Written by: Marisa
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Know What You’re About: Is the PlayStation Classic for You?
If you’re ready to sell out your nostalgia or ready to think of 50 different reasons why all of my assessments are wrong and leave them in the comment section, then this is the article for you. Today I’m going to be laying out as best I can if the PlayStation Classic is going to be a worthwhile buy for differing types of consumers. This means I’m going to be doing math, research, and defining. Wish me luck as I try to remember how to insert a chart into this document. Wish Glyn luck as well, as he’s the one that will have to edit the chart.
Definitions:
Listen, as someone who has a day job that may or may not involve selling these things, I get about three different types of people who ask me about the PlayStation Classic. I’m breaking them down into The Average Consumer, The Nostalgic Gamer, and The Collector. These assessments have a lot more to do with what the person already has and why they’re looking at the system more than anything else.
The Average Consumer:
This person is almost always starting from scratch when it comes to the PlayStation One. Doesn’t own the original console anymore or any games for it (or it’s in the garage/basement/closest “somewhere”). Often this person will be looking at the PlayStation Classic as a gift for someone else or is looking to relive moderate nostalgia. Might already see the system as worth it.
The Nostalgic Gamer:
This person tends to have even more nostalgia than The Average Consumer. Often this person will still have their old PlayStation One and some games for it. Either is considering the Classic to replay old games with added convenience or to play games they missed out on from that era. Many don’t consider the Classic to be worth it.
The Collector:
Has many to all games listed for the PlayStation Classic and easy means to play them. Nostalgia may not be a factor for them as they play old games as often as new. Is the least likely to need the PlayStation Classic, but may want it anyway because it adds to their collection or is more convenient.
Don’t think you fit into one of those groups? Well, hopefully I’ll be breaking everything down enough that you’ll be able to figure out if you want the latest nostalgia machine anyway. Let’s go!
The Cost:
First we’ll be looking at the cost of obtaining an Sony PlayStation and all the games offered on the PlayStation Classic. This will break things down for those who might wondering what it would cost to create the Classic experience starting from scratch on the original system and for those who are just trying to fill in their library of games. I’ll be using both average prices from my findings on Amazon and the listed price from GameStop online (no, I won’t be factoring in Power Up Rewards discounts) since those seem to be generally the most accessible places to buy for many people here in the States. Those of you outside the States, I’m sorry, but you do not want me to try to do ANY of this assuming or math (maths?) for you; I will royally mess it up.
In addition, I’d like to note that for the Sony PlayStation I’m looking at options that come with hookups and at least one controller or, in other words, everything you need to play. For games from Amazon I’m only averaging the first 2-6 used copies with free shipping options and throwing out outliers (exceptions noted). For games not available physically from GameStop I’ll be putting an X. I’ll also be addressing tax, shipping, and factors like system condition in a bit.
For now, relax. It’s chart time.
| Product | Amazon | GameStop (Online) |
| Sony PlayStation | Approx. $47.99 | $34.99 |
| Battle Arena Toshinden | Approx. $7.70 | $7.99 |
| Cool Boarders 2 | Approx. $6.37 | X |
| Destruction Derby | Approx. $10.61 | $7.99 |
| Final Fantasy VII | Approx. $19.24 | $9.99 |
| Grand Theft Auto | Approx. $10.98 | $2.99 |
| Intelligent Qube | Approx. $55.19 | $39.99 |
| Jumping Flash | $44.99 (only price listed w/free shipping) | $24.99 |
| Metal Gear Solid | Approx. $14.36 | $4.99 |
| Mr. Driller | Approx. $16.83 | X |
| Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee | Approx. $13.84 | $6.99 |
| Rayman | Approx. $8.85 | $4.99 |
| Resident Evil Director’s Cut | Approx. $12.15 | X |
| Revelations: Persona | Approx. $123.84 | $49.99 |
| Ridge Racer Type 4 | Approx. 7.98 | X |
| Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo | Approx. $34.65 | $14.99 |
| Syphon Filter | Approx. $10.60 | X |
| Tekken 3 | Approx. $11.28 | $2.99 |
| Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six | Approx. $5.89 | X |
| Twisted Metal | Approx. $14.34 | X |
| Wild Arms | Approx. $21.66 | $14.99 |
The good news is I remembered how to make a chart and it was easy. The bad news is one could theoretically sink a gross amount of money into building the library on the PlayStation Classic. It’s time to note that the PlayStation Classic has a suggested retail price of $99.99. If someone was to buy all the games included on the Classic and a Sony PlayStation to play them on, it could cost them up to $500 (rounded up because the prices will vary) through Amazon. That feels wrong, but that’s what I got. Of course, shopping for used games on Amazon isn’t the most consistent art, and many of these games had large price ranges from less than $5 to over $100 depending on the condition of the disc, if it came with the case, and so on. Looking at the GameStop cost, it’s a quite a bit less (I’m about to be mobbed for writing those words, aren’t I?) at $228.86 (more exact because GameStop only lists one price, but keep in mind GameStop changes prices frequently). This number is much more in line with what I was expecting, but with these numbers in mind it makes the PlayStation Classic seem like a no brainer…
“Sounds like a steal!” cries The Average Consumer.
