We Played the Nintendo Play Station Thanks to 1 Amazing Person

Over the years we've been able to do a number of cool things thanks to this channel. From traveling to conventions, developing friendships, and even getting our hands on some rare prototypes. In my lifetime, however, I don't think anything will ever top what I first got to see in 2018, and last saw in 2019, and that is the Nintendo Play Station prototype, and it is all thanks to an amazing man, Terry Diebold.

Terry had acquired the system when cleaning out rooms of a company that had gone bankrupt and put most of the items away in storage for many years. Eventually, his son Dan found it in a box of stuff in his dad's attic, however, it didn't work. It was found in a bunch of junk at the old company, so this is not unexpected. The duo then turned to the legendary Ben Heck, who was able to get the system working once again. At least, the cartridge slot.

Once it was working, Terry decided that it needed to be seen in public and played, regardless of the value or rarity. That's how I got to meet him and both see and play it for the first time. In 2018, I attended my first Portland Retro Gaming Expo, and it was so memorable for so many reasons. In a side room that also housed one of John Hancock's complete collections on display was a table against the wall and this guy just sitting by a CRT. I didn't know what was up so I walked over to check things out. And then I saw it. The NINTENDO PLAY STATION! I had heard of it, I had seen photos of it, but here it was, in-person, and PLAYABLE! I talked to Terry for a few minutes and he autographed one of the cards they provided with info on the system. This was way cool!

In 2019, we attended the MoGameCon, and Terry and the Play Station were there once again. I actually played it quite a bit here, and it was cool as Marseille had connected one of their mClassic's to a RetroTink, and the video quality was just beautiful. This was also memorable as our good friend, Zach Maynard (AKA Mr. Maynard) had won a raffle drawing that Terry drew the ticket on for Zach to win an mClassic. But he walked away from the booth and they had to redraw.

When I attended the Portland Retro Gaming Expo in Fall of 2019, word was out that Terry was going to sell the Play Station and this would be the final event it would be at before it was sold. I was glad to see and hang out with him again, and glad I got to play the system one last time. I've talked to Adam Koralik about this event a few times, as he was the last one to play the system before it was boxed and sent to the auction house. In my opinion, next to Ben Heck, there was no one better to be the last person to play it than Adam.

The Play Station sold in 2020 to Greg McLemore, the founder of Pets.com. Later in 2020 we received the tragic news that Terry had suddenly passed away. I was not very close with Terry, but had hung out and talked to him enough that this was upsetting news. However, I am so very thankful that I got to meet him and get to know him just a bit. I am thankful that he was able to make a dream of mine a reality on multiple occasions, and most of all, I'm just glad that he added to my happiness, joy, and memories.

Terry Diebold was the owner of a Nintendo Play Station. But he was also an amazing person who was generous of his time, knowledge, and friendship. There are many that he touched over the years thanks to the Nintendo Play Station, but most importantly, he touched just by being Terry Diebold.

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