PlayStationis a notoriously insular brand. Sony rarely ports PlayStation exclusives to other consoles, despite its willingness to embrace the PC ecosystem in recent years. This is why it’s so interesting and exciting thatPatapon 1+2 Replay, a bundle of two cult classic PSP rhythm games, hasjust landed on Switch consoles.Pataponis a series that just makes sense on the Switch, but it’s not the only Sony game that would be a good fit for Nintendo’s hybrid device.
Indeed, there are several classicPlayStationexclusives that would be a natural fit for the Switch or Switch 2—consoles that are often at their best when running cozy or mechanically straightforward games. This is evidenced by the likes ofFinal Fantasy 7, which was brought to the Switch a few years ago with great results. Retro games in general are a great fit for the Switch, as evidenced by a slew of classic ports and the vast emulation landscape that is Nintendo Switch Online’s subscription package. With these factors in mind, and withPatapon 1+2 Replay’s recent pivot to Switch hardware, here are some other classic PlayStation games that deserve the same treatment.
Parasite Eve
Ahead of its time in many ways, theParasite Evefranchiseis one of the PS1’s most avant-garde, and rarely replicated, exclusives. The games launched during an era of rampant experimentation in the JRPG space, when just about every title in the genre felt like it was doing something radically different, both narratively and mechanically. The absence ofParasiteEvefrom the modern gaming market is sorely felt by many gamers, and bringing it back to life via a Nintendo Switch port/remaster would be more than welcome. The games are like a mix of old-schoolFinal FantasyandResident Evil, and with both those IPs having sizable footprints on Nintendo consoles,Parasite Eveseems like a logical next step.
Xenogears
Another dyed-in-the-wool retro JRPG,Xenogearsis a perfect example of the potential latent in traditional turn-based combat systems. Thanks to a decidedly freeform approach to battles,Xenogearsis at once compelling, novel, and cinematic, its gameplay quite unlike anything seen before, or arguably since. Also worth highlighting is the game’s stunning visual design, which blends surprisingly detailed character sprites and 3D environments to create something of an HD-2D aesthetic. All these strengths are paired with a hard-hitting, thought-provoking narrative and fantastic cutscenes, and makeXenogearsa must-playfor JRPG fans. A Switch port would simply help put the game reach more such fans.
Ape Escape
Ape Escapeis one of a handful of Sony properties that feels like it actuallyshould’vecome out on a Nintendo console. Its wacky but simple gameplay, colorful visuals, and head-bobbing soundtrack combine to create a gaming experience akin to thebest of the Nintendo 64, and with so much of that console’s library being made available on the Switch,Ape Escapewould fit right in.
Of all the games mentioned here,Ape Escapeseems the least likely to make the jump to the Switch: Sony is still leveragingApe Escape, even if only through cameos like theApe Escapelevel inAstro Bot. Still, it doesn’t hurt to dream.
Blasto
Though it’s been mostly forgotten,Blastowas one of Sony’s first big swingsat the mascot-type game, and despite its current-day irrelevance, it was quite a successful outing for the time. Voiced by the late Phil Hartman, Blasto is an arrogant but lovable superhero who traipses through open-ended stages to complete various goals. It’s emblematic of the early 3D platformers of its time, and while it doesn’t touch any of Nintendo’s best releases in the genre, it’s a powerful and important time capsule nonetheless, and one that many retro-conscious gamers would no doubt love to crack open on the Nintendo Switch.
