For those of us who own PS3’s, we’ve known that there is a selection of old PS1 games available for purchase on the Playstation Network. Now, I’ve never felt the need to buy any before, mostly because the selection is a little weak. Do I really need to relive 1996 by playing Jet Moto or Destruction Derby? No, not really (although I have been tempted to buy Castlevania: Symphony of the Night). But starting Tuesday night, you can now buy an absolute classic, Final Fantasy VII.
Ah, the Fall of 1997, I can remember it like it was yesterday. Staying up till 4 in the morning to beat one more boss, skipping class so I could get a few more levels, not eating so I could raise one more Chocobo, those were good times. Looking at the game now, some may scoff at the fairly crappy graphics, but you have to remember this was top of the line back in ’97. Having started it again, the version on Playstation Network is EXACTLY like the original. They didn’t go back and change any of the music, writing, or graphics which I like because it’s taking me back on the nostalgia trip. Unfortunately, they didn’t update anything to make it more in line with other games. There’s no analog stick control, you have to use the d-pad for all movement. You still use the circle button to confirm and the x button to go back, which is opposite of practically every other Playstation game. I suppose it would have taken a bit of rewriting the code to do these things, but it would have been nice.
Small issues aside, fans of this game should have a lot of fun picking it up again, and at $9.99, it’s a good deal. The other nice thing about it is that not only can you play it on the PS3, but if you own a PSP, you can transfer the game to it, and play it on the go (you can do this with all PS1 games purchased from the Playstation Store). Hopefully this will mean other actual classic games will be coming to the Playstation Store (no offense Spryo: Year of the Dragon), perhaps Metal Gear Solid, perhaps Oddworld: Abe’s Odyssey, perhaps Resident Evil 2. Give me the chance and I’ll buy the crap out of them.
*siiigh* I’ll never forget my first Chocobo race..
Better than paying $80+ to get the original discs off of eBay. The X/O button reversal thing always annoyed me too, thankfully you can remap the controls in these older games. Great game to have a digital copy of, that’s for sure.
They just released the classic Wolfenstein 3-D on PSN as well for $5. Here’s to nostalgic gaming!
That’s awesome, great to hear, one of the best games in my opinion… by the way, you can change the button layout in settings in the menu system if you don’t like the default, no recoding neccessary :)
Yes, but if I change the button setup, I won’t get the full nostalgia experience! But seriously, thanks for the advice.
I have purchased the final fantasy 7 off the ps network and i have the original copy in witch i used on the ps3 with remote play but having the game completely portable is possible the best thing ever its great runs great no problems recomended number 1 game to buy all over again and the gamestop mag last going ff7 black lable was allmost 500 dollars 10 saves you 490 you tell me whats the better deal.