The Lost PlayStation Console Add-On! - Gaming History Secrets

In this upload, we discuss the Sony PlayStation's parallel port, which was essentially an expansion port allowing other hardware to access the PS1 databus. What was the slot's true purpose, and how did third parties utilise it? We'll look at a gaming mystery that remains unsolved. If you're a PlayStation fan, then this video is a must-watch! #playstation #gaminghistory #ps1

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[lostNxbox]

I only ever used that port for the original GameShark. Which was a great upgrade to the idea of the game genie

[ggarzagarcia]

I have used the parallel port for my plug and play. Playing pirated copies, plain region locked games, and even the cheats were very awesome. The biggest issue was that as you open the disk tray to put in the pirated CD, you had to find a way to close the disc tray to enable the reader. If you close it by itself, it would not read the disk. So often times, we would have to use a toothpick to press the button in the back, so that the disk reader can start reading the pirated disk. I’m pretty sure a few of us in the chat have had to do that in order to play pirated games or pirated copies.

[dheaddy]

I had that exact model of the VCD player on my PS1. When my internal modchip started to fail it could be used to play backups too. Amazingly versatile device.

[forcedfeedbackclassicgamer]

A dial-up modem or RAM expansion cart are the two most likely candidates from an internal development perspective, especially given that Sega had both for the Saturn from almost the get-go. Odds are Sony sat tight and waited to see the market data from Sega's various efforts to make final judgement calls on the necessary overhead versus return on investment. It was probably the smart move to skip on the modem at the time, but a RAM cart would've been absolutely phenomenal to have.

[terrorbilly]

My first experience with a playstation was when you find your first zombie in the original Resident Evil. Pretty sure it scarred me for life lol 😆

[crunchyfrog]

I used to be a freelance writer for certain Official Sony magazines back in the day, and the Parallel Port was indeed used by devs for things like debugging. I personally never saw any of the devices used (being freelance I worked from home). There were the occasional pices of alpha and beta code that needed a dongle in the form of a memory card to run.
I wonder if the weird naming of the port as a parallel port had anything to do with the leftover days of earlier computing where it was mostly parallel processing.

[REIDGERICKSON]

Rad video. Your doing a good job finding fresh topics other you tubers don’t discuss.

[LowellLucasJr.]

From what I remembered, that port was intended for additional peripheral support. In short, add on's for future tech intended for the PSX. Saturn would similarly have this with the 4 Meg cart inserted in the back where its memory card would go. Sadly, nothing could push the PSX like that add on, yet the Action Play/ Game Sharks did help play import games. I abuse it to this day.

[xxsecondsxx]

@ 1:49 that port was the slot that the GAMESHARK originally went into

[MasaCheez]

Lady Decade, have you ever heard of the PlayStation Type-C? It was mentioned in, I believe, EGM during the development cycle of Tekken 3 as an updated PSX that had more RAM and a faster CPU. I wanted that thing to come out badly!

[boredstudent]

It's a shame I never had the original Sony PlayStation. Since I got into modding, it's something I would like to do. That console was definitely a "necessity for gracious living"

[blazingsoulhunter]

The parallel port should’ve been used for a ram expansion unit just like the Sega Saturn and the Nintendo 64.

[crazyrockman]

That’s where I plug in my gameshark in, hasn’t been unused since I got my gameshark 😂

[DaveVoyles]

I had a blast using my game shark on that port to do things in FF VII, like bring Aeris back to life

[thaddeusmcgrath]

I had a friend that told me about a mod device (Game Hunter) that plugged into the parallel I/O port and got one then. It was like the year 2001 and was real cheap that allowed to play back up discs, Game Shark codes and watch FMV and music files off a game disc including a burned game. I still have it today and still has codes I entered in 2001. Buddy had a CD burner then and made me burned games as long as I let him copy all my collection. A CD burner was EXPENSIVE so it was a blessing having a friend that was into computers. I loved renting games and not playing the original with only making a copy and returning. Racked up a lot of games, fun times!

[lonreed]

I used the parallel port for my GameShark. Never had to remove it and could be turned off with a switch. Still use it today!

[Hahahahe]

I used to plug in my GameShark in the parallel port

[patrickdelaurentiis]

I bought a gameshark in like '98 or '99. Good times.

[brichan]

I used the slot for GameShark and importing games.

[janfreidun]

the first progamme i watched with you talking about that "Saturn want all rubbish really... still i think I have figured out that PlayStation in truth seems to be an all time fave for you AM I RIGHT?
I have a gut feeling