Sony recently took the cover off the PlayStation Classic: a miniature game console built to look just like the original PlayStation — all the way down to the packaging itself. It’s been updated for 2018, though, with an HDMI port and controllers that connect via (what appears to be) USB.
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The little box of nostalgia comes pre-loaded with 20 games, including Final Fantasy VII, Tekken 3, and Wild Arms. The full lineup has yet to be released, but the big question remains: could the highest-selling PlayStation game of all time – the original Gran Turismo — make an appearance?
The unfortunate answer to that is probably no, although not impossible.
We outlined many of the reasons why you’d never see a Gran Turismo game remade last July. These reasons largely apply to the game’s appearance on the PS Classic as well.
The chief among these is licensing costs. Getting the game’s cars, tracks, and even logos licensed again would be a logistical nightmare. It would also be very expensive and probably not yield a return on investment for Sony.
Another reason is the automakers themselves. There’s nothing to suggest any of them would want many of their old cars back into the digital world: they’ve either been replaced by newer models or discontinued altogether.
The music could pose another problem. Both Gran Turismo and Gran Turismo 2 had carefully constructed soundtracks of “real” music — not just original scores commissioned for the game. In order to get either title to its former glory, the music is an absolute must, and licensing the songs could be a real challenge.
So if GT or GT2 aren’t in the cards, what is? Sony already confirmed R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 is on the list. However, racing games come with a large following so chances are others will show up.
According to a figure in 2008, the PlayStation had 7,918 titles. That’s a big number to choose from – especially with just slots for 20 games.
Racing or driving games that seem likely are Destruction Derby, Jet Moto, Crash Team Racing, or Twisted Metal. Some other outliers include games like Rally Cross, Chocobo Racing, or Re-Volt.
All of these games come with fewer licensing challenges than something like Gran Turismo.
The official list of games coming to the PlayStation Classic should be unveiled soon. If you’re interested in getting your hands on a PlayStation classic you can currently pre-order one at major electronic retailers. However, we suggest you hurry since there is a limited quantity of them.
The PlayStation classic will sell for $99.99 and will hit the shelves on December 3rd.
