This is a PlayStation “debugging station”. These were released as DTL-H100x (blue) and DTL-H120x (green) in the United States, Japan, and Europe – my version is DTL-H001 (NTSC-U). Unlike Net Yaroze systems which were purchasable by public hobbyists, debug systems were used by development studios to quickly test games. As such, the console plays burned discs and is also region free.

How did I come upon this unit? It was sitting alongside 20 other PlayStation systems at my local thrift store. In contrast to the grey exteriors they all had I was immediately drawn to and curious about the blue version. After taking it home I learned it was a debug unit and was incredibly pleased since it had only cost $5. Unfortunately, the blue controller was nowhere to be found.

Who is VNM-Chicago? Presumably they owned all the systems that were unceremoniously dumped off at Goodwill. Maybe one day a Net Yaroze will pop up there too…