PlayStation: Everything you need to know!

PlayStation, also known as PS, is one of the best-selling series of gaming consoles created by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Besides consoles, Sony also introduced online services such as PlayStation Plus, and more. We'll tell you everything about PlayStation, their online services, PSN credit and PlayStation Store Cards

What do you want to know about PlayStation?

• Which consoles did PlayStation release?
• Which online services does PlayStation offer?
• What are PSN cards?
• Which payment methods can I use on PlayStation?
• I have another question

In order to buy products from the PlayStation Stores, you need to add your credit card as a payment method, or you could add credit (PSN credit) to your PlayStation wallet. PSN cards, also known as PlayStation Store Cards, are prepaid gift cards with PlayStation credit that you can buy online or at several physical stores. The benefit of buying Store Cards to top up your PSN credit is that you can use other payment methods besides a credit card.

What is PSN credit?

PSN credit is PlayStation's official online currency used to purchase anything from the PS Store. It's the same as Xbox credit used to buy anything from the Microsoft Store, or Nintendo eShop credit used in the Nintendo eShop. You can top-up your PlayStation money in several ways, which we'll explain to you further down this page.

Where can I buy PSN Cards?

You can buy PSN vouchers online at Startselect or at physical stores. Make sure that when you buy them online, you buy them from official retailers such as Startselect. This way, you're guaranteed to receive 100% valid codes.

What can I do with PlayStation Store Cards?

Once you've purchased a PlayStation Store Voucher, you'll receive a 12-digit code. You can redeem this code in the PSN store or via playstation.com. After redeeming, your new PSN credit will be instantly added to your account.

With this credit, you can buy anything the PlayStation Store has to offer, such as games, DLCs, in-game credits, and more. You can also use it to top-up PlayStation Plus! 

How can I redeem my PlayStation Store Card?

You can top-up your PlayStation account in different ways, one of them being redeeming a PlayStation card for credit. You can redeem your PSN card on your PS4, PS5 or via the PlayStation website in a few simple steps:

Redeem your code on PlayStation 5

1. Go to the PlayStation Store and open the menu.
2. Scroll to the right and select ‘Redeem Code’.
3. Carefully enter your 12-digit PSN code and select 'Redeem'.
4. Your new PlayStation credit will be added to your PlayStation wallet immediately!
   
   

1. Go to the PlayStation Store.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the sidebar and select ‘Redeem Codes’.
3. Enter the 12-digit code, select ‘Continue’, and confirm your choice.
4. Start using your new PlayStation credit right away!
   
   

1. Go to the PlayStation Store and select your profile at the top of the screen.
2. Choose ‘Redeem Codes’ from the dropdown menu.
3. Carefully enter the 12-digit code and select ‘Continue’.
4. Your new PlayStation credit will now be applied to your PlayStation account!
   
   

At PlayStation, you can use your credit card, PayPal or a gift card to pay for all the content from the PlayStation Store. Here at Startselect, you have more options. We'll tell you everything you need to know about paying at PlayStation. 

Buy PSN credit with Klarna

Want to enjoy your credit now but pay later? Then buying PSN credit with Klarna is the best option for you. When you meet all the criteria, you can pay up to 30 days later. This way, you can enjoy your PSN credit now without worrying about paying the bill straight away. 

Buy PSN credit with PayPal

PayPal is one of the most popular payment methods in the world. This safe payment method offers you to either add your debit card or your credit card to your PayPal account, so you can safely pay with it online. Good news, because at Startselect you can also buy PSN credit with PayPal! 

Top-up your PSN credit with mobile payment

It's not possible to buy PSN credit with your mobile phone bill, it is however possible to use mobile payments to buy a PSN card. We'll tell you everything we know! 

Sony has introduced several online services over the years, such as PlayStation Online, PlayStation Network, PlayStation Now, and PlayStation Plus.

PlayStation Online

PlayStation Online was the very first online service of PlayStation. It was the online gaming network for PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable. With PlayStation 2, you could play games online. PlayStation Online became PlayStation Network in 2006.

