GameCentral readers debate which PS1 games should be added to Sonys mini console, from Crash Bandicoot to WipEout.
The subject for this weeks Hot Topic follows the annoucement of the PlayStation Classic mini console by Sony. The console will contain 20 games, but only five have been confirmed so far: Final Fantasy VII, Jumping Flash!, R4 Ridge Racer Type 4, Tekken 3, and Wild ARMs. So we wanted to know what you think the other 15 should be?
Readers were certainly not short of suggestions, but the clear leader was Metal Gear Solid, with Tomb Raider, Resident Evil, and Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night also proving very popular.
Snake? Snake?!?
Metal Gear Solid should come bundled with the PlayStation Classic console because its still playable today.
A few years ago I spent an evening testing the original PlayStation games that I still own. If Im honest only Metal Gear Solid held up and engaged me fully.
To contemporary eyes the graphics of PlayStation games look rather basic and blocky but with Metal Gear Solid this lack of resolution didnt matter. The game was (and still is) so atmospheric thanks to some wonderful music and sound design. Each location is packed with secrets and detail.
I think Metal Gear Solid is the best game in the whole series and probably one of the original PlayStations most essential titles, so it would be a shame if it isnt playable on this new console.
The Resident Evil games (1, 2, and 3) endure to a lesser degree, again due to their brilliantly realised atmosphere. Maybe Sony could include them as well?
msv858 (Twitter)
Ravages of age
My very first suggestion would have been Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night, it being (in my eyes) the very best game of its genre, and thats me who has just played Hollow Knight. But I assume with the re-release imminent it wont be appearing, sadly.
A close second is Alundra. A great game that reminds me of another favourite of mine Landstalker. Plus, it featured a piece of music I just love and still listen too to this day.
Blood Omen and/or Soul Reaver. I mention these because they are an excellent show in storytelling, with a fantastic voice cast and great world to explore.
I know Tekken 3 has been announced but I would argue for Street Fighter EX also. I think this is an overlooked game in the Street Fighter history, it had new memorable characters, brilliant music, a surprisingly fun tutorial mode, and at the time looked good. Obviously now it doesnt. which brings to mind the question are all games being released just straight ports or are they being jazzed up slightly? Because a lot of early PS1 games look terrible now a days.
Liam
20 is not enough
The original PlayStation gave me some of my best gaming memories ever and 20 games just seems too limited for a console with such a vast and varied library.
Ideally though, Id want the selection to be a decent mix of the iconic, the well-aged, and the under-appreciated, along with a few well-regarded games I never got around to playing.
For the iconic classics, obvious picks are Ridge Racer, Tomb Raider, Resident Evil 2, Metal Gear Solid, and Silent Hill. All of which remain my favourites in their respective franchises. WipEout 2097 would also be fantastic, although I have doubts it will be there as it isnt even on PSN (soundtrack licensing issues?).
Games that I think still hold up really well today include Suikoden II, Casltevania: Symphony Of The Night, and Street Fighter Alpha 3.
Then theres a couple of games by Psygnosis (R.I.P.) which dont often get a mention these days: G-Police and Colony Wars. They may not have aged well but I loved these at the time and they have few modern day equivalents. (If I could have just Inbox Magic wish, it would be for a new G-Police game for current gen consoles/VR.)
I realise this list is becoming increasingly more unrealistic, but lets also have a couple of curios that were never released in Europe: Parasite Eve and Xenogears always looked intriguing.
Finally, US/NTSC versions of all games please (not the slower, letterboxed PAL versions).
Now just watch as we get the overrated (and already fan-serviced) Crash Bandicoot and Spyro trilogies taking up half the games list… sigh.
jameSomtam (PSN ID)
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Original classics
OK, PlayStation Classic game requests. Im going to try being original here:
- Bushido Blade was interesting with one-hit kills. (Todays beat em-up genre could learn a thing or two)
- Pandemonium 2 (came on that demo disc and blew me away at the time)
- Ape Escape (but no analogue controller, natch)
- Everybodys Golf (alright a bit pointless. ISS 98 anyone? Played that well into 2004)
- Colin McRae Rally (the first, not the disappointing second)
- Crash Team Racing (only seen it, never owned it, but it seems to be a cult classic)
- Vib Ribbon, Parappa the Rapper… (one or more of those because theyre iconic)
- Hang on does this PlayStation Classic mean I can finally get Suikoden II? Definitely want.
