Guides & Editorial
From captivating fantasy-RPGs to nail-biting action-adventures - the trove of legendary PS1, PS2 and PS3 games on PlayStation Plus Classics Catalogue keeps growing.
Original trailblazers
Releasing in 1994, the original PlayStation is a seminal system of the modern industry, featuring breakout titles from some of gaming's biggest franchises.
Return to the roots of the legendary Resident Evil series. Way back in 1997, before Raccoon City was overrun or Ethan Winters set off to rescue Mia, it was up to Chris and Jill to escape the Spencer Mansion. A landmark achievement for the medium, Resident Evil: Director's Cut remains an absolute masterclass in level design, art direction and player immersion.
Japan Studio's ambitious RPG took over three years to produce (a huge development time in 1999) and shipped on four discs. An epic, turn-based tour-de-force, its charming story and setting gained it a cult following and a rare status as one of the few games to challenge the dominance of Square Enix's Final Fantasy series.
One of many arcade legends that made the jump to home console, 1996's Tekken 2 was the first of a slew of 3D-style fighters that would set new visual standards for the fighting game genre. Many of its legendary 25-character roster are still mainstays of the series today, with King, Paul Phoenix and Nina Williams all appearing in Tekken 8.
The direct prequel to 2021's Oddworld: SoulStorm and the debut title in the Oddworld series, Oddworld: Abe's Odyssee feels as inventive and inimitable today as it did in 1997. With tight platforming mechanics and smart puzzle design, this blackly comic story of corruption, greed and exploitation remains a one-of-a-kind experience in the medium.
Arguably the apex of PlayStation's arcade racing craze, R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 combined everything developer Namco had learned throughout a decade of development. Remaining true to its arcade roots, the emphasis is on style over simulation, with over 300 cars to unlock by powersliding your way through Global Tour mode.
A turn-of-the-century hit for Bloodborne and Knack co-creators Japan Studio, this 3D action-adventure is a combination of clever gameplay mechanics and pop culture in-jokes. As the first game to require PlayStation's innovative Dual Analog control system (an industry-shifting innovation), it also represents a significant landmark in gaming.
Brace yourself for chaotic vehicular combat in Twisted Metal, the game that smashed together psychotic drivers, heavy weapons, and destructible arenas. Twisted Metal thrilled players with its explosive multiplayer action when it first released, and is still going strong today with its own live-action TV series.
This pioneering first-person shooter laid the foundation for the genre, offering fast-paced action, demonic foes and cathartic weaponry to with which to dispatch them. Two decades on from its release, the grandfather of modern gaming greats like DOOM (2016) and DOOM: Eternal remains a must-play for shooter enthusiasts.
Unsung heroes
Released in 2000, PlayStation 2 is the best-selling games console in history and home to hundreds of era-defining titles, alongside cult classics and hidden gems.
Thanks to its two charming heroes and rich world, The Precursor Legacy remains a beloved platforming classic that’s a joy to explore. Its developers, Naughty Dog are still astounding players with series like The Last of Us and Uncharted, continuing a legacy of truly unforgettable adventures.
Featuring a unique blend of action-RPG and town-building mechanics, Dark Cloud was a game ahead of its time. Prefiguring modern indie hits like Moonlighter and Cult of the Lamb, you take on the role of adventurer Toan, exploring procedurally-generated dungeons to bring back pieces of 'Atla' that can be used to expand and rebuild your world.
A standalone adventure from Ni No Kuni and Dark Cloud developer Level-5, Rogue Galaxy is a brightly coloured blend of sci-fi, Western and classic RPG. PS2 was famed for its Japanese-made RPGs, but few are as distinct as Rogue Galaxy - its departure from traditional fantasy settings and adoption of real-time hack-and-slash combat make it a memorable outlier in the genre.
A sporting side-step from Clap Hanz, the canny creators of Everybody's Golf, Everybody's Tennis transposed the studio's signature style to the world of tennis. Keep an eye out for familiar faces in its 14-character roster as you battle the computer in Challenge Mode, or compete against up to three friends in Tennis with Everybody mode.
Paying lavish homage to Japanese sci-fi cinema of the 1950s, War of the Monsters is a one-of-kind fighting game from the developer of Twisted Metal: Black. You take on the role of one of ten gigantic monsters and do battle with up to three friends, laying waste to glittering cityscapes as you fight to become king of the monsters.
Power in your hands
PlayStation's debut handheld was a worldwide sensation, selling over 80 million units - it was also home to a score of great handheld-only titles from big-name franchises.
Step into the boots of Jan Templar and experience the portable game that brought the war-torn battlefields of Killzone to handheld owners. Delivering intense gameplay, smart AI, and tactical depth on-the-go, Liberation wowed players in 2006, and still impresses today on the big screen.
The haphazard heroics of one-time human and full-time skeleton Sir Daniel Fortesque are so enduring they've been recreated not once but twice. 2005's MediEvil Resurrection provides its own take on Sir Dan's battle against evil wizard Zarok, with completely altered levels, new character designs and additional subplots. If you want a more faithful recreation, you can also check out 2016's MediEvil remake for PS4.
One of PlayStation's more modest heroes, Gabriel Logan embarked on no less than six standalone adventures between 1999 and 2007. Shooter, platform and stealth mechanics seamlessly comingle in a formula Bend Studio (Days Gone) honed to perfection. If you like modern action thrillers and broody, been-there-done-that heroes, you owe it to yourself to check out the series.
Taking masses of influence from '90s Hollywood blockbusters, Pursuit Force is a raucous mix of vehicular carnage and crime-fighting chaos. Hop from helicopter to car to speed boat (or even slum it on foot!) as you take the fight to the warring crime families of Capital State and restore order in style. If you loved the Just Cause 4, Pursuit Force should definitely be on your radar.
From the arcade masters behind Resogun and Returnal, Super Stardust Portable translates the tight, top-down shooting of PS3's Super Stardust HD to the handheld medium. Space shooter veterans who remember the glorious days of Galaga and Gradius will feel very much at home with the brightly coloured, blast-'em-up action.
Modern-day classics
The era of PlayStation 3 might not feel retro just yet, but it paved the way for a range of modern icons, many of which have been lovingly remastered.
Sic parvis magna: greatness from small beginnings. The first entries in what would go on to become an iconic PlayStation franchise, Uncharted delivered heart-stopping action, thrilling escapes and off-the-cuff banter that players immediately fell in love with. It’s no surprise the series went on to spawn numerous sequels and even its own Hollywood movie.
Ascend Mount Olympus with Kratos and unleash your fury upon the Pantheon in God of War III. Delivering an intensely bloody and visceral experience set against a stunning Greek backdrop, the third entry in the series offers a peek into Kratos' gruesome past that fans of the newer games shouldn’t miss.
Revisit one the slickest racing franchises on PlayStation in Clever Beans' sensational remastered collection of WipEout HD (plus the Fury expansion) and WipEout 2048. With fully remastered visuals, 26 tracks to master and over 40 unique ship models to unlock, there's no better way to experience the legendary franchise.
Naughty Dog's multi-award-winning post-apocalyptic survival horror set a high new bar for cinematic storytelling in games. Enhanced and upgraded for PlayStation 4, The Last of Us Remastered is the definitive version of the PS3 original, featuring the full 'Factions' multiplayer and the critically acclaimed 'Left Behind' expansion.
Defy gravity as Kat and soar through a breath-taking world. Gravity Rush didn't just provide innovative gameplay; it instilled a sense of awe and discovery among its players, with unique mechanics and art direction that make it a standout entry in the Classics Catalogue.
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