Sony Ceases Production of PSOne

Gamespot has the news that Sony is no longer manufacturing the PSOne. From the article: "Despite the news, Sony representatives noted today that the end of production does not necessarily mean the end of availability. PS hardware and software are still selling in countries around the world. Even if original PlayStation systems and games are becoming slim pickings in the US, gamers likely won't be going without for long. As part of its PlayStation Business Briefing 2006, Sony last week announced that it is working on an emulator that would allow gamers to play PS titles on the PSP."

Told you so

[tepples]

Sony last week announced that it is working on an emulator that would allow gamers to play PS titles on the PSP."

As I have been explaining since the PSP was first released in Japan, PS1 back-compatibility is the only way Sony can get the number of PSP-compatible titles anywhere near the number of titles compatible with its closest competitor, which can officially run 99 percent of GBA titles.

US customers!

[atari2600]

If you want a PS1, go get one at your local gamestop for ~40$ or less depending on the package. I went in and was almost tempted to buy but came out buying the slimline P2 :). Not sure why you would want to buy a PS1 (since the PS2 plays most games i believe) but if you want one for old times' sake, there's always a local store that sells used ones for dirt cheap. There's always Ebay too. Seriously though, time to make the PS1 a collectors' item ;).

Dual Shock and other PS1 Controller Oddities

[MarioMax]

Question: How will they be able to emulate the twin Dual Shock joysticks, as well as the L2, L3, R2, and R3 functionality.

Sad day for a PS1 collector...

[Anonymous Coward]

I knew it was inevitable, but in the end it means more rare titles and accessories in the used bins.

Still a great little system. I've got over 200 titles so I don't have much of a need for the newer systems. However I will be continuing my collecting on the PS2 platform.

Here's to more games!

They're stopping now?

[Konrad9]

I'm confused. When was the last time ANYONE saw a NEW PSone in a store? I haven't seen one in years. :/

PS1 had digital pads before Dual Shock

[tepples]

How will they be able to emulate the twin Dual Shock joysticks, as well as the L2, L3, R2, and R3 functionality.

In-game remapping for titles that support it, or in-emulator remapping. I'm guessing that Sony will just skip the more complex titles that require analog sticks. Besides, half of the PS1 game library (including such classics as Parappa the Rapper, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo, and Final Fantasy VII) was made before the Dual Shock controller and thus doesn't know that L3, R3, and the analog sticks exist.

Price will continue to make the PS1 attractive.

[6350']

In much the same way that Windows 98 became the world's operating system due to it's relatively slim install and memory use (ie, usable on bare-bones inexpensive computers that much of the developing world uses), the Playstation 1 has become the planet's game console.

While the price for a PS2 has dropped considerably, the even cheaper PS1 is still the only real option for a person who has not much cash but want's a good console. Add in the vast pirated library of PS1 titles, and the PS1 will be an oddly vibrant video game platform for quite some time.

Re:clearly, i am missing something

[Cadallin]

Apple doesn't sell Lisa's anymore, but you can buy Amiga 1200s. They're pretty cheap. Versalia Computer in Germany has them in stock with US keyboards for about $130, and lots of accessories.

http://www.vesalia.de/ [vesalia.de]

Re:I run epsxe on my laptop

[Anonymous Coward]

Except you can't easily play a laptop on a bus, train or just standing/walking around. Also, any laptop using full system resources (ie. 3D accelleration, sound, etc.) is going to have even worse battery life than the PSP.

Re:Told you so

[Anonymous Coward]

As I have been explaining since the PSP was first released in Japan, PS1 back-compatibility is the only way Sony can get the number of PSP-compatible titles anywhere near the number of titles compatible with its closest competitor, which can officially run 99 percent of GBA titles.

Not the same, though. Being able to play the carts you already own on the DS is a plus, as the DS plays legacy GBA carts. But PSP will not play PS1 disks, you'll have to buy them again on UMD. That'll give them a huge library and exsisting PSP owners will probably buy them, but unless they can start coming up with must-own new titles they won't bring in new customers. Very few people are going to buy a PSP to play games from 1997 (that they'll have to buy over again, at that.)