Sony Joins Retro Craze with the “PlayStation Classic”

By TJ GIBSON

Staff Writer

Coming exactly 24 years after its initial 1994 debut, the iconic original PlayStation console is set to make its unexpected return into gamers’ homes on December 3, 2018. Taking a page out of Nintendo’s book, Sony’s retro re-release is dubbed the “PlayStation Classic” and will be retailing in the U.S. at $99.99, with the package including the console itself, 20 pre-loaded games, two gray original DualShock controllers (the ones without the analog sticks), a USB cable for power, and an HDMI cable for easy setup with any modern high definition television. Also like its Nintendo counterparts, the PlayStation Classic looks entirely identical in design to the original upon which it is based, albeit much smaller (about 45% smaller, that is, according to Sony’s official announcement).

Of the 20 total games confirmed by Sony to be included in the console, five so far have been revealed (the rest are expected to be unveiled sometime between now and release). These titles are “Final Fantasy VII,” “Jumping Flash,” “R4: Ridge Racer Type 4,” “Tekken 3,” and “Wild Arms,” and their inclusion is notable since they were all, unsurprisingly, massive hit titles during their original runs. Also notable, though, is the fact that this list appears to be only what is confirmed so far for the U.S. release of the console, as Sony has since told IGN that the game roster will change depending on the varying popularity of certain games in different countries. This is an interesting departure from the playbook of Nintendo (who this release is unashamedly copying in pretty much every other way), and, although it might just be me, I definitely smell quite a bit of secondhand importing and collecting on the horizon as a result. Regardless, though, it’s definitely going to be interesting to see the differences.

That being said, what’s been announced so far does look great to me, as these were all games that I played into the ground in my early years (despite, of course, being only four months older than the console itself). But as a 24 year-old, nostalgia- drenched, long-time owner of the original PlayStation (and all of its sequels), I still have more than a few ideas on additional franchises whose classic PS1 titles I would love to see also make an appearance, including but not limited to: “Tony Hawk”, “Crash Bandicoot”, “Spyro the Dragon”, “Twisted Metal”, “Gran Turismo”, “Mortal Kombat”, Neversoft’s “Spider-Man”, “Resident Evil”, “Tomb Raider”, “Metal Gear Solid”, “Ape Escape” and “MediEvil”, to name but a few.

It’s quite a robust list, I know, and there’s probably no way that all of these make the cut (especially with mascots Crash and Spyro having very recent remasters for the current generation consoles). But even just one of these would be amazing, and I’d be pretty shocked if there doesn’t end up being at least a few. Though, if I’m being at all honest, it ultimately doesn’t really matter. In truth, the PlayStation Classic had me at hello, so I’m buying it no matter what. Thus, I suppose that I — and all the rest of us.