Five PlayStation Series I Wish Developers Would Revive

If my parent’s hadn’t thought of buying me a PlayStation and settled with a new set of Barbie dolls instead, I probably would have turned out differently. I received my first video game console when I was only four or five years old. I think that because I was exposed to video games at an early age, it heavily influenced my personality and sense of humor among many other things. For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been browsing through the PlayStation store and I felt a flux of both happiness and guilt as I saw familiar PS1 titles.

Why guilt? There was this girl who used to be my best friend and we used to be the two odd balls in the classroom who adored video games. It’s quite understandable since I studied in a gender exclusive private school, so there weren’t any boys to raise the poll count. Sadly, high school happened and I had this phase as a “mean girl” for a while so we drifted apart. After seeing several titles we used to play, I gave her a call and our friendship was renewed after nearly a decade of not speaking. We talked for hours and one of the topics we talked about was ‘PS1 video games we’d like to see again.’ To clarify, we aren’t talking about seeing existing titles remastered for current consoles. It’s about popular franchises or titles that started in the PS1 era which we’d like to see developers continue with either a reboot or a spiritual successor like an entirely new Crash Bandicoot game. So here’s my own list and feel free to leave your choices as well!

1. Syphon Filter

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il_IdyAS9pk

It’s funny how I played this mission several times. I know the map and the lines like the back of my hand like many others in the game. I was too young too understand the story, so I spent most of the time exploring the area and shot anyone who was hostile. This was probably one of my first shooter games, which is why I treasure it so much. In addition, I remember playing the multiplayer part of it with my cousins and friends often. The last title they made was for the PS2 if I’m not mistaken and I’m not sure if the developers have completely abandoned these series. I’m tempted to buy the series in PSN just to understand the story, but I guess I could just go to Wikipedia. However, I still think it would be awesome to see a reboot or a new era of Syphon Filter.

2. Fear Effect

Somehow this game managed to find its way in my library beside Elmo’s Letter Adventure. It was only a few years ago I realized that this game was inappropriate for children. However, I really enjoyed this because I liked the art style was and the whole premise of a futuristic cyberpunk China. I also liked the supernatural element, because it made the game a lot more interesting. I’m intrigued to see how developers could recreate a game like this in present times. I’m hoping that I’m not the only one who enjoyed this game.

3. PaRappa The Rapper

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eZcV1UuUzI

Kick! Punch! It’s all in the mind. I know this game has a sequel in the PS2 but it just didn’t have the same punch as the first one. I liked this game a lot because it was quite entertaining to be rapping as a kid without saying bad words or any sort of profanity. I also have a copy of the spin-off called UmJammer Lammy and it was fun too. Anyway, it would be nice to see this game again using the elements that made the first game a hit.

4. Vagrant Story

I love most of Square’s video games and Vagrant Story is definitely a part of the list. It took me a while to get used to the game since it was hard for me to comprehend the battle system when I was a child. Luckily for me, my cousins walked me through this game during the first hours until I was ready to play on my own. So far, all we have are references in Final Fantasy XII but only as fan service. A lot of films are being rebooted, so why not games as well? Vagrant Story should be near the top of that list.

5. Crash Bandicoot

Anyone who grew up with a PlayStation knows Crash Bandicoot, Aku Aku, and the Wumpa fruit. I remember epic fun times with cousins and friends playing Crash Team Racing as well using the Multitap. It’s quite sad that they cancelled a string of Crash Bandicoot games so hopefully we’ll have a new entry in the franchise. I might be old, but my love for this franchise will never wither.

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14 Comments

  1. Had the first crash. Bought it the same day as Tekken 2. Loved the graphics, amazing for the PlayStation at the time, good thing too as they were hyping it as a competitor to Mario 64 (which not even close) and in the graphics department it kind of was. Also I loved the commercials they were hilarious. The game did get boring kind of easy though. Still great graphics, music, colors. HAven’t played any other crash games.

  2. You’re definitely not alone in enjoying Fear Effect. I loved that game and beat it many times over. I still have Vagrant Story… damn that game was so hard. I was never able to beat the first dragon but that was a long time ago. I keep telling myself I’ll get back to it (an HD remake with voice acting would be awesome).

  3. I found the Syphon Filter series thru a demo at Best Buy. Had all 3 for the original PS, never got the one for PS2. I don’t completely remember the specifics but it had to do with a biological agent that was traveling thru underground networks going from seller to seller. I just remember the end of #2 (I think) having to fight a corrupt agent on a helicopter pad. He’s wore full body armor and I think a SPAS-12. Took forever to figure out how to beat him. Great series, would love a reboot.

  4. One of the big factors that pushed me to buy a PlayStation3 was the PlayStation classics. I had an Xbox 360, and I admit that it’s online aspect is very good. I’m into video games and Sony has always had a better lineup in my opinion.

    @Azenomei

    I was tempted to put that in the list, but there’s a recent one so opted not to. My favorite is definitely FF8! I get what you mean though, it’s like fight then cutscene… repeat process.

    I’m writing an article for next week talking about the Final Fantasy series in general.

    @Gil

    I was too young to understand the story at that time! I’ll play it again in my PS3.

    To everyone else!

    Excellent choices and nice to read all your thoughts 🙂

  5. Oohhh i miss Syphon Filter so much, the only shooter i was excellent at, and a little creative i want to think, i should get back to vagrant story one of the games i still haven’t finished

  6. It was all about the Football Field length taser-fire starter in Syphon Filter, and the bad voice overs and cheesy dialog. Did I mention the pansy running ?

    All of these are great and shoud be rebooted. Just give me a month off for a new Crash.

  7. Let me just add that the Crash Bandicoot Racing game was aces.

    Great selection btw. I played all of these when I was younger, and I still do through an emulator. So great.

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