In recent weeks it has been announced by Sony Interactive Entertainment, the arrival of a new member in the family of Mini consoles that will accompany those already available for purchase by the Nintendo counterpart: Nes Mini and Nintendo 64 Mini. It is nothing less than poopò PlayStation Classic, a version of the first Sony console revisited specifically to fit today's standards.
The console will present the necessary USB / HDMI ports and two dedicated outputs for the joypads. The substantial design of the console will not see any major changes, except (obviously) the measures, which are much smaller than the original console model.
PlayStation Classic, at the time of its release, will see within it 20 titles released during the long life of the console, then between 1995 and 2000 (the year in which the second Sony console, PlayStation 2, was born). Sony Interactive Entertainment, however, has taken steps to give us a small taste of what we will find within this real tribute to the "good old days" by releasing the names of the first 5 titles on which we can put our hand once the console is started, the latter are:
- Tekken 3
- Final Fantasy VII
- Wild Arms
- Jumping Flash
- Ridge Racer Type 4
As previously mentioned, however, the console that Sony will soon put on the shelves will contain as many as 20 titles that will be possible to play or replay (in case you are veteran), so let's see which could be the 15 titles missing from the list.
Metal Gear Solid
We open the list with the very famous title dedicated to Solid Snake, released for the first time on PlayStation in 1998 in Japan and the following year in Europe. Born from the then budding Japanese programmer Hideo Kojima, with the support of Konami (manufacturer to which Kojima will be linked until 2015, when the programmer will decide to break away from the software house and give new life to his studio, Kojima Productions).
The game takes us in the role of a retired ex-soldier named Solid Snake, who will have to serve for one last mission, which is to defeat an organized group of terrorists who have taken hostage several important personalities of the government and the military body. American, and that threatens to start a nuclear war if the requested ransom is not paid in time.
The title clearly represents one of the milestones of the gaming world, and has come down to us with the various titles that over the years have contributed to making this saga truly timeless. Surely the chance to review how all Kojima and Konami's work began (via HDMI cable) is a tempting proposition that appeals to many.
Crash Team Racing
Released in 1999, based on the famous Crash Bandicoot trilogy and born from N which would later become one of the flagship software houses affiliated with Sony, able to churn out exclusives such as Uncharted 4: A Thief's End and The Last of Us, this game perfectly represents the boom period of racing games based on more or less famous brands (of which the leader is certainly Mario Kart).
In Crash Team Racing the important thing is to race and win races on unlikely courses (based on the settings of the series to which the game is inspired) and with equally extravagant karts, impersonating characters from the crazy world of Crash Bandicoot. The style and mechanics of the game are basically similar to those of Mario Kart, with bonuses obtainable during the races that will be used to go faster or (literally) to put a spoke in the wheels of your opponents.
This title could be included in the PlayStation Classic title park especially to complete the series of re-releases dedicated to the famous Bandicoot, even if it should be noted that it would not in any way be a remastering of the title.
Silent Hill
Second title born from the mind of the famous programmer Hideo Kojima and also entrusted to the care of Konami, the horror game Silent Hill saw the light in 1999 and immediately attracted the curiosity of many, who found themselves in front of a game that has its roots in the human psyche, and leads the player to experience an intricate and dangerous story inside the ghost town from which the game is named after.
In the title we impersonate Harry Mason who, now a widower, is convinced by his adopted daughter to visit the city of Silent Hill, very dear to him and his wife Jodie. The characters immediately find themselves faced with a surreal situation in which the city is completely immersed in fog and, as the story continues, Harry finds himself in front of disturbing and grotesque creatures and beings who will try to hinder and kill him continuously. This famous horror title is definitely one of the main candidates to return to PlayStation Classic, also considering the sensation and the fame it obtained in the period in which it was released and everything that followed in terms of sequels and cinematic transpositions.
Furthermore, to justify the choice, it is also necessary to mention the attempt (unfortunately unsuccessful) by Konami to bring the series back to life with the Silent Hills project then canceled and of which only PT remains (goes), a sort of demo / teaser released in 2014 of what should have been the game.
driver
This famous driving game released in 1999, born from the studios of Interactive Reflections and distributed by Ubisoft, was the first of the series and was created inspired by the homonymous film released in cinemas in the same period.
Throughout the story, the player will experience various missions as a policeman in charge of the investigation of a criminal organization. In order to collect information and indict the suspects, the player will have to complete and emerge victorious from various challenges on 4 wheels that will lead him to visit different US cities such as: New York, Miami, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The first chapter of the Driver saga was made available in 2014 on PlayStation Network and is still downloadable for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable. The title is among the most popular to enter the list of games of the next Sony Mini console given its importance and fame both in the period of its release and in more recent times thanks to the PlayStation Network. Certainly many veterans would not miss the opportunity to get their hands on this important title.
Tombi!
