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Sony’s PlayStation Classic aims to celebrate its first gaming console. The release of the original PlayStation shook status and gave Nintendo and Sega fierce competition in the 1990s console wars. PlayStation introduced CD loading, released 3D graphics on consoles and introduced the world to the best Japanese games.
If you are new to retro gaming, check out our guide to the best retro gaming consoles available now. If you want to get into game design, we have a feature for the best tips for starting a career in the art of gaming and tips on how to become a conceptual art.
This PlayStation Classic review looks at the replica of the model and how it reveals Sony’s design thinking, and I’m looking at its emulation, which leaves something to be desired. But can this blow of nostalgia overcome any shortcomings? Maybe read on to find out if the PlayStation Classic is worth the price.
- Sony PlayStation Classic on Amazon for £ 76.99
PlayStation Classic overview: in the box
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The unpacking of the PlayStation Classic is wonderful. Sony is taking care to make the PlayStation replica experience out of the box a moment to remember; the loaded main package reveals a clean white inner box, and inside the PlayStation Classic is framed by a thick white card holder. Wonderful.
Below are two replicas of a USB PlayStation Controller, an HDMI cable and a USB-C cable. Like many other miniature consoles for retro games, the PlayStation Classic comes without a USB-C power adapter, which is a bit annoying (but so far we all have these things that are spare, right?).
Setting up for play is easy and quick and as simple as plugging in the wires and pressing the big power button. The classic PlayStation logo appears on a white screen just as I remember it back in 1998, when I received my first PlayStation. You are ready to play.
PlayStation Classic Review: Design
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The PlayStation Classic is suitably tiny and compact, as you’d expect from a retro replica of the console. It measures 5.8 x 1.3 x 4.1 inches, which is approximately 50% smaller than the original PlayStation. Its size demonstrates the unique design of the original console, which placed the CD centrally and built around it, making the uniqueness of having a CD-based game console its defining feature.
The large power button is in the same place and is used for the same function. The size and location of the button are affected by a disk change button. On the original PlayStation, this opened the lid of the disk drive, here it changes the virtual disks, so there is a pleasant continuation of the thought. Similarly, the old reset button is used to exit the game and return to the main menu.
The stars are the small PlayStation controllers. In an old 1997 interview with Next Generation magazine, PlayStation designer Ken Kutaragi said, “We probably spent as much time developing the Joypad as we did for the body of the machine.” You can see that the controller is flexible and intuitive, whether you lie down, lie down or hold it in strange ways. Of course, we switched to DualSense, but the DNA of modern gamepad design is here if it’s smaller.
We continue to love the design influence of Sony’s PlayStation Controller and you can find offers for new PS5 controllers in our purchase guide.
PlayStation Classic Review: The Experience
PlayStation Classic is a perfect reproduction of the original PlayStation, fans will love this (Image credit: future)
Although the replica itself is beautiful and has taken care of how to interpret the design of the original console in a new mini, once you press Power and start playing, things slow down a bit.
The game selection screen is bare bones. There are no options or menus to immerse yourself in and learn more about the games. There are no graphical options such as emulating CRT displays or sharpening pixels or smooth polygons. This is strange, because even with the built-in emulator on the PlayStation 2 you can perform some of these tasks.
List of PlayStation Classic games
Battle Arena Toshinden Cool Boarders 2 Destruction Derby Final Fantasy VII Grand Theft Auto Intelligent Qube Jumping Flash! Metal Gear Solid Mr. Driller Oddworld: Oddysee by Abe Rayman Resident Evil Director Discovery: Persona Ridge Racer Type 4 Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo Siphon Filter Tekken 3 Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Twisted Metal Wild Arms
Moreover, the PlayStation Classic feels a bit reckless with its approach to emulation. It mixes NTSC and PAL games together, ensuring that famers differ (NTSC games typically run at 60 hz, while UK PAL games run below 50 hz). This makes some games look blurry and even slower than the original PlayStation – Tekken 3, for example, is clearly blurred in its responses.
Also, the list of games is interesting. Sony managed to pre-install 20 games, which made the PlayStation a success, managing to include some big players along with curious things and games even neglected at the time. The highlights remain these games, simple enough to last, or with the kind of game design that still applies today – Mr Driller, Final Fantasy VII and Ridge Racer Type 4 remain for play.
There are some interesting additions, such as few people would play Intelligent Qube (but they should), games like Wild Arms’ 2D Zelda remain the same, and Resident Evil Director’s Cut is still fantastic. I would warn you that I am too excited about the inclusion of Metal Gear Solid, because without DualShock and packaging you miss some of the meta-entertainment of Psycho Mantis.
In addition, some classics that helped define the PlayStation are noticeably missing, such as Crash Bandicoot, WipEout and Tomb Raider – how can Sony launch the PlayStation Classic without Lara Croft? (Admittedly, she first appeared in Sega Saturn.)
PlayStation Classic Review: Price
USB mini PlayStation Controller is a reason to buy, as both included in the kit can be used in other games (Image credit: future)
The PlayStation Classic retails for $ 99.99 / £ 89.99, but unlike some mini retro consoles, this one hasn’t gone up in price, which means you can get one at a lower price than the starting price. You can find deals on Amazon and other sites for about $ 10 / £ 10 less. Look around and you’ll probably find a PlayStation Classic for only $ 60 / £ 50.
This is largely due to the emulation and retro gaming communities, which neglect the machine, and the limited list of games. However, if you have a fleeting interest in the history of the PlayStation or just want to relive some classic games in an easy way to plug and play, this is a good buy at these prices. Remember that you also get two PlayStation USB controllers that can be used elsewhere, such as a computer or PS4, outside the box.
PlayStation Classic Review: Should I Buy?
PlayStation Classic has its drawbacks, but there are some gaming gems that you can rediscover if you lower your standards (Image credit: future)
If you’re a die-hard emulation fan or a serious retro gamer, then you’ll be unhappy with some of the decisions Sony has made with the PlayStation Classic. Emulation can be better and lacks the level of detail embedded in additional features and options.
That said, the replica itself is excellent and cleverly uses the original PlayStation design to turn old features into new function buttons. The PlayStation controllers are excellent and remind us of how much Sony’s design has influenced gaming.
The list of games is also good if missing. Some are more playable today than others – I would absolutely recommend anyone to try Ridge Racer Type 4 – while others are more interesting than fun (Rayman, just not). If you grew up on PlayStation, there’s really no excuse not to find love for PlayStation Classic.
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