Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: PlayStation 2 design was based on the not-released Atari Falcon 030/040 Microbox casing

  1. #1
    Peach (Level 3) parallaxscroll's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    750
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    2
    Thanked in
    2 Posts
    PSN
    Parallax-Scroll

    Default PlayStation 2 design was based on the not-released Atari Falcon 030/040 Microbox casing

    Almost unbelievable, until you see the striking resemblance.



    (left) Atari Falcon 030/040 Microbox computer (not released) vs (right) original PlayStation 2.


    http://www.theunheardnerd.com/consol...playstation-2/

    CONSOLE HISTORY | PLAYSTATION 2

    Introducing a new series to The Unheard Nerd where we take a look at some of the rarities and odd stories from the world of games consoles.

    Upon launch Sony’s sequel to its hugely popular Playstation evolved significantly over its predecessor in design. Uniquely gamers had the option to place the unit flat or stand it proudly upright with a vivid blue triangular stand, paving the way for others to follow. One might imagine that a team of designers spent huge amounts of time honing the look of the Playstation 2 … Or did they just ‘jack it from Atari?

    It seems that Sony owes a significant debt of gratitude for the design of their console to, then competitors, Atari. In 1992 Atari Corporation produced their final home computer, the Falcon 030. Similar in style to previous models from the company, the product was criticised for it’s poor choice of internal components and compromised functionality. Shortly after in 1993 Atari underwent a significant re-structuring of the company and diverted their focus to the burgeoning console market and their own project, the Jaguar. As a result the Falcon was discontinued, but not before creating prototype Falcon 030/040 models based upon a Microbox case.

    The Microbox case took the machine in a different direction style-wise, borrowing in part from a traditional desktop casing but with a compartmental aesthetic which demonstrates clearly where the inspiration for the Playstation 2 came from when released some eight years later. Side by side the similarities are undeniable, and indeed Sony pay reference to the Atari’s Falcon 030 and 040 in their patent for the console.





  2. #2
    Ghostbuster
    Greg2600's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Soprano Land, NJ
    Posts
    3,967
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    9
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    62
    Thanked in
    57 Posts
    Xbox LIVE
    Greg2600

    Default

    Interesting, never knew about that.
    The Paunch Stevenson Show free Internet podcast - www.paunchstevenson.com - DP FEEDBACK

  3. #3
    Peach (Level 3) parallaxscroll's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    750
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    2
    Thanked in
    2 Posts
    PSN
    Parallax-Scroll

    Default

    Heh, neither did I, til this morning.

  4. #4
    Strawberry (Level 2) CRTGAMER's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Southern CA
    Posts
    402
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    That is interesting.

    Here is another PS2 design influence possibility. I saw a very similar upright console in an earlier PS1 game called The Spider, years before the PS2. An uncanny resemblance of the PS2 console in the game with a hint of blue just like the PS2 chosen color if its blue CD games.

    Last edited by CRTGAMER; 02-22-2015 at 12:01 AM.
    CRTGAMER Guides and Reviews
    Apple II+, APF MP1000, Atari 5200 7800, Vic20, TI994A, SX64, Educ64, 128D, Vectrex, N64, PS1, iMac CRT, Dreamcast, PS2, Gameboy Advance, Gamecube, GBA Player, PSP, Wii, PS3 Emotion chip, Samsung Impression, VHS, CED, Video 8, Pioneer Laser, DVD, Sony WEGA HDCRT

  5. #5
    ServBot (Level 11) slip81's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Apex City, Rhode Island
    Posts
    3,136
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    That's cool, but the Atari looks a little cooler. Sony should have kept the floppy drive.

  6. #6
    16-bits, yo Custom rank graphic
    BlastProcessing402's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Posts
    1,281
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    1
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    7
    Thanked in
    5 Posts

    Default

    Good call Sony on changing it so the top was wider than the bottom instead of vice versa. Much more aesthetically pleasing that way.

    Doesn't matter much in "tower mode" but screw tower mode, consoles should lay flat!

