Yoshida Recalls PlayStation's Scariest Moments

Shuhei Yoshida, former president of Sony Interactive Entertainment's Worldwide Studios, recently shared two particularly daunting moments from his extensive PlayStation career, both orchestrated by competitors Nintendo and Xbox.

Speaking with MinnMax, Yoshida described the Xbox 360's one-year head start on the PlayStation 3 as "very, very scary." This early release put PlayStation at a significant disadvantage, leaving those considering a wait for Sony's console potentially far behind in experiencing next-gen gaming.

However, Yoshida pinpointed the Nintendo 3DS exclusive announcement of Monster Hunter 4 as the "biggest shock" from a competitor. This came as a complete surprise, given the immense success of the Monster Hunter franchise on the PlayStation Portable, which even boasted two exclusive titles. The situation worsened when Nintendo simultaneously slashed the 3DS price by $100, undercutting the PlayStation Vita.

"After launch, both Nintendo 3DS and Vita were $250 but they dropped $100," Yoshida recalled. "I was like, 'Oh my god'. And [then they] announced the biggest game… The biggest game on PSP was Monster Hunter. And that game is going to come out on Nintendo 3DS exclusively. I was like, 'Oh no.' That was the biggest shock."

Yoshida's retirement in January, after over three decades with Sony, has allowed him to share these previously undisclosed insights. His tenure saw him become a prominent figurehead for PlayStation, earning widespread fan appreciation. Since leaving, he's also offered opinions on Sony's live service strategy and the lack of a Bloodborne remake or sequel.