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Sony PlayStation Classic Edition Console - Gray

TLDR Review: PlayStation Classic

By ShopSavvy Team

Published: June 2nd, 2025

Last Updated: July 18th, 2025

Pros

•Highly nostalgic system with a great selection of classic games that run smoothly.
•Compact and appealing design, excellent replica of the original PS1.
•Controllers praised for their quality and feel, fitting well for retro gaming.
•Compatible with PS3/PS4 controllers for improved gameplay with thumbsticks.
•Supports hacking for expanded gameplay, including NES, SNES, and other emulator capabilities.
•Offers nostalgia for millennials and Geers, appreciating the console's historical impact.

Cons

•Limited number of default games, with many being PAL versions, affecting performance.
•Controllers lack thumbsticks, impacting gameplay for certain titles.
•No power brick included, risking potential damage from incorrect adapters.
•Overall performance is criticized; slow emulation and inadequate remastering for HDMI.
•Game selection is disappointing, failing to represent the best of the PlayStation 1 era.
•Opeource emulator used, raising concerns over quality compared to proprietary systems.
•Menu interface and aesthetics are seen as boring and underwhelming.
•Requires modifications to truly increase its value, otherwise not recommended for casual users.

Bottom Line

The PlayStation Classic is a nostalgia trip back to a groundbreaking era of gaming, offering a compact and appealing design for fans of the original PS1. Though it's praised for its nostalgic value and good-quality controllers, the limited and underwhelming selection of games, lack of a power brick, and slow performance significantly impact its appeal. While modification can unlock a broader library and improved use, for those seeking a straightforward retro gaming experience, this console might fall short of expectations.

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$99.00 at Amazon

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$17.95 at B&H Photo Video

How we researched this

About this review: We pulled together findings from professional reviews and hundreds of user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from 28 retailers to give you the short version.