Sony's PlayStation Classic slashed to $39.99

[Shawn Knight]

Why it matters: A 60 percent price cut in just two months likely means Sony is washing its hands of the PlayStation Classic. If you want one, now may be the time to act as they probably won't be around for much longer.

There’s good news and bad news to report regarding Sony’s miniature PlayStation Classic console. First, the good news – you can pick one up at Walmart for just $39.99, the lowest price we’ve ever seen on the retro system.

The bad news? You can pick one up at Walmart for just $39.99.

The PlayStation Classic launched just two months ago at $99.99. Many argued that was a bit on the expensive side given the game selection, system performance and compared to competing mini consoles from Nintendo. A few weeks later, Sony rectified the issue by slashing the price down to a more reasonable $59.99.

While it’s tough to complain about paying even less, the new $39.99 price point is alarming for a couple of reasons.

Aside from ticking off customers that paid more than twice that amount just two months ago, the cut suggests Sony is looking to clear out inventory – essentially wash its hands of the system – at any cost. The project’s failure is also likely to deter Sony from developing a PlayStation 2 Classic.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/78710-sony-playstation-classic-slashed-3999.html

 

[ckm88]

Can you imagine the profit they were making at selling these at 99 bucks lol. Like they can still turn profit at 40 bucks.

 

[Burty117]

I'll just put my hope in them making the PS5 fully backwards compatible.

 

[seeprime]

Can you imagine the profit they were making at selling these at 99 bucks lol. Like they can still turn profit at 40 bucks.

It's very unlikely that Sony is making any money at $39. Walmart is probably making $10 per unit sold.

 

[Satish Mallya]

I'll just put my hope in them making the PS5 fully backwards compatible.

It *is* rumored that that's on the cards...

 

[Julio Franco]

That's what happens when you put no effort/heart into a product and expect to sell just because.

 

[rrwards]

You forgot the even better news, you can replicate and actually improve the PS Classic experience with a Raspberry Pi and RetroPi for that same $40.

 

[Slappy McPhee]

You forgot the even better news, you can replicate and actually improve the PS Classic experience with a Raspberry Pi and RetroPi for that same $40.

There are plenty of distros out there actually.... RetroPie, Lakka, Recalbox, Batocera, etc. But at the end of the day for those that like the form factor you can pick up the classic and hack it which for some is fun, others not so much.

 

[Satish Mallya]

That's what happens when you put no effort/heart into a product and expect to sell just because.

Worked out pretty well for Nintendo, with their NES reboot...

 

[Scshadow]

Can you imagine the profit they were making at selling these at 99 bucks lol. Like they can still turn profit at 40 bucks.

Not likely. The issue is not the hardware they are selling but the software license they are paying for. And they are probably selling at a loss at this point because they've already paid for the licensing and the inventory is just sitting there. This is why you can't compare this to something like the retropie. You aren't paying for the software, you're stealing it.

The issues with this classic console are well documented. It doesn't run right. You need to access the emulator settings to fix it. And they didn't secure a good enough selection of games, which again is a licensing issue. They should've considered the classic console and then unconsidered it when they couldn't get a good lineup for it. I doubt a ps2 classic was ever in the works but in about 10 years, it could be a good product as long as they learn their lesson.

 

[ckm88]

Not likely. The issue is not the hardware they are selling but the software license they are paying for. And they are probably selling at a loss at this point because they've already paid for the licensing and the inventory is just sitting there. This is why you can't compare this to something like the retropie. You aren't paying for the software, you're stealing it.

The issues with this classic console are well documented. It doesn't run right. You need to access the emulator settings to fix it. And they didn't secure a good enough selection of games, which again is a licensing issue. They should've considered the classic console and then unconsidered it when they couldn't get a good lineup for it. I doubt a ps2 classic was ever in the works but in about 10 years, it could be a good product as long as they learn their lesson.

Yeah I agree. They gave the green light on a lackluster product.

 

[PcePce]

Buyer's remorse caused by prices dropping is an obnoxious side-effect of the information age. It's just people blaming others for their lack of self-control or foresight.

 

[Puiu]

That's what happens when you put no effort/heart into a product and expect to sell just because.

Unfortunately this works for many.

 

[QuantumPhysics]

It's absolutely illogical to have designed this thing to play games that came out designed to use the Dual Shock controller, but not include a Dual Shock controller.

Playstation's launch and 1st year games: WARHAWK, Twisted Metal 1 (and 2), Loaded, Iron & Blood, Jet Moto... make way more sense.

Thing is: I tried playing some PS1 games on PS3's virtual console and the graphics were so bad it hurt my eyes.

I paid $59 for this thing on Christmas and haven't even opened the box.

I may get a second as a gift for my sister, who likes Twisted Metal.

 

[Satish Mallya]

Except that the NES/SNES mini's were very carefully thought out and the games selection was excellent! The PS Classic is nowhere near the same quality. No analogue controllers or matching games? Lame! The game selection was less than lacking. No thank you.

Fair enough. I didn't realize that the PlayStation was *quite* as bad as it is.

 

[sushi board]

Might pick one up ... emulators just aren't the same.