PlayStation Underground is a now-defunct American video game magazine, originally published by Sony Computer Entertainment America. The magazine focused on PlayStation fanbase, including gaming on the original Sony PlayStation and the PlayStation 2. Unlike its paper-based counterpart the Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine, PlayStation Underground came in the form of CD-ROMS which could be played on the PlayStation and PlayStation 2 consoles. The magazine released its first issue on March 26, 1997 and ended with its final issue in 2001. The Magazine released a total of seventeen issues during its active years. The magazine was eventually merged with Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine in 2001 when it was discontinued.
Each issue consists of two CD-ROMS that can be played on a PlayStation or a PlayStation 2 console, or an emulator.
The Vault - A collection of playable game demos of upcoming Sony Computer Entertainment America game titles.
Code Book - Hints, cheat codes and strategy guides for video games.
Imports - Preview of games from around the world such as Europe and Japan which have yet to be released in the United States.
Download Station - Additional game content such as extra secret levels or hidden characters which are saved into the memory card for use with certain games similar to the seventh generation of consoles' DLC.
Tech Q&A - A section which asks and answers questions behind product development and the PlayStation's technological capabilities.
Debriefing - Video interviews with major video game designers who work with the PlayStation console.
Behind the Scenes - A look at the "making of" video games, commercial spots, etc.
Event Center - A highlight of current happenings in the PlayStation brand, promotions and marketing events.
Bulletins - Exclusive special notices and opportunities for PlayStation Underground club members.
Transmission - A feature showcasing upcoming features and contests.
Alphas - Exclusive previews and premieres of upcoming games.
Hidden Content - Each issue had various Easter Eggs hidden throughout the sections including cheat codes, game movies, game demos, etc.
The second disc contains mostly demos of upcoming games as well as game trailers. An example would be in the second issue of PlayStation Underground the second disc was a Square themed disc containing demos to Final Fantasy VII and Bushido Blade as well as exclusive upcoming trailers of new Square games.
PlayStation Underground featured video interviews with many high profile game designers as well as other notable figures in the entertainment industry internationally during their Debriefing, Tech Q&A and Behind The Scenes segments, these include:
Dave Jaffe (Incognito Entertainment) - Twisted Metal 2, Twisted Metal: Black
Hironobu Sakaguchi (Square) - Final Fantasy VII
Nobuo Uematsu (Square) - Final Fantasy VII
Yoshinori Kitase (Square) - Final Fantasy VII
Todd McFarlane (Acclaim Entertainment) - Spawn
Kazuo Hirai (Sony Computer Entertainment) - Sony Computer Entertainment
Masaya Matsuura (NanaOn-Sha) - PaRappa the Rapper
Stewart Copeland (The Police) - Spyro the Dragon
Ken Kutaragi (Sony Computer Entertainment) - "Next Generation PlayStation"
Phil Harrison (Sony Computer Entertainment) - "Next Generation PlayStation"
Tomonobu Itagaki (Team Ninja) - "Next Generation PlayStation"
Kazunori Yamauchi (Polyphony Digital) - Gran Turismo 2
Shuhei Yoshida (Japan Studio) - Ape Escape
Tony Hawk (Neversoft) - Tony Hawk's Pro Skater
Jason Rubin (Naughty Dog) - Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back, Crash Bandicoot: Warped, Crash Team Racing
Ted Price (Insomniac Games) - Spyro the Dragon, Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage!
Tokuro Fujiwara (Whoopee Camp) - Tomba! 2: The Evil Swine Return
Hideo Kojima (Kojima Productions) - Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
The staff of PlayStation Underground included:
Narrator - Gary Barth
Narrator - Chris Colon
Senior Executive Producer – Andrew House
Senior Producer - Perry Rodgers
Executive Producer - Peter Dille
Producer – Gary Barth
Marketing Director – Colin MacLean
Marketing Manage - Michelle Vercelli
Audio - Buzz Burrowes
Music Composition, Sound Effects - Nathan Brenholdt
Music Composition - Chuck Doud
Marketing Coordinator - Yvonne Smith
Marketing Coordinator, Product Manager - Kim Yuen
Creative Director - Alan Drummer
Test Manager - Mark Pentek
Art Staff - Christian Lowe
Tip Team - Francesca Reyes
