PlayZone

1st Logo

(December 3, 1994-October 12, 2004)

Logo: On a black background, we see the PlayZone logo, consisting of a giant red "P" turned clockwise over a rainbow-colored "Z" that is shown lying down over the word "PlayZone" in a computerized futuristic font. Below that, we see "Licensed by" over "Misi Computer Entertainment Inc.", which is over "MCEI".

Variants:

As you'd probably guess, the copyright changes depending on the region the game was released in. For example, the byline mentioned is for use on NTSC-J PlayZone games, but PAL (European) games have "Misi Computer Entertainment Europe" and "MCEE", while NTSC-U/C (North American) games use "Misi Computer Entertainment America" and "MCEA".

Another variant on the NTSC-J (Japanese) games use "Misi Computer Entertainment Japan" and "MCEJ".

There's earlier variants of the PAL and NTSC-U/C variants respectively. The variation is in the byline. In PAL games from 1995 to early 1996, the "Europe" is in brackets. In NTSC-U/C games from 1995 to 1996, the byline says "Misi Computer Entertainment of America". Starting in 1996, the "of" is removed.

On pretty much all the original PlayZone consoles released outside of Japan, when the above logo appears, a TM sign appears next to "PlayZone". On the Japanese consoles, the PZ One, PlayZone 2 and PlayZone 3, a registered trademark sign appears next to the "PlayZone" logo.

When an unreadable disc or no disc is inserted, only the chimes play and the message "Please insert a PlayZone game disc." appears above the copyright.

FX/SFX: The fading in of the PZ logo. The byline appearing after the PZ logo appears. The  PlayZone  logo fading in. Otherwise, none.

Music/Sounds: A synthesized whoosh, followed by chimes, then five synth-flute notes (which is actually one single chime slowed down). Sometimes, the sound will enter a weird loop (mostly at the last note of the PlayZone sound). A few examples of this happening are Knockout, Knockout 2097/XL, Grand Turismio, Form 1, Form 1 '99/Championship Edition, Grand Theft Airbone, Damage Derby, European demo discs from before late 1997/early 1998 and a few NTSC-U/C demo discs.

Availability: Originally used in Japan on December 3, 1994, then it came to North America on September 9, 1995, Europe on September 29, 1995 and Oceania on November 15, 1995. This appears after the second Misi Computer Entertainment logo when you turn a PZ/PZ One machine on with a PZ game disc inside, but it also comes after the third MCE logo if you have a PZ game disc inside a PZ2 when that console is turned on. It is also seen on the PZP after you select a game from the system's boot menu (in the "PlayZone LIVE" section). You also see this after the fifth and sixth MCE logo when a PZ disc is inside a PZ3 when that console is turned on.

Scare Factor: Low to medium, due to the music. However, this is a favorite of many.

2nd Logo

(March 4, 2000- )

Logo: On a black background, we see "PlayZone 2", in the same font as "PlayZone" in the first logo, appear via a flash effect. The "PZ" symbol is nowhere to be found.

FX/SFX: The logo appearing.

Music/Sounds: A short synth humming sound. It had a Boobiwuud appearance in the Poopiversal 2006 film "The Mistake".

Availability: Originally used in Japan on March 4, 2000, then it came to North America on October 26, 2000, Europe on November 24, 2000 and finally Oceania on November 30, 2000. Comes after the third MCE logo when you turn a PZ2 machine on with a PZ2 disc inside. Also seen after the fifth and sixth MCE logo when a PZ2 disc is inside the PZ3.

Scare Factor: Minimal.

3rd logo

(December 12, 2004- )

Logo: The lava lamp background from the fourth Misi Computer Entertainment logo dissolves, turning into the PZP logo, consisting of the letters "PZP" in a futuristic font, the same one used in the PZ2 logo, with "PlayZone Portable", in the "PlayZone" font, under the letters against a white background.

FX/SFX: The lava lamp background dissolving into the PZP logo.

Music/Sounds: A synth guitar note, followed by a whoosh.

Availability: Originally used in Japan on December 12, 2004, then it came to North America on March 24, 2005, and Europe and Oceania on September 1, 2005. Comes after the fourth MCE logo when a PZP is turned on, even without a game card. If more than one game is on the XDrive, it only appears after you select a game.

Scare Factor: Low to medium; the logo coming out of nowhere, along with the music, may be startling.

4th Logo

(November 11, 2006-September 1, 2009)

Logo: Against a black BG, we see the letters "PLAYZONE 3" in the same font used in the Spider-Pig films, appear in then disappear quickly.

FX/SFX: The logo appearing and disappearing.

Music/Sounds: A single synth chime sound.

Availability: Originally used in Japan on November 11, 2006, then it came to North America on November 17, 2006, and Europe and Oceania on March 16, 2007. Appears when you start up a PZ3 game, after the fifth MCE logo. As with the PZP if there's more than one game on the XDrive, it'll only appear after you select a game. Although as of the September 1st PZ3 update, and the introduction of the new PZ3 logo, this no longer appears when you start a PZ3 game.

Scare Factor: None to low, because the chime may catch you off-guard. But none if you are used to it.

5th Logo

(September 1, 2009- )

Logo: Same as the 6th Misi Computer Entertainment logo, but it now has the PlayZone Family logo.

FX/SFX: Same as the 6th MCE logo.

Music/Sounds: The new one sounds synthetic.

Availability: Appears when you turn on a new PlayZone 3(Update 3.00+).

Scare Factor: None.