Comparison reveals: PS2 is the fastest, PS3 the slowest among PlayStation generations

A new video released by the Pure PlayStation profile on X (formerly Twitter) brought together the boot screens of all PlayStation console generations, comparing not only the visuals, but also the loading times to the main menu. The survey shows an interesting aesthetic and technical evolution over the last 30 years of Sony Interactive Entertainment.

According to the analysis, the PlayStation 2 remains the fastest of all, taking only 11 seconds to start. It ties with the PS1, which also needs 11 seconds. Next up are the PlayStation 4 Pro and the PlayStation 5, with 20 seconds each. The base PS4 and the PS3 are the slowest, with 22 and 25 seconds, respectively.

“While those of the PS1 and PS2 are remembered fondly for nostalgia, the more recent consoles show how much Sony has invested in design and performance over the generations,” the channel noted.

In addition to the comparison, Sony recently released custom wallpapers inspired by classic boot screens, as part of a movement to celebrate the brand's history. The material is especially aimed at PlayStation 5 users, but is also available for download on other platforms.

The boot screen has always been a distinctive signature of each PlayStation console, serving as the first emotional connection with the system. The time difference reflects advances in hardware architecture, but also changes in the operating system, which now has to deal with more functions right at startup.

For long-time fans, this journey through the generations reignites emotional memories with the unique sounds and visuals of each era of Sony in gaming.