PlayStation Classic
- December 3, 2018
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
The PlayStation Classic is a mini version of the original PlayStation, pre-loaded with games. The Japanese, Taiwanese, and Hong Kong versions have a different selection of games than the international version. This allows players to relive their nostalgia and experience classic games from the original PlayStation era.
Reviews
- The console has a great nostalgic design that closely resembles the original PS1, making it a charming addition for collectors.
- The included games, while limited, feature some classics like Final Fantasy VII and Metal Gear Solid, providing a fun trip down memory lane.
- The system is easy to mod, allowing users to add more games and customize their experience, which enhances its value significantly.
- The game selection is lackluster, with many notable classics missing and several games running at slower PAL frame rates.
- The absence of a power adapter and the short controller cables can be inconvenient for setup and gameplay.
- The emulation quality is inconsistent, with some games experiencing performance issues and a lack of display options compared to other mini consoles.
- graphics20 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The graphics of the PlayStation console are viewed as a nostalgic highlight, showcasing the revolutionary capabilities of the system at its release over two decades ago. However, many users note that the graphics have not aged well, appearing blurry and glitchy on modern displays, and express disappointment with the overall visual quality compared to contemporary standards. While some appreciate the retro charm, others feel that better emulation options exist, offering superior graphics and game selections.
“Jumping Flash - excellent game and excellent choice for the console as it was not only one of the games that proved the PS1's capabilities graphically, but it is also a classic in every respect.”
“There's no reason to expect a perfect product from a company that focuses on profit over content, and take into consideration that if you're one of those people who is concerned about graphic quality, the PlayStation itself (in 1995) was a revolutionary machine; you just can't compare it to today's standards.”
“I can't believe the graphics are this good for 30-year-old games too!”
“I did notice what seemed to be a fair amount of slowdown on some of the more graphics-heavy 3D games, such as Metal Gear Solid and Tekken 3.”
“The games look blurry a lot, the audio sounds glitchy just as the graphics look glitchy, and this is because Sony used an open-source emulator that you can download for free on the internet.”
“There are no CRT filters, which means that the graphics look horrible on a modern HD LCD.”
- gameplay10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay across the reviewed titles varies significantly, with some games like "Oddworld: Abe's Odyssey" and "Revelations: Persona" praised for their unique mechanics and engaging experiences, while others, such as "Battle Arena Toshinden," suffer from stiff controls and frame rate issues that hinder enjoyment. Overall, while some games deliver compelling gameplay and character selection, others leave players underwhelmed due to technical shortcomings.
“Epic story, great gameplay, great characters, satisfactory length and, not to mention, the system runs the game extremely well.”
“Oddworld: Abe's Odyssey - a decent side-scrolling platformer with unique gameplay mechanics, a compelling story, and a ton of dark humor, this game is a PS1 classic.”
“The gameplay is great in this game and it performs extremely well on the system.”
“I'm not sure whether it's the slower frame rate or the stiff gameplay mechanics, but this game really is too stiff and difficult to enjoy or even play.”
“I will say, I'm underwhelmed with the gameplay.”
“Also, the frame rate is garbage on some games and it affects the gameplay.”
- story7 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- -14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a mix of engaging and unique storylines across various games, with "Oddworld: Abe's Odyssey" praised for its dark humor and moral complexity, while "Wild Arms" is noted for its distinctive setting. However, some players find certain narratives too complex or frustrating to follow, indicating a varied reception to the storytelling depth in these titles. Overall, the stories are seen as compelling but can be polarizing depending on the player's preferences and understanding.
“Epic story, great gameplay, great characters, satisfactory length, and the system runs the game extremely well.”
“Oddworld: Abe's Odyssey - a decent side-scrolling platformer with unique gameplay mechanics, a compelling story, and a ton of dark humor; this game is a PS1 classic.”
“Wild Arms - a decent role-playing game with a unique storyline and setting.”
“The story lacks depth and fails to engage the player, making it hard to care about the characters or their motivations.”
“While the gameplay is enjoyable, the narrative is riddled with clichés and predictable plot twists that diminish the overall experience.”
“The story feels disjointed and poorly executed, leaving many plot points unresolved and the player feeling unsatisfied.”
- optimization7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The optimization of the console has received mixed reviews, with some users appreciating the nostalgic experience and performance, while others criticize the inclusion of outdated graphics and a limited game selection. Notably, issues such as games running in PAL 50Hz mode and inconsistent cutscene playback have been highlighted, suggesting that the overall performance feels rushed. However, some players found that with adjustments, the experience could be improved, making it somewhat worthwhile at its current price.
“The only gripe I have setting the PAL version of Tekken 3 to NTSC is the in-game cutscenes seem to now run faster than the sound, but outside of that, no actual performance issues I've found while playing.”
“This throwback system is certainly rushed and it shows, but at the current price and with a little time and patience to go into settings and tweak them for better performance, I'd say it's worth the current price.”
“Not sure of what performance issues there were, but I haven’t noticed any.”
“The performance of the games was a mixed bag for me.”
“In a nutshell, the performance of this console is horrible.”
“Performance: for some very strange reason they have many of these games set to play in PAL 50Hz mode.”
- music2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The music in classic games like Final Fantasy VII and Metal Gear Solid is highly regarded, with fans expressing a desire for more iconic tracks from Sony, Square, and Konami. However, licensing issues have limited the availability of these beloved soundtracks. The modding community is actively enhancing the experience by improving themes and music for these titles.
“Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid, Ridge Racer 4, Jumping Flash, Resident Evil, and Wild Arms were some of my favorites... granted I would have loved to have more Sony, Square, and Konami classics, but sadly licensing for these games and the red book music tracks cost more money than the hardware does.”
“The modding community is already working on making this piece of hardware and software run much better with themes and music, basically all the stuff Sony didn't do.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
"Oddworld: Abe's Odyssey" is praised for its dark humor, which complements its unique gameplay mechanics and compelling story, making it a standout classic on the PS1.
“Oddworld: Abe's Odyssey is a decent side-scrolling platformer with unique gameplay mechanics, a compelling story, and a ton of dark humor. This game is a PS1 classic.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy has been criticized as a blatant cash grab by Sony, with users noting the poor quality of the hardware and the absence of essential accessories like an AC adapter.
“This feels like an obvious cash grab from Sony; the hardware is cheaply made, and they didn't even bother to include an AC adapter.”
“The monetization strategy is frustratingly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
“I can't believe how many microtransactions are crammed into this game; it feels like they prioritize profit over player experience.”
