First of all, let me just say, that a quick Google search for Sly Cooper images to add to this small editorial quickly lead me to see things that I sure as hell didn’t need to see. I also inadvertently learned that Sly Cooper is a big mascot in the underground furrie community, congrats to you Mr. cartoon raccoon guy.
Moving on, at last weeks E3 Sony announced that they would be bringing to the PS3 a Sly Cooper collection, featuring all of the Sly Cooper games uprezzed and with 3D and Move support. Many PS3 fans were overjoyed at this news, yes sweet mother of Moses more awesome PS2 games coming back! This weekend some eagle eyed gamers in Europe spotted the new boxart for the Sly Cooper collection, and with it we got a nice new reveal that Sony plans to re-release classic PS2 games for play on the PS3.
The new “Classics HD” label pretty much confirms what many feared back when Sony announced they were going to remove b/c altogether from all PS3’s. Upon hearing this news my first thought was, “surely they’re going to screw us and resell these games to us in some way or another”. Sony stated in the beginning of this generation to PlayStation console owners that every PS3 would be b/c; putting to end any fear that long time PlayStation fans would have to forfeit the pleasure of continuing to enjoy their massive PSone and PStwo collections. In fact it was one the PS3’s biggest selling points, so much so that their PR talking heads spouted as much; even taking potshots at Microsoft’s take on b/c for the 360.
Unfortunately, that’s no longer the case, which really shouldn’t be all that surprising with how many broken promises and PR speak console manufacturers have laid to waste this generation; I’m speaking about Sony and Microsoft (every game in 720p HD hah). What is surprising, is it seems a good deal of consumers don’t mind repurchasing these same games all over again; and really who can blame them? The PS2 had the best collection of games perhaps… well ever. Which is why so many gamers cried foul when Sony decided to remove the feature from all PS3’s sold. Don’t get me wrong, the ability to play these games again is wonderful, even better with the added new tricks in the mix like 3D and some fancy upscaling; but what really irks me is that we shouldn’t have to buy these games again. Period. The simple fact of the matter is that Sony basically promised the goods, gave it, and then because too few folks wanted to fork over the immensely wallet crunching price-point for their console, decided to get rid of it.
Sony fans have been begging for the return of b/c, but Sony in a smart business move decided to give it to consumers in way they’ll have to pay for it; nice move Sony. But as they say: business is business. On the plus side, we at least get to play some of our PS2 favorites again, even if we have to pay for them all over again and worse of all – keep hoping on that the next HD Classic Sony produces is that one series we love the most. Fingers crossed for that Devil May Cry collection!