May 9, 2021
14 PS One Classics You Can Get Elsewhere, Even After The PSP’s Store Closes
Some you can even still play on your PSP.
My previous article recommended some games that Playstation Portable owners may wish to consider picking up before their digital storefront closes on July 2nd, 2021. This time though, we’ll take a look at some of the PS One Classics that, for various reasons, might be better suited to get on other platforms or in other formats.
Mega Man Legends, The Misadventures Of Tron Bonne, and Mega Man Legends 2
These three games are unfortunately incompatible with the PSP. But if you have a PS3 or PS Vita, you can still get them digitally via those systems’ respective online storefronts. It’s worth considering at least Tron Bonne’s Misadventures and Legends 2, as they are both hard-to-find games in their original format. And if you enjoy those, getting the original Legends game will complete the trilogy.
Legend Of Mana
Since a remastered version of this game is slated for release on modern consoles in June 2021, it will offer players an improved experience, and therefore it will be less crucial to get the PS One Classics release on the Playstation Store going forward. But the option is still there, and it is still the most affordable way to get the game.
Grandia
The first two Grandia games got a remastered HD version on modern consoles back in mid 2019 called Grandia HD Collection. So because of that, picking up the original game becomes less essential today, but it’s still an excellent RPG for fans of the genre.
Final Fantasy Tactics
Since the PSP had Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions, a UMD disc-based remaster of this game that improved the experience in almost every way, it becomes difficult to recommend the original PS One Classics version on the same console. It remains an excellent recommendation for PS3 or PS Vita owners however.
Crash Bandicoot, Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back, Crash Bandicoot: Warped, and Crash Team Racing
All four of these games have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity with their modern HD remakes: Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, and Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled. So unless you wish to experience the games in their original format and presentation, the PS One Classics versions are not as essential to pick up as they once were.
Spyro The Dragon, Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage, and Spyro: Year Of The Dragon
Having recently enjoyed new success with the modern HD remake Spyro Reignited Trilogy, these games are less crucial to own as PS One Classics than they used to be.
Final Fantasy Origins
Final Fantasy Origins features upgraded versions of the original Final Fantasy, as well as Final Fantasy II, which was released in the U.S. for the first time with this collection. However, the PSP has arguably even better standalone UMD disc versions of these titles, simply called “Final Fantasy” and “Final Fantasy II” respectively. Though it is worth noting, the prices for the UMD disc games at this point may be prohibitive, or at least significant enough for folks to still consider the digital PS One Classics release of Origins.
