favorite video game. With awards given to the top 15 games, PlayStation titles came away with six and clearly was the overwhelming winner. Other top choices for the PlayStation game console included Tekken (ranked second), WipeOut (ranked fifth), Namco's Ridge Racer and ESPN Extreme Games (both titles ranked seventh) and Destruction Derby (ranked thirteenth).

The Chicago Tribune's annual review of electronic games selected Battle Arena Toshinden as their number one favorite game in a top 10 list, with seventh place awarded to Namco's Ridge Racer and ninth place to Twisted Metal. Overall, the Chicago Tribune wrote, "the choices are plentiful. But one thing for certain is that, dollar for dollar, the PlayStation rules."

Other media singing the praises for PlayStation game console include Popular Science in their annual "Best of What's New" issue, celebrating the year's 100 greatest achievements in science and technology. The editors of the publication wrote that "Sony's PlayStation (price: $299) is the best video-game platform you can get for the home." And, U.S. News & World Report's 1996 technology guide included the high praise that "Sony's Battle Arena Toshinden knocks out Sega's Virtua Fighter on graphics and fighting moves." In the hardware battle, the publication also selected the PlayStation game console over Saturn.

Sony Computer Entertainment America, a division of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc., is based in Foster City, Calif. The company markets the PlayStation game console for distribution in North America, publishes software for the PlayStation game console for the North American market, and manages the U.S. third party licensing program. Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America.

Visit us on the Web at http://www.sony.com

Note to Editor: Considering the extensive number of awards PlayStation game console and its titles received, a complete list of awards from the gaming trade media and additional praise from consumer press is available upon request.

CONTACT: Sony Computer Entertainment America

Charlotte Taylor Skeel, 415/655-8000

Fleishman-Hillard

Samantha Sackin, 213/629-4974