PlayStation Classic - Was Metal Jesus Rocks right to cancel?

Blog post by: Gemma @ Juicy Game Reviews / TheGebs24

The PlayStation Classic has not had the best start. The console was launched 24 years after the original PlayStation released in Japan on December 3rd 1994. Over the last 24 years the PlayStation has been host to classic games (and franchises) like Tomb Raider, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro The Dragon, Ridge Racer, Gran Turismo and more. In fact many, many more PlayStation Games have entertained us for years. I remember being completely stuck at the end of the first disc of Metal Gear Solid. Back then I did not have the luxury of checking out a guide/walkthrough on YouTube. I had to run down to a friends house to ask about the code on the back of the case. That will teach me for playing copied PS1 games.

Fast forward to 2018 and we are over five years in to the PS4 Generation of gaming (and of later years; PS4 Pro). Not only that we were all at the peak of excitement when Sony announced we’d be getting a PlayStation Classic. In essence; a mini PS1. How many games did Sony confirm? At the time of announcing the PlayStation Classic only five games were announced; arguably the stronger five. Without beating a regurgitating information we eventually got the list of PS Classic games:

• Battle Arena Toshinden
• Cool Boarders 2
• Destruction Derby
• Final Fantasy VII
• Grand Theft Auto
• Intelligent Qube
• Jumping Flash!
• Metal Gear Solid
• Mr. Driller
• Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee
• Rayman
• Resident Evil Director's Cut
• Revelations: Persona
• Ridge Racer Type 4
• Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo
• Syphon Filter
• Tekken 3
• Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six
• Twisted Metal
• Wild Arms

If you’re like me then you’ll be sick of hearing “there’s no Tomb Raider, there’s no Crash Bandicoot…” So often we are quick to judge a product in what should have been instead of taking a look at what we actually have. Now whilst a Tomb Raider game would have been great I think there’s enough Tomb Raider games out there to entertain us for a lifetime. Not to mention that the original Tomb Raider game is so common that we could quite easily play it on original hardware for super cheap.

Metal Jesus Rocks slammed the PlayStation Classic indicating that he was not happy with the game line-up which ended in him cancelling his pre-order. As a much smaller influencer than Jason (aka Metal Jesus) it is easy to judge a product and have a little rant on YouTube. I was guilty of this myself when the NES Mini Classic was announced. I now understand that in order to judge a product then you must experience it. I was naive in my NES Classic video rant and I turned out to love it. I value influencers who are willing to take the leap; rather than bow out over a semi-decent game library.

PlayStation Classic Controller

PlayStation Classic

An exploit was discovered by Retro Gaming Arts in which a Korsair Keyboard can be plugged in to the Playstation Classic Controller port. Once a game is loaded you can press ESC in order to access the PS Classic Emulator settings. From there the PlayStation Classic comes alive; even more so in its base form. The nine PAL PlayStations rooms can be switched in to NTSC format which increases the frame rates. Additional settings can be manipulated such as increased save states and more. Be warned though, this has only been done with various Korsair USB keyboards so unless you own one you’ll be unable to access the PlayStation Classic Emulator settings. Perhaps a new work-around will come out within the next couple of weeks?

The burning question is this: Is the PlayStation Classic worth buying? In its base form; the PS Classic has a lot of flaws. Frame drops, screen tears, polygon bleeding, one save state, the inability to change the aspect ratio and more. The price is a little high for such a sub-standard product especially from a gaming giant like PlayStation. If you’re a person who wants to be blown away by the PlayStation Classic then turn away now. This product is not for you. If you’re like me and loves a nostalgia boost (despite blatant flaws) then you are going to love the PlayStation Classic. Despite a huge retro game collection my heart feels warm when I turn on my PlayStation Classic. Embrace the child in you and go and buy the PlayStation Classic. Don’t be grumpy.

Blog post by: Gemma @ Juicy Game Reviews / TheGebs24

Click here for access to The Lady Lounge over at TheGebs24 HQ