Thirty years ago, a grey console arrived in Kiwi living rooms – and quietly changed how we play, connect, and even spend time together.
Today, 91 percent of New Zealand households include a gamer, and more than half of parents now play with their kids. What began as a bedroom hobby has become one of New Zealand’s most shared pastimes, spanning generations, lifestyles and even careers.
To mark the 30th anniversary of PlayStation, take a step back in time to moments and games that shaped the way Kiwis play – from sleepover SingStar sessions and Sunday-morning Jonah Lomu Rugby battles, to families now bonding over Astro Bot, Spider-Man, or Gran Turismo laps in the living room.
The Games That Defined a Generation
From the pixelated beginnings of the ‘90s to today’s breathtaking open worlds, these are the games that turned PlayStation into a storytelling powerhouse, and gave Kiwis some unforgettable moments along the way.
- Crash Bandicoot (1996)
The cheeky marsupial who started it all. For many Kiwis, this was their first taste of PlayStation – a wild, joyful ride that set the tone for what gaming could be. Platforming perfection, chaotic energy, and that unforgettable loading screen made Crash an instant icon of the era.
- Jonah Lomu Rugby (1997)
A Kiwi classic that immortalised a legend. Long before global sports franchises ruled the charts, Jonah Lomu Rugby gave New Zealand a hero on screen – and a national obsession in digital form. Every household had that one player who could sidestep an entire defence with Lomu on the wing. Nearly three decades later, it’s still spoken about with the reverence of a real test match.
- SingStar (2004)
Before karaoke nights were filmed on phones, there was SingStar. The soundtrack to teenage parties and family gatherings, it made pop stars out of anyone brave enough to grab the mic. From Britney to The Killers, and even a few Kiwi classics, SingStar proved gaming could bring everyone together.
- The Last of Us (2013)
A storytelling revolution. The Last of Us showed games could move people just like great films – blending cinematic narrative with gut-punch emotion. Its success paved the way for modern narrative blockbusters and an Emmy-winning TV adaptation, proving how stories brought to life through gaming resonate far beyond the screen.
- Ghost of Tsushima (2020)
A cinematic triumph that brought artistry and play together. With sweeping landscapes, poetic combat and painterly visuals, Ghost of Tsushima became the benchmark for modern design – proof that PlayStation still knows how to raise the bar after three decades, and tee’d up the start of a new franchise with the recent release of Ghost of Yōtei (2025).
- Astro Bot (2024)
Crowned Game of the Year 2024, Astro Bot celebrates 30 years of innovation with pure joy – blending nostalgia, clever design and next-gen technology into one heartfelt platformer that reminds players why they fell in love with gaming in the first place and brings to life a love of gaming among a new generation.
Read more here.
