PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing.

PCMag UK

Deal Alert: PlayStation Classic Is Now Just $40 at Walmart

Just three weeks after making its debut, the retro mini console has received a huge price cut. Those who already purchased the PlayStation Classic for its launch price of $99.99 are going to be pissed because it's now available for just $59.99.

Angela Moscaritolo
 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

Our Expert
LOOK INSIDE PC LABS HOW WE TEST
65 EXPERTS
43 YEARS
41,500+ REVIEWS

UPDATE: After getting a $40 price cut in December, Sony's PlayStation Classic has dropped even lower.

You can now snag the retro mini console at Walmart.com for just $39.99 with free shipping. That's $60 off its December 2018 launch price of $99.99.

Original Story (12/27/18):
The PlayStation Classic hasn't exactly received glowing reviews since its release earlier this month. And now, just three weeks after making its debut, the retro mini console has received a huge price cut.

Those who already purchased the PlayStation Classic for its launch price of $99.99 are going to be pissed. That's because it's now available via Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, Target, and other retailers for just $59.99.

Released on Dec. 3, the PlayStation Classic comes with 20 classic games and two full-sized gamepad controllers.

The mini console earned a "good" rating in PCMag's review. We like its "faithful physical design" and noted it comes with "some genuinely excellent classic games" such as Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid, and Resident Evil: Director's Cut. On the down side, however, it's missing several major titles like Silent Hill, Gran Turismo, Vagrant Story, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Street Fighter Alpha 3, Ape Escape, PaRappa the Rappa, and Darkstalkers. Moreover, PCMag Senior Consumer Electronics Analyst Will Greenwald found its software presentation to be "disappointing."

"A strange selection of games and muddy upscaling keep the PlayStation Classic mini retro game system from doing Sony's first console justice," he wrote.

At a 40 percent discount, the easily-hackable mini console might be more appealing to some. This does not appear to be a permanent price cut, however. Business Insider reports that the promotion will run through Jan. 26, so if you have your eye on the PlayStation Classic, despite its limitations, be sure to order one soon.

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. 

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes. 

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app. 

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth. 

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light. 

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

Read the latest from Angela Moscaritolo

Read full bio