The hot and trending video game console over the last two holiday seasons wasn?t the PS4, nor was it the Xbox One, or even the Nintendo Switch. It was the SNES Classic, and the NES Classic before it. The miniaturized Nintendo consoles raked in revenue, increased ever-important brand awareness around the holidays, and was, in a way, a thank you to fans who grew up with the consoles. Now, Sony is following suit, hoping for lightning to strike a third time and launch the hottest gaming product of the season while satiating PlayStation fan?s growing appetite for nostalgia.
The Decade of Nostalgia
Before we get into the PlayStation Classic itself, it’s worth analyzing the proposition of such a product in today?s market. Nostalgia has practically become currency over the last decade, with remakes, reboots, and revivals of past products, franchises, and more becoming commonplace. Life today is very different from when the PlayStation originally launched back in 1994. The workplace environment is more stressful and demanding, inflation and debt are through the roof, and the internet has created this always connected mindset that means no one is ever truly at rest or at peace.

Humans, as a coping mechanism, like to look back on fondly on easier times, warm times, and times that were fun. This is the so-called feeling of nostalgia that companies like Sony are seeking to exploit and monetize. Fans are equally served, though, as they get to take a trip down memory lane. The tre...