Was PlayStation Originally a Nintendo Console?

No. PlayStation was always a Sony project, though it began as a collaboration.

The Nintendo–Sony Partnership (1988–1991)

• Sony engineer Ken Kutaragi designed the SNES sound chip (SPC700).
• Sony & Nintendo agreed on a SNES CD-ROM add-on ("Play Station" / "Nintendo Play Station").
• Contract gave Sony too much control (CD royalties, licensing).
• Nintendo secretly partnered with Philips for CD-i (1991 CES announcement).
• Sony, humiliated, pivoted to own console — PlayStation (1994).

Key Differences

• Nintendo: Cartridge-based, family-focused, first-party driven.
• PlayStation: CD-based, 3rd-party friendly, mature marketing, developer-friendly libraries.

The "Nintendo Play Station" prototype (1 unit known) sold for $360,000 in 2020.