Sony PlayStation Classic aims to celebrate its first gaming console. The release of the original PlayStation shook the situation and gave Nintendo and Sega tough competition in the console wars of the 1990s. The PlayStation introduced CD loading, pushed 3D graphics to consoles, and introduced the world’s best Japanese games. If you are new to retro gaming, then take a look at our guide to the best retro gaming consoles available now. If you want to get involved with game design, we have a function for the best tips to start a career in toy art and tips on how to become a concept art. This PlayStation Classic review looks at the copy model and how it reveals Sony’s design thinking and I take a look at its simulation, which leaves something to be desired. But can this stroke of nostalgia overcome any shortcomings? Maybe read below to find out if the PlayStation Classic is worth the price.

PlayStation Classic review: in the box

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(Image: Future) The unboxing of the PlayStation Classic is great. Sony made sure to make the PlayStation replica experience out of the box an unforgettable moment. The busy main package reveals a pure white inner box and inside the PlayStation Classic is framed by a thick white card holder. It’s wonderful. Below that are two copies of the PlayStation USB controller, one HDMI cable and one USB-C cable. Like many other miniature retro game consoles, the PlayStation Classic is available without a USB-C adapter, which is a bit of a hassle (but so far we all have these things available, right?). Setting up for playback is easy and fast, and as simple as connecting the cables and pressing the large power button. The classic PlayStation logo appears on a white screen, as I remember it far back in 1998, when I got my first PlayStation. You are ready to play.

PlayStation Classic review: the design

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(Image: Future) The PlayStation Classic is suitably tiny and compact, as one would expect from a retro console copy. It is 5.8 x 1.3 x 4.1 inches, which is about 50% smaller than the original PlayStation. Its size highlights the unique design of the original console that centered the CD and built around it, making the uniqueness of a CD-based game console its defining feature. The large power button is in the same position and is used for the same function. The size and placement of the button is reflected by a Toggle Button. On the original PlayStation it opened the cover of the drive, here it exchanges virtual disks, so that there is a nice continuum of thought. Similarly, the old Reset button is used to exit a game and return to the main menu. The stars are the little PlayStation Controllers. In an old interview with Next Generation magazine in 1997, PlayStation designer Ken Kutaragi said, “We probably spent a lot of time developing both the joypad and the body of the machine.” You can understand that the controller is flexible and intuitive, whether you lie down, relax or hold it in strange ways. Of course we have moved on to DualSense, but the DNA of the modern gamepad design is here, albeit smaller. We continue to love the design influence of Sony’s PlayStation Controller and you can find deals on new PS5 controls in our shopping guide.

PlayStation Classic review: the experience

The PlayStation Classic is a perfect representation of the original PlayStation, fans will love it (Image credit: Future) Although the copy itself is beautiful and has been taken care of in terms of how the original console design was interpreted in a new mini, once you hit Power and start playing, things will drop a bit. The game selection screen is naked. There are no options or menus to dive in and learn more about the games. There are no graphics options for, for example, CRT monitors or pixel sharpness or smooth polygons. This is strange, as even in the PlayStation 2 embedded PlayStation emulator you could do some of these tasks. PlayStation Classic game list 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 Siphon Filter Tekken 3 Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Twisted Metal Wild Arms Plus, the PlayStation Classic feels a little reckless with its approach to emulation. It mixes NTSC and PAL games, ensuring that famerates are different (NTSC games generally run at 60 Hz while PAL games in the UK are below 50 Hz). As a result, some games look blurry and even play slower than on the original PlayStation – Tekken 3, for example, is clearly muddy in its responses. Other than that, the list of toys is interesting. Sony has managed to pre-install 20 games that made the PlayStation a success, including some great players along with curiosities and games that were still unknown at the time. The highlights remain those games that are simple enough to last or with the kind of game design that still applies today – Mr Driller, Final Fantasy VII and Ridge Racer Type 4 are still being played. There are some interesting additions, for example a few people would have played Intelligent Qube (but they should), Wild Arms 2D Zelda-like games remain a draw and Resident Evil Director’s Cut is still fantastic. I would like to make sure that you are very excited about the inclusion of Metal Gear Solid, as without DualShock and packaging you lose part of the psycho Mantis post-fun. Also, some of the classics that helped define the PlayStation are noticeably missing, such as Crash Bandicoot, WipEout and Tomb Raider – how can Sony release a PlayStation Classic without Lara Croft? (Admittedly, it first appeared on the Sega Saturn.)

PlayStation Classic Review: The Price

The USB mini PlayStation Controller is a reason to buy, as the two included can be used in other games (Image credit: Future) This is due in large part to the simulation and retro toy communities that snub the machine and the limited toy list. If, however, you have a transient interest in the history of the PlayStation or just want to relive some classic games in an easy plug-and-play way, it’s a good buy at these prices. Remember, you also have two USB PlayStation controllers that can be used elsewhere, on a PC or PS4, for example, out of the box.

PlayStation Classic Review: Should I Buy One?

The PlayStation Classic has its drawbacks, but there are some gaming diamonds you need to rediscover if you lower your standards (Image credit: Future) If you are a fan of simulation or a serious retro player, then you will be unhappy with some of the decisions Sony has made with the PlayStation Classic. The simulation could be better and the level of detail set in additional features and options is missing. That said, the copy itself is great and cleverly uses the original PlayStation design to turn old features into new function buttons. The PlayStation controls are great and remind us all how influential Sony’s design was in gaming. The game list is also good if it is missing. Some are louder today than others – I would highly recommend everyone to experience Ridge Racer Type 4 – while others are more interesting than fun (Rayman, just not). If you grew up on the PlayStation, there is no excuse for not finding a little love for the PlayStation Classic. Read more: THE BEST OFFERS TODAY