PolyStation is a counterfeit video game console and Famiclone that closely resembles a Sony PlayStation, particularly the PS1 variant.[2] The cartridge slot of the PS1-clone systems is located under the lid which, on an original PlayStation, covers the disc drive.

PolyStation
Close-up image of PolyStation variant with a multicart
Also known asPolyStation II, PolyStation III, Super PolyStation, PolyStation 2, PolyStation 3; PS-Kid, Game Player, Extra TV Game, Play and Power, FunStation, PSMan, FunStation 3
TypeFamiclone
Release date1997[1]

History

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According to few sources, Polystation was released in 1997 in China.[1] Over the following decades it became popular in many places around the world like Latin America, Africa, Asia and Europe, where due to its low price, was still on top in 2000s.[3][4]

Each country has a different story of a PolyStation release. For example, in Brazil, the system was distributed from 2000 by Western businessman Ali Ahmad Zaioum, of Paraguayan-Lebanese origin. He also owns around 400 patents and trademarks supposedly created by him.[5] However, he was accused by the Paraguayan court of falsifying documents and information in order to obtain registration with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Paraguay.[1]In 2015, PolyStations proved to be popular in parts of Costa Rica.[6]

Variations of the PolyStation

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Mini PolyStation 3 with an attachable controller and a small LCD screen

PolyStation consoles are sold under many different names, including PS-Kid, Game Player, Play and Power, FunStation, Extra TV Game, and PSMan;[6] there are also a number of variations on the PolyStation name, such as PolyStation II, PolyStation III and Super PolyStation.[7][8]

Some of these consoles resemble the original PlayStation, others the PSone redesign, and others the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 (as FunStation 3)[4] and PlayStation 4. Recent model called Game Station 5 resemble PlayStation 5.[9] Some variations include built-in unlicensed games, and in many cases these games are modified copies of licensed games.[10]

Other versions of the console include the Mini PolyStation 2[11] and 3,[12] which are small versions of the PolyStation 2 and 3 and come with an attachable controller. They have a small LCD screen, and are playable handheld games.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Góis, Aléxis Cerqueira (27 March 2022). "PolyStation: conheça o videogame que decepcionou muita criança". Tecmundo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  2. ^ Kanellos, Michael (April 20, 2007). "PlayStation vs. PolyStation". CNET. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  3. ^ Faria, Rodrigo (10 May 2013). "UOL Jogos testa o Polystation, videogame que mais 'engana' os pais". UOL Jogos (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  4. ^ a b Saltalamacchia, Brandon (2023-01-08). "Polystation – Why & How Does This Fake Playstation Exist?". Retro Dodo.
  5. ^ "Sony denuncia 'mega inventor' da fronteira que criou o Poly Station". Dourados News (in Brazilian Portuguese). November 23, 2009. Retrieved 2024-09-29.
  6. ^ a b Rivera, J. Arnoldo (November 7, 2015). "La Polystation es la reina de las copias". La Nación (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 10 February 2022. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  7. ^ "Os famosos video games piratas". GameVicio (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2010-01-05. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  8. ^ Thiago (2008). "Você conhece o Polystation?". Blog dos Joguinhos. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  9. ^ Barco, Uriel (2021-12-07). "Lanzan Game Station 5, la versión pirata de PlayStation 5". unocero (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  10. ^ Justin Towell (2014-08-05). "DOALSHOCK? The most ludicrous game hardware knock-offs". gamesradar. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  11. ^ Dybwad, Barb (Apr 25, 2005). "Mini PolyStation 2 PS2 knock-off". Engadget. Archived from the original on 2022-02-10. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  12. ^ Patel, Nilay (Oct 29, 2007). "Inevitably, the PolyStation 3". Engadget. Archived from the original on 2022-02-10. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
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