“The PlayStation Classic is on its way, so what about the games?”
7 min read
Almost 25 years ago, the original PlayStation was introduced to the world. Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment, it was the first home console in video game history to ship 100 million units worldwide, offering consumers a chance to play games with real-time 3D rendered graphics in their homes for the first time.
The inevitable has happened!
Considering the NES Classic outsold the PS4, Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch this past June, it was only a matter of time before we saw the really big names take notice. Nintendo, despite the whole fiasco between themselves and online ROMs, has always been about repackaging and reselling many of the games from their extensive 30-year history. Should they be expected to re-release every game they’ve ever published? In my opinion, no, as that would be entirely unprecedented in the industry and the licensing issues would be enormous, but it remains that they’ve done plenty to keep the retro magic alive: virtual console in the previous two generations, including NES games as a perk with their infamous online service, putting out plenty of ports and remasters and collections, and of course the classic editions. If any company thrives on nostalgia, it’s Ninty. How long until we get an N64 in miniature?
Leading from behind, Nintendo stood at the forefront of the growing retro-re-release craze with Sega putting out their made-in-China editions and Atari talking about their own foray back into hardware. Now, Sony too has laid their cards on the table, although, as I say, not every single PS1 game could ever make an appearance.
Introducing the PlayStation Classic, a $100 HDMI plug-and-play miniature console with 20 pre-loaded games and 2 classic PS1 controllers! No memory card, yay but no dual sticks…!
The PlayStation is one of the most influential systems in history and it had an insanely huge library. Seeing this is like a dream come true, and you can be sure I’ll pick it up, though it remains to be seen whether Sony will supply enough units to overcome the problems Nintendo created with demand and scalpers. Sure, the PlayStation Classic has an identical name but it’s an opportunity for Sony to learn from Nintendo’s victories and mistakes by coming on the scene later, repeating history in that sense. Maybe there will be connectivity with PSN to purchase more games for the system? Too much to ask?
So in true Sony fashion, the mini console is more expensive than its direct competitors, and it has fewer games, but what games it has! Thus far, we know about Final Fantasy VII, Jumping Flash, Ridge Racer Type 4, Tekken 3, and Wild Arms. As with the NES/SNES Classics, there may be licensing issues and other boring reasons why some all-time greats don’t make it to the system, but in a perfect world, these would be my picks for the 20 games to make an appearance on this mini library, minus the five revealed titles, of course.
Be sure to share your 20 picks for the PlayStation Classic with us! Leave us a comment!
#15. Final Fantasy VIII
Besides Final Fantasy VII, Jumping Flash, Ridge Racer Type 4, Tekken 3, and Wild Arms, I think it’s an absolute necessity to include the PS1 Final Fantasy trilogy on this system. That alone would make it a must buy, especially if it included the oft-shunned Final Fantasy VIII, which most recently didn’t make the cut to the Nintendo Switch. Why not show this classic some love, Sony?
#14. Final Fantasy IX
This is my pick for the best of the PS1 FF trilogy and it’s got to make an appearance, especially since it’s a send-off to the early Final Fantasy era.
#13. Crash Bandicoot
When Sony first entered the hardware scene, Nintendo was still on top, despite some erosion by Sega’s strongest and most aggressive attempts at market dominance. To counter the Big N, Sony unleashed an idealized mascot upon the world: their brown Sonic the Hedgehog. Crash might have been mostly left by the wayside as Sony evolved but his place as one of the PlayStation’s few iconic mascots should or will likely cement him a place in the library, for better or worse.
#12. Metal Gear Solid
Now for a game of which I have only positive things to say, the original Metal Gear Solid would be a godsend for this miniature console. It’s a wonderful game and while it wouldn’t have the polish put into Twin Snakes, the original is still a very engaging game to play. SNAAAAAAAKE.
#11. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
The greatest Castlevania game ever resides firmly in the PlayStation One library so please… please don’t forget this title, Sony! I have only played this game once but what an experience it was. Maybe recast the voice actors for the re-release? Hahahah! This title alone would prevent this classic edition from being a miserable little pile of secrets.
#10. Chrono Cross
The Super Nintendo Classic Edition’s biggest stumble was not including Chrono Trigger, but it was a remarkable experience to find Chrono Trigger trending in conversations online recently. Sony can remedy that error in their own way by at least including the okayish sequel. I would have said just include the anthology release with Chrono Trigger and FFVI but that game has loading times slower than things that are known for being incredibly slow.
#9. Breath of Fire III
One of the highest quality JRPGs on a system full of them, Breath of Fire III (over IV) would be the perfect entry to represent the traditional role-playing experience! Not too many people have had the chance to play it compared to the Final Fantasies so it would be great to see it again.
#8. Xenogears
Lots of RPGs on this list, huh? Well it’s my list! Make your own! Plus, this is the PS1 we’re talking about. I only played a bit of Xenogears but man, would I love to sink my teeth into it once more on a reliable platform.
#7. Spyro the Dragon
One of the big PS1 IPs, I remember Spyro from demos. He’s seeing the light of day again with a remaster but why not take us all the way back to his fire-breathin’ roots? Gotta get some of that 3D platforming in here. This is the 90s!
#6. Vagrant Story
A unique gaming experience that never quite got its due, Vagrant Story was one of the most technical, complex, and mystifying video games of its time. I wonder if any of us would even be able to beat this game these days?! I certainly couldn’t back then. This would probably be the hardest game on this system, if it appeared.
#5. PaRappa the Rapper
And now for something completely different! Rhythm games have largely come and gone but who could forget PaRappa? Heck, I still see the commercials… every night in my dreams.
#4. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
Ai caramba and holy guacamole, this game is wicked sick, dawgs. Pro Skater 2 is like my entire high school social life. I already played it to death, but given the opportunity, I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Do a barrel roll… as Spider-Man!
