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Ever since putting behind the PS1 in the closest to make way for PS2, I never thought I would go back and replay all those old games again. I mean …. why would I? The PS2 has better graphics (still acceptable today) and tons of awesome titles that’s probably enough to keep even new buyers busy before moving on to the PS3. If you look at the Japanese sales chart, you will see that PS2 is still doing okay in Japan. The lifespan has surpassed the original PS1 which only lasted for about 6 to 7 years.

The Japanese Hardware Chart as of 28th March 2008 [via Kotaku]

Lately, the urge of reviving those great PS1 moments suddenly hit me. I have to admit I miss some of those games like Tekken, Battle Arena Toshinden 3, Twisted Metal 2 and WipeoutXL, just to name a few. I can just play those games repeatedly, day after day after day. Some even ask “You play the same blardy game everyday … don’t you ever get sick of them?”. Surprisingly I don’t. Perhaps I was much younger then, or perhaps back in those days we weren’t spoiled with so many choices like today. Heck even sucky games (by game reviewers) like Dragon Ball GT, me and Neko would find ourselves hammering it none stop, spamming the fire button to overthrow each others “Kame-hame-ha”s.

Playing the PS1 for the first time is a feeling I can never forget, a feeling that probably wouldn’t surface anymore. The transition from 2D graphics like Donkey Kong to full 3D and the unique 8 button controller that has become a role model for almost every other controller creates a “wow” factor that makes a permanent impression in my head. I really miss those many Sundays where I would pop by my uncle’s house for a few hours of Tekken.

Next came the dual analog and vibrating mechanism, which Tobal was one of the few games that support those functions. I remember being advised not to use the analog and vibration too much as it increases the chances of spoiling it. Well it is the first generation of controller for the PS1 after all, so chances of early malfunctions are common.

Anybody remember Tobal? It was published by SquareSoft (Now SquareEnix)

The PS1 also has one of the most memorable ways of running illegal pirated games. Before modding was introduced, people had to use all sorts of methods like sticking some blue tack thingy on the lid button to make the original disc run before swapping with a fake copy. Can’t imagine those methods being used today on current generation consoles. That would be pretty … weird.

Hard to believe that it has been almost a decade since I last played any game on the PS1. It felt like as if it wasn’t too long ago when Neko regularly popped over at my place for an hour or two of Final Fantasy IX before we head off for our math tuitions. Incidentally, that was when my interest in role playing games began to surface.

One of my favourite RPG of all times

Previously I wouldn’t even blink an eye for those genres. I felt that the gameplay mechanisms are boring, too many words to read and takes too damn long to finish. Watching the unfolding of Final Fantasy IX’s story changed my viewpoint towards the genre completely. I then realise RPG isn’t just about gameplays, it’s more about the storyline.

Sales of the original PlayStation are pretty much non-existence now, although you can still find some sellers on ebay. Thankfully the PS2, PSP and PS3 with backward compability allows us to replay all those great games again. I’m still puzzled as of why Sony wouldn’t allow us to rip our original PS1 games to play on the PSP legally. No doubt that the problem of “piracy” would come into matter but why deny those who own the original copies from enjoying them?

Tekken 2 on the PlayStation Portable

Oh well it doesn’t really matter. If you are using custom firmware, you can always rip your games to be played on the PSP. For those who are using the original firmware, you can purchase some really good titles like Twisted Metal 2 and Tekken 2 online from the PlayStation Store. With such support you can be sure that PS1 games will around for quite a while.

Heck, 10 years from now we will be pumping PS2 games into Sony’s new portable .. probably?