“But wait you didn’t talk about—” calls The Nostalgic Consumer.
“I’ve never even played a Persona beside Golden,” admits The Collector as they cradle their still sealed copy of Revelations.
Well, buckle up diehards and casuals; we aren’t done.
But Wait There’s More:
I wish deciding if Sony’s retro money maker is going to be worth the buy was as easy as looking at the value stacked up, but there are other aspects to consider, such as…
Depending on which category you fall into, you might already own some of these items.
In which case, you probably wouldn’t have to shell out that much money. In the case of The Collector, you many only have to pay a fraction of the cost of the Classic to recreate the same experience. For The Nostalgic Gamer, the cost of assembling what you’re missing may range. Someone missing several of the more expensive games would probably come close to needing to pay the cost of the Classic.
You may not want every game listed.
That nostalgia for Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee may be hitting you hard, but you may have no desire to play Intelligent Qube. I’ve yet to meet anyone that does have the desire to play Intelligent Qube. This pickiness could be a money saver if you’re an Average Consumer or Nostalgic Gamer only wanting to play a few games, but if you’ve got several on the list you’re looking to grab, I’d do the math for just the games you want to see if getting originals or just grabbing the Classic would be cheaper.
Several of the games on the PlayStation Classic are available in the form of ports to other consoles like the PlayStation 3, PSP, or PlayStation Vita.
They sure are! If you need to buy one of these consoles, do not buy them just for this because that would be silly. Make it worthwhile and buy games from that console’s generation too or reconsider. Buying a PlayStation 3 for original PlayStation games is how regret happens. If you already own any of these systems though, it is honestly most cost effective to get many of these games. Go for it! Just bare in mind you need internet, as many of them are only digital.
I didn’t talk about shipping.
I sure didn’t, and there are a few reasons. Reason one being that factoring JUST the cost of the games felt like a more accurate representation for comparing product values. Secondly, I specifically picked sites with free shipping options. If you go the Amazon route, there are several prime and general free shipping options. If you go the GameStop route, orders over 35 dollars (excluding tax if I’m remembering correctly) are eligible for free shipping IF you order them through the store. Yes. They let you order things online while in any store through that store’s register, and there’s a special shipping option for it. It’s weird, but it’s a thing. Anyway, you’d likely hit that $35 mark easy if you’re getting several titles on the list. And the last reason ties into…
What about getting these games from other sources?
You might be able to get lucky and get better deals on these games on eBay. You also might miss out on getting a PlayStation Classic from a store and have to deal with scalpers charging an arm and a leg on eBay like with the Nintendo Classic and Super Nintendo Classic systems. Either way, shipping might be a thing, and I simply chose Amazon over eBay because Prime and Super Saver Shipping options made my life easier. On the other hand, if you have the option to buy from a local retro game shop, shipping wouldn’t be a worry for you, so I wanted to represent a price range for those with that option. Retro resale shops might also have competitive pricing, negotiable pricing, or discounts for loyal customers. Keep your personal sources and costs in mind when comparing your original gaming options to the PlayStation Classic.
Think about the condition of original products.
When ordering online or paying for an original disc in a resale shop, you may have to pay more for a better quality disc. This is partly why some of the Amazon costs might be so crazy. GameStop doesn’t differentiate price bases off condition because they guarantee pre-owned through their return policy. Some might consider this a good or a bad thing, but no matter where you buy pre-owned, keep in mind return policy conveniences and inconveniences when buying. Regardless of which category you fell into earlier, I think we all want discs that work. Going with a PlayStation Classic ensures a consistent, new quality product (or it should, anyway). You also probably won’t be able to return it if you don’t like it.
Is this over yet?
Where even am I?
Tax.
I think this brings me to sales tax. With a few exceptions, you’re probably going to have to pay it. Google says average sales tax for the United States is 8.45%, and we’re going to run with it. This would bring the PlayStation Classic up to a cost of around $108.44. This would also make the cost of assembling all original copies of what is needed for the Classic experience… complicated. We’re going to leave it at complicated. Also noted, some things like trade in credit at GameStop or local resale shops (if offered) might eliminate some of your tax! Or you might be a tax-exempt church. I mean, I dunno. You do you, hallowemptor. That’s a body acting with religious authority but also acting as a consumer. I made a new word. I’m Shakespeare now.
Going original means you’ll need at least one memory card…
…unless you don’t care about saving your games, I guess. I didn’t factor this into cost because I forgot about them until I was writing my last paragraph except now it’s not my last because now I’m here. Memory cards probably won’t cost you more than $5-$10, but they are an addition if you’re going original.
Is convenience the champion of all?
Now that I’ve found new ways to make lots of people mad, I’d like to address the biggest not cost related factor when assessing the value of the PlayStation Classic and comparing it to buying and using different means to play. Aside from people who might have the option to play the digital ports on newer consoles, the PlayStation Classic will be the most convenient way for many people to play these older games. It is going to be more convenient to buy one product rather than up to 21. It is going to more convenient, if not a little lazy, to have 20 games on one system with save states rather than 20 discs and memory cards. It is going to be more convenient to use the PlayStation Classic’s hookups over the Sony PlayStation’s—wait no. The Sony PlayStation means you’ll be rocking AV cables compared to the PlayStation Classic’s HDMI cable, but unless you don’t have a AV or HDMI converter OR unless you don’t have a TV that uses HDMI, that difference either way is negligible. The power cable for the PlayStation Classic does require a wall adapter. You know, an AC adapter, or, you know, the little brick you plug the USB end of your smartphone charger into. That. You’ll need one for the PlayStation Classic because it doesn’t come with one. It’s a weird flex from Sony, but I’m only docking minimal convenience points for it because if you don’t already have one, they’re very easy to get.
In Summary:
I’m sure I’ve missed an argument or counter argument or two, but real talk, this thing launches in three days of me writing this, and I’m already getting this to Glyn later than I wanted because of who I am as a person. Feel free to lay those points out in the comment section while I work with what I’ve got!
Is the PlayStation Classic worth buying? Well, if you’re the Average Consumer, I’d like to pose several questions to you first. Do you want this? Do you really want this? Or are you going to play it twice and then trade it in while telling the store clerk about how you “just don’t play it anymore” in the two months you’ve had it?
For the Average Consumer, the PlayStation Classic is absolutely worth buying if you’re going to be playing it. It holds great savings compared to reassembling all the old gear and games you likely don’t have any more or the alternative of buying new systems just for the digital ports. Furthermore, it will be so easy for you to take out or leave out and play. Even if you don’t remember every game on the PlayStation Classic, this is still probably the easiest and cheesiest way for you to relive your nostalgia. Just know yourself, and make sure that nostalgia is going to be good for more than a few plays. If you’re considering this as a gift, make sure to consider what category the gift recipient might be in and read on.
Okay, Nostalgic Gamers, I know many of you feel strongly about the PlayStation Classic already. Some of you are screaming about emulators, ports, and Raspberry Pi. Some of you are crying because the classic is just so dang small and cute. You are the group that can go either way, and instead of trying to argue which way is the best way to get the Classic experience, I’m going to say each Nostalgic Gamer should know themselves like they know their favorite genre of game.
You may just not want it, and that’s okay. Not every product will be for everyone. It doesn’t have to be a good idea for you to be a good idea.
If you’re considering the Classic and you still own everything you want and need from the original PlayStation era or are only missing easy to get items, then you really don’t need this unless you deeply hate dragging out your original PlayStation. The convenience isn’t great enough, and if your love for the system is so strong you want it anyway, you’re probably verging on a collector.
For those missing enough games that getting originals would be costly, I personally can’t endorse the emulator routes, and I think for those that feel similarly about that, the PlayStation Classic would be great. If you have a system that can play the digital versions or even physical ports in some cases on newer systems, that’s great too! Either way is a great way to experience games you missed out on. You just need to ask yourself what way will be best for you—the cheesiness of the Classic or breaking out the PlayStation 3 or PSP for some ports.
If you fall into The Nostalgic Gamer group, your nostalgia is probably tied in enough with your general love of games that you’ll clock hours into these throw back title regardless of if you grab the Classic or just what you need to meet your needs. This brings us to…
The Collector. You don’t need this, but you already have it pre-ordered anyway, don’t you? That’s alright. We all knew you would do this. You’re only missing one game on the Classic, and it’s Intelligent Cube. Why are you like this?
Joking aside, do what brings you joy Collectors! Don’t let the comment sections shame you or get you down for liking what you like. This thing is going to look great next to your complete copies of the Lunar games and pseudo-neon Dualshock Buttons light, but if this is an item that you feel your collection is complete without, good on you for knowing yourself, and I think that’s what everyone’s choice should boil down to.
Know yourself. Know what you’re looking for out of your gaming experience and look at how what you’re considering buying fits into that. If someone is excited for the PlayStation Classic, be kind; don’t be someone who tries ruin their excitement under the guise of “educating” them and “debate” because you think it’s foolish. If you’re someone who is excited, remember to read the reviews and think about your playing habits so you don’t end up with buyer’s remorse. There will be people with buyer’s remorse.
The Gaming TechLits 