Afgelopen week was de Sony PlayStation jarig en werd twintig jaar. Veel gamers zoals ik die er vanaf het beging bij waren, hebben veel warme gevoelens voor de vele titels die er op deze console zijn verschenen. Nu heeft de website UpRoxx.com een top tien lijst gemaakt met feitjes over deze spelcomputer en daar op staan dingen zoals:

Sony's Japanese brass hated Crash Bandicoot.

The drama over Sony of America's mascot choices didn't end with Polygon Man, as Ken Kutaragi and other Japanese higher-ups also hated the heck out of Crash Bandicoot. When Crash creators Naughty Dog first presented the game to Sony's Japanese executives, the reception was chilly to say the least. Sony almost rejected the game outright, but a last second redesign of the characters that made them look more friendly and anime-esque convinced Sony to at least publish the game.

Still, Ken Kutaragi hated the idea of Crash (or really any cartoony mascot-type character) representing the PlayStation, and Crash Bandicoot was treated as just another game in Japan. Sony's American branch on the other hand, thought the PlayStation needed a "Mario killer" and Crash was the best choice, so over Japan's protestations, Sony of America went all-in on the bandicoot, making him and his games a cornerstone of their advertising. Of course, Sony of America didn't actually push Crash as just another happy, cartoony mascot like Mario or Sonic. Their commercials, featuring a guy in a cheesy Crash mascot suit, were actually ironic takedowns of the whole video game mascot concept, so maybe Kutaragi needn't have been so cranky.