In a move straight out of the Nintendo playbook Sony announced a miniature retro console of it’s own called the “Playstation Classic,” a console which, just like the NES and SNES Classic Edition consoles, will contain an emulated set of PlayStation game software along with reproduction controllers, in a package that’s a miniature version of the original PlayStation console design, but with a connection to modern HDTV’s.
The system will have 20 games built in. Only 5 of which have been shown thus far, but the list looks promising from the start: Jumping Flash, Tekken 3, Ridge Racer Type 4, Wild Arms, and Final Fantasy 7. Oh yes, a very good start.
The controllers for the console are modeled off of the original launch controller stylings, which means no analog sticks. That’s right, this is truly a “classic” design, matching that of how one would have gotten a PlayStation at launch in 1994/1995 (depending on the region.) The lack of analog on the controllers is also a sign that the games we will get will probably be titles that don’t support analog, and certainly none that require it (so no Ape Escape, for example) but that’s fine – that makes the experience more authentic, especially if the game library stays in the 1995-1998 range, which looks to be the case currently.
Really, it’s a Sony PlayStation in emulation. We all know what this is going to be like, at least in a broad sense, and I’m fine with it – these “Classic” consoles have a specialty market after all, and one that’s been shown to be fully willing and wanting to purchase these items.
The exact same complaints and arguments that people made against the NES and SNES Classic Edition consoles can, and are, being made here and as I’ve said before I’ll say now – if it’s not for you, don’t buy it. That simple.
The good thing though is that unlike the alternative every know-it-all on the internet suggests (just build a [hobbiest computer here] emulation machine) the Sony emulation scheme is pretty spot on – for example, it’s one of the very few, if only one, that runs Dance Dance Revolution series games correctly. That alone means the best experience possible without running original hardware is probably to be had with this device, and if / when it’s hacked to allow other games? Oh yes, that will sweeten the pot even more, but we’re getting ahead of ourselves…
That being said the price is a little bit on the high side ($99 US is the price listed for the console) but you do get two controllers, and it is going to be a bit more advanced hardware, given the requirements for properly emulation PlayStation software, not that those are extremely high requirements, but it’s still a computing device after all, plus licensing fees for 3rd party programs and the like.
I’ll put it this way – it’s still cheaper than buying a working PlayStation console, 2 Memory Cards, an additional controller, and the games already listed in a respectable used game store, and a package that will connect to an HDTV without any picture issues.
The one large complaint is the fact that the unit does not come with a power supply. The console is powered via a normal USB cable, requiring a supply with a 1 amp rating – not crazy power requirements.
That is a whole discussion I’ll get into in another article, but for now, I’ll simply say that this is neat, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the full game list will be for the console.
More to come, as always.
https://www.playstation.com/en-us/explore/playstation-classic/
As a fun side note, at the time of me writing this article, the above URL doesn’t want to load correctly most of the time – the formatting is messed up unless I reload a few times. Good job at web design there Sony.
Oh, and no, this isn’t the “PlayStation Mini.” That’s not its name, so just stop.