The PlayStation brand may have started in 1994 but Sony never made efforts to make any sort of console variations exclusive to a region until the PS2. Specifically, variation consoles feature with art or logos connecting them to a game like the PS2 which featured Final Fantasy XII artwork.
The PlayStation brand after the 2000s has seen a lot of console variations tied to games but some of the coolest have remained in Japan. Most western Sony fans have sadly missed out but some have gone out of their way to add them to their collections.
10 Char PSP
This is a sleek-looking Gundam PSP. The front is red which is iconic to Char’s coloring in the anime. The back is black with the Zeon logo. This was also bundled with the game, Mobile Suit Gundam Gillen's Ambition Axis's Threat, along with a strap for the handheld. The game is one in a long series of strategy RPGs that have never left Japan.
9 Yakuza 3 PS3
Yakuza 3 was the first HD game in the series, leaving the PS2 behind. This console was made in celebration of that. The white console with the two twin dragons looks right at home in the series. It also came with the game when it launched. This series in general always seems to get cool console bundles but none of them cross stateside. This PS3 special console is particularily nice though.
8 Bayonetta PS3
This is a one-of-a-kind PS3. It was given away as a prize at the Tokyo Game Show in 2009. It’s not known if this console also came with the game but either way, it’s a sweet-looking tribute with that console art alone.
Two Bayonetta-themed Xbox 360 consoles were also commissioned for other occasions. One was for Japan and the other was for North America.
7 Ni No Kuni PS3 Slim
Ni no Kuni, as a game, does not scream gold. That said, the PS3 Slim does look nice with this color set. The best part is Mr. Drippy chilling in the corner there. This bundle also came with a game and had a wide release in Japan. The DS original game also had a pretty great bundle which came with a book, but there was no console.
6 Minecraft PS Vita Slim
This is one of the more bizarre bundles as Minecraft is seen as a Western game. Japan loves it too, so much that it got this white PS Vita bundle. The artwork on the back is great plus it comes with the game and a case. The PS Vita may not have been the best way to experience this game but that version was at least better than the 3DS one.
5 Persona 4 Dancing All Night PS Vita Slim
This bundle should come as no surprise as the Persona series is huge in Japan. The front white is a little plain but the splash of varying colors on the back is a festival for the eyes. That Teddy stamp in the middle is the cherry on top. Not only did this bundle come with the game, but it also got a DLC voucher and the soundtrack.
4 Danganronpa PS TV
The PS TV was an odd marketing choice for Sony. It seemed like a good idea but they just didn’t seem to know how to market it to make it successful outside of Japan. On that note, they got a lot of PS TV variations over there but this Danganronpa one is among the best.
The gold on white is always a nice color scheme plus the character sprites look great. It does say 1 and 2 on the front which probably means it came with the first two games but that is unconfirmed.
3 Bloodborne PS4
It seems as though this double set of Bloodborne consoles are the only ones in the series as none of the other Souls games got a themed console. The art on either version is nothing special as it’s just the name along with the Hunter from the PS4 cover, but that doesn’t mean fans of the game don’t want it. This is another case where it is unknown if the game came with it or not.
2 NieR: Automata PS4 Slim
One would expect the Bloodborne console to be creepy since the game itself is full of fearful demons. This NieR: Automata console puts that PS4 to shame though with Elim’s giant face on the cover. This is also basically Yoko Taro’s, the director, face/head whenever he is out in public which makes it extra creepy. This bundle does come with the game along with a custom theme for the PS4.
1 Persona 5 PS4 Pro
One Persona PlayStation console would not be enough. There are actually a handful of PS4 themed Persona 5 bundles but this one sticks out the most. The whitish silver of the console is nice enough but the wild art featuring all of the Phantom Thieves makes it better. It fits right at home with the crazy style within the game. The controller is also decked out. It is not known if the game comes with it though.