Released in Japan in 1997 and the following year in Europe and America, Tombi! it is one of the titles that undoubtedly deserves an honorable mention within this list. Developed by Whoopee Camp the title is presented as a simple horizontal scrolling platform, with the particularity of being considered among the best titles released on PlayStation, also thanks to the bizarre story it tells.
Within the title the player will find himself living the adventure of Tombi, a pink-haired boy who spends his days watching over his grandfather's grave, who left him a golden bracelet that will one day be stolen by the evil Koma pigs. The boy's mission will initially be to retrieve the bracelet, but he soon finds himself involved in the battle against the seven evil pigs.
Certainly this title would add a touch of whimsy and lightheartedness that should not be missing in a list of titles like this one. Moreover, knowing the fame in terms of difficulty of the platform games of the time, this title could represent a nice return to the period in which the conclusion of the levels really had to sweat it.
Tomb Raider 2
Obviously, one of the most famous and acclaimed titles (if not the most famous and acclaimed) of the saga dedicated to the tomb explorer could not be missing in this list Lara Croft. This second installment in the series tomb raider, born of Core Design and published by Eidos Studios, released on PlayStation in 1997.
The story of the game continues from the events narrated in the first chapter, in which Lara found herself involved in a dangerous search involving the Scion of Atlantis, an ancient artifact that the adventurer eventually destroyed to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands again.
In this second chapter, the reckless Lara Croft will find herself once again involved in the search for an ancient artifact, this time it is the dagger of Xian, which transforms those who have the courage to implant it in the chest into a dragon. However, once again Lara will find herself facing a series of dangers and puzzles pursuing the only real goal, which is survival.
This title deserves a place of honor within the list of PlayStation Classic titles also and above all for its historical importance in the world of video games. Furthermore, it is certainly not wrong to want to play one of the titles in which the Lara Croft was born that we all have come to know and which has seen her first adventures told in the very recent Square Enix trilogy dedicated to the character.
Ape Escape
This game, developed by SCEI and released in 1999 represents the first example of a game that forced the use of the PlayStation joypad analogs. This title, among other things, was also the first chapter of the homonymous series dedicated to the nice ingenious monkeys who immediately knew how to conquer audiences all over the world.
In the title, the player is faced with a tough task as Kakeru, who (after accidentally going back in time with a group of monkeys due to an invention of Professor Hakase) will have to recover all the primates and in the meantime fight against Specter, a shady individual who intends to control the entire army of monkeys with special helmets in order to rewrite history in his / their favor.
This game should be included in the PlayStation Classic list for the simple fact that it is a real must in the gaming landscape dedicated to the first PlayStation. The title has conquered a considerable amount of fans who are now clamoring for a remake. That Sony can take advantage of the opportunity to please everyone with this solution? We will find out only after the release of Sony's Classic console.
Dino crisis
Dino crisis was definitely one of the most iconic titles for PlayStation, released in 1999 and developed by Capcom, this title (first in a series) looks like a very engaging survival horror for the time. In fact, also influenced by the trail of prehistoric fame brought by the first two chapters of the Jurassic Park series, it was created by the same team that worked on Resident Evil (also sharing several technical aspects with it).
The plot of the title follows the adventures of Regina, a special agent sent to Ibis Island, where she will have to discover the nature of the experiments being conducted on the island. However, the place is very dangerous due to the presence of dinosaurs, which will make things difficult for both Regina and her team.
The title at the time of its release was undoubtedly a resounding success for both critics and audiences. For this reason it is among the titles that most could have the opportunity to become part of the stock of this new Sony Mini console.
Xenogears
This JRPG, developed by SquareSoft, was made available in 1999 in Japan and America but not in Europe. Xenogears it was then taken over by Square Enix, which released it on PlayStation Network in 2011, making it playable on PlayStation 3 as well.
The story of the title tells the story of Fei Fong Wong, who will find himself facing a war between two villages armed with a mecha named Gear. At the end of the war the character will be exiled from his village, which was destroyed because it was the scene of the battle between the two previously mentioned villages. After being kicked out, Fei will begin a long journey in search of the truth about himself.
The title should come hands down within the PlayStation Classic title park, as it was a real success during the release period and also because it is considered the prequel to the Xenoblade series. So many players would be interested in taking the opportunity to see how this modern day saga was born.
The Legend of Dragoon
The legend of Dragoon is an icon of the PlayStation title park released in 1999 in Japan, in 2000 in America and in 2001 in Europe. Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment, the title immediately received a great success that has reached the present day, when, in 2012 (2010 in Japan), Sony decided to publish the title on PlayStation Network making it playable on PlayStation 3.
The story of this RPG tells the story of Dart, a boy who was orphaned as a child due to the destruction of his village by the Black Monster. The protagonist will survive together with a girl (Shana) and will arrive in a village where he will train for years. waiting for the moment when he can take revenge on the Black Monster.
During his journey in search of the creature Dart, he will be abruptly brought back to his homeland by the outbreak of a war, in which Shana was involved and was the victim of a kidnapping by order of the Emperor Doel. Dart's task at this point is no longer to find the Black Monster (a mission he will resume later) but to save Shana and end the war.
