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The making of a legend: PlayStation 1
Does this look a little like a SNES to you? Well, it should. Sony's first steps into gaming came courtesy of its current competitor. Sony was to partner with Nintendo in creating a CD-based expansion for the Super Nintendo. The very first PlayStation would have been a powerful collaboration between two Japanese giants, but a controversial split between the two left Sony sidelined, bitter ... and determined to beat Nintendo at its own game.Edge Online has a fantastic piece on the history behind the very first PlayStation system, detailing the system's unexpected rise to mainstream popularity. PS1 was a technological marvel for its time, pushing the boundaries of games to what was then considered super-computing. Sound familiar? Phil Harrison reminisced about the past: "This was a super high-end workstation. And Ken [Kutaragi]'s big vision was to take that, apply it in high volume and bring it into the home." Looking at the history of the PS1, it's clear that PS3 follows a heritage of bringing unheard of power to the masses.
Final Fantasy VII now available on the PlayStation Store
... in Japan. The PSone RPG classic is now a downloadable PS3/PSP game, just in time for the Advent Children Complete Blu-ray release. This digital re-release can be purchased for 1500 yen. The multi-disc game has been converted into a massive 1715MB download, so make sure your hard drive/Memory Stick has enough room before downloading.We'd love to assure you that FFVII will find its way stateside, but we'd be lying. Square Enix has already re-released a number of PS1 classics in Japan, and none have found their way to the US/EU PlayStation Store.
These are the top 10 PS1 games on PSN
Gamasutra notes there are roughly 30 PS1 downloadable classics on the US PlayStation Store -- a number Sony promises to increase. From looking at the chart embedded above, we can see which titles are the most popular.Crowning the top ten is Capcom's Street Fighter Alpha, which debuted back in August of last year. It's also not surprising to see Konami's Castlevania: Symphony of the Night near the top; however, it is interesting to note that two third-party titles are easily dominating the top spots, despite the fact that most available downloadable PS1 titles are published by Sony (including the eight other top ten games). If only third parties would react to this data, we'd have a more diverse library of classics.
Capcom working on more PS1 classics for PSN
When SCEA's John Koller said Sony was looking into transferring more PS1 classics to PSN, he wasn't kidding around. Third-party companies like Capcom appear to be stepping up their game; strategic planning & business development VP Christian Svensson says the company has more PS1 titles down the line. "The first PS1 titles for PSN were submitted last week ... when I have some dates for them, we'll let you know ..." Svensson confirmed on Capcom Unity.So far, Capcom only has one PS1 game in its classics roster: Street Fighter Alpha -- excluding the HD remix of Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo. The ESRB has hinted at Street Fighter Alpha 2 & 3 coming to PSN for some time now, but these might not be the titles Svensson is currently referring to. Perhaps we'll see more Resident Evil games on PSN like in Japan.[Via Siliconera]
PlayMad takes PSOne portable, shouts out to Sega's Nomad
Clearly, this is the month to be making portable PSOne mods. Just weeks after checking out Bacteria's totally bodacious IntoPlay comes a formidable opponent from G-force. The aptly named PlayMad gets its label from the innate ability to handle original PlayStation titles and its uncanny resemblance to Sega's own Nomad. We could just bore you with more details, but instead, we'll point you to the build links below and the hands-on demonstration vid just beyond the break. Trust us, it's worth a look (or two). [Via NowhereElse]
Qore Episode 9 features Syphon Filter download
The next issue of Qore offers video features on Resident Evil 5, Godfather II and MLB 09 The Show. However, the included download for this month's episode has nothing to do with any of these games. In fact, the download for this month's Qore is a legacy PS1 title, Syphon Filter. The classic PS1 title will be bundled with the next episode, and it'll be playable on both your PS3 and PSP. * Download will be provided through e-mail vouchers, to be mailed on or before March 31. Check out a video preview after the break.
Cool Stuff for Sunday, Volume 1
Here's our new weekly feature, Cool Stuff for Sunday (a pretty straightforward name, we think). Here, we'll highlight some of the cool things we couldn't get to during the rest of the week. Hitler responds to Killzone 2 reviews (NSFW) What would Gran Turismo 6 look like? Fan-made portable PSone Killzone 2 "Super Bowl" ad Weekly Trophy Portal update PS Nation podcast - Episode 98 "Dumped"
Castlevania Chronicles will appear on the PS Store today
As the ESRB predicted, Castlevania Chronicles will make its debut on the US PSN later today. Wired got word that the PlayStation uno remake of the 1993 Sharp X68000 title will come in the form of a PS Store download. The remake features improved graphics, remixed music, level redesigns as well as a rendered introduction and ending. At one point, this rare game would have fetched a rather fabulous price on eBay, but now gamers won't have to pay big bucks to join in on the Dracula hunting fun -- instead, the price of admission will be a recession-friendly $5.99.Way better than Castlevania Judgement, we'll give you that.%Gallery-39688%
Shock! ESRB rates more PS1 downloadables
Maybe Sony hasn't completely given up on releasing PS1 games for download onto PS3/PSP. The sharp eyes of David B. discovered two new games added to the ESRB database: Rayman 2 and Medal of Honor. While we're pretty certain the latter hasn't aged too well, we're more than glad at a chance to play Rayman 2 again.Of course, we have to remember -- just because the ESRB has rated a game doesn't mean it'll release any time soon.
