- Hardware
- Retro
I'd already rather play retro PlayStation consoles, so don't give me an excuse.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Phil Hayton)
- Copy link
- X
Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Want to add more newsletters?
Every Friday
GamesRadar+
Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.
Signup +
Every Thursday
GTA 6 O'clock
Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.
Signup +
Every Friday
Knowledge
From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.
Signup +
Every Thursday
The Setup
Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.
Signup +
Every Wednesday
Switch 2 Spotlight
Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.
Signup +
Every Saturday
The Watchlist
Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.
Signup +
Once a month
SFX
Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!
Signup + An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletterWhether Sony wants to call it PS5 Surge pricing or "dynamic", it'll get the same petty response from me if digital game trends spotted by PSPrices ring true. It honestly wouldn't take much for me to pack up my new-gen systems and pitch up the company's original best retro console contender instead, and I reckon fans should just pick up a PS1 again as an extremely cathartic protest.
While I could describe Sony's suspected surge pricing as the company threatening me with a good time, I am actually PS5 games enjoyer. I'd naturally prefer it if one of the last-standing console makers didn't force some players to pay more for digital downloads while gracing others with up to 17.6% off (thanks for highlighting, VGC). However, if it really wants to test my pockets, I'll just recommend buying physical releases, old and slightly newer, for bygone systems.
You may like-
The Rayman 30th Anniversary Edition is neat and all, but I'd still recommend playing the PS1 original on original hardware
-
I'm going offline and back to my '90s retro gaming roots this Christmas, but I'll still be embracing modern luxuries
-
Best retro consoles 2026: my favorite ways to play classic capers
Really, though, picking up an OG PS1, a PS2, or even a PS3 with support for up to all three, depending on the model, could save you from any new-age PlayStation FOMO. Chances are that there are a bunch of classic games you haven't even played yet, and you could just start back at the beginning and wait for Sony to entice you back to the PS5 with sensible prices.
Use a DualSense with your old PlayStation8Bitdo Retro Receiver | $24.99 at Amazon
I should note that Sony's current PS5 surge pricing is experimental. At the moment, it's an A/B test, but one that "involves more than 150 games in 68 regions," and has been running for three months. We'll need to wait and see if it actually sticks, but if you're weary of digital download shenanigans anyway, I've got a few pointers for going back to the oldies.
My first suggestion is to simply work out what you want to play. If you're itching to play OG PS1 games, you could grab a second-hand console at eBay or fish your own out of the attic. If you've got a PS2, that will do too, since it's backwards compatible, not to mention you can hook them up the same way to an upscaler like the OSSC or a cheaper HDMI adapter (like this one for $12.99 at Amazon).
If you go down the standalone upscaler route, devices like the OSSC (Open Source Scan converter) will scale things up to 1080p using line doubling and provide sharp, vibrant results over an RGB SCART or component cable. If you've got the PS2 on your mind and want to properly deal with deinterlacing caveats that can result in jittery visuals, alternatives like the GBS-C can provide a motion-adaptive algorithm for around $89 (far cheaper than enthusiast options like the RetroTINK-5X Pro).
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ NewsletterContact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Handy HDMI upscalersOSSC | $111.90 at AmazonGBS-C | $89.90 at Amazon
You also don't need to go that far back hardware wise to play a bunch of physical PlayStation games. As I hinted above, the PS3 is actually a solid option with HDMI output that will at least run its own library and PS1 games, and you can even get a version that retains a PS2 Emotion Engine chip for backward compatibility. If you're hunting for those on eBay, it's the 20GB CECHA01 or CECHB01 models with four USB ports in the back, or if you're in the UK, CECHCXX.
Now, protesting surge pricing doesn't have to mean doing without more modern PlayStation games. You could actually stick with your PS5 and just pick up releases physically, as there are still plenty of fresh discs at Amazon. I do think it would be funnier if everyone collectively went back to at least the PS4, but even just avoiding digital downloads will avoid playing into the dynamic pricing test.
All of this is really just a reminder that you don't have to give in and pay for new PS5 games. If needs must, there are decades of games you've likely never touched, and I'm more than happy to show you how to play them on original hardware or even use your physically owned libraries on the best gaming handhelds and other more modern devices.
Who knows, maybe we can spark a retro gaming renaissance and get off the path that leads to AI nonsense, being tethered to the internet, and not knowing whether Sony will charge you more for a PS5 game on a whim.
Using Valve's handheld to tackle your baglog? You might want to check out the best Steam Deck docks and consolise your portable PC.
Phil HaytonSocial Links NavigationHardware EditorPhil is the Hardware Editor at GamesRadar+ who specializes in retro console setups, choosing the latest gaming handhelds, and navigating the choppy seas of using modern-day PC hardware. In the past, they have covered everything from retro gaming history to the latest gaming news, in-depth features, and tech advice for publications like TechRadar, The Daily Star, the BBC, PCGamesN, and Den of Geek. In their spare time, they pour hours into fixing old consoles, modding Game Boys, exploring ways to get the most out of the Steam Deck, and blasting old CRT TV visuals into their eye sockets.
View MoreYou must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Logout Read more
The Rayman 30th Anniversary Edition is neat and all, but I'd still recommend playing the PS1 original on original hardware
I'm going offline and back to my '90s retro gaming roots this Christmas, but I'll still be embracing modern luxuries
Best retro consoles 2026: my favorite ways to play classic capers
I still have numerous CRT TVs in my life, but I've found a way to satiate my lust for scanlines on even modern screens
I own 23 Resident Evil figurines, and I'd still rather buy Requiem's amiibos instead of a $300 statue
Hey mom and dad, those PS5 and Xbox handhelds your kids want for Christmas aren't what you think
Latest in Retro
After years of torturing myself over NES color accuracy, it turns out there is no consensus for how the retro console should look
The Super Pocket is down to a no-brainer price, but I'd hang fire if you prefer N64 platformers like Banjo-Kazooie
The "oldest" Nintendo PlayStation add-on now lives at the National Videogame Museum, and it almost looks like one of my weird SNES accessories
26 years ago today, the PS2 arrived and changed console gaming as we know it, and I'm giving it modern gifts for its birthday
The Analogue Pocket and its portable peers are all creeping up in price
I'd probably enjoy the Game Boy Jukebox more if Nintendo released a proper retro handheld remake first
Latest in News
Spider-Noir is the "same character, different version": "It's not a continuation of Into The Spider-Verse"
Helldivers 2 support agent says "there's no balance team" at Arrowhead because "it's all a team effort"
Resident Evil director Shinji Mikami has been working on a new AAA action RPG for at least 1 year, and no one noticed
Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen have been on Switch for over a week, but many players are still stuck in Oak's Lab
"Complicated feelings on our end": Indie devs behind new Peak-like co-op understand you think it's friendslop
James Cameron says Avatar 4 is still "very likely", despite Fire and Ash making $870 million less than The Way of Water
LATEST ARTICLES- 1Spider-Noir is the "same character, different version": "It's not a continuation of Into The Spider-Verse"
- 2Helldivers 2 support agent says "there's no balance team" at Arrowhead because "it's all a team effort"
- 3Resident Evil director Shinji Mikami has been working on a new AAA action RPG for at least 1 year, and no one noticed
- 4Marathon Introducing Sekiguchi contract walkthrough and how to find the Necrotic Sample and scan your shell
- 5How to start Ghost of Yotei Legends online co-op
