PlayStation Classic Mini: Sony's PSOne is flawed when you take off the rose-tinted glasses (Pic: SONY)
The PlayStation Classic feels like a missed opportunity, but one that will still fill you with glee every time you boot it up.
At just 6×4 inches in size the adorable looking slab of grey plastic looks every bit like Rick Moranis dialled back the settings a touch and went full 'Honey I shrunk the kids' on PlayStation's iconic 90's console.
Every label, button and panel looks to have been replicated down to the smallest detail. There's even a 'fake' memory card slot for no other reason than it existed beforehand.
So that first moment which you set your eyes on the mini after unboxing, you're instantly hit with the feels.
But then you turn it on and that nostalgic 90's synthy hum and jingle gets you like a welcome home hug from one of your best friends you've not seen in years.
So far, so good.
But the further you delve into this small bundle of joy, the more nostalgic (Read: dated) some parts of the console can begin to feel.
The first key problem is that to return to the game menu, where you select which of the 20 games you want, you have to physically reach over and press reset.
Admittedly, back in the day, you'd have to remove the disc and change games anyway. But surely this was something that didn't need to be retained in 2018?
Equally, though it's great that Sony opted to go full retro in ditching the Dualshock controls for a more authentic and genuine classic controller, it's not without its drawbacks.
Because Jeez Louise are those 2m cables short when you're no longer playing on your tiny CRT TV from 20 years ago. And instead, on your whopping great wall mounted 40 inch that feels like it's getting ready to swallow you whole as you attempt to take down Psycho Mantis.
(Pic: SONY)
Speaking of which, whilst we can appreciate Sony turning back time to a point in history before they released the Dualshock controller, boy, does it hamper some games, such as Metal Gear Solid, which really lacks that added flexibility of two thumbsticks.
Classic, this console is, but it's a shame that Sony appears to have let their heart rule their head when it came to every design decision.
A little modern-day ingenuity might have been well-appreciated and we doubt it would have devalued what the system was setting out to achieve, either.
Unfortunately, the divisive feels don't stop there, because we're yet to discuss the most contentious part… the games.
(Pic: SONY) Trending
The Games
PlayStation Classic's games are clearly one of the biggest and most divisive talking points when it comes to the system. For many, this isn't the ultimate list that you would say defines this particular console – although, that particular question will always be a hot topic of debate.
That said, there are a number of games which have made the cut which are just as heartwarming to play even today.
Being able to boot up Final Fantasy 7, Wild Arms, Oddworld: Abes Oddysee, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo and quite a few more are joyous.
Rest assured there's more than enough here to amuse any die-hard PlayStation fan.
Obviously, emulators exist that are much cheaper, but if your not that way inclined, this is much simpler.
Equally, people have done the math, and the PlayStation Mini is also demonstrably cheaper than scouring car boot sales or eBay for the same classics.
(Pic: SONY)
But despite this, Sony don't help themselves with some really strange choices which we can't seem to wrap our head around.
Why for instance, choose the so-so Twisted Metal, over the significantly superior and more iconic sequel Twisted Metal 2? Why include Revelations Persona, when the localisation is notoriously bad? Why have so many games that are significantly more shonky to play without DualShock?
Couple these odd decisions with the disappointing classics that the majority of fans consider 'missing' (likely for licensing reasons) and it paints an awkward picture.
For what is supposedly meant to be the best of what this system had to offer, the 20 strong games line-up that comes pre-booted on the console are not bad, it's just that the full complement is still a little lackluster.
(Pic: SONY)
The Verdict
The problems that plague the unit are the same shared by fellow mini consoles such as Nintendo's NES & SNES.
Equally, you have to sympathise to an extent with the way that certain titles are missing.
We imagine that without the tricky problem of licensing issues or newly released remasters Sony would have jumped at the chance to include the likes of Gran Turismo, Crash Bandicoot, Tomb Raider, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater and many more.
The PlayStation Classic is in no way a bad console, or indeed a waste of money.
But this is by no means the ultimate PS1 experience, nor in some cases, the definitive way to play the small cross selection of classic PlayStation games that have made it onto the system.
How much you enjoy it could come down to how gooey-eyed you get looking at the games Sony has selected and also when you hit that power button for the very first time.
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