Really, Sony's promising more PSone games. Really.
How many times have you played CoolBoarders? How 'bout Coolboarders 2? That's pretty much all you'll find on the PlayStation Store if you're looking for a PS1 retro fix. While Japan has an overwhelming of retro titles available for download, the rest of the world has been slow to follow suit. Wouldn't it be nice to download Final Fantasy VII? Or Klonoa? Or Metal Gear Solid? There's so many titles we can think of off the top of our heads.Well, John Koller is promising the situation will change. Seriously. Really. "Yes, we are working on further PSone additions to the PS Store and should see those launch shortly," he told MTV Multiplayer.We'll believe you when we see 'em, Koller.
PSA: Persona 2 reprint exclusively on Amazon
While the prospect of ever seeing an official, localized release of Persona 2: Innocent Sin remains bleak, those who missed the second chapter, Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, when it was first released on PlayStation (yes, PS1) eight years ago, now have a second, albeit seriously limited chance to score a copy of the reprint. Bet you never thought you'd be buying a brand new (and full-priced!) PS1 game again, did you?To commemorate the December 9th release of Persona 4, Atlus has announced an "ultra limited" reprint of Persona 2, including a bonus disc featuring the trailer and a video interview with the developers, to be sold exclusively through Amazon.com and Amazon.ca.When, you ask? Right now! Sold out![Thanks to Christian, Daniel & Jay!]
Street Fighter Alpha 2 & 3 rated by ESRB
The ESRB spills the beans yet again. The ratings board has listed Street Fighter Alpha II and III for release on the PS3 and PSP. So expect to see both games appear on the PSN Store at some point in the future. This might all be moot though, considering Street Fighter II HD is on its way "soon" and Street Fighter IV will be arriving next year. Honestly, how many different Street Fighter games do you need? If all this news of imminent Street Fighter goodness has you itching to play, you can always grab Street Fighter Alpha from the US PSN Store right now.
WiiSX: Play PSone games on your Wii
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Watch_PSone_games_being_played_on_Wii'; Though it's been doing the rounds in the homebrew community for roughly six weeks, WiiSX is still very much a work-in-progress, but one with huge potential. As a PSone emulator for the GameCube and Wii that loads ISO files from an SD card (DVD and USB implementation is planned), WiiSX could eventually grant owners of Ninty's white box access to around 8,000 games, including titles that many regard as some of the best ever. The idea of playing Final Fantasy VII on a Nintendo-branded console would probably make a few people weak at the knees.During an interview with tehskeen last month, co-creator Emu_Kidid (Sepp256 and TehPola are the other names behind this) admitted that sound still needs to be implemented and "numerous bugs" zapped, but it looks pretty playable to us in the video above! Indeed, interviewer brakken reports that "the emulator can handle some games and runs at a very playable speed." As for when it will be ready, Emu_Kidid is hoping to have an initial preview release out before the end of 2008.Assuming this exciting project does come to fruition, which PS1 title (which we strongly advise you should already own, obviously) would you try out first?[Thanks, Rengifo!]
Born for Wii: Mega Man Legends
Mega Man. Mega Man X. Mega Man Zero. Mega Man Battle Network. With over 40 games in these series alone, one thing is obvious: there's a lot of Mega Man out there. The diminutive blue-clad hero has shown up on an impressive number of platforms in the past two decades, and often one game led to another, and another, and another, eventually spawning a whole bucketload of sequels. However, when Mega Man took a turn into the third dimension, the predictable half-dozen follow-up installments never materialized.In 1997, Capcom took Mega Man in a radically new direction with Mega Man Legends, a 3D action-RPG for the Sony Playstation (and the N64 under the moniker Mega Man 64). It's an all-new Mega Man sporting a familiar look, but the gameplay is significantly different -- dungeon exploration, item creation, and weapon upgrading are just some of the RPG staples present in Mega Man Legends. Despite its differences from classic Mega Man, Legends is a fun game that succeeds in shaking up the formula. And with the last game in the Mega Man Legends spinoff now eight years old, this particular Rockman is destined to be Reborn for Wii. #ninbutton { border-style: solid; border-color: #000; border-width: 2px; background-color: #BBB; color: #000; text-decoration: none; width: 100px; text-align: center; padding: 2px 2px 2px 2px; margin: 2px 2px 2px 2px; } .buttontext { color: #000; text-decoration: none; font: bold 14pt Helvetica; } #ninbutton:hover { text-decoration: none; color: #BBB; background-color: #000; } NEXT >> %Gallery-32454% Every week, Born for Wii digs into gaming's sordid past to unearth a new treasure fit for revival on the Nintendo Wii. Be sure to check out last week's entry in the series, Punch-Out!!, and for more great titles that deserve your attention, take a look at Virtually Overlooked.
