PS2 On PS4: Sony Is ‘Listening’ And Wants Your Suggestions
The new PS2 on PS4 trend is just getting started. In the wake of Microsoft’s decision to make the Xbox One backwards compatible with Xbox 360 titles, it seems Sony is attempting to win another round of PS4 vs Xbox One by giving gamers even older games with graphical upgrades.
PlayStation 4 gamers who don’t have an Xbox One are going to need to keep using their PS3 or Xbox 360 consoles to play the previous generation, though. Sony has no plans to make the PlayStation 4 backwards compatible.
The technical explanation is that the native architecture of the PlayStation 4 is incompatible with what is needed to run PlayStation 3 discs. The best they can do is emulate the games or do remasters and “definitive editions” like The Last of Us and Dishonored.
The first eight titles released under the PS2 on PS4 campaign have proven to be a success. Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City, and San Andreas led the charge alongside the classic vehicular combat game Twisted Metal: Black. Just recently, they added PaRappa the Rapper 2, showing that they’re willing to breathe new life into any genre.
You just need to ask for it. Software Development head Dave Thatch says Sony is listening to your suggestions on Twitter, but you have to do it right.
What allegedly will work is if you get their attention by using the hashtag #ps2ps4 along with the title of the game you want ported. Recent suggestions have included the Silent Hill series and the Ape Escape sequels. If you can’t remember what was on the PlayStation 2, you can always visit the Wikipedia list and “window shop.”
Sony President Shuhei Yoshida has stated that Sony will work “tirelessly” to bring PS2 on PS4 conversions regularly, according to GameSpot. They won’t be free, but they will be affordable. Instead of a full $50 to 60 for each game, the PlayStation Store is only charging up to $15 for larger titles (currently).
It looks like that hard drive upgrade could come in handy sooner than you thought.
VG247 has said that titles such as God Hand and Gran Turismo are among the more popular requests, and the list will continue to grow until PlayStation 4 owners have access to all of their PS2 favorites.
More popular titles could also be suggested for the PS2 on PS4 conversions, such as Armored Core, Army Men, the Art of Fighting Anthology, Beatmania, Bloodrayne, Burnout, Call of Duty, Dynasty Warriors — the list goes on.
Considering there is a general lack of good racing titles on the PlayStation 4 for now, Gran Turismo could be a welcome return to realistic racing. The game was famous for its use of actual physics for its in-game vehicles, making each car feel different, yet authentic. The Porsche handled differently from the Aston Martin, for example.
A return to the roots of Call of Duty could also be worth the wait since it did spawn one of the most popular franchises of the last decade. A PS2 on PS4 port of Activision’s flagship shooter could tide us over if they’re planning to take a break from the series for a year.
Loving all the PS2 on PS4 feedback! Use #ps2ps4 for your wish list suggestions so we can easily aggregate them all. We are listening…
— Dave Thach (@davethach) December 9, 2015
It’s unknown if Konami will allow it, but Silent Hill, Metal Gear Solid, and Contra also had some well-received entries on that console.
The DotHack RPG series was also famous for its inclusion of a full anime episode with each game, both complimenting the other.
It’s unknown if any of the music game franchises would make the transition since the PlayStation 4 doesn’t have the accessories for titles like Dance Dance Revolution or a standalone microphone like the PS2 did.
What games would you like to see added to the PS2 on PS4 list? Tweet your suggestions to Sony using the hashtag #ps2ps4 and make your choices known.
[Image via Konami, Sony]
