The Unsung Origins of PlayStation: Shuhei Yoshida Reflects on a Legacy of Fun, Risk, and Innovation
Kyle Bosmans' interview with Shuhei Yoshida is a charming insight into the early days of PlayStation.
In a wide-ranging, heartwarming, and often hilarious conversation with Kyle Bosman, former PlayStation legend Shuhei Yoshida shared fascinating insights into his decades-long career, from the scrappy early days of the PlayStation to his current role mentoring indie developers. The interview brims with charming anecdotes and powerful reminders of how a love for games helped shape one of the world’s biggest gaming platforms.
From Strategy to Studio Builder
Yoshida began at Sony in 1986, originally in a corporate strategy role. He was vocal about his passion for video games, often chatting about JRPGs like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest during Super Nintendo’s heyday. That enthusiasm didn’t go unnoticed. When Sony started forming a video game division, Yoshida was one of the few non-engineers invited to join Ken Kutaragi’s groundbreaking PlayStation team. As Yoshida recalled, “They were brilliant engineers… but not many gamers. I was brought in because I was one.”
Legend of Dragoon and the PlayStation Studio Era
Yoshida’s first big assignment as a producer was localising Crash Bandicoot for the Japanese market. He quickly identified that it was too difficult for Japanese audiences. His solution? Suggest gameplay adjustments and add tutorial elements—a decision praised by developers like Mark Cerny.
His influence only grew when he spearheaded internal development at Japan Studio. One standout example: The Legend of Dragoon. Inspired by his love for RPGs and after hiring a battle designer from Super Mario RPG, Yoshida led the charge on building a 100-person team to create Sony’s answer to Final Fantasy. The project spanned three years and cost over $50 million—an audacious move for its time.
Crash Bandicoot’s Makeover and Japanese TV Jingles
Perhaps one of the more fun anecdotes was about Crash Bandicoot’s Japanese launch. Marketing changes included giving Crash brown eyes, thinning his eyebrows, and making him appear less “scary” to local audiences. Even a catchy jingle—“Crash Bandy C!”—was produced for a 15-second ad, eventually inspiring Crash’s dancing in future titles. Yoshida laughed, noting how Japanese marketing directly shaped elements of the global games.
The Fun of Game Development—From the Sidelines
Yoshida now works as an advisor for indie developers, focusing on games he personally believes in. He says he’s busier than ever—and loving it. His joy now comes from playtesting prototypes and helping developers refine ideas. “I just enjoy doing it,” he says. “Sometimes I get harsh feedback from the public, but it’s fun to learn different perspectives.”
Philosophy of Play
Throughout the interview, Yoshida repeatedly returned to one core belief: the best games are ones where “the controller melts into your hands.” He spoke with admiration about titles that felt seamless, natural, and joyful to play. His love for game feel—rather than flashy trailers or IP—still guides his thinking today.
Final Words and Future Fun
The interview closed on a humorous note, with Yoshida praising Bosman’s unconventional style and promising to check out his latest YouTube video—offering constructive feedback, of course, without hurting any feelings. And in a final gem of recommendation, Yoshida highlighted Expedition 33, a French-developed JRPG with a darkly intriguing premise, calling it “beautiful” and a must-watch.
From helping define the PlayStation era to supporting the next wave of indie hits, Yoshida’s legacy is built on passion, humility, and the enduring belief that making—and playing—games should always be fun.
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