PS1 x-Station

Hmm...

A friend called me a month or so ago asking if I wanted an old PlayStation she’d found at a thrift store. Sure, I already have one or two lying around, but this was a launch model. I couldn't say no.

Is this anything you'd ever want? I just saw it and thought of you.

It turns out the laser was on its absolute last legs. The drive died after only ten minutes of gameplay—typical. But fret not; my previous hesitation toward soldering small circuitry vanished the second I realized this was the perfect "low-stakes" moment to try. If I was ever going to mess something up, this was the time to do it.

What Must I Do?

I did what any sane person would do: I ordered an aftermarket ODE (Optical Drive Emulator) the second I realized the disc drive was toast. And boy, does that thing work wonders.

I’ve been on a total retro binge for a couple of weeks now. I’m already on Disc 4 of the glorious Final Fantasy IX, and Front Mission 3 is next on the list!

The OSSC really does its thing when paired with high-quality RGB SCART cables.

ODE Everything

Over the last year, I’ve been on a real bender when it comes to replacing physical discs. It’s happening just in the nick of time, too. Most of these 90s disc-based consoles weren't built to last forever, and between failing motors and the looming threat of disc rot, the hardware is getting fickle.

Luckily, there are amazing modern alternatives to these slow, aging readers. So far, I’ve replaced the drives in my GameCube, my Saturn, and now the PS1 I never actually got to enjoy.

PS: The UI is so damn snazzy—and it even has a very apt Christmas theme!