任天堂與Sony曾經合作卻最終未能上市的主機，通常被稱為「Nintendo PlayStation」，這是一段在遊戲史上極具戲劇性、也深刻改變產業走向的往事。這台主機並非都市傳說，而是真實存在於1990年代初期的原型計畫，本來被視為超級任天堂（Super Famicom／SNES）世代的重大進化，最終卻因雙方理念與利益衝突而胎死腹中。

在1980年代末至1990年代初，遊戲產業正逐漸從卡帶時代邁向光碟時代CD-ROM具備容量大、成本低、適合儲存語音與動畫等優勢，對當時已稱霸家用主機市場的任天堂而言，這是一個無法忽視的技術趨勢。然而任天堂本身並不擅長光碟技術，因此選擇尋求外部合作，而在電子與影音領域擁有深厚實力的Sony，成為最理想的夥伴。Sony當時已為超級任天堂設計音效晶片，雙方在技術合作上其實已有基礎。

合作的構想，是由Sony開發CD-ROM讀取裝置，作為超級任天堂的外接設備，甚至發展成可同時支援SNES卡帶與CD遊戲的合體主機。這個計畫在當時被視為革命性產品，既能延續任天堂既有的卡帶生態，又能引入容量更大的光碟遊戲，對玩家與開發者都極具吸引力。這款計畫中的主機，後來便被稱為「Nintendo PlayStation」。

然而，合作的裂痕很快浮現，核心問題在於版權與控制權。依照最初的協議，Sony 對CD遊戲格式擁有相當程度的主導權，甚至可自行發行CD遊戲。這對一向嚴格掌控遊戲審查與權利金制度的任天堂而言，是極大的風險。任天堂高層擔心，一旦讓Sony掌握光碟格式，未來可能動搖其長年建立的商業模式與主機霸權。

於是，在1991年的CES展覽上出現戲劇性的一幕。前一年才公開宣布與Sony合作的任天堂，竟在隔天改口，直接宣布將與飛利浦（Philips）合作CD-ROM技術，等同於在國際舞台上公開「翻臉」。對Sony而言，這幾乎是一次羞辱性的背叛，因為他們已投入大量人力與資源，甚至完成原型機的試產。

在合作期間，雙方約生產200台左右的「Nintendo PlayStation」原型機。這些主機外型相當特殊，機身上同時印有Nintendo 與PlayStation字樣，可插入超級任天堂卡帶，也配備CD光碟機，是真正意義上的「跨世代產物」。但隨著合作破裂，這些原型機幾乎全部被銷毀，避免相關技術與設計外流。外界普遍認為約199台被銷毀，僅有一台奇蹟般流落民間而保存至今。

這唯一存世的原型機，最早由一名Sony前員工保留，之後輾轉落入美國收藏家 Terry Diebold手中。多年來，它被視為遊戲史上最神秘、也最具傳奇色彩的硬體之一。2020年，這台「Nintendo PlayStation」在拍賣會上以約36萬美元成交，折合新台幣超過一千萬元，成為名副其實的夢幻級收藏品。

更深遠的影響在於，這次合作破裂並未終結Sony的野心，反而成為關鍵轉捩點。受到任天堂「背棄」的刺激，Sony高層最終拍板決定獨立開發自家遊戲主機，並徹底掌握硬體、軟體與授權體系。數年後，初代PlayStation橫空出世，以光碟為核心、吸引大量第三方開發商，成功顛覆任天堂與Sega長期主導的市場結構，正式開啟PlayStation時代。

因此，「Nintendo PlayStation」不只是一台未上市的主機，更是一個關鍵歷史節點。它象徵著兩大科技巨頭從合作到決裂的過程，也直接催生現代主機戰局的格局。這台唯一存世的原型機，如今被視為遊戲史的活化石，提醒世人：一個決策的轉向，足以改寫整個產業的未來。

The unreleased console jointly developed by Nintendo and Sony refers to the “Nintendo PlayStation” prototype from the early 1990s, a project that stands as one of the most dramatic turning points in video game history and one that ultimately reshaped the entire industry. This machine was not an urban legend, but a real piece of hardware conceived during the Super Nintendo era, envisioned as a major technological leap forward. However, due to conflicts over control and business philosophy, it was never commercially released.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the video game industry was gradually transitioning from cartridges to optical media. CD-ROM technology offered much larger storage capacity, lower production costs, and better support for voice and animated content. For Nintendo, which dominated the home console market at the time, this technological shift could not be ignored. Yet Nintendo lacked in-house expertise in optical media, prompting it to seek an external partner. Sony, with its strong background in electronics and audio-visual technology and its existing role in designing the SNES sound chip, appeared to be the ideal collaborator.

The original plan was for Sony to develop a CD-ROM add-on for the Super Nintendo, or even a hybrid console capable of playing both SNES cartridges and CD-based games. At the time, this concept was considered revolutionary. It would have allowed Nintendo to maintain its established cartridge ecosystem while embracing the advantages of optical media, offering clear benefits to both players and developers. This ambitious device later became known as the “Nintendo PlayStation.”

However, cracks soon emerged in the partnership, largely centered on licensing and control. Under the initial agreement, Sony would have retained significant authority over the CD game format and could potentially publish CD-based games itself. For Nintendo, which had always tightly controlled game approvals and royalty structures, this posed a serious threat. Nintendo feared that allowing Sony such influence would undermine its long-standing business model and weaken its dominance over the platform.

The conflict culminated in a dramatic moment at the 1991 Consumer Electronics Show. Despite having publicly announced its collaboration with Sony the year before, Nintendo suddenly revealed that it would instead partner with Philips on CD-ROM technology. This abrupt reversal was effectively a public betrayal. Sony, having already invested heavily in development and prototype production, was deeply angered by the decision.

During the collaboration period, approximately 200 Nintendo PlayStation prototype units were produced. These machines featured a distinctive design, bearing both Nintendo and PlayStation branding. They included a cartridge slot for Super Nintendo games as well as a built-in CD drive, making them true hybrid systems. After the partnership collapsed, nearly all of these prototypes were destroyed to prevent the technology from leaking. It is widely believed that around 199 units were scrapped, with only one surviving by chance.

That single surviving prototype was originally kept by a former Sony employee and later came into the possession of American collector Terry Diebold. Over the years, it has become one of the most mysterious and legendary artifacts in gaming history. In 2020, the Nintendo PlayStation prototype was sold at auction for approximately US$360,000, equivalent to over NT$10 million, cementing its status as a dream-level collectible.

The broader historical significance of this episode goes far beyond the prototype itself. Rather than ending Sony’s ambitions, the collapse of the partnership became a decisive turning point. Feeling betrayed by Nintendo, Sony’s leadership ultimately chose to develop its own console independently, with full control over hardware, software, and licensing. A few years later, the original PlayStation was launched, built around CD technology and supported by a wide range of third-party developers. It went on to disrupt a market long dominated by Nintendo and Sega, ushering in the PlayStation era and redefining the console landscape.

As a result, the Nintendo PlayStation is more than just an unreleased console. It represents a critical moment where cooperation turned into rivalry, directly influencing the structure of the modern gaming industry. The lone surviving prototype now stands as a historical relic, a tangible reminder that a single strategic decision can alter the course of an entire industry.