With the prevalence of new series on the Playstation 3 such as LittleBigPlanet, some of the old series which defined the Playstation 2 have been ignored and merely placed on the shelf. P8I.com presents a list of the 7 most deserving and interesting series which should be developed for the Playstation 3.

1. Shadow of the Colossus - Perhaps one of the most visionary and expansive games ever to grace the Playstation 2, Shadow of the Colossus was a gem in the rough patch known as Sony’s transition period to the next generation. Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment, the game tasked gamers with defeating giant colossi, monolithic beings which must be slain in order for the protagonist, Wander, to resurrect a mysterious female. Armed only with a bow, sword and a faithful horse, Argo, the player must traverse eerily empty and expansive plains, ranging from mythical ruins to barren cliffs. Shadow of the Colossus is perhaps the game most deserving of a Playstation 3 sequel as it would be absolutely breath taking on the Playstation 3, much as it was on the Playstation 2 and the same game play we loved could be more polished and interactive thanks to developer’s improved knowledge of game play mechanics.

2. ICO - A cult favourite, adored by many game enthusiasts and a critically acclaimed action adventure title, ICO details the love story between an outcast boy, offered as a sacrifice to a maleficent queen, and her daughter as they attempt to escape her castle. Though known extensively for its unique level design, comfortable yet fluid controls and soft graphics, ICO did not receive the welcome party it deserved. Thrust in a market saturated with Halos and Grand Theft Autos, ICO was overlooked by many gamers. A sequel on the Playsation 3 would allow the engaging story room to expand, and the famous game play and graphics would make the adjustment to High Definition as smoothly as any title. Hopefully, if Sony Computer Entertainment decides to develop a sequel, it will prove to be a commercial success.

3. Okami - One of the most critically acclaimed games of the new millennium, Okami brought water colour and anime-esque oriental themed graphics to a genre that had been living off of stale ideas and boring concepts. The canvas concept of executing in game actions through the use of drawings made by the player was a breath of fresh air to the genre. Okami tells the tale of the sun god wolf Amaterasu and her struggle to rescue the world from certain darkness. Drawing heavily from Japanese folklore and art styles, the game developed by Clover studios, immersed and intrigued the fortunate ones who purchased it. Through the use of vibrant characters and a strong storyline, Okami created justification for a sequel as well as drew comparisons to legendary titles such as the Legend of Zelda for its game play and its puzzle solving. Though Okami was ported to the Wii, there has been no sequel to date scheduled for 2009, making it one of the most wished for games on the Playstation 3.

4. Sly Cooper - One of the most eccentric franchises on the Playstation 2, Sly Cooper takes the player through the adventures of the wily racoon Sly, the brain child of the minds at Sucker Punch Productions. Players must run, jump and sneak as Sly thwarts evil conspirators, struggles to advance up the ladder in the thieving world and avenges his murdered father. Elaborately designed with cell shaded graphics accentuating the dark environment, the games child like overtones hide a well tuned and finely polished game. With the news of a possible Sly Cooper 4, Sly Cooper has the potential to provide the backbone for Sony’s Playstatio n 3 that third party developers, so far have failed to provide.

5. Maximo - While not the most story driven and not as immersive as the other games on the list, the Maximo series provided fun and challenging hack and slash content for gamers in 2001, with Ghosts to Goblins and in 2003 with Maximo Vs the Army of Zin. Known for being ridiculously hard to get into due to widely spread save points, Maximo provided exciting combat through a well developed combat system and an interesting health system, in addition to challenging bosses and a variety of enemy types until Capcom 8, its developer, closed. A recipient of a 9.2/10 score on IGN as well as being a fan favourite, Sony will hopefully pick up the downed franchise and revitalize it on the Playstation 3.

6. Shinobi - Developed by Overworks, Shinobi set to revitalize the popular franchise of the same name, from the 90s through reinventing the graphics, revamping the storyline and game play. Shinobi portrays the plight of a ninja named Hotsuma, the last member of the powerful Oboro clan, as he fights an evil sorcerer to save the surrounding Tokyo region and to avenge his fallen clan mates . A game not for everyone, known more for its insane difficulty and challenging A.I, Shinboi successfully restored interest in the franchise, though not much was ever made of it aside from the plainly average Nightshade. Similar in game play to Ninja Gaiden, Shinobi was designed more so for critics than for casual gamers and its simple graphics and unimpressive presentation detracted from an otherwise solid title. A next-gen makeover would help capitalize on an already impressive framework.

7. Onimusha - One of the most popular and commercially successful series of the Playstation, Onimusha brought fresh visuals, livid and dynamic combat and magic in addition to a better-than-average plot to the mainstream. Like most other games in the genre, the series’ protagonist, always a dashing samurai, must venture to save Japan from demons and supernatural assailants while simultaneously saving a love interest, dealing with themes such as corruption, love and power. The Onimusha series is blessed with a superb soundtrack and heavy advertising. Though once a mainstream franchise, Onimusha has faded from the limelight with the shift to the next-gen. Once a contemporary series, we hope to see Onimusha regain some of its past glory in the near future with its upcoming movie, “Shin Onimusha”.


The list, just like any other list of its nature, is subject to personal opinion. The series listed are surely some of the most quality titles and series available on the Playstation 2 and warrant a purchase, if they aren’t already in your collection. The Playstation 3, though it may be the current market leader, needs to continue to improve its selection of quality titles in order to solidify itself as the premier console available.