Nostalgia is big business, especially when it comes to video games. Retro gaming, as it’s called, trades heavily on memories of childhood hours spent in front of the TV with a controller of whatever favourite video game console.

Missing in this space had been official products from the OG console manufacturers themselves. Up until recently, it took aftermarket vendors, software emulation of older home and arcade machines to bring back the memories. Gaming giant Nintendo stepped in with the Nintendo Classic Mini, a scaled-down version of their early 1980’s ground-breaking Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), in 2016.

The NES Mini brought back the ‘feels’ with 30 built-in games, properly emulated as only a major company could. The response was such that the Nintendo, in 2018, went ahead with the Super NES Classic Edition, the miniature version of the 16-bit successor to the NES. The two systems were hits, selling over 10 million units combined.

Sony was next to follow suit with their PlayStation Classic last Christmas, hoping to reap similar financial rewards as Nintendo for the console that ushered in the 32-bit, CD, 3D polygon era. That didn’t happen and the system was universally panned as an ill-executed cash grab, but for the right person, the PlayStation Classic might make a great 2019 Christmas gift.

PROS:

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[naviga:li] The PlayStation Classic was a commercial flop. Having an introductory price of US$99.99, it can now be found in stores for around US$30 and online for even less, making it a cheap stocking stuffer.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Its small size means it can be stored anywhere.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li] Having 20 built-in games ready to go means not having to purchase expensive or questionable working games.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li] No need to create space for 20 games.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li] Works with modern flat screen televisions via HDMI.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li] Looks like a baby PSOne.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Best game — Ridge Racer Type 4.[/naviga:li]

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CONS

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[naviga:li] Does not come with USB AC adapter.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li] Needs a USB AC adapter with an output of 5V or more to work.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Game library is pretty weak. (See below list under Game)[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Cannot reset the unit from the controller.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Cables short, especially as the reset button on the unit has to be pressed to go to the main menu.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Only 20 games.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Some of the games aren’t emulated properly leading to minor gameplay problems.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li] No real extras or bells and whistles.[/naviga:li]

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Games:

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[naviga:li]Battle Arena Toshinden[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Cool Boarders 2[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Destruction Derby[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Final Fantasy VII[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Grand Theft Auto[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Intelligent Qube[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Jumping Flash[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Metal Gear Solid[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Mr Driller[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Rayman[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Resident Evil Director’s Cut[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Revelations: Persona[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ridge Racer Type 4[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Syphon Filter[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Tekken 3[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Twisted Metal[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Wild Arms[/naviga:li]

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— Article written by Nichola Beckford