Case Types

Physical packaging for PAL PlayStation games was never fully uniform across the console’s lifespan. While the full jewel case became the dominant format, publishers drew on a range of case types in the early years — some dictated by Sony, others by manufacturer availability and cost.

Early Years: Varied Formats

At launch in 1995, PAL publishers had few standardised options. A handful of very early titles appeared in cardboard cases, and some releases used the Carthuplas Brilliant Maxibox — a shorter, black-bordered case manufactured in Belgium. These early formats were phased out through 1997/1998 as the market matured and standardisation set in.

Standardisation in 1997

By 1997 Sony had standardised the full PAL jewel case as the required format for new releases. This version — measuring approximately 142mm × 125mm × 18mm — included an embossed PlayStation logo along the black plastic spine as well as the top and bottom sides of the case front. It additionally incorporated space for an authenticity hologram. From this point onward, all single- and dual-disc releases used this case, with the rare exception of multi-disc games with 3+ discs that required the multiway jewel case format.

Multi-Disc Games

Games requiring more than two discs used the multiway jewel case family — a deeper variant of the standard case with an internal tray system that could accommodate two, three, four, or five discs. These were common for large RPGs and sprawling adventure titles in the late 1990s.

Specialist Formats

Beyond the mainstream types, a small number of specialist formats exist in the database. Rental copies distributed through chains such as Blockbuster used a distinct black or blue plastic clamshell rental case. Australia received some titles in a slimmer standard CD jewel case variant that Japan and the US used. A black-bordered full jewel case — more prevalent in early Japan releases — appeared on a small number of PAL releases, and is considerably harder to find in the wild.

Collecting Considerations

Case type is a key factor in identifying and authenticating a PAL release. Because jewel cases are physically interchangeable, games are frequently found in the wrong case. Knowing which case type a specific variant was originally pressed with is essential for verifying completeness.

Total: 13 items