Suda51 bringing PS1 work The Silver Case to PSN
The name Suda51 conjures up memories of some truly unique experiences, not the least of which being his most recent work, No More Heroes. For only a very few will it jog memories of a Japan-only PS1 release titled The Silver Case, which the designer announced is headed for PSN at the "Foreign Video Game Unlawful Assembly 2K8" he organized (and so wonderfully named). It's not clear if the release will be Japan-only, although it has been previously announced that English-language Nintendo DS versions of a remade The Silver Case and its mobile phone sequel, Silver Case, 25 Ward are in the works. It's probably not too far a stretch to imagine the localized text could be used to create a North American PSN version of the game.
Driver is en route to the European PlayStation Store
So this week's Euro PSN Store update was a little bit lackluster, but at least we already have something to look forward to next week. Ubisoft has announced on its website that the original PS1 game, Driver, is on its way to the EU PlayStation Store next week. The game will be available for €4.99 or £3.49, depending on where you live. Not a bad price for what is regarded as a genuine PS1 classic. But then again, anything's better than Reel Fishing, right?[Thanks Leigh]
Japanese Store update is filled with Chocobo
The Japanese don't want one Chocobo themed game -- they want two. And that's exactly what they're getting this week on their PS Store update. Five new PS1 games are available for 600 yen each, and two of them are about Square Enix's notorious yellow mascots. Here they are: Grille Logic Dice de Chocobo Chocobo Stallion Arkanoid Returns Yamasa Digi Selection [Via Siliconera]
Sony exec admits 'we haven't done enough with third parties' for PS1 downloads
Where are all the PS1 games? We chatted with SCE Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida about the lack of PS1 downloadable titles in America, and he admitted it frankly: "I'd like to see more games on that as well ... we haven't done enough with third party publishers."In Japan, companies like Square Enix and Konami have supported the PSN by re-releasing treasured PS1 classics onto the PS Store. However, the rest of the world's catalog has been quite lacking. Yoshida explained that these digital downloads don't offer much profit, calling the potential monies "insignificant." He also noted that there are many issues involving licensing, especially with the music found in older games. That usually adds to the difficulty of bringing back PS1 games.While lamenting the lack of PS1 support on the PSN, he did ask us a favor: "Maybe if you can convince the third parties."[Image Source]
Ehrgeiz, Brave Fencer Musashi on Japanese PSN
Six more titles have popped up on the Japanese PSN. Two most of note are from Square Enix. One being a pretty good game in Brave Fencer Musashi and the other being the abysmal Ehrgeiz which is only interesting for the cameo FFVII characters. The other four games are b.l.u.e. Legend of Water, Raycrisis, Wizard's Harmony R, and Aquanaut's Holiday: Memories of Summer 1996. A game like Ehrgeiz might be a game that's good to pick up for collectors and Final Fantasy freaks. This blogger owned the Japanese version back in the day and it's quite English friendly as most fighting games are. Just remember, to buy games off the Japanese store you need a Japanese account and a Japanese PSN card to load funds.[Via PSP GadgetZ]
Square Enix to release PS1 classics, begins with Xenogears
According to a NeoGAF posting, this month's Dengeki PlayStation reveals the very first PS1 games Square Enix will revive on the Japanese PSN. The titles will be available for 600 yen each, and will begin releasing in Japan today. There are twelve titles planned, starting with Xenogears. However, there are a number of other titles to be released today, such as Einhander, Astronoka, Rakugaki Showtime, Raystorm and Fighters Impact. While none of these titles feature the words "Final" or "Fantasy" in them, many are considered classics of the PS1 era. Titles like Xenogears can be pretty rare, so these re-releases are of great convenience to those that missed them at first. At only 600 yen each, this is an incredible bargain, especially when one considers the ability to play these downloadables on both the PS3 and on the go with the PSP.Unfortunately, SCEA and Square Enix USA haven't announced any similar plans to release English language versions of these classics. We hope that they follow suit soon.[Thanks, Noshino!]
