Half the Games in PlayStation Classic are slow-running PAL versions

More bad news about Sony’s imminently launching retro mini-console, the PlayStation Classic. It looks like almost half of the game’s library are the PAL region versions which means they run at only 50Hz. This mean, these games run slower than what Americans experienced with the original PlayStation 1.

With less than a week left until the PlayStation Classic hits store shelves, we should be eagerly awaiting the launch of Sony’s first-ever retro console. Instead, it looks like almost all talk about the PS Classic is negative. It all started back at the console’s reveal when we greeted with the original PS1 controller. Agreed, it’s a fine input device but undoubtedly the controller redesign with two analog sticks is not only more legendary but simply much more useful. At a budget price of only $99.99 this was still acceptable however.

But when Sony announced the full list of 20 classic PS1 games included with the classic console, discontent rose up much more. Despite having several cult PS1 games, the PS Classic has notable omissions in its library. Tentpole franchises like Tomb Raider, Gran Turismo, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, WipeOut which catapulted the PS1 into unseen console success, are dearly missed on the PlayStation Classic.

Couple with the news during early press previews that Sony opted to use an open-source PS1 emulator to power their retro console, fans naturally started to feel more and more pessimistic about the dedication Sony put into the PS Classic. What should have been a celebration of an industry-shaping console was being called a cheap cash-grab.

With today’s news that a significant number of games included in the PlayStation Classic are the inferior PAL versions, this does not help a bit to dissuade skepticism. From Sony’s FAQ blog post on the PS Classic, we know which games are PAL versions and a lot more about the console. Make sure to read the full article.

List of PAL games with the PlayStation Classic:

• Battle Arena Toshinden
• Cool Boarders 2
• Destruction Derby
• Grand Theft Auto
• Jumping Flash!
• Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee
• Resident Evil Director’s Cut
• Tekken 3
• Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six

You can make your own opinion on the matter next Monday when the PlayStation Classic launches for $99.99.