Sony surprised the gaming community with its announcement of the PlayStation Classic, a mini version of the original PlayStation that contains 20 iconic games for $99.99.
Similar to Nintendo's NES Classic Edition and SNES Classic Edition, the PlayStation Classic looks to feed on nostalgia.
Surprise PlayStation Classic Announcement
In May, Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO John Kodera was asked whether a PlayStation Classic Edition was in the works. The NES Classic Edition and SNES Classic Edition both achieved massive commercial success, and a miniaturized PlayStation will likely also be met with massive demand.
Kodera said at the time that there was nothing to reveal about such a product. The executive did not confirm that Sony was developing a mini PlayStation, but he did not shoot down the idea either.
Just four months later, Sony unveiled the PlayStation Classic, sending fans of the console intro a frenzy.
PlayStation Classic: Games, Price, And Release Date
Sony announced the PlayStation Classic through an official PlayStation Blog post, where it noted that the PlayStation was the first home video game console to ship 100 million units worldwide.
The PlayStation Classic is a miniaturized version of the original PlayStation that copies the console's original look with similar controllers and packaging. It will connect to TVs using an HDMI cable and will come with two controllers for local multiplayer on some of its pre-loaded games.
Speaking of games, the complete lineup of titles included in the PlayStation Classic remains unknown. Sony, however, revealed five of them: Final Fantasy VII, Jumping Flash, Ridge Racer Type 4, Tekken 3, and Wild Arms. It also remains unclear whether more games may be added to the console.
The accompanying video for the PlayStation Classic announcement also revealed that the Reset button on the console will suspend the game being played, while the Open button will allow players to switch virtual discs and move to another game.
The PlayStation Classic is now available for preorders in GameStop and Best Buy outlets across the United States for $99.99. The retro console will then launch on Dec. 3.
Will You Buy The PlayStation Classic?
Final Fantasy VII appears to be the main draw of the PlayStation Classic, and while it has appeared on several platforms since its 1997 release date, fans of the RPG will not complain about taking the iconic game for another spin.
Supply shortages, like what happened with the NES Classic Edition and SNES Classic Edition, might not be an issue for the PlayStation Classic. Sony typically does better when it comes to hardware supply, so it should not be hard for gamers to get their hands on the PlayStation Classic.
