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.
Prowl 3D cityscapes in a weapons-loaded gunship as a member of the G-Police in this futuristic crime-fighting game created by the makers of WipEout, Psygnosis. Battle rebel ships in the air and armed vehicles on the ground in real-time combat, enjoying 360-degree flight through the sprawling metropolis of Callisto.
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.
No console could go without a snowboarding game in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and Cool Boarders gave PlayStation owners an arcade-styled experience that made it easy to start carving and shredding its frosty downhill runs but offered lots of depth for players to explore on their way to mastering its skill moves.
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.
Challenge the powers of darkness and magic as the skeletal Sir Daniel Fortesque in this rib-rattling 3D action-adventure game that spawned the MediEvil series. Use swords, daggers, crossbows and chicken drumsticks to fight evil, solve fiendish puzzles and enjoy a spine-tinglingly spooky soundtrack that’s not aged a day.
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 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 reboot of the Tomb Raider franchise, Legend sees Lara Croft travelling to remote locations around the world in search of amazing artifacts, while revealing secrets from her mysterious past. Shoot your way through intense battles and use your brains to solve challenging puzzles in this critically acclaimed comeback.
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.
The second game from Sucker Punch Productions – who’d later develop Infamous and Ghost of Tsushima – Sly Cooper’s cartoon-like visuals and sneaky gameplay made it a cult favourite of its era and was followed by sequels on PS2 and PS3. Infiltrate the most secure places as one cunning and devious thievius raccoonus!
This sequel to the original PlayStation rhythm-action classic takes things in an even weirder direction as PaRappa’s hometown is threatened with being turned into noodles. So it’s up to our two-dimensional MC to rhyme his way to victory across a series of zany tracks. You gotta believe!
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.
Ratchet and Clank find their vacation rudely interrupted in this classic handheld adventure, which represents the duo’s debut on the PSP. Mixing 3D platforming with space-set shooting sections, it’s a colorful and chaotic romp with a wealth of upgradable weapons to use and armor to assemble along the way.
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.
Developed by Days Gone makers Bend Studio, this shooter delivers a compelling solo campaign set in the aftermath of Resistance: Fall of Man for the PS3, with the player assuming the role of former British Marine James Grayson in a vengeance-fuelled, Europe-spanning battle against the invading Chimeran forces.
History meets fantasy in this tactical RPG from Level 5, who’d later produce the Ni No Kuni games. It takes players to the 15th century, as France and England battle during the Hundred Years’ War, but takes a turn for the magical as a young crusader, Jeanne, discovers a mysterious and powerful armlet.
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.
Originally released for PS3 in 2012, this American Revolution-set entry in Ubisoft’s famous stealth-action series casts the player as Connor, a Native American Assassin fighting to secure liberty for his people and his nation. Featuring enhanced visuals and revamped gameplay mechanics, this package also includes all solo DLC.
Crytek’s acclaimed first-person shooter, originally released in 2007 and in 2011 for the PS3, returns with ray tracing and remastered graphics. The gameplay remains as gripping as it always ways, so slip into your Nanosuit, customize your loadout, and adapt your tactics on the fly across ever-changing combat environments.
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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