The PlayStation TV can be somewhat confusing if you haven’t been paying attention to the latest news. The device is not entirely a new console. At the same time, it is not exactly a simple accessory either. What it does, however, is offer a new way to play certain videogames. So is it worth buying even with its relatively cheap price (you can find the current price tag right now on Amazon)? We at Game Idealist certainly think so. Find our top five reasons to purchase the PlayStation TV below.
5. PlayStation Now
Sony announced the PlayStation Now streaming service for videogames last year. Among the devices that will be supporting the new tech is the PlayStation TV. The small box should give you countless games that were released for the PlayStation 3 (and eventually the PlayStation, PlayStation 2 and Playstation 4). If you have don’t already own a PlayStation system, the PlayStation TV is the cheapest option available that is compatible with the streaming service.
4. PSP Games
The device is also capable of playing PSP games downloaded from the Sony Entertainment Network Store (previously called the PlayStation Store). The predecessor to the Vita has an underrated library, especially if you the kind of gamer who prefers to play Japanese games. Among the compatible digital releases are Corpse Party, Dissidia: Final Fantasy, God of War: Ghost of Sparta, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, Jeanne d’Arc, The Legend of Heroes: Trials in the Sky, Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable and Ys Seven.
3. PSOne Classics
As good as the PSP software lineup was, it paled in comparison to the PSOne library. Thankfully, most of the classics can also be played on the PlayStation TV. The list of supported software includes Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Chrono Cross, Dino Crisis 2, Legend of Dragoon, Legend of Mana, Metal Gear Solid, Parasite Eve, Silent Hill, Vagrant Story, Xenogears as well as multiple games from the Final Fantasy and Resident Evil franchises. These games may not aged that well visually, but their core gameplay easily stood the test of time.
2. PlayStation 4 Remote Play
You do not need to wait for PlayStation Now to actually play PlayStation 4 games using the PlayStation TV. The Remote Play operates in the same exact way as you can set up the PlayStation 4 as a Wireless Access Point or use a home network. While the quality is not quite as good as playing games natively on the next-gen system (especially if you want 1080p and 60 frames per second support), it comes close enough. Remote Play is especially helpful if you have multiple HDTVs in your home.
1. PlayStation Vita Games
The best reason to buy a PlayStation TV, in our opinion, is for PlayStation Vita videogames. Although it is a great handheld, the system is barely selling at all in the United States. So a lot of gamers are missing out on some great experiences. The device will let you play games like Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair, Killzone: Mercenary and Persona 4 Golden on the big television screen, which was previously impossible unless you have a developer’s kit version of the Vita.
The PlayStation TV is available on the 14th of October. Preorder the upcoming console right now by clicking on this link.
