15 Games We Want on PlayStation Classic
Hardware
2019年9月8日
Distilling the entire library of the original PlayStation is no easy task, but someone has to do it. And while we wait to find out what the official full lineup for Sony's recently announced PlayStation Classic mini console is, IGN has a few suggestions for what should be included. Sony has already revealed five of the 20 total games expected to launch with the PlayStation Classic — Final Fantasy VII, Tekken 3, Wild Arms, Jumping Flash, and Ridge Racer Type 4. That leaves 15 available slots for classic PlayStation experiences. In this gallery, you'll find IGN's picks for what those 15 games should be, based on the nostalgic memories of various IGN staff members. First, some caveats: You'll notice what seems like several very iconic PlayStation games omitted from our list. We took into account all officially announced or recently released remasters when making this list. So, yes, the Crash Bandicoot and Spyro trilogies are iconic mascot platformers, Resident Evil 1 & 2 ar
In spite of being the direct sequel to an MSX2 game that never made its way to the West, Metal Gear Solid put Hideo Kojima’s tactical espionage stealth series on everyone’s soliton radar, raising big red exclamation points over plenty of heads. An exhilarating blend of Hollywood action blockbuster spectacle, Japanese mecha anime style, and Kojima’s special way of screwing with players, there’s a reason so many people are clamoring for this classic to sneak into the PlayStation Classic’s library. – Max Scoville
While Tony Hawk’s Underground might be what many fans are most eager to return to, the legacy left by Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 is undeniable. Widely considered one of the best sports games of its time, THPS2 even stands as the highest-rated PlayStation game on Metacritic. Sadly, one of its most memorable elements could be what prevents it from appearing on the PlayStation Classic – the music. A mix of ‘90s punk rock and hip-hop, the playlist of licensed tunes from Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 was the soundtrack to so many childhoods. The use of licensed songs is known to complicate video game re-releases, but even if they have to nix a few tracks, the chance to return to one of the best skateboarding games ever – especially in a time when we’re sorely in need of a new one – is worth it. – Chloi Rad
The Silent Hill series is most famous for the second game’s iconic Pyramid Head, and perhaps most recently popular for the doomed Silent Hills, but it all started back on the original PlayStation. The first Silent Hill was a shining example of doing a lot with very little. It paired the third-person fixed camera angles made iconic by Resident Evil with an eerie roaming camera, allowing it to occasionally play with perspective in new, unnerving ways. It turned common technical workarounds of the era, like the need to fade out faraway objects to obscure draw distance limitations, into tangible atmospheric elements – notably the town’s iconic fog. It wasn’t a “pretty” game by modern AAA standards, but it managed to set a mood that survival horror games have barely come close to matching two decades later. Silent Hill became an aesthetic, and its roots go all the way back to 1999. Beyond its visual achievements though, Silent Hill’s bizarre cast, dark tale of occult conspiracy, and psychological horror still hold
While Final Fantasy VII is the entry most commonly associated with the original PlayStation, its fur-lined, leather-clad follow-up is just as deserving of praise. On top of the memorable characters and enthralling story to be expected from a Final Fantasy entry, VIII introduced plenty of new mechanics and an unprecedented level of realism, so it has no shortage of hardcore fans. If you need proof, just look at the reaction after Nintendo announced nine Final Fantasy titles that would be coming soon to Switch, noticeably leaving out poor FFVIII. – Max Scoville
Originally released in 1998, Parasite Eve is a horror game in which players attempt to stop a woman who can cause people to spontaneously combust by manipulating the mitochondria within their cells. Moody, atmospheric, and mysterious, Parasite Eve is one of the most bizarre and memorable cult horror classics on the original PlayStation. – Cassidee Moser
Cartoon platformers reigned supreme during the '90s, and Rayman arrived during its peak in 1995. It was the complete package, with an adorable protagonist, great music, beautiful art, and was a surprising anomaly as a successful 2D game on a 3D platform. Rayman's legacy has been strong, and his origins back in the early '90s are absolutely worth revisiting in a new format today. – Cassidee Moser
The original Chrono Trigger had you jumping between epochs, but its sequel Chrono Cross flings you across entire dimensions and back. Loosely tied to the first game, this story of death, betrayal, and fate allows you to recruit up to 45 different party members. You’ll have to play the game multiple times to see everything, which is perfect, because the New Game+ mode not only complements Chrono Cross’ overarching themes, but also opens up a dozen different endings. – Zachary Ryan
To call Vagrant Story an amalgamation might be too on the nose. Its incredible blend of dungeon crawling, crafting, and masterful art direction are all wrapped inside an incredible gothic storyline just this side of Metal Gear Solid. Perhaps Yasumi Matsuno’s greatest and most ambitious game to date, this often-overlooked gem came right at the end of the PSX’s life cycle and is more than deserving of a second chance on the PlayStation Classic. – Zachary Ryan
The second Legacy of Kain is a sprawling, engrossing epic worthy of returning to in its own right, but also has an important place in the both past and recent history of PlayStation. Amy Hennig served as director, producer, and writer on Soul Reaver, and of course went to serve as a writer and director on the Uncharted franchise. The throughline of PlayStation history is an important one to show, especially for newer audiences, and being able to represent that via this impressive action-adventure definitely earns it a spot on the Classic’s list. – Jonathon Dornbush
Final Fantasy Tactics set the bar for grid-based strategy games at the time, and actually holds up fairly well by today’s standards. It would make a strong addition to the Classic line-up because playing it makes it crystal clear just how many games have been inspired by it. There have been a few releases since its launch, including a version on mobile, but there’s nothing quite like playing Tactics with its original art and UI. – Tom Marks
Often lost in the unpalatable polygonal porridge of mediocre PlayStation mascot platformers, Klonoa is an exceptionally designed, unapologetically challenging 2.5D platformer. It plays something like a sequel to Super Mario 2, with a core leaping/boosting mechanic that would feel familiar to anyone who’s spent time playing this year's indie standout The Messenger. The charming pastoral levels start out deceptively simple, but Klonoa’s difficulty and complexity gradually ramp up to a supremely satisfying threshold. It’s the best pure platformer of its era, and its sublime mechanics are matched by a surprisingly touching, tragic, and melancholic story that stands in sharp contrast to its cute visual style. – Jared Petty
A massive cast of memorable characters combined with an epic and sweeping story make Suikoden 2 notoriously one of the very best console RPGs ever released. Sadly, it was not popular at launch in 1998, so now seems like the perfect time to bring Suikoden 2 back into the mainstream with the PlayStation Classic. – Cassidee Moser
Simply put, Symphony of the Night is one of the greatest games of all time. It’s a perfect blend of old-school Castlevania action and RPG character building. It certainly doesn’t hurt that Symphony showcases some of the greatest pixel art and fluid movement of any generation. Plus, completionists are rewarded with one of the most mind blowing that secrets to ever grace the PlayStation. – Zachary Ryan
One of the biggest things the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy got wrong was not also including the fan-favorite kart racer Crash Team Racing alongside the bandicoot’s original three adventures. The beloved kart racer is one of the most fondly remembered of the genre, outside of Mario Kart, for good reason — its tight controls, fun courses, and wacky Crash charm all came together to make for a consistently exciting racing experience. In lieu of a modern remaster, it would be a delight for Crash fans to have this beloved racer back for a couple more laps. – Jonathon Dornbush