- Klonoa (not Spyro please)
- Vagrant Story (Id be very surprised if this didnt make it)
- Vandal Hearts or Alundra or perhaps even Dragon Quest VII (hard work, so only one please)
- Final Fantasy Tactics would be fascinating to play, another I missed first time round
- Ghost In The Shell (loved the demo)
- Rollcage (criminally overlooked at the time)
- And perhaps In Cold Blood (for variety)
Thats my rather alternative list – hope a few readers out there remember some of these largely forgotten classics. In reality theyre not my all-time favourites, but ones which are often difficult to play on modern systems or dont necessarily have equivalent modern versions.
Owen Pile
Dont forget the T-Rex
Ive chosen four games Id like to see on the PlayStation Classic, taking into account theres no analogue control and also choosing games that to my knowledge you either cant get or cant easily get on other platforms.
First up, Bushido Blade. It features one-on-one armed combat that follows the bushido warrior code, with a range of blades and hammers and six fighters. Each fighter is better with certain weapons than others, as weapons are weighted and have a different reach. Collision detection is spot on and timing and distance with strikes are key to success. One hit kills are a possibility, as is having a leg maimed – which leaves the injured party crawling about, barely able to fight on.
The game takes place in mostly one big stage that you can run around the whole of if you wish, leading your opponent to where you want to fight them. The visuals are basic, but the gameplay is solid and the sound is very atmospheric. With no background music playing you just hear the ching of weapons and the warriors steps on whatever surface they are on. Waves lap on a shoreline at dusk, a cleanly sliced bamboo tree rustles as it falls slowly to the snowy ground, the Japanese voiceovers and water drips echo inside a wells cavernous interior. Its all very ethereal and in no way flashy or overdone. This would be my number one pick.
Next up, Streets Of Rage 4. Sorry, Fighting Force. This game was originally to be the first 3D title in the series, developed by Core for Sega exclusively on the Saturn. Core wanted to go multiplatform, but Sega werent having any of it. So everyone got to play Fighting Force instead. The evidence of it once being a Streets Of Rage game is still on show all the way through it however.
There are four brawlers to play as, ripped white shirt and blue jeans wearing Hawk (Axel), red jacket wearing brunette Mace (Blaze), Smasher (Max), and teenage newcomer Alana (a relative of either Axel, Blaze, or Max). The big boss is trenchcoat wearing Zeng (Mr X) who you first encounter at the end of level one sitting behind his giant desk, protected by shades and earpiece-wearing henchmen and high-kicking twin sisters.
Theres also a boss called Jetpac amongst the rogues gallery. The visuals are bright and colourful and the moveset is largely the same as the Streets Of Rage games, but now with destructible environments. Destroying the scenery yields weapons such as a handrail, a fire axe, and a giant gun from the front of a bomber plane carcass. Levels are separated into stages with multiple choices of route to take, so its got replay value. A good game for two players.
Ray Tracers. Think Chase H.Q. and add an anime style and giant cranes and tanks as its antagonists. Blisteringly fast, the aim is to race off in a choice of car (they range between fast and sturdy) and take down the boss underlings, while saving enough time and nitro to take down the stages boss. Its no Burnout and it wont take long to beat, but its fast and fun while it lasts.
Street Fighter EX2 Plus. Despite Fighting EX Layer coming out for PlayStation 4 this summer, this would make a good opportunity to beat up the cast of Street Fighter with Skullomania.
It would be a nice touch if the PlayStation Classic had the menu style of the demo disc that came with the original PlayStation and for good measure contained the T-Rex and manta ray tech demos.
EightBitOnwards
What are the chances?
With the PlayStation Classic just being announced here are the games that I think should be included.
