The iconic console that changed gaming gets its own LEGO tribute
Sony’s original PlayStation is the console that redefined gaming, blowing the competition out of the water when it launched in 1994 in Japan, then selling out in the US before landing in the UK in 1995 and outselling its nearest rival three to one.
Thanks to PlayStation, with its revolutionary combination of games on CD, 3D graphics and reasonable price-point, gaming went mainstream and was opened to a whole new adult audience. By the time the PlayStation was retired 11 years later, it had amassed a library of thousands of games – and sparked a legacy that means the brand still has almost half the global console market.
So it’s only right the iconic OG console gets its own LEGO versions – so fans can enjoy a bit of nostalgia and end up with a set that will look great on display. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it, and with a little help two of us speed-ran the build in two evenings – enjoying every second.
The 1,911-piece set is a joy to build, with some great engineering features including a functioning ‘open’ button that pops the CD lid. Working through the set you come across some great little pieces – including panels printed with the familiar labels and branding.
As well as putting the console together, you get two game dioramas that slide into the side of the console and sit neatly inside – fun to build and satisfying when completed. You can leave them hidden under the hood or pull them out to display alongside the finished item.
Left inside, when you pop the CD-ROM lid, they look enough like circuitry that you get a little moment of wonder when you pull them out to reveal the games – Ape Escape and Gran Turismo.
Overall, the set took two of us about five or six hours to build, taking a little time out to enjoy the details and features (loving the realistic ports and power inlet) as well as the moving parts. The console itself, pretty much the same size as the original, feels solid and weighty with the games inside. It looks and feels enough like the original to spark nostalgia – and we spent far too long playing with that ‘open’ button.
The handset is a LEGO marvel, with great design managing to pull off those curves and angles. In your hand, it feels like the original – good weight, iconic buttons and all. Unlike some sets with curves and circles (looking at you Jango Fett’s starship) the PlayStation isn’t difficult to put together, holds well and feels intact.
I really like the look and feel of the handset – and the overall look of the console. It has just enough ‘LEGO’ left in the finished design with visible studs and original pieces. It could be smoother, it could look even more like the original – but for my money I think it hits the target bang on.
Overall, it looks good, feels good and was a joy to build. It will display well – and like the original console that was also launched at the end of the year, this is sure to become a hit at Christmas. An ideal gift for any fans of gaming, LEGO, nostalgia, tech and a great gift if you’re looking to share an evening or two with a build-partner.
Not the cheapest set out there, but it feels like a decent price for what you’re getting with all the features and the hidden levels. If you’re looking for a well-engineered build that will give hours of fun and then years of something impressive to look at – this is it.
LEGO PlayStation (72306) will be available for LEGO Insiders Early Access from October 1, 2026, and for all from October 4, 2026, priced at £139.99 at LEGO.com/PlayStation.
