New PS4 Dashboard Theme Brings Back Memories Of The PS2

Sony has been on a nostalgia binge lately, with the Jak and Daxter games making a return via the PS4, and a couple of other goodies popping up as well; but I don't think any old-school PlayStation gamers mind all that much. In fact, I'm sure many gamers are quite excited about the fact that starting this month a Legacy dashboard theme will be available for the PlayStation 4 based on the PlayStation 2.

YouTuber True Pixel posted up a minute and a half video tour of the retro-themed dashboard that will allow you to revisit a little bit of PlayStation history with a PS2 motif, which will be available starting December 6th for $2.99.

The video starts with a look at the dark faded background with plumes of smoke blossoming in the background. The icons and menu settings have a gradient fade from cobalt to light purple, fitting in with the old-school PS2 theme from more than 15 years ago.

In the description, it's revealed that once the screen boots up gamers will be treated to a random Easter Egg as it heads to the menu. One of the interesting notes is that the team tried to use the original PlayStation 2 logo but due to licensing restrictions it wasn't possible. I'm not sure who at Sony gave the no-go, but it's pretty weird that the original logo from the PlayStation 2 wasn't allowed to be used.

Anyway, the design of the dashboard had help and input from Sony Interactive Entertainment America, along with Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan, and even Naughty Dog.

The teams collaborated to create a dynamic them that mimics the sights and sounds of the original PlayStation 2 boot-up screen and dashboard. Even the functionality was made to be similar to one of the best selling consoles of all time.

The appearance of the background is based on the "Seven Stars" that recreates the mathematical and dynamic formations that represent the passage of time. The Crystal Clock from the PS2 bios was also recreated, along with the addition of color shifting, which can be controlled by user inputs.

The theme has been designed to make use of high-definition and ultra-definition television display units, scaling from native 1080p all the way up to 4K UHD, and even OLED screens.

It's quite impressive that just letting the menu sit there, you'll be able to see how the stars form, and how the crystal clock comes and goes. As evidenced in the video above, you can listen to the ambient sounds that were present in the dashboard when the PS2 originally launched. You can tell a lot of time and love went into making the theme.

The PS2 retro theme is part of the update for the PlayStation 4 that also sees a number of PlayStation Plus games being made available for PlayStation Plus subscribers. You can grab a number of games this month, including PS Vita titles with cross-play, and then pay a visit to the PlayStation Store and pick up the PS2 Legacy dashboard for $2.99 on December 6th.