WithPS2’s 20th anniversarypassing recently, many players have been feeling nostalgic and looking at the last two decades with one ofSony’s most successful consoles. Some have decided to play on their old systems, or check out the releases that have been ported to PS4, or are available through PS Now.
However, with older Sony produced games likeResident EvilandFinal Fantasy 7receiving high-quality, HD remakes that re-imagine beloved classics through a modern lens, some players have been wondering what games should be remade next. A number of PS1 titles have been tossed around, likerumors ofLegend ofDragoonthat circulated recently, but in honor of the PS2’s 20th year, a few more games should be added to the wishlist.
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Now, here we aren’t looking for a simple remaster, likeFinal Fantasy 10, but instead a full remake from start to finish like theShadow of the Colossusremake that is currentlyfree for PS Plus members. With so many titles being remade these days, the wishlist is slowly shrinking, however there are still plenty of classic games that deserve to be brought into modern and Next-Gen gaming, either with remakes or a reboot. So while it’s always refreshing to see developers release an exciting new IP, looking back at their previous success could bring players the experiences that were mostly left to the imagination before.
Bully
So, we’re starting off here with a bit of a cheat, seeing as how Rockstar’s private school title has received a remaster that has arrived on PC, PS3, PS4, Wii, and Xbox 360. However, afterrumors of aBullysequelgot squashed recently, fans have been left empty handed, while hoping to jump back into the world of Bullworth Academy. In that case, while some players may be hoping for a reboot or sequel of the game, maybe remaking the original storyline could be what the title needs to build the larger fan base that other Rockstar IPs have earned.
Rockstar does clearly still have some level of appreciation for the strange game, seeing as howEaster Eggs keep popping upin other titles by the company, likeGrand Theft AutoandRed Dead Redemption. Unfortunately, it seems that the biggest problem comes from the overall sales from theBullyfranchise. Having not sold as well as the other franchises in Rockstar’s catalogue,Bullyjust never performed well enough to earn itself a sequel, but a remake could revitalize that performance and justify a continued series.
Jak and Daxter
Another game that has received a remaster and is currently available on PS4,Jak and Daxteris one of the PS2’s best platformers and deserves a more faithful remake than what has already released. The remaster didn’t even go as far as theSpyroorCrash Bandicootremakes did, with fully remade graphics and updated hitboxes. So a full remake from the ground up would be welcome on the PS5 ifSonywas looking to maximize on the nostalgia in order to push the Next-Gen system.
Similar toBully’s canceled sequel,Jak and Daxter 4was also canceledbefore it could be fully realized, meaning that a successful remake could also work to give Naughty Dog a reason to continue with the series. Considering how everything else Naughty Dog has touched recently, likeThe Last of UsandUncharted, has been a smash hit, there’s little risk to take a second chance onJak and Daxter. Additionally, with this being the same developer that remade theCrashtrilogy, it should be an easy decision to give the same treatment to other popular franchises.
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Dark Cloud
This could honestly be extended to the entire Level 5 catalogue, includingDark Cloud,Dark Cloud 2/Dark Chronicle, andRogue Galaxy, but the original is likely the most deserving of a remake right now. Barring a full remake of the PS2’sLegend of Zelda, a reboot of theDark Cloudseries would be a welcome addition to either the end of the PS4’s life cycle or the start of the PS5’s. While all three of these classics are available on PS4, they haven’t been really brought into modern gaming, even though they certainly deserve to have continued will beyond the PS2 era.
Level 5 is currently hard at work withnew IPs likeSnack Worldand pushing forward with the Studio Ghibli inspiredNi No Kunifranchise. However, with studios like 505 and Bluepoint available to help develop remakes and remasters, there is plenty of room for Level 5 to take a look back at the company’s previous works. TheLegend of Zeldacomparison could even lead to an open worldDark Cloudsimilar toBreath of the Wildwith players rebuilding a large open space as they travel from dungeon to dungeon.
ICO
Shadow of the Colossuswould have easily taken this position, but fortunately that game has already been remade for PS4. So instead,ICOdefinitely needs to be brought to PS4 in full HD glory, placing the entire Team ICO trilogy together on the same console.Bluepoint Games, one of the biggest names in remasters, has already broughtICOandShadow of the Colossusto PS3, so giving the first game in the series the same treatment as its successor should be a sure thing.
Unfortunately,ICOnever really took off the same way thatShadow of the Colossusdid, so it was little surprise when the first game in the series was passed over when it came time to work on a remake. However, if for no other reason than just to let players fallow the minimalist story from start to finish,ICOdeserves another chance for a new game.
Viewtiful Joe
PlatinumGames is already revisiting previous games, with a newWonderful 101remastercoming to Switch after a relatively unsuccessful launch on WiiU. However, once that project ships, PlatinumGames should look at the similarly stylizedViewtiful Joethat launched on PS2 as a smash hit. While rumors of a remake have been tossed around before, nothing has ever come from them, and currentlyViewtiful Joedoesn’t appear to be on the top of the studio’s priorities.
On the other hand, therecently announcedProject GGmight be exactly what some fans have been hoping for. This doesn’t look like it will be a remake or remaster of the previous works from the company, but a continuation or reboot of what PlatinumGames is calling theHero Trilogy. So, seeingViewtiful Joerealized on modern, or even Next-Gen, consoles might not be to far off from what we’ll be getting in the future.
