Summary
With a thirty-year history in the video game industry,PlayStationhardware has had a long time to accrue not only a long line of devoted fans but a library of truly exceptional experiences. However, even the most revered and requested Sony franchises cannot guarantee that they will be reintroduced to a contemporary audience through a slew of remakes or reboots.
With the cameo appearances of many ofSony’s most long-lost and much-loved seriesinAstro Botreinvigorating fan fervor for Sony’s back catalog, there are many franchises fans would no doubt love to see brought to modernPlayStationhardware. From Seventh-generation action platformers to PlayStation 1 launch titles, the Sony library is full of unique game experiences just waiting to be revisited.
With the overwhelming success of 2018’sGod of Warreturn to the series, Sony has seemingly relegated Kratos' original adventures to mere backstory.
2005’s hack-and-slash debut of the Ghost of Sparta was an overwhelming success for the PlayStation 2 and spawned multiple sequels and spinoff titles. Playable across multiple PlayStation console and handheld generations, Kratos' pre-reboot installments could easily be reimagined or reinvigorated using Sony Santa Monica’s clear prowess with PS5 technology. Presented as a reboot of Kratos' origins, or a polished remaster of the originals, Sony has a lot of room to work with.
Ranging from Cole MacGrath’s electrifying powers to Derlsin Rowe’s energy-stealing attributes, the protagonists of Sucker Punch’sthird-person action titleshave seen limited peaks on Sony’s gaming hardware.
Debuting on the PlayStation 3 in 2009,Infamous' commercial and review success spawned multiple sequels, culminating in 2014’sInfamous: Second Sonon PlayStation 4. WithMetacritic scores in the 80sacross the series' main installments and developers at Sucker Punch focused on theirGhost of Tsushimasequel, Sony’s gritty superhero semi-open world series could find great success on modern Sony hardware.
After finding initial commercial and user success as a launch title for Sony’s seventh-generation console, the PlayStation 3first-person shooter franchise’s unique setting seems wasted lying on the back burner.
Beyond its 2006 release, theResistanceseries of alternate-history science-fiction first and third-person shooters has seen multiple sequels and spin-off titles. Never making the jump to the PlayStation 4, with its most recent title being 2012’sResistance: Burning Skieson the PlayStation Vita, the series has languished on older Sony hardware. However, with the status of a newKillzonetitle up in the air, and a proposed series rebootalready shot down by Sony, series fans can only hope for any newResistancenews.
After having previously garnered fans from the series' original title being playable on both Sony and Sega hardware, Psygnosis' PlayStation 1 launch titleWipeouthas struggled to be brought into the 21st century with as much fanfare.
Thescience-fiction racing series, arguably similar to Nintendo’s own ailingF-Zerofranchise, has been eked out through smaller mobile and virtual reality projects. Despite being a Sony first-party franchise,Wipeouthas seemingly struggled to garner much attention from its parent company. However, with the 2017 release of theWipeout Omega Collectionbringing the series to the PlayStation 4 and 2021’sWipeout Mergetransferring the series to mobile devices once again, the series is not completely forgotten.
Despitethe enduring successof Team Ico’s namesake first title, and a critically well-received remake of their later titleShadow of the Colossus, this PlayStation 2 darling is yet to receive the same treatment.
The slower-paced narrative platformer is loved - as seen by its enduring success culminating in fan adoration and a licensed novelization - yet Sony seemingly has no plans to remake the classic title. While Bluepoint Studios has put its adept remake prowess into creating the stellarDemon SoulsandShadow of the Colossusreboots,Icoremains unplayable on modern PlayStation hardware.
Withlong-lasting critical and fan adoration,Parasite Eve’s legacy as Square Enix’s first mature-rated series has endured - despite little contemporary efforts to keep the series in the industry’s consciousness.
The horror role-playing game series' success extended to the franchise’s two console installments on the original PlayStation, and a spin-off third title on the PlayStation Portable in 2010. Yet, despite its long-lasting cultural impact with a manga series inspired by its events and the 2011 inclusion of the games on the PlayStation Network, the franchise has seemingly been long-dormant to Sony.
