One of many key components that has ensured the longevity of video video games is collectors. Because the pastime has change into extra in style, a market has risen to accommodate the rising curiosity in retro video video games. With amassing being extra in style than ever, is it nonetheless value it to gather PS1 in 2025? Let’s discover out!
Firstly, we now have to conceed in regards to the rising worth of video video games. One of many points with the aforementioned enhance in recognition of amassing retro video video games is that demand is rising while provide is lowering. In accordance with commonplace financial idea, which means costs will enhance as long as demand is sustained. At the moment, the demand within the market is definently there for PlayStation 1.
The PlayStation was Sony’s debut console that launched on December 3, 1994. Given Sony is taken into account the market chief at the moment, many individuals are inquisitive about Sony’s first machine. Moreover, there are much more individuals, like myself, who’ve a way of nostalgia and attachment as a result of we performed the console throughout our childhood. It was discontinued on March 23, 2006, and offered a complete of 102.49 million based on some estimates. This locations the console because the sixth finest promoting of all time.
With all that stated, chances are you’ll be questioning as to why I made the sooner remarks concerning the dwindling provide. You will need to keep in mind that the gross sales figures are worldwide lifetime figures. Some models are misplaced to time, not on the market or damaged. Nevertheless, while the worth has steadily risen for the PSX within the UK, the biggest features are within the worth of the sport library.
Huge Library
The PlayStation had a complete of over 4,100 video games developed in its lifetime. 1,766 of these video games had been launched in PAL areas, to which the UK belongs. It’s actually an enormous library of video games. Additionally it is value noting that there’s a homebrew scene for the PSX that’s nonetheless growing titles for the system. Nevertheless, for this text we’re specializing in video games launched through the unique life cycle of the PlayStation.
Now we all know in regards to the quantity of software program printed on the console, let’s take into account gross sales. Under are the highest 5 sport gross sales on the console:
| Rank | Recreation | Gross sales |
| 1 2 3 4 5 |
Gran Turismo Ultimate Fantasy VII Tekken 3 Crash Bandicoot Spyro the Dragon |
10.85 million 9.72 million 8.3 million 6.8 million 5 million |
When in comparison with trendy consoles, software program gross sales are a lot larger for contemporary consoles by comparability. PS5’s finest promoting sport is Spiderman 2. It launched in 2023 and has at the moment offered 11 million.
What I’m trying to display right here is that regardless of the massive set up base, sport gross sales aren’t massive when in comparison with trendy equivalents. If you issue within the gross sales portion for the PAL area, then the UK, you could have a lot much less video games obtainable for every title than you may think. Total, when trying on the numbers, there’s positively the next demand than provide.
It’s All About The Cash
This results in the primary thrust of this text. Within the UK, amassing the PS1 is changing into dearer and tough to do due to the dwindling provide. Nevertheless, it is usually necessary to think about that regardless of the trajectory, the PSX is in a significantly better place for availability than many different comparable consoles. In case you had been to think about one other era 5 console, such because the Sega Saturn, which offered 9.26 million models, then it’s a completely different story.
When contemplating in style retro programs just like the Tremendous Nintendo, Sega Grasp System, and so on., you will need to observe that regardless of their comparatively massive set up bases, video games are usually dearer to gather for within the UK than later consoles. Which means the underlying mechanics that are sustaining the elevated costs of retro video games will nonetheless impact PSX, and can ultimately make it very costly, even even supposing is in a extra favorable place than many different consoles.
Finally, this helps to clarify why the PS1 has seen important worth will increase over the previous few years. Inside the 2020’s we now have seen video games resembling Castlevania: Symphony of the Night time go from round £150 to round £600. Even video games resembling Armored Core, that was round £30 is now round £120.
Nevertheless, it could be truthful to say that such massive will increase are solely restricted to the extra elusive and famend titles. That’s actually true, however worth will increase are taking place throughout the board. I calculate the going price of my very own assortment. Contemplating my PSX video games bought within the 2020’s, I’ve seen a worth rise of about 27.43% from once I purchased them, to what they go for as we speak. That is even contemplating the titles I purchased this 12 months.
Now that we now have established that there’s a particular worth enhance occurring and being sustained, you will need to take into account what impact this has on the flexibility to gather for PS1. Throughout all of the titles I personal, the typical every title value me is £16.38. Together with the truth that a number of the costliest video games I personal are on PSX, that truly is sort of inexpensive. It will not be the most affordable console to gather for, however it’s far from being the most costly.
In conclusion, the PS1 continues to be value amassing for in 2025, not less than if you’re within the UK. The console has a unbelievable library that’s principally inexpensive, even when some video games are priced far past what most individuals can afford. Given its set up base and software program gross sales, it’s reasonably obtainable. Given the trajectory of costs for PSX, it looks as if now is an efficient time to start amassing for the PS1. It’s not one of many most cost-effective consoles to gather for, however it actually isn’t too far off. So far as I’m involved, the worth for cash continues to be there, and you must soar in you probably have the possibility.