#3. Resident Evil
The first or second game could occupy this spot here, but the first would at least give us the foundation of what became a monumental horror series. We all know that PlayStation initially provided a mature gaming experience for older gamers, and they still hold onto that perception. There are a variety of horror games that could make an appearance but this has to be one of the most famous.
#2. Twisted Metal 2
Something with a real sense of speed and carnage, the second game is widely considered the better or best. This was another game I played the heck out of with friends back in the day, plus it could give some great variety to this mini library which could otherwise be entirely stuffed full of JRPGs. Something for everyone! I think that’s important with these mini consoles.
#1. Final Fantasy Tactics
This list isn’t exactly ordered from best to worst or anything but I put the best here at #1, anyway. Final Fantasy Tactics is one of the all-time best Final Fantasy games with its incredible story, deliciously strategic gameplay, and wonderful graphics that still look great. Don’t believe me, check out “The Zodiac Killer” podcast episode!
There’s never been a better time to be a retro-gamer! That’s my 20 games! What are yours?
Red formerly ran The Well-Red Mage and now serves The Pixels as founder, writer, editor, and podcaster. He has undertaken a seemingly endless crusade to talk about the games themselves in the midst of a culture obsessed with the latest controversy, scandal, and news cycle about harassment, toxicity, and negativity. Pick out his feathered cap on Twitter @thewellredmage, Mage Cast, or Story Mode.
if only half of these would make it on the PlayStation classic.
Great list! I’d like to see all of these happen. I didn’t have a PS1 back in the day so I missed out on all the fun. I do own one now but I’m a sucker for cute licensed swag like this, haha.
For its limitations, the argument FOR the PS1 Classic as a collector’s item is extremely strong. There are already scalpers creating listings for it!
It’s so strange to me that PS1 is now retro. But it is, without a doubt. Gah! 😅
Weeeeeeellll you’re right haha but I like to classify gaming history in eras so I put PS1 as the early part of the 3D era and save “retro” for before that. Hahaha potato potato.
I was surprised when I read the news this morning. I think Tactics is a shoe-in, and I also thought Legend of Dragoon would be a way to get non-Square RPG on there. Twisted Metal, yes.
But I don’t think I’ll be getting this, at least not for a while. I have almost all the PS1 games I want on either discs or PSN, and plus there’s a lot coming out this winter.
Thing is, with Nintendo you didn’t have an immediate current gen option to get all the games listed on their minis… with this one though, there’s PSN immediately available and this is more expensive plus there are fewer games included. And there’s no AC adapter?
Lots of Square games there, and I approve. Not sure about FF8 though. I saw, recently, that someone at SE tweeted out that they actually lost the source code for FF7 and FF8 back around 2000. Because of this they had to reverse engineer and unfinished version of 7 to get the PC release. Because of the large cost and time consumption they dont want to do the same for FF8, so its not likely we will see it unless they are simply emulating the reading of disc image files, in which case they can probably just download it from The Pirate Bay! 😆
I too doubt FFVIII will make an appearance despite it being #1 on my wishlist. However because it’s my favorite I refuse to accept defeat despite the odds until every hope is personally hand crushed by Square Enix themselves. I don’t care if they have to build a time machine for the sole purpose of going back and retrieving that code (grab me a signed copy while you’re at it) I want FFVIII in some form at any cost!
How on Earth does a company lose the source code???
Long before Carbonite was a thing, I guess!
I’d love to see RE1, MGS, Parappa 1, Bust-A-Groove 1, and Croc: Legend of the Gobbos on there. I had great fun with all of those. Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee would be another fun one.
To my mind, MGS is a must but who knows how that will turn out.
I suppose it all comes down to licensing. I can’t remember if it needed the analogue sticks though. That could be a problem if it did.
Alundra is another that just sprang to mind.
Looks a great little console. I’d love to see Metal Gear Solid and Resident Evil Directors Cut as well, also the original Silent Hill.
You and me both. 20 games is just too few for a library like the PS1’s…!
Yeah, shame there isn’t more. Not sure I’ll be temped to get this, does have the nostalgia factor through, but it needs bigger titles to really catch peoples attention.
I never got to play Legend of Dragoon, so I really, REALLY hope it is on here. I made my list below, but I didn’t include what I thought unlikely. I don’t think they will use three or four slots on FF games for instance, so I left those off even though they would be on my dream console.
Metal Gear Solid – No brainer here, it made the PS1 what it was.
Legend of Dragoon – First party RPG that sold really well.
Castlevania Symphony of Night – Is one of the best games on the system.
Soul Reaver – Ok, this is just a fan’s dearest wish. Still, here’s hoping.
Twisted Metal 2 – You nailed this one, it has to be on here.
Tomb Raider – The original probably plays awfully, but it made the PS1.
Spyro the Dragon- I wonder if it’ll happen due to remake, but it is required.
Crash Bandicoot – Same here, but I can’t see it not being included.
PaRappa the Rapper – I think this one is extremely likely.
Suikoden II – This is just a sweet fever dream of a wish.
Silent Hill – The beginning of a long running franchise.
Resident Evil 2 – This one has to be included for posterity.
Syphon Filter – Because I believe in miracles.
Driver – Just for Purple Prose.
Lunar Silver Star Story – A man can dream, can’t he?
Haha just for Purple Prose! I would also be excited to see Legend of Dragoon make the cut. Hardly anyone ever talks about that game.
I’ve been trying to find a decently priced Vita so I could play it for a while now, but they are actually quite expensive still. People that have them tend to hang onto them, and I don’t see hardly anybody selling one, but they are worth it just to play all those PS1 classics on the go.