From the recent Chrono Cross remaster to the Pac-Man World remake, PS1 classics are rereleased, with the Nintendo Switch being the curious console poster child. In addition, several of the last few Nintendo Directs and partner showcases have been showing off games intrinsically linked to the nostalgia of many, yearning for the PS1 era of classic RPGs and platformers. For whatever reason, this is happening is a relative unknown, but there are some plausible theories as to why PS1 games are shining on the Nintendo Switch.
The PS1 was the defacto RPG headquarters - to this day, most of the most revered classics like Final Fantasy 7, Xenogears, and Lunar: Silver Star Story all arrived on the system in the 1990s. Alongside them were some fun and charming platformers and 3D adventure games that may not have aged as gracefully as some other games did but still hold a warm spot in the hearts of fans worldwide. So whenever someone browses the net and looks for the best RPGs or action platformers of all time, most of those lists will be populated by PlayStation classics. Unfortunately, most of these games are still locked behind old technology, requiring fans to track down a PS3 or a PSVita to experience a handful of these games, making the experience rather cumbersome.
As the updated rereleases and Chrono Cross have been met mostly with warm reception. These games are slower-paced and have a lot of downtimes, meaning that the portable element makes them easier to tackle a little at a time. In addition, updated mechanics designed to kill off or streamline old RPG systems and tropes make modern PS1 classics even more appealing to return to.
PS1 Classics Fit Great on Switch Especially For New Franchise Entries
Another big reason these games are seeing a resurgence on consoles like the Nintendo Switch is timing. When developers notice that classics are gaining traction for any reason, it often feels like it's time for a remaster or remake. Additionally, many of these games are revived due to franchises' plans. Big announcements like Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth will undoubtedly cause an uptick in sales of games like Final Fantasy 7 classic. Proof of this comes from Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion coming to Nintendo Switch later this winter. Fans of these classic games tend to want to go the portable route when the games themselves aren't graphical or performance powerhouses, so it seems obvious why based on market trends, they'd like to go this route.
Developers have one more major incentive to tap back into these classic IPs left dormant for so long - game development can take a long time, with larger teams needing more time as games get more complex. With some big titles coming out in 4-6 year cycles, it's no surprising that some developers are also feeling the strain. It's clear from the 2022 Summer Game Fest that release calendars are getting sparser by the minute. For publishers to keep investors and fans happy, there needs to be a backup plan to keep the money coming in and keep the conversation around the companies going. With several older games that need new avenues for discovery or basic need modern quality of life updates, classic revivals are the perfect way to fill an empty quarter with sellable titles. The PS1 is a gold mine for several classic titles that could do with the rerelease/remaster treatment, and with an install base like the Nintendo Switch, there's no better place to showcase them right now.
