You can’t keep a good title down. That’s the bottom line. Just as you can’t keep a good person down, you can’t keep a good game down. Sooner or later, it’s going to come back in a new version for the latest game consoles. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why.
If a game title has made quite a bit of money in the past and there’s a huge community of hardcore fans around it, it’s like refusing to port or remake the game to run on the newest consoles would be like leaving a ton of cash on the table.
It may seem pretty crass, but gamers who have fallen in love with the title can only thank the game developers for making sure the game franchise that has won their loyalty will have a version for the latest generation of video game consoles.
Not surprisingly, there’s a tremendous number of retro PlayStation games being ported over or remade for the latest console platforms.
The PlayStation 4 now supports a wide range of retro PlayStation games. Here are our picks of the ten best.
Shadow of the Colossus
This action-adventure game was developed by Japan Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment.
It has a fantasy setting where the player follows the character of Wander. He seeks power to revive a girl named Mono. The overall objective of the game is to resurrect Mono. The bad guy is Colossi. Players play Wander to locate and, finally, destroy Colossi.
This game has a third-person perspective, which features three-dimensional graphic environments, amazing combat gameplay, and a lot of puzzles and platforming elements.
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
This is a remake of the 1996 classic. Crash Bandicoot was very popular back in the 90s. It is a platform game, much like the Super Mario Brothers series. Originally developed by Vicarious Visions, it is published by Activision.
Crash Bandicoot goes through several levels to stop Doctor Neo Cortex. He spins, jumps, and does all sorts of moves to outsmart and defeat enemies. Along the way, he collects fruits, smashes carts, and gets extra lives.
The great thing about this retro remake is that it has fully remastered audio and cutscenes. You also get to automatically save your progress through the game, which is a vast improvement from the original version.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
This is a 2020 remake of a 1997 game. Final Fantasy has been around for a very long time. It is one of the most well-respected and followed fantasy game franchises on the market. It shows no signs of slowing down.
Different fans have different preferences as far as which installment of the series they like. Apparently, the 1997 release of the Final Fantasy series has such a following that publisher Square Enix decided to remake it recently.
Just like with other Final Fantasy games, this is set in the dystopian cyberpunk metropolis Midgar. The player controls Cloud Strife. He joins the eco-terrorist group Avalanche.
This game features real-time action with strategic and role-playing elements. You explore the game world, and there’s a lot of amazing battle mechanics to master. You also get special abilities like magic powers, special items, and special moves, which you unlock.
LocoRoco 2 Remastered
Originally released in 2008, this retro remake was published in 2017. Player controls are the same as the original version. You play as the planet. You follow the storyline of LocoRoco against the boss Bonmucho. Their shoulder buttons are used to tilt the world.
There are new features in the remake. You get to swim underwater and squeeze through crevices as you gain new abilities.
There are also new characters in this remake. They are Majoline, BuiBui, Viole, and Galanmar.
Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled
Released in 2019, this is a kart racing video game that was originally developed by famed game development outfit Naughty Dog in 1999. Published by Activision, Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled features Crash Bandicoot tackle races.
You get the same Crash Bandicoot game mechanics, like powerups to combat opponents. Just like with other kart racing games, you get to customize your vehicle. There are also two variations of the adventure mode, and there is an in-game shop.
On top of all of this, this remake also has additional content from Crash Nitro Kart and Crash Tag Team Racing.
Resident Evil 2
Originally released in 1998, Resident Evil 2 has made quite a bit of a splash. Not only did it make its publisher Capcom a lot of money, but a large community also eagerly awaits the latest and greatest releases for this series. It seems that people can’t get enough of this storyline.
This 2019 remake enables the players to control Leon Kennedy, a rookie police officer. They can also play Claire Redfield, a college student.
The game is set stricken by a zombie outbreak. The mission is to escape the zombie outbreak.
What’s interesting about Resident Evil 2’s remake is that it features an over-the-shoulder angle for this third-person shooter. Quite a refreshing improvement.
Players can now move while using their weapons. This is a great innovation because that’s where the action is. You want to be able to move around and maximize your range of motion while taking out the bad guys.
In terms of gameplay, you collect items to help you in your escape and survive the zombie apocalypse.
WipEout Omega Collection
Originally released on the PlayStation in 1995, the WipEout Omega is a futuristic anti-gravity racing game. There are 26 reversible circuits you can race in. You can choose among 46 unique ships.
As awesome as this game was in 1995, what’s really fascinating about its 2017 remake is that you get to play other people online. That’s right. It’s online multiplayer enhanced.
It also has upgraded graphics that support full HD. In terms of soundtrack, it’s really up to date because of its awesome techno offerings.
Finally, WipEout Omega Collection also has nine game modes to select from.
Resident Evil 3
Originally launched in 1999, this Capcom title is another installment in the survival horror video game franchise. The game follows the elite agents Jill Valentine and Carlos Oliveira. They attempt to find a vaccine and escape a bioweapon threat to their city.
The perspective on this game is an “over-the-shoulder angle.” Otherwise, it’s a regular third-person perspective game.
The key is to solve puzzles and defeat monsters.
Trials of Mana
This is a 2020 remake of a game that was originally released in 1995. While it is published by Square Enix, its developer is Xeen.
In this role-playing action game, you can follow six characters in their quests. Quests lead them to the Mana sword. You fight threats that try to end the world. As a player, you can control three out of the six characters. You navigate different environments, fight enemies, and level up your characters.
Ratchet & Clank
Released in 2016, this retro game was developed by Insomniac Games. It’s based on the 2016 movie Ratchet & Clank. While it’s fairly recent, there is a lot of nostalgic retro styling to this game.
Clank is attached to Ratchet. They navigate through complicated environments and defeat a wide range of interesting enemies. Players also get access to different weapons and gadgets that they can use to traverse obstacles and take out the bad guys.
When Clank is attached, Ratchet can dive and glide and use the backpack as a jetpack, which then allows him to fly.