PolyStation

{{Short description|Name for Sony PlayStation unofficial clones}}

{{Infobox information appliance

| name = PolyStation

| aka = PolyStation II, PolyStation III, Super PolyStation, PolyStation 2, PolyStation 3; PS-Kid, Game Player, Extra TV Game, Play and Power, FunStation, PSMan, FunStation 3

| logo = File:PolyStation.png

| image = Polystation de PS Man.png

| caption = Close-up image of PolyStation variant with a multicart

| type = Famiclone

| release date = 1997

}}

PolyStation is a counterfeit video game console and Famiclone that closely resembles a Sony PlayStation, particularly the PS1 variant.{{cite web |last1=Kanellos |first1=Michael |date=April 20, 2007 |title=PlayStation vs. PolyStation |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/playstation-vs-polystation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075027/https://www.cnet.com/news/playstation-vs-polystation/ |archive-date=4 March 2016 |accessdate=22 January 2019 |website=CNET |language=en}} The cartridge slot of the PS1-clone systems is located under the lid which, on an original PlayStation, covers the disc drive.

History

According to few sources, Polystation was released in 1997 in China. Over the following decades it became popular in many places around the world like Latin America, Africa, Asia and Europe, where due to its low price, was still on top in 2000s.{{cite web |last1=Faria |first1=Rodrigo |title=UOL Jogos testa o Polystation, videogame que mais 'engana' os pais |url=https://www.uol.com.br/start/ultimas-noticias/2013/05/10/uol-jogos-testa-o-polystation-videogame-que-mais-engana-os-pais.htm |website=UOL Jogos |access-date=27 January 2023 |language=pt-br |date=10 May 2013}}{{cite web |last=Saltalamacchia |first=Brandon |date=2023-01-08 |title=Polystation – Why & How Does This Fake Playstation Exist? |url=https://retrododo.com/polystation/ |website=Retro Dodo}}

Each country has a different story of a PolyStation release. For example, in Brazil, the system was distributed from 2000 by Western businessman Ali Ahmad Zaioum, of Paraguayan-Lebanese origin. He also owns around 400 patents and trademarks supposedly created by him.{{Cite web |last= |date=November 23, 2009 |title=Sony denuncia 'mega inventor' da fronteira que criou o Poly Station |url=https://www.douradosnews.com.br/noticias/sony-denuncia-mega-inventor-da-fronteira-que-criou-o-poly-station-6ed8/374193/ |access-date=2024-09-29 |website=Dourados News |language=pt-br}} However, he was accused by the Paraguayan court of falsifying documents and information in order to obtain registration with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Paraguay.{{cite web |last=Góis |first=Aléxis Cerqueira |date=27 March 2022 |title=PolyStation: conheça o videogame que decepcionou muita criança |url=https://www.tecmundo.com.br/voxel/235962-polystation-conheca-videogame-decepcionou-crianca.htm |access-date=27 January 2023 |website=Tecmundo |language=pt-BR}} In 2015, PolyStations proved to be popular in parts of Costa Rica.

Variations of the PolyStation

File:Minipolystation3.jpg]]

PolyStation consoles are sold under many different names, including the PS-Kid, Game Player, Play and Power, FunStation, Extra TV Game, and PSMan;{{cite news |last=Rivera |first=J. Arnoldo |date=November 7, 2015 |title=La Polystation es la reina de las copias |url=https://www.nacion.com/viva/cultura/la-polystation-es-la-reina-de-las-copias/CP35HWNC2FEMFBYH64B7LKRDEY/story/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210131654/https://www.nacion.com/viva/cultura/la-polystation-es-la-reina-de-las-copias/CP35HWNC2FEMFBYH64B7LKRDEY/story/ |archive-date=10 February 2022 |access-date=10 February 2022 |work=La Nación |language=es}} there are also a number of variations on the PolyStation name, such as PolyStation II, PolyStation III and Super PolyStation.{{Cite web |last= |date=2010-01-05 |title=Os famosos video games piratas |url=https://www.gamevicio.com/noticias/2010/01/os-famosos-video-games-piratas/ |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=GameVicio |language=pt-br}}{{Cite web |last=Thiago |date=2008 |title=Você conhece o Polystation? |url=http://www.joguinhosantigos.com/2008/04/voc-conhece-o-polystation.html |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=Blog dos Joguinhos}}

Some of these consoles resemble the original PlayStation, others the PSone redesign, and others the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 (as FunStation 3) and PlayStation 4. More recent models, such as the Game Station 5, resemble the PlayStation 5.{{Cite web |last=Barco |first=Uriel |date=2021-12-07 |title=Lanzan Game Station 5, la versión pirata de PlayStation 5 |url=https://www.unocero.com/videojuegos/gaming/game-station-5/ |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=unocero |language=es}} Some variations include built-in unlicensed games, and in many cases these games are modified copies of licensed games.{{Cite web |author1=Justin Towell |date=2014-08-05 |title=DOALSHOCK? The most ludicrous game hardware knock-offs |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/doalshock-most-ludicrous-game-hardware-knock-offs/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=gamesradar |language=en}}

Other versions of the console include the Mini PolyStation 2 and 3,{{cite news |last=Dybwad |first=Barb |date=Apr 25, 2005 |title=Mini PolyStation 2 PS2 knock-off |url=https://www.engadget.com/2005-04-25-mini-polystation-2-ps2-knock-off.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210130604/https://www.engadget.com/2005-04-25-mini-polystation-2-ps2-knock-off.html |archive-date=2022-02-10 |access-date=10 February 2022 |work=Engadget}}{{cite news |last=Patel |first=Nilay |date=Oct 29, 2007 |title=Inevitably, the PolyStation 3 |url=https://www.engadget.com/2007-10-29-inevitably-the-polystation-3.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210130606/https://www.engadget.com/2007-10-29-inevitably-the-polystation-3.html |archive-date=2022-02-10 |access-date=10 February 2022 |work=Engadget}} which are small versions of the PolyStation 2 and 3 and come with an attachable controller. They have a small LCD screen, and are playable handheld games.

See also

References

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