Sony is bringing PS2 emulation to the PS4, and opening up one of gaming’s most acclaimed libraries to a whole new generation. Recently they asked us what games we’d like to see on the PS4 so we’ve got here our top 10 list.
We’ve deliberately avoided any titles which have either been remastered recently or are due for an update – so that means no Grand Theft Auto 3, ICO, Zone of the Enders, REZ, Metal Gear Solid 3, Shadow of the Colossus and Odin Sphere.
Killer7 by Suda51, Grasshopper Manufacture & Capcom
The game follows an elite group of assassins called the “Killer7“. The assassins, physical manifestations of a man named Harman Smith, perform hits on behalf of the United States government. Through these missions, the Killer7 uncover a deeper conspiracy regarding the role of Japan in US politics and secrets about the nature of their organization.
Unlimited Saga by Squaresoft
Set in a fantasy world, the game follows the exploits of seven adventurers as they travel the world in search of the Seven Wonders, mysterious artifacts left behind by an ancient civilization that are said to bring about a new golden age of peace and prosperity when found. You play as all of the seven protagonists in turn, each with their own intertwining storyline and adventures.
Bully by Rockstar Games
In the cult classic Bully you play as Jimmy Hopkins, a 15-year-old delinquent who’s been expelled from seven other schools. After his mother and latest step-father dump him in a corrupt boarding school just outside the town of Bullworth, Jimmy must find a way to go from social pariah to schoolyard hero. Bully takes us through Jimmy’s first year at Bullworth Academy. It’s a rough year as Jimmy must negotiate the social strata of the various cliques in school (bullies, nerds, jocks, preppies, greasers) and out of school (townies). There are classes to ditch, prefects and cops to avoid and an entire town to explore.
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 by Atlus
The Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad (SEES), are a group of students investigating the Dark Hour, a time period between one day and the next that few people are aware of. During the Dark Hour, the player enters Tartarus, a large tower containing Shadows, creatures that feed on the minds of humans. To fight the Shadows, each member of SEES is able to summon a Persona, a manifestation of a person’s inner self.
Dark Cloud 2 by Level-5
Max a young inventor, in possession of a mysterious stone discovers that the outside world is being destroyed. He meets Monica a young girl in possession of a similar stone that allows her to travel to the past. These stones are known as Atlamilia and there are 3 in existence, the last belonging to Emperor Griffon who is destroying the world of the past in order to rule the future. Together Max and Monica rebuild each of the towns destroyed by Griffon in order to restore the future.
Radiata Stories by tri-Ace & Square Enix
Radiata Stories is a fantasy role-playing game set in a world where humans and fairies have peacefully coexisted. Now a war has broken out, and you must guide two young protagonists Jack and Ridley in a mission to save Radiata from destruction. Find friends and NPC party members and make decisions that will affect the entire storyline of the game.
Psychonauts by Tim Schafer & Double Fine Productions
Psychonauts is based on the adventures of Razputin, a young boy who is gifted with psychic abilities. Raz runs away from his family’s circus one day and sneaks into a summer camp for those with similar powers, so he can train to become a Psychonaut and show his worth. Soon, however, he finds that there is a sinister plot unfolding at the camp, which only he can stop.
Prince of Persia: Sands of Time by Ubisoft
An arrogant Prince of Persia makes a fatal mistake when he steals the mystical Dagger of Time. In the dagger lies the Sands of Time, and when our Prince gets tricked into releasing the Sands it transforms his city’s people into savage monsters. Together with the Maharaja’s daughter Farah, the Prince works to correct his mistake and return the Sands to the hourglass. In an epic and touching storyline.
Burnout 3: Takedown by Criterion Games & Electronic Arts
Burnout 3 takes the hit series even further, now featuring a unique “crash and burn” racing concept and a one-of-a-kind special effects engine that delivers spectacular visuals. The intensity heats up as players race, and often crash, their way through oncoming traffic in an attempt to claim the top spot. Boasting multiple single-player, multiplayer and online crash and race modes, Burnout 3 offers players the opportunity to race through busy city streets and be rewarded for taking risks that result in heart-pounding action and electrifying crashes.
Okami by Clover Studio & Capcom
One of the classics from the PS2 era; Okami is a visual masterpiece that combines Japanese myths, legends and folklore to tell the story of how the land was saved from darkness by the Shinto Sun Goddess. The legendary monster Orochi has come back to life and turned the world into a veritable wasteland. The Sun God known as Amaterasu, takes the embodiment of a white wolf that has come forth with her celestial brush to fight ominous beings and reclaim the earth from a curse that plagues it.
Let us know in the comments which games you’d like to see return on the PS4!