Retro gaming - why its worth revisit older systems and games
This is just ACT 1 from my new mini series of retro gaming on my blog, first we start with PSX!
The first PlayStation, or PS1, was a revolutionary console that introduced many gamers to the world of 3D graphics, CD-quality sound, and memorable titles that defined the gaming industry. Even though the PS1 is over 25 years old, many people still enjoy playing its games today, either on the original hardware, emulators, or remasters. But what makes retro gaming from the first PlayStation so appealing? Here are some reasons why:
Nostalgia
One of the main reasons why people return to retro gaming from the first PlayStation is nostalgia. For many gamers, the PS1 was their first console, or the one that they spent countless hours with during their childhood or adolescence. Playing PS1 games can bring back fond memories of simpler times, when games were more about fun and exploration than graphics and achievements. Nostalgia can also make gamers appreciate the games that influenced their tastes and preferences, and how far the gaming industry has come since then.
Innovation
Another reason why retro gaming from the first PlayStation is still awesome is innovation. The PS1 was a pioneer in many genres and features that are now common in modern games. For example, the PS1 was home to some of the most influential games of all time, such as Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy VII, Resident Evil, and Gran Turismo. These games introduced groundbreaking elements such as stealth, cinematic storytelling, survival horror, and realistic racing, respectively. The PS1 also experimented with new ways of using the CD format, such as full-motion video, voice acting, and licensed music.
Variety
A third reason why retro gaming from the first PlayStation is still awesome is variety. The PS1 had a huge and diverse library of games, ranging from novel-length RPGs to fast and furious races to mind-bending puzzles. There was something for everyone, whether they preferred action, adventure, strategy, simulation, or platforming. The PS1 also had a lot of exclusive titles that were not available on other consoles, such as Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, and PaRappa the Rapper. Moreover, the PS1 had a lot of hidden gems and cult classics that are worth discovering or revisiting, such as Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Silent Hill, and Tomb Raider.
Accessibility
A final reason why retro gaming from the first PlayStation is still awesome is accessibility. Thanks to the popularity and longevity of the PS1, it is not hard to find and play its games today. Many PS1 games are available on digital platforms such as PlayStation Store, PlayStation Plus, and PlayStation Now, where they can be played on modern consoles such as the PS4 and PS5. Some PS1 games have also been remastered or remade for newer generations, such as Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, Spyro Reignited Trilogy, and Final Fantasy VII Remake. Alternatively, PS1 games can be played on emulators, such as RetroArch or ePSXe, on various devices such as PCs, smartphones, and tablets.
Best selling games of PSX (Remember theres alot even greater games for psx but sold less - for me one of the best games were Vagrant Story and Front Mission 3) :
I can create a table with some of the best selling and most popular games for PlayStation PSX, based on the web search results. Here is the table with the top 20 games, ranked by sales:
Additionally - i chose for myself that i play PSX games on phone. I chose my old 7'' screen Cubot Max along with epsxe emulator. Options let me fit screen and use massive screen to play games. Only problem you may have is touch in phones. Thats why irecommend using gamepad for phones. i use cheap gamepad from Aliexpress - bought 3 of them. I connect it to phone as Xbox controller and emulator directly recognize it. Along 7'' screen its looking like steamdeck! Personally i put here 128 GB card and i have over 80 PSX games (plus other emulators like NES, SNES, N64, Dreamcast and Gameboy, Gameboy Color, Gameboy Advance!)
Not to mention its awesome that you can scale image, use anitaliasing and other graphic effects. Games from PSX looks even more awesome if you really want better image quality. I like to use normal aspect ratio and some scaling. I personally have list of my favourite titles like:
1. Front Mission 3
2. Vagrant Story
3. Xenogears
4. Gran Turismo 1 and 2
5. Suikoden 2
6. Driver
7. Tekken 2 and 3
8. Dead or Alive 2
9. Crash Bandicoot whole series
10. Rollcage
11. Gex
12. Spyro the Dragon
13. Metal Gear Solid 2
14. Final Fantasy 7 and 8
15. Silent Hill 2
16. Parasite Eve 2
and many more!
Many of those games are precursors for current AAA titles, many of them are great memories or great opportunity to see how well written scenario and mechanics are. Those were AAA titles in their time. Many of them are deeper and longewr to play than most recent AAA titles with just like 20 hours of so story.
Why buying retro console when you can use your old smartphone or even buy one and use it for retro gaming. For example i use out of laziness and fun 3 Sony Xperia L1 i bought for like 30 USD for retro gaming. Along with cheap phone gamepad, Aliexpress link (change localization and currency):
https://pl.aliexpress.com/item/1005005058572651.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.1.6cca54f5LKXknH&algo_pvid=0de5cff1-1c58-4939-858b-a64931c070dc&algo_exp_id=0de5cff1-1c58-4939-858b-a64931c070dc-0&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21PLN%2153.07%2156.05%21%21%2113.21%21%21%402103892f17039491990544273e839e%2112000031482885855%21sea%21PL%212555724635%21&curPageLogUid=02S8lHyrP99m
Finally you can download alot of roms of your fav PSX games from the internet. Also you can use your CD with game to create image file and load it into phone.
Retro gaming returned to me after i saw alot of PC components especially graphics cards are getting more expensive due to AI boom, also big tech is going into making consoles for current AAA games, like Steamdeck, Asus Ally or Lenovo Legion portable. Still price is killing those products comparing to laptops. Its kinda dead end in long run.
For really low money you can have many hours of gameplay and believe me, many of those games despite graphics are better than many new titles (storywise, gameplay, pure surprise of mechanics and creativity), you have probably one and only chance seeing how gaming became mainstream. Remember PSX is already a newer gaming machine, but in future episodes we gonna go to other systems and emulators.
Thank you and Happy New Year!
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