Nostalgia is a near-endless mining source in gaming. Many companies often dig into their past and remaster or re-release whatever might bring back your childhood memories. Sony might be attempting to do just that, as they are internally considering making a PlayStation Classic, according to a recent interview.
Speaking with Mantan Web (and translated by ComicBook), Sony Interactive Entertainment President and CEO John Kodera (also known as Tsuyoshi) described the company’s attitude towards making a PS1 packed with old games. He stated that the company was mulling over the idea of making a PlayStation Classic. However, he seemed to suggest that the company was only discussing the possibility.
“Our company is always digging up past assets,” said Kodera in the translation. “I think there are various ways to do (a classic console). There have been discussions happening (within the company) on what kind of ways are there.”
Kodera did not confirm if it was happening but it does show that Sony has taken notice of what Nintendo has been doing and what they might be doing. The NES Classic and SNES Classic have sold extremely well. Nintendo announced last month that the SNES Classic sold over five million units. President and COO of Nintendo of America Reggie Fils-Aimé told Time Magazine in April 2017 that the NES Classic sold over two million copies in five months. These impressive sales caused them to sell out during their limited runs but Nintendo is resurrecting them on June 29th.
Sony might have a little more trouble creating their PlayStation Classic. Sony thrived on third-party support more than Nintendo, which succeeded more with first-party titles. Many of the PS1’s seminal games were (or eventually became) third-party. Final Fantasy 7, Tomb Raider, Crash Bandicoot, Metal Gear Solid, and Spyro are all in the hands of other companies. While it isn’t impossible for the companies to talk, it probably obfuscates the process and makes everything take a little longer.
