Some fans aren’t happy with the current price point of the PlayStation Classic Mini, thinking that the €99.99 is too high for what you’re getting.
We know so far that Final Fantasy VII, Jumping Flash, R4 Ridge Racer Type 4, Tekken 3 and Wild Arms will be included.
We also know that the mini console will be approximately 45% smaller than the original PlayStation, and will “emulate the original’s look and feel by featuring the same controllers and similar packaging”.
Each unit will also come with an HDMI cable to connect to your TV, alongside two controllers for local multiplayer within compatible titles.
But it’s fair to say that many of these titles will be hard on the eye, even with all the fond memories.
In fact, nostalgia will be the powering factor for many gamers, who could probably track down a local retro store and buy a bundle for around the same price.
But what could really make the PlayStation Classic Mini a worthy buy is providing some rare games for players to try.
There’s no real point of Resident Evil 2 and Crash Bandicoot being part of the lineup, as they’re both already remade for the PS4.
So the Express has put together a few titles we think might make it worth the cash to grab a new PlayStation Classic on December 3.
Bishi Bashi Special
Never heard of it? I found Bishi Bashi Special in someone’ garage and promptly booted it up to see what exactly it was.
Pure chaos awaited me. A series of mini-games split across two titles, Bishi Bashi Special was the ultimate party game if you enjoyed pie-throwing with brides and eating beans with uncles.
Sharing a place in my heart next to Poy Poy and Incredible Crisis as something that was a brilliant time-killer with friends.
Tomba
I have no idea why I still remember Tomba and its pig-flinging ways, but it’s another great title that deserves a spot.
Offering some classic arcade action, side-scrolling through the different worlds took some getting used to, as landing on those pigs could prove difficult and frustrating.
However, many fans will remember the demo version of the game and might be something everyone would like having another run at.
Just thinking about makes me want to have a go, even if it would only be a short run.
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
Another candidate worth a mention is Soul Reveal, which featured Raziel in his quest for revenge against his former vampire ally, Kain.
The story of the fallen resurrected enforcer exploring a world that has been destroyed by his former brethren can be interesting.
And while it may not have aged gracefully, it certainly showcases some of the brilliant emergent gameplay being offered up on the PlayStation at the time.
There will be a lot of fans out there who want to see the Legacy of Kain series get a reboot, be it a reimagining, or a new sequel in the time-bending adventure.
Metal Gear Solid
The Phantom Pain is a solid choice to play on the PS4 and probably would usually lead to me not highlighting this as something that will help provide something unexpected in the Classic games list.
But the sheer importance of Metal Gear Solid on the PS1 means that it has to be made available on the PlayStation Classic.
Negating it would seem a crime against the stealth title that did so much to show what a AAA game could be.
A top story coupled with fantastic gameplay and boss fights makes this a title that can’t be missed.
Dino Crisis 1 or 2
Dino Crisis was a game that drew on the success of the Resident Evil franchise but never followed it into the modern era.
Providing some solid scares and T-Rex running exercise, there will be a lot of gamers who remember it.
Dino Crisis 2 would probably be my choice as it improves on a lot of aspects of the original and is helped along by a great soundtrack and visual presentation.
Twisted Metal 2: World Tour
Not a classic that everyone will remember, but a fun ride none the less.
Twisted Metal World Tour provides players with the chance at a vehicular battle royale, on maps spread across the word.
The areas that could be destroyed were fun little Easter eggs, and the characters created for each car were a big draw.
Each person had their own story and was fighting for the chance to ask for one wish from the creator of the tournament, Calypso.
This usually led to some pretty outcomes for the people involved but was fun to watch, especially after fighting through the levels with friends.
THE OTHERS
There are so many games worthy of being added to the PlayStation Classic that its almost impossible to choose.
Most of the choices above were made mostly for the obscurity value, but there’s plenty of others to choose from.
- Suikoden 2 is probably one of the best RPGs I have ever played and has a fantastic story and gaming mechanics worth of inclusion.
- Gran Turismo 2 should be included in the PS1 list based on its brilliant driving experience and the hours spend fine-tuning your Nissan Skyline GTR V-Spec.
- Colony Wars and G-Police were titles that I bought and enjoyed, offering some great times and beefy sequels.
- Crash Team Racing will probably be included as its one of the only Crash Bandicoot games not to be remade for the new consoles.
- Street Racer is a game I don’t expect to see on the list but was a wacky racing title that’s arena mode I played for hours with friends, via Multi-Tap.
- Any game from the Tony Hawks Pro Skater franchise would be a welcome inclusion, although its hard to say if people would bother putting many hours back into it.
- Final Fantasy 8, the game that Square Enix appears to want to forget about, so it should probably get a look-in here.
- Bloody Roar, MDK and Team Buddies could also be added in based purely gameplay, although Team Buddies language and stereotypes write it off.