The relationship between Nintendo and Sony is one of the most famous "origin stories" in tech history. It began as a secret partnership and ended in a public betrayal that created the biggest rivalry in gaming. 1. The Secret Partnership (1988–1991) In the late 1980s, Nintendo was the king of the industry, but they lacked expertise in digital audio and CD-ROM technology. Sony, specifically a visionary engineer named Ken Kutaragi , saw gaming as the future. The Sound Chip: Kutaragi secretly developed the S-SMP audio chip for the Super Nintendo (SNES). When Nintendo found out, they were furious he worked with a competitor, but the chip was so superior they kept it. The "Play Station" Project: Sony and Nintendo signed a deal in 1988 to create a CD-ROM add-on for the SNES and a hybrid console that played both SNES cartridges and Sony’s new "Super Discs." 2. The Great Betrayal (CES 1991) The partnership collapsed during the 1991 Consumer Electronics Show (C...