I seriously did not think I would be writing another videogame-related article so soon, but this bit of news cannot possibly wait. Now, the gaming industry seems to be giving plenty of focus on inducing nostalgia for its fan base. Nintendo did it first with its Classic versions of its pioneering consoles the NES and SNES. Sega too is testing the water with its planned Genesis Mini being co-developed with AtGames. But those have been for the 8- to 16-bit game generations, presumably simple affairs. Apparently Sony is laughing at that notion and is introducing its own (32-bit) memory-lane machine.
Tech Crunch has it that Sony, who with Sega in 1994 made console videogames on disc media the norm rather than the add-on to cartridge-based systems, has announced that it is jumping on the retro bandwagon with the PlayStation Classic, its dedicated console throwback to the original PlayStation (PS1 or PSX). The old song and dance with its preceding devices from the other manufacturers also applies here – smaller size, preloaded games with save features, modern audiovisual connectors and everything else. This device however is, as already stated, of a beefier graphical quality, than the Nintendo and forthcoming Sega retro systems.
According to its teaser video, the PlayStation Classic, while retaining the shape and design of its original, will be 45% smaller in line with the downsizing for Nintendo’s NES and SNES Classic Editions. That is even smaller than the final PS1 design variant the “PS One” of 2000. The Classic package will include two replicas of the initial (no-analog/dual shock) PlayStation controllers, both using USB plugs. For the display connection there is only one option available – HDMI – while the power cord used is a USB Micro-A to USB cable. One known separate accessory purchase will be an AC socket adapter.
Once again in imitation of the Nintendo retro systems, Sony’s PlayStation Classic is completely self-contained software-wise. The disc eject button brings up the game selection menu, with each game having its own save area to forgo external memory cards. Sony promises 20 games in the console, the titles depending on territory. Some of the featured PS1 games include fighters like “Tekken 3”, platformers like “Jumping Flash”, racing titles like “R4: Ridge Racer Type 4” and RPGs like “Wild Arms” and “Final Fantasy VII”. Game load-outs are fixed, though like with Nintendo they might be an open invitation for custom hacking.
The first PlayStation was born from the fallout of collaboration between Nintendo and Sony on an SNES-CD attachment; Sony had earlier offered its SPC-700 processor to Nintendo which used it for the SNES soundchip. The PlayStation Classic is expected to be released this December 3.
Images courtesy of PlayStation Blog
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