The Playstation Classic is confusing, but not terrible

[Midnight_Mogwai]

Today I received my Playstation Classic console after much anticipation. I'm not the sort of person to buy into hate or hype around a product, I'd rather form my own thoughts. My initial impressions are very positive. The games all seem run well on the weird SoC/Emulation combo under the hood of the Playstation Classic. I have yet to experience technical issues of any sort, though the list of games on the US model will leave much to be desired for some consumers. The build quality is surprisingly good, and the games display well on my 4K Theater display.

Unless this thing jumps off my bed and steals my wallet before bursting into flames, I'll continue being happy with it. It's a buy for enthusiasts and collectors, but maybe wait for a discount for anyone on the fence.
I'm going to play this thing for a few weeks before giving a full review, because I want to test the disk swap function used in Final Fantasy 7.

[Evocati]

I was super excited once it was announced, but that fact that it had so few games I actually wanted to play was a bummer. I have more copies of FFVII than I know what to do with. I could go on an rpg rant, but the ONE I really wanted, and thought was a no brainer for the system, was Legend of Dragoon.

[Yoshi]

The big news I saw today was that you can hook up a USB keyboard and access a hidden options menu. That supposedly solves the problem of it defaulting to PAL versions of games, maybe among others. However, it doesn't solve the problems of game selection or the lack of Dual Shock support. It also doesn't solve the inherent issue that 3D games age like milk.

[Mike]

I pre-ordered this when it was announced although at £99.99, which is a big chunk of money, I expected more quality when the full list was announced. I already owned most of those games and the ones I didn't have weren't worth the money, so I cancelled my pre-order. I suspect there were less cancellations over here because PAL is what we're used to anyway. (Wait...are we getting FASTER NTSC versions of some games?? Am I mad to have cancelled?). I'm not a very technical guy but there was a very good video on Youtube with side by side comparison (the mini vs. original PS1) and it was shocking to see. I don't remember my good, trusty PAL copy of RR4 being that broken. It's a beloved game I last played not more than 3 months ago. So if it's not going to be anything resembling a good experience on that basis, I'm glad I didn't buy it.

[Tom]

i'd want them to reboot the first playstation and sell games digitally or on cartridges, that'd be dope, or make atleast ps5 able to run ps1 games and add them to the ps store

[Midnight_Mogwai]

It also doesn't solve the inherent issue that 3D games age like milk.

This is the most valid complaint against this product. Early 3D games are really rough to play.

[Chadaclysm]

i'd want them to reboot the first playstation and sell games digitally or on cartridges, that'd be dope, or make atleast ps5 able to run ps1 games and add them to the ps store

That'd be kinda sweet, release the mini console with so many games and then release games or game collections on cartridges. Could work.

[DeathGator]

I think the general sentiment regarding the PS Classic is one of overall disappointment. The NES, and especially SNES Classics set the bar pretty high.

[Spect3r]

I really dont understand why people buy these "classic releases".
Seriously, why do you buy it?

[Midnight_Mogwai]

Both the NES and SNES consoles are great products. In comparison, the Playstation Classic definitely feels weak, at least for the US version. Obviously, most people buy these consoles out of nostalgia. I bought mine out of morbid curiosity, and because I was convinced the Youtube meme-lords were going to crap on this device regardless of its quality. I was right about the Youtube reviews, most of those were loud screeching about the game list. The Playstation Classic costs about twice what it should, otherwise, no need for an uproar.

[Ryan]

It's pretty terrible though, lol.

I just hacked my PlayStation TV and Vita the other day and have every PSX EBOOT I want, play them in full-resolution at 16:9 (sometimes, most of the time I stick to the standard box) and in better quality than the Classic. I have filters, AA, etc, etc. The sound quality is original, graphics, original, framerate original -- all because it's built on software Sony built to playback PSX games natively, so it works 100% like the original PSX not that crap emulator they went with on the Classic.

Kinda sad that Sony dropped the ball so hard on that thing. I would much rather have a Classic than a PSTV. Today, I'm currently enjoying Tenchu 2 on my television with a DS4 controller. Thanks to the community, I have Soul Reaver and Medievil in backlog on my PSTV. Pretty awesome. :P

I would absolutely pay for the games to the developers to play on PS4, but I can't. The decisions these companies make surrounding their classics is astonishing.

[Chairman Meow]

The game list for this is pretty weak IMO. Not worth the money.

[Eldarion]

I played mine today for the first time and "not terrible" is probably the perfect way to describe it. The controller feels pretty good but lighter than I remember. Tekken 3 felt super sluggish. I can't believe they used the pal versions for 8 of the games. For me however I mainly wanted it for an easy way to play wild arms and final fantasy 7 again. I had higher hopes of games like suikoden 1 and 2, twisted metal 2, wipeout xl, street fighter alpha 3, colony wars, parappa the rappa, and on and on it goes. I was shocked by the final games list when I saw it.

[Midnight_Mogwai]

I agree. Sony passed up a lot of great games on the US version of this product. I'd say licensing played into this issue.

[isturbo1984]

No, its fucking terrible.

[Jokerthefoolio]

No tomb raider games and two PS controllers instead of one dualshock makes it a hard pass for me.