While Microsoft touted its Xbox 360 backward compatibility on Xbox One, Sony took a different route with classic games for PlayStation 4. The publisher opted to remaster a number of classic PS2 titles for the console, offering hits like Twisted Metal Black, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and this week’s forthcoming Parappa the Rapper 2.
It’s a great start, and there are a number of releases that would be right at home on PS4. That said, these are the PS2 games we most want to see.
Shadow of the Colossus
This adventure from Team Ico is timeless, and even with its re-release in a compilation that also included Ico on PlayStation 3, we can’t help but think a re-release is necessary. You’ll face off against a number of juggernauts as you attempt to save the life of the woman you love, crawling up to their weak points and eventually bringing them down to size – you know, if you don’t get squashed first.
Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
With Naughty Dog hard at work on Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, we can’t help but think it’s an ideal for one of the company’s older franchises to get some love on the PlayStation 4 – and Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy is an excellent place to start. This open-world platformer has it all – great animation, huge open-world levels to explore, a ton of hidden items and even racing elements that will keep you on your toes. On top of that, the presentation is absolutely charming – and still a perfect fit with today’s audience.
Burnout 3: Takedown
Still a racing favorite to this day, Burnout 3: Takedown is easily the best in the series. Criterion Games’ fast-paced racer focuses as much on ramming enemies off the road as it does its high-speed antics, and that adds a new challenge to each event that makes the game worth playing. Throw in a one-of-a-kind Crash mode where you can rack up millions of dollars of damage in one run, and sharp 60 frames per second speed, and you have a game that would become a big time favorite on PS4.
Katamari Damacy
The idea behind Katamari Damacy is sheer lunacy – you’re assigned by your over-confident father to recreate stars in the universe by rolling up everything you can in a series of pre-set levels – but that’s the point. There’s no game in the PlayStation 2 library quite like it, and between its humorous visual style, unique soundtrack and fun gameplay, it still has something to offer. Besides, The King of All Cosmos demands it!
SSX 3
The SSX series is long known for over-the-top action, and SSX 3 is one of the best. You’ll guide your boarder through a huge world picking your events and then dominating with high-scoring stunts and speed runs. This game has hours of content to spare, and a re-release would re-ignite interest in the series – which is never a bad thing, considering how well the previous Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 release did. Let’s get tricky!
Maximo and Maximo vs. Army of Zin
Capcom did a remarkable thing with the Maximo series, bringing its classic Ghouls ‘n Ghosts formula to a 3D format, then revamping the gameplay so it felt challenging and exciting. The end result, in both the original Maximo game and its sequel Army of Zin, is remarkable – and if the company is smart, it’ll re-release both games for new players to enjoy, as well as older fans that couldn’t get enough of them on the PlayStation 2.
Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil
Last but certainly not least, there’s Bandai Namco’s thrilling side-scrolling adventure, a sequel to the cult PS1 favorite Klonoa: Door To Phantomile. This time around, Klonoa has a much bigger quest ahead of him, as he ventures through a danger-filled world trying to quell an evil spirit before it overcomes the Earth. Filled with fantastic visuals, a great soundtrack and fun gameplay around every corner, Lunatea’s Veil is a classic due for rediscovery.
