Thanks For All The Memes, PS3!


Massive damage! Second jobs! Spider-Man font! Boy, I’ll tell you what, the PlayStation 3 has been entertaining at times — and that’s not even when the console’s switched on. The PS3 has produced some of the best (and most loved) memes of this generation.

With the PlayStation 3’s successor right around the corner, it’s time to look back at the PS3 memes that were.

Second Job

In 2005, Ken Kutaragi, the Father of the PlayStation, talked about consumers working more, just so they could afford his upcoming console. According to Kutaragi, said the PS3 is “for consumers who think to themselves ‘I will work more hours to buy one’. We want people to feel that they want it, irrespective of anything else.” Anyone get a second job to pay for theirs?


Boomerang Controller


When the PlayStation 3 was first shown at the 2005 E3 gaming expo, it had a boomerang-shaped controller. “President Kutaragi wanted something different for the controller,” PlayStation designer Teiyu Goto told Official PlayStation Magazine (via CVG). “Quite frankly, we had set aside the ergonomic aspect in favour of the image it conjured up. We wanted to present an avant-garde model for the show, running a risk of being criticised.”

And criticised — and mocked — it was. The design was ditched in favour of a rumble-free, DualShock 2-looking controller called the SixAxis. So what was it like using the boomerang? Goto compared it to a “car steering wheel”. Now, I’m kind of sad I never got to try it.


Spider-Man Font


For the PlayStation 3’s original lettering, Sony decided to use, rather re-use, the Spider-Man font from the movies. “Rather than creating a typography with all the risks that entails, it was wiser to use the one from Spider-Man, for which Sony has the rights,” PlayStation designer Teiyu Goto said in 2007 (via CVG). “It was also the wish of President Kutaragi, who insisted that I use this typography. In fact, the logo was one of the first elements he decided on and the logo may have been the motivating force behind the shape of PS3.”

When Sony released the PS3 Slim in 2009, it retired the PLAYSTATION 3 Spidey font because the lettering “didn’t work in terms of visibility”. Who needs visibility when there’s tingly spider sense?

[Spider-Man Font]


4D

At a briefing for the PlayStation 3, Sony’s Ken Kutaragi said the PS3 was “4D”. 4D! Like 3D, but with another dimension. Soon after, an eBay seller even whipped up some 4D glasses, which people actually bid on.


Riiidge Racer


‘Member that one? ‘Member? Sony’s 2006 E3 press conference was truly dreadful for the company, but wonderful for internet memes, like this.


Giant Enemy Crab & Massive Damage


Man, this was a real doozy of a one-two punch. While showing Genji: Days of the Blade at Sony’s 2006 E3 presser, producer Bill Ritch mentioned how the game was based on “famous battles which actually took place in ancient Japan.” Ritch then demoed a battle with a “giant enemy crab”, which had a weak point you could hit for “massive damage”. There actually were giant crabs in ancient Japan. No word on massive damage though.


599 US Dollars


When the Sony’s Kaz Hirai announced the PS3’s price at the 2006 E3 gaming expo, he said, “It requires a huge financial investment”, before adding the now infamous, “Five hundred and ninety-nine US dollars.”


The PS3 Grill


The original PlayStation 3 was a large, wonderful, made in Japan machine. But, yes, it was big. And, it kind of looked like a George Foreman grill — and thus, it was compared to one initially. Modders took that meme one step further by making an actual, working PS3 grill, complete with an official site.


PS Triple


Chad Warren ain’t tryin’ to play no games with a dil-do. Gears of War? More like Tears of War! Chad Warren be ballin in an IQ draining video from 2008. Six hundred ain’t shit to Chad Warren. Chad Warren wipes his arse with $US600. Shiiiiii…


PS3 Has No Games


The PS3 has lots of games — lots of great games. Many of the best games of this generation have been PS3 titles. Still, back in 2007-2008, some folks would get on forums or in comments sections and claim that the PS3 has no games. Oh, but it does! Loads!

The PS3 had a rough rollout. But those awkward early days are long in the past! The console is now seasoned and experienced, offering players a variety of truly standout titles.

To its credit, Sony has been pretty good about taking its memes in stride. For example, Sony Computer Entertainment exec Shuhei Yoshida even had an online giggle at the 599 US Dollars meme as recently as last December.

Later this week, Sony is expected to unveil its successor to the PlayStation 3. There might be new memes. There might not. Based on Kotaku‘s exclusive reporting, there should be something. Tune in to our coverage and find out.


Until then, hit us up in the comments for any other PlayStation 3 memes you know and love.


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