The game should be part of the title list of Sony's Mini console as it is truly an iconic title of the PlayStation world that cannot be ignored in any Sony Entertainment Network title talk. Furthermore, it is one of the most appreciated games by critics and also by the public.
Castelvania: Symphony of the Night
Castelvania: Symphony of the Night is one of the most famous chapters of the saga dedicated to Simon and Richter Belmont. Published by Konami, this title saw its first release in 1997 on the first PlayStation and Sega Saturn. Then in 2006 it was ported to Xbox 360 via Xbox Live, and in 2007 it saw a return to PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable via Sony's online service.
In the story we will find ourselves living the subsequent events in Castelvania Rondo of Blood, where Richter had destroyed the cursed castle and disappeared along with it. In this chapter of the saga Richter reappears and claims to be the master of the castle (also reappeared).
In this situation Alucard (unaware of previous events), son of Count Dracula killed in the previous chapter, decides to leave in search of the truth about the castle and the new threat it represents. In his footsteps this character will meet Maria Renard, confidant of Annette (Richter's beloved), who is trying to find out what really happened to the vampire hunter.
The title deserves to be included in the list of PlayStation Classic titles as it is one of the emblematic titles of the world of platform games. Furthermore, considering the involvement of the two protagonists Richter and Simon in the next Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, it could be interesting to discover part of the origins of these two characters.
Suikoden 2
This JRPG of Konami it was first released in Japan in 1998, while in America and Europe in 1999 and 2000 respectively. Suikoden 2 also saw the light on Japanese mobile devices in 2010 and on PlayStation Network in 2014 (Japan) and 2015 (America and Europe).
The game tells the story of two childhood friends who, once they receive a powerful rune each, will be destined to fight each other. The two, put aside the feelings, will find themselves against each other and at the head of two armies. Players will play as Riou, who will have to form his army by gathering the 108 stars of destiny (a challenge similar to the one that was faced in the first chapter by Tir McDohl).
The title should be among the games on Sony's Mini console as it is a great game and a great example of history, which is the strength of the title. Having been one of the most popular titles for players, Suikoden 2 undoubtedly deserves a place of honor among the 20 titles of PlayStation Classic.
Soul Blade
Soul Blade, originally Soul edge, is a three-dimensional fighting video game first released in Arcade version in 1995 and then on PlayStation in 1996 (in Japan) and 1997 (in Europe and America). This title, the first chapter of the series SoulCalibur, was developed by the same software house that developed Tekken, that is Namco.
The game, despite being a fighting game and therefore not necessarily completed by a story mode, has a not insignificant plot that deeply binds the characters of the roster. In the title, the character chosen by the player will follow a very specific plot in search of the legendary Soul Edge weapon (currently in possession of the pirate Cervantes De Leon).
The game (without a shadow of a doubt) should be present in the list precisely for its particularity on the part of the gameplay and for the fact that it is the first chapter ever of what is now the series that during the course of 2019 will see the arrival of its sixth chapter, or SoulCalibur. As a result, players may have a chance to see how it all began.
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver it first came out on PlayStation in 1999, after which it came the following year on Dreamcast, and finally on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable via Sony's online service in 2009 (in America) and 2011 (in Europe).
The title (which develops narratively after the first chapter) tells the story of Raziel, a one-of-a-kind vampire who after developing bat wings breaks one of the laws imposed by Kain (the ruler of vampires). As punishment, Kain snatches Raziel's wings and throws him into the abyss, from which the latter will rise to claim his personal revenge (led by an Ancient God) on Kain.
The title should be part of the list of PlayStation Classic titles mainly due to the appreciation that gamers have shown over the years towards the series, of which it was rumored the arrival of a remake until a few years ago, rumors then definitively put to be silent because false.
Chrono Cross
Released in Japan in 1999 and the following year in America, Chrono Cross is one of the titles that certainly marked the adolescence of many "old" gamers. Developed by Square Enix (then called Square) the game is based on the theme of dimensional travel, and is a spiritual sequel to Chrono Trigger, released only 4 years earlier.
The title tells the story of Serge, a boy who finds himself having to deal with a parallel reality in which he died as a child. During the story, in which Serge will meet several characters who will help him, his task will be to understand how the divergence between his world and the one in which he found himself works. During his adventure in search of his past, the protagonist will often be hindered by the enigmatic Lynx.
This title undoubtedly deserves to be included in the list of 20 titles that Sony will insert within the PlayStation Classic, also because, following its release, it received an extremely positive response from both critics (such as GameSpot who decorated it with a 10/10) and from the great world audience.
Last but not least, we remind you that this list of games does not feature titles that will certainly be included in the miniature version of the first PlayStation, but it is a list of titles that have great potential and that, perhaps, will be available among the 20 games that the console will make available to players.
Finally, we would like to remind you that PlayStation Classic will be released on December 3 at a price of around € 99,99.