  7. #7
    Strawberry (Level 2) AdamAnt316's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    MA
    Posts
    584
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    1
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    20
    Thanked in
    16 Posts

    Default

    More info on the Falcon 030 MicroBox:

    http://www.old-computers.com/museum/...asp?st=1&c=270

    And some info on the more-conventional (for Atari) released version:

    http://www.old-computers.com/museum/...asp?st=1&c=125

    Pretty cool stuff. I find it rather ironic that the MicroBox was killed off to make way for the Jaguar, considering that Atari did the reverse with the 7800 back in the '80s (in favor of the ST).

  8. #8
    Lvl 99 Custom rank graphic
    Daria's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    5,214
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    3
    Thanked in
    3 Posts
    Xbox LIVE
    Nymphomatic

    Default

    They actually stole that ugly design from someone else? That really is unbelievable.

  9. #9
    Ghostbuster
    Greg2600's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Soprano Land, NJ
    Posts
    3,967
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    9
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    62
    Thanked in
    57 Posts
    Xbox LIVE
    Greg2600

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by AdamAnt316 View Post
    Pretty cool stuff. I find it rather ironic that the MicroBox was killed off to make way for the Jaguar, considering that Atari did the reverse with the 7800 back in the '80s (in favor of the ST).
    That was another blunder by Jack's son, Sam Tramiel. Rather than shift to become another PC clone manufacturer running MS Windows, which several companies did well for many years, they went to the Jaguar.
    The Paunch Stevenson Show free Internet podcast - www.paunchstevenson.com - DP FEEDBACK

  10. #10
    Red (Level 21) Jorpho's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    We're all mad here
    Posts
    13,554
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    2
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    1
    Thanked in
    1 Post

    Default

    I was going to say that it was just a case of convergent evolution, but the actual reference in the patent itself is pretty convincing evidence. Now it just makes me wonder why this doesn't happen more often. (Maybe it does and we don't particularly notice.)
    "There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge." --Bertrand Russel (attributed)

  11. #11
    Insert Coin (Level 0)
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Posts
    8
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Sure looks like a PS2 alright.

  12. #12
    16-bits, yo Custom rank graphic
    BlastProcessing402's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Posts
    1,281
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    1
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    7
    Thanked in
    5 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jorpho View Post
    I was going to say that it was just a case of convergent evolution, but the actual reference in the patent itself is pretty convincing evidence. Now it just makes me wonder why this doesn't happen more often. (Maybe it does and we don't particularly notice.)
    I recently saw a Gamester81 video where he was shilling some new upcoming "retro" system that's going to use the Jaguar case design, which was also used for some weird piece of dental equipment.

  13. #13
    Red (Level 21) Jorpho's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    We're all mad here
    Posts
    13,554
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    2
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    1
    Thanked in
    1 Post

    Default

    That raises the question: are they actually re-using the same molds, or did they make new ones?
    "There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge." --Bertrand Russel (attributed)

  14. #14
    16-bits, yo Custom rank graphic
    BlastProcessing402's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Posts
    1,281
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    1
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    7
    Thanked in
    5 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jorpho View Post
    That raises the question: are they actually re-using the same molds, or did they make new ones?
    You could probably ask here if you have facebook

    https://www.facebook.com/pages/RETRO...070951?fref=ts

    I totally forgot the controllers look like they're literally third party WiiU Pro alternatives, lol

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 8
    Last Post: 05-28-2012, 05:11 PM
  2. PlayStation Vita design rooted in the Sony Walkman [Joystiq]
    By DP ServBot in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 12-27-2011, 08:50 PM
  3. Atari Jaguar Development Interface for Falcon 030 Proto
    By jonjandran in forum Buying and Selling
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 11-09-2004, 11:43 AM
  4. Atari Falcon Computer
    By boatofcar in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 05-17-2003, 11:58 AM
  5. New Game Released, based on the Classic Pengo!
    By arcadenut in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 10-11-2002, 03:10 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •