WatchStation Modern

The PlayStation Classic is a micro-console released by Sony on December 3rd, 2018, at the 24th anniversary of the release of the original PlayStation in Japan. It is Sony's foray into the classic micro-console market that Nintendo started.

Why It's Not a Classic

 * 1) The list of games included is questionable. While some are great choices (like mh:awesomegames:Final Fantasy VII, mh:awesomegames:Oddworld: Abe's Odyssey, Rayman, mh:awesomegames:Metal Gear Solid, or mh:awesomegames:Tekken 3) others are quite strange or obscure (like Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo, Cool Boarders 2 and more), then there are really stupid choices (Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six). The console lacks games that actually defined the system like mh:awesomegames:Crash Bandicoot, mh:awesomegames:Spyro the Dragon, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, (these three may be excused due to then-recent rereleases, or how the former 2 require the Dualshock controller) Tomb Raider, Wipeout, Gran Turismo (though it may be excused due to car manufacturer licensing issues), mh:awesomegames:Silent Hill, Doom, Klonoa: Door to Phantomile, Parappa the Rapper, and more.
 * 2) *It's also notable to add that they could had used the superior sequels to some games like Resident Evil 2 (most likely not added due to Resident Evil 2 Remake being released weeks later), mh:awesomegames:Grand Theft Auto 2 or Twisted Metal 2.
 * 3) * The reason for the game selection to be mediocre is likely due to copyright issues with publishers owning certain franchises and as noted above, remasters of earlier titles.
 * 4) *It is also speculated that many iconic PS1 games were not included due to Sony rushing the system therefore couldn't get the licenses on time.
 * 5) The games, even though there are some good games, are mostly poor PAL (European/Australian) versions. As a result, many of the games run at 50Hz - and thereby noticeably slower - than the standard 60Hz, no matter where you buy the system (This is notable in games like Tekken 3 or the censored PAL version of Resident Evil: Director's Cut).
 * 6) The console uses an open-source emulator that can be downloaded by anyone for their computer instead of one made specifically for the system. To add insult to injury, Sony already made a better in-house PS1 emulator that was used for downloaded PS1 games on PS3, PSP, and Vita.
 * 7) Poor emulation, with stuttering performance and frequent audio and visual glitches, making it far more akin to an AtGames Sega system than the NES or SNES Classic Editions. In fact, YouTuber "8 Bit Flashback" discovered that the SNES Classic Edition can run certain PS1 games (most notably, Ridge Racer) better than the actual PlayStation Classic.
 * 8) *It was even discovered that the New Nintendo 3DS is capable of running PS1 games at 60 fps through the RetroArch PCSX ReARMed core, much better that the Playstation Classic.
 * 9) *Rainbow Six has an emulation error that makes it unplayable.
 * 10) An incredibly small library with 20 games, which is even less than 1% of the number of licensed games released for the PS1, which was about 7000.
 * 11) It was discovered that the system's source code has leftover assets of 36 games. These were most likely games that were intended to be in the system but were cut for unknown reasons (most likely for licensing issues or because Sony rushed the console for the holidays), although it is possible that they were merely used for testing.
 * 12) The games were not modified to be widescreen-compatible like the games on the SNES Classic Edition and NES Classic Edition. Instead, they retain their 4:3 CRT screen ratio and the console itself does not give you the ability to add filters to improve the visual quality of games (compared to the NES or SNES Classic Edition consoles).
 * 13) The controller is based on the original PS1 controller rather than the DualShock controller, meaning you have to use the rather uncomfortable D-Pad with no analog stick, and it has no rumble feature, while it's meant to make it based on the original controllers, it doesn't work well with 3D games like Resident Evil Director's Cut (which was a version with DualShock features in it).
 * 14) While it does come with a micro USB power cable (the same one that's used for many Android phones and tablets nowadays) it does not include an AC adapter for it.
 * 15) Very poor build quality, as shown when YouTuber DreamcastGuy's unit died after just 3 hours.
 * 16) There is only one save state for each game compared to the NES and SNES classic edition's four save states per game, which is not enough for a plug-and-play console that basically emulates the original PlayStation.

Redeeming Qualities

 * 1) You can access a hidden menu by connecting a compatible USB keyboard and hitting the Enter key. This allows you to change 50Hz to 60Hz and a lot more.
 * 2) The idea of making a microconsole based on Playstation is a good idea, yet poorly executed.
 * 3) It's the first and so far the only microconsole to be able to play 3D games, even if not in the right way.
 * 4) Some of the games added in the console are great but less popular such as Wild Arms, which is a good chance for those that never played it.
 * 5) The controllers are USB, which makes them work on personal computers without the need of any installation. They also work great for PC emulation, while still replicating the original PS1 controller design.
 * 6) The console can finally be hacked (it really didn't take a while), letting you add any PS1 game you want on it. It can also be modded to play PSP games on it.
 * 7) Although the selected games aren't the best, there's lots of variety in them, one game from every genre.
 * 8) The Japanese version of the console has better games (though if you import it, you'll need to know Japanese because most of the games are Japanese.) In addition, all of the Japanese version's games are 60HZ.
 * 9) The Reset button lets you save anytime you want and you can continue from that point.
 * 10) Like many of the Classic microconsoles of it's kind, the design of the system is faithful to the actual PlayStation.

Reception
The PlayStation Classic was poorly received, due to its dreadful emulation, questionable list of games and multiple other problems. Most reviewers considered it a rush job to cash-in on the micro-console craze started by the NES Classic. It is Sony's worst-selling console, selling only 130,000 units. Even the PS Vita outsold that!

The console sold poorly and, because of this, its price was reduced in some areas shortly after the launch. It went as low as $19.99 in certain retailers (80% off the original price).

Sales of the console were so bad that a Peruvian game retailer started giving away free boxes of the console along with brand-new boxes of PlayStation 4s, while also giving away free DualShock 4 controllers with new PlayStation 4 consoles. Naturally, lots of people chose the controller bundle instead.

Videos
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