Die Hard Trilogy
This to me meant that a game from a movie franchise can be done right when it offers three games in one. The three games were not only different types of games but also had great gameplay and a really good soundtrack, as well as the third game using vehicles. The other two games were shoot em-up type games, however one was first person view and the other was a different viewpoint and was based on multiple levels, giving you the option to save hostages.
Destruction Derby
This to me is the first racing game that allowed you to be in an arena while having fun smashing into other cars and gaining points. Even when bored of the arena you could enter races and do the same thing. The game had a unique style and type of gameplay do it. To date, it is still one of the best racers I have ever played, which is why this should be included.
Resident Evil
A great example of how a horror style shoot em-up should be done. The fact you were in a mansion fighting off zombies, and as well as having to fight super-mutated bosses, showed how a horror game can be done and still be popular to this day. To me, this game is an example as to how these types of games can get better and grow into a popular franchise even many generations ahead.
Tomb Raider III
Pretty much a must include to me. This is the best type of puzzle-solving and exploring type game I have ever played on the PlayStation. The franchise has gotten ever better today and has many titles still going strong. This game should be included as being able to explore Laras house and driving a quad was fun enough, as well as the story mode which posed interesting challenges. The other two Tomb Raider games should be included as well.
Fighting Force
A true Streets Of Rage style game which should be included given there are not too many fighting games like this on PlayStation 1 and this was not too bad given the limited capabilities of the PlayStation 1 at the time. This game showed how even Streets Of Rage style games still are enjoyed regardless of which generation of system these games are on.
A few others I can name are Trash It, Reloaded, Pandemonium, Kurshi, and Kula World but what are the chances of seeing these included though, eh?
gaz be rotten (gamertag)
Free agent
First of all, I was delighted to hear the news of the PlayStation Classic earlier this week. I have many fond memories of that console, and I have duly put my pre-order in. My wish list would be as follows, Metal Gear Solid is surely a must but could there be any issues given the recent fallout between Konami and Hideo Kojima?
- Metal Gear Solid
- MediEvil
- Syphon Filter
- Destruction Derby
- Gran Turismo
- WipEout 2097
- Crash Team Racing
- Tony Hawks Pro Skater 2
- Crash Bandicoot
- Spyro The Dragon
Dave Short
GC: Metal Gear belongs to Konami, they can do whatever they want with it.
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Rose-tinted gaming
The two games Final Fantasy VII and Wild ARMs are the ones I am experienced with on the list so far and approve whole heartily for reasons of just basically being fantastic games and that Final Fantasy VII is my all-time favourite game and the recent Hot Topic would just have been me again raving about it. Wild ARMSs on the other hand is a much more difficult game to explain and the start is of a much slower nature. The Wild West feel of it is apparent and after a long start getting to know your characters, the titles appear during a funeral session I think, it is possibly the longest opening I have played. So you can imagine how long the rest of the game is.
The original Alundra is another game Id recommend and its action puzzle adventure is of a very Zelda: Link To The Past influence and one game not to ignore. Final Fantasy VI was also released for the PlayStation with new CGI cut scenes and Symphony Of The Night, the only Castlevania that should definitely make it to the system. For sports fans, why not Jonah Lomus Rugby game, which is still probably to this day the best rugby game ever made.
Super Mario Kart clones and games like it never had any place for me on the PlayStation but for nostalgias sake why not the original WipEout and Tekken games, or maybe Crash Team Racing.
To be honest I would personally find most PlayStation games and their polygons a case of wearing rose-tinted glasses. The Super Nintendo and Mega Drive I can play to the end of times because basically they just look solid and stand the test of times fantastically. Todays indie games remind me of the side-view platformers, top down action adventure and role-players on the SNES but obviously more advanced. Much of the games of the PlayStation graphical style though, I dont see recreated much, due to them being outdated rather quickly and near unplayable to a degree.
I wont want to get the new PlayStation Classic but it would be interesting if the choice in games happens to be the best you can get, then maybe the system will be a winner with the ultimate classic mix of what made PlayStation the amazing and groundbreaking console it was.
Alucard
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