Ever since Microsoft entered the gaming market with the original Xbox, there has been a rivalry between Xbox and Sony's PlayStation. Despite other console manufacturers having a head start, the Xbox managed to hit the scene with a bang and establish itself as a competitor. Since then, Xbox has tried to remain competitive, and its recent Xbox Game Pass service is the latest example of a major innovation. PlayStation has attempted to retaliate, and its new PS Plus Premium service doesn't quite hold a candle to Game Pass, in-part because it has much fewer retro titles on offer.
Over the last decade or so, Xbox has tried to appease fans by doubling down on backwards compatibility. Starting with just a handful Xbox 360 games, Xbox has now made hundreds of classic titles available to download via the Microsoft Store, or through Xbox Game Pass. PlayStation Plus Premium was marketed to be a similar service, offering big new releases and an expansive selection of PlayStation 1, 2, 3, and PSP classics. Unfortunately, PS Plus Premium keeps dropping the ball on its potential.
PS Plus Premium's Classic Collection Is Still Disappointing
PlayStation Plus Premium is the highest tier of Sony's Game Pass competitor. The lowest Essentials tier grants subscribers the ability to play online and receive two-to-three free games every month. PS Plus Extra gives people access to a plethora of PS4 and PS5 games, including genuinely excellent new releases like Returnal, Deathloop, and Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Intergrade. PS Plus Premium gives players access to Extra's catalogue as well as a slew of "classic" titles.
On paper, PS Plus Premium features over 100 retro titles, ranging from the original PlayStation to the PS3. While this is technically true, the vast majority of these titles are either obscure or remastered versions of titles that were later released on PS4, which Sony is apparently counting under the "classic" titles label.
When PlayStation Plus Premium was first announced, Sony implied that this highest tier was geared toward long-time PlayStation fans who had a vested interest in playing retro titles. When the first wave of releases was revealed this seemed to be the case, with Resident Evil Director's Cut, Ape Escape, Syphon Filter, and more beloved PS1 games making the cut. There weren't many classic games, but that was to be expected of Sony's first wave for this brand-new service.
Flash forward a few months and Sony doesn't seem quite as invested in adding classic titles as it was when the new PS Plus service was marketed. In July, a month after PS Plus Premium launched in the US, Sony added just three PSP games. In August, Sony didn't add a single classic game, though September's line-up was better with a few PS3 Sly Cooper games, alongside Syphon Filter 2 and two PSP games. However, October's PS Plus Premium additions have dropped the ball again, with the only genuine classic titles being PS3 games that have Ultra Street Fighter 4 as their stand-out title. PS Plus Premium's classic offerings have continued to be disappointing month after month, and if Sony wants to justify its hefty $119.99 price tag, then it needs to start picking up the pace.