PlayStation Network

PlayStation Network was the online service for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita. Released in 2006, this online gaming service mainly focused on online multiplayer gaming and digital media.

PlayStation Store

PlayStation Store, also known as PS Store, is the virtual market of PlayStation. In this store, users of PS3, PS Portable, PS Vita, and PS4 can buy downloadable content, such as games and add-ons. In order to use this service, PS gamers need to create a PlayStation Network account. PS Store regularly refreshes its content and discounts, mainly on Tuesdays.

PlayStation Now

In 2014, Sony launched PS Now, short for PlayStation Now. This cloud gaming service offered paying users access to a selection of PlayStation 3 and 4 games. You could either 'rent' a single game, or you could take out a subscription which gave you unlimited access to its gaming library. PlayStation Now eventually merged with PlayStation Plus in 2022.

PlayStation Plus

First released in 2010, PlayStation Plus is a subscription which allowed PlayStation 4 and 5 gamers to play online. It also offered a new selection of free games to try out each month. In 2022, PlayStation Plus introduced three tiers: PlayStation Plus Essential, Extra, and Premium. Besides online gaming, the new PlayStation Plus subscription grants you access to a large library of games, exclusive discounts, cloud gaming - and more.

The first PlayStation was introduced on December 3rd 1994 in Japan - and the latest version, the PlayStation 5, was released on 12 November 2020. PlayStation also launched a few portable consoles, a smartphone - and much more. We'll tell you everything about PlayStation's consoles.

PlayStation

The original PlayStation, released on December 3rd of 1994, was the first ever PlayStation console. It was the first console to sell more than 100 million units. Back then, PlayStation was competing with the fifth generation of gaming consoles including the Nintendo 64 and the Sega Saturn. The original PlayStation received several upgrades throughout the years, like the PSone, a smaller version of the initial console, the Net Yaroze, a special black PlayStation which enabled you to program games and apps, and the PocketStation, which also functioned as a memory card. 

PlayStation 2

In 2000 PlayStation introduced PlayStation 2, which was part of the sixth generation of gaming consoles. It was released 15 months after the Dreamcast, but a year before the Xbox and the Nintendo Gamecube. With the release of the PS2, Sony reached another record by selling over 155 million PS2 consoles. The PlayStation 2 also had a smaller version and received other upgrades later on like PSX DVR, the Sony BRAVIA KDL22PX300 HDTV (a TV with a built-in PS2) and the Slimline model (the thinner and smaller version of PS2).

PlayStation 3

In 2006 Sony released the PlayStation 3, a seventh generation gaming console and rival of the Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii. Despite receiving tons of upgrades like wireless controllers, a Blu-ray disc player, a hard drive with up to 500 GB storage, and high definition resolution, this console did not break any sales records, selling about 80 million units by November 2013. The PS3 also got updated with a Slim model and even a Super Slim model, which was 20% smaller than the regular Slim model.

PlayStation 4

The PS4 was presented by Sony in 2013, being part of the eight generation of gaming consoles. Focusing on social gaming, Sony introduced a share button on the controller, which enabled users to capture and save videos and screenshots of their games, and then upload them on various online services. And with the PlayStation App, also new back then, PS4 users could use their smartphones as second screens. Sony even launched PlayStation Now, PlayStation's first cloud gaming service offering access to a library filled with PS games.

The PlayStation 4 was eventually updated with newer models such as the Slim model, also known as the PlayStation 4 Slim. In 2016 finally, you could buy PlayStation 4 Pro, which had better hardware for 4K rendering. 

PlayStation 5

In November 2020, Sony launched the latest PlayStation iteration, the PlayStation 5. The PS5 was completely sold out on day one of the release. The PS5 uses an SSD, which enables the console to load games faster than its predecessors. Other upgrades included 825 GB of storage and 4K gaming up to 60 fps thanks to a brand new AMD Zen 2 processor and an AMD RDNA 2 graphics solution. Lastly, the PS5 came with an updated DualSense controller.

If you have any questions about PlayStation cards, check out the frequently asked questions below. If your question is not there, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service. They are available for you 24/7!