Best Classic Games On PS Plus

Best Classic Games On PS Plus

Key Takeaways

  • Timesplitters: Future Perfect is a fun FPS with customization and quirky characters.
  • Dark Cloud offers addictive combat, exploration, and village building in a unique ARPG.
  • Jak and Daxter is a stellar platformer with solid puzzles, humor, and adventure.

As a seasoned gamer who’s been around since the days of the PlayStation 1, let me tell you that these two titles are absolute classics!


Back in the day, gaming was a unique experience unlike what we have today with online multiplayer, microtransactions, and DLC. Don’t get me wrong, contemporary games are fantastic, but there’s a certain nostalgic appeal to old-school games that you won’t find as easily these days.

For those who fancy revisiting timeless favorites or taking a nostalgic journey, here’s a collection of top-tier Classic Games available through your PS Plus membership.

10 Timesplitters: Future Perfect

Where’s My Timesplitters 4?

Best Classic Games On PS Plus
Developer Free Radical
Console PlayStation 2
Release Date March 2005

Timesplitters: Future Perfect represents the concluding chapter in an outstanding trilogy of first-person shooter games from the PlayStation 2 era. It serves as a tribute to the series, featuring numerous eccentric characters and weapons for players to enjoy.

As a seasoned gamer who has spent countless hours honing my skills in various gaming genres, I must say that this old-school arena shooter brings back fond memories of my youth. The visuals are crisp and reminiscent of classic games from the past, while the controls are tight and responsive, allowing for precise movements and shots. The sheer amount of content available is impressive, offering hours upon hours of gameplay. Overall, this title is a must-have for anyone who appreciates the golden age of gaming.

In this game, exhilarating chaos tends to overshadow the need for balance, but its versatility allows you to tailor the gaming experience according to your preferences. Even in its early stages, the map editor of Future Perfect is functional and lets you create basic arenas within a short span of time.

If you’re hankering for some laughs, a bit of friendly competition, or even the peculiar joy of target practice with a futuristic gun, there’s a slice of fun for every taste in the game Timesplitters: Future Perfect.

9 Dark Cloud

An Incredible Action RPG

Best Classic Games On PS Plus
Developer Level-5
Console PlayStation 2
Release Date December 2000

Dark Cloud” is an outstanding Role-Playing Game with engaging real-time combat and exploration that keeps you hooked. Unlike numerous RPGs from that era, this game does not follow the turn-based fighting style; instead, it offers action-packed, real-time battles.”

Building villages in games can be remarkably engaging, and it was a significant aspect that made Dark Cloud truly shine. To put it simply, village construction played a crucial role in its captivating narrative.

On your journey, you’ll gather various routes and storefronts, then design the layout of the village according to your preferences. Additionally, there are numerous powerful weapons at your disposal.

In many games, village construction and battle combat seem incongruous, yet Dark Cloud skillfully combines these elements, making it feel as if they were meant for each other.

8 Jak and Daxter

A Critically Acclaimed 3D Platformer

Best Classic Games On PS Plus
Developer Naughty Dog
Console PlayStation 2
Release Date March 2006

Although many consider Jak 2 as the peak of the series, I wouldn’t suggest diving into it without experiencing the first game. Way before Naughty Dog became famous for creating masterpieces like The Last Of Us, they were known for developing platform games such as Crash Bandicoot and Jak and Daxter.

The studio put on a masterclass in 3D platforming, and Jak and Daxter has it all. Solid jump puzzles, gorgeous graphics, humor, everything you could want from an Adventure game is here.

One great aspect of this suggestion is that, if you’re a fan of the adventure with Jak and Daxter, you’ll be delighted to know that the entire series can be found on PlayStation Classics.

7 Kurushi Final

Don’t Get Crushed!

Best Classic Games On PS Plus
Developer G-Artists
Platform PlayStation
Release Date October 1997

Additionally recognized as “I.Q.: Intelligent Cube,” “Kurushi Final,” this one-of-a-kind puzzle game challenges players to swiftly make critical choices, or else face the repercussions.

On a moving walkway, a wall made up of blocks advances towards you. You have the ability to eliminate individual blocks, with the objective being to remove all of them before they crush you.

Making mistakes will shrink the game board, and falling from its edges means it’s game over for you! The strategic depth of “Kurushi” becomes apparent as you grasp the intricacies of its unique blocks.

In simpler terms, “Kurushi Final” is an exceptionally suspenseful puzzle game, and the eerie emptiness that surrounds you adds to its strangely unnerving atmosphere at certain points.

6 Ridge Racer Type 4

An Iconic Arcade Racer

Best Classic Games On PS Plus
Developer Namco
Platform PlayStation
Release Date December 1998

It seems reasonable to conclude that the Ridge Racer series veered off course following the release of Unbounded, as it shifted from focusing on skillful drifting races to providing less refined, destructive entertainment instead.

To truly appreciate the series in all its glory, consider mastering Ridge Racer Type 4 on your PlayStation 1. Known for its stunning graphics, captivating soundtrack, flawless controls, and diverse car collection, this game stands out as one of the best racers from that era.

As a gaming enthusiast, let me tell you about this awesome story mode that comes with the game. Now, it might seem a bit corny, but there’s something endearing about it. You know, like how we all fondly remember Gran Turismo 1 and 2 on the PlayStation. But if realistic racing isn’t your cup of tea, Ridge Racer Type 4 could easily become your go-to driving game on this system.

5 Ape Escape

It’ll Drive You Bananas

Best Classic Games On PS Plus
Developer Sony Interactive
Platform PlayStation
Release Date June 1999

As a devoted fan, I’d say “Ape Escape” is a delightfully challenging (yet maddeningly frustrating) 3D platformer that spawned an entire universe. In this captivating game, you’re on a mission to capture the mischievous monkeys hiding in every nook and cranny of the stunning, vibrant settings featured throughout the game.

In the future-based game “Ape Escape”, you’ll find a wealth of outlandish devices to assist you, yet their effectiveness is limited. At times, this game can become frustrating, testing your patience to the limit.

Notably, this title marked the debut of a PlayStation controller featuring analog sticks, much like the games “Jak and Daxter.” Remarkably, all the games in the series can be found on PS Classics, with no weak entries in the original trilogy.

4 Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus

You Can Control Farts With Your Brain

Best Classic Games On PS Plus
Developer Oddworld Inhabitants
Platform PlayStation
Release Date November 1998

In “Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus,” you embark on an extraordinary 2D journey, with the objective of rescuing your companions from the clutches of the malevolent Glukkons in the grim Soulstorm Brewery. You assume the role of Abe, who stands out as a unique protagonist – unlike other gun-toting tough guys.

As a fan, I’ve got to admit that Abe isn’t exactly a powerhouse, so you’ll have to rely on your smarts and quick thinking to make it through. What makes Abe unique, though, is his knack for manipulating creatures with his mind control ability. The potential applications of this skill are limitless. Plus, he’s got the charm to talk himself out of tight spots, crack a joke or two, and let’s not forget the occasional gas escape.

Despite being over two decades old, Abe’s Exoddus still boasts visually stunning backdrops and environments that leave you in awe. The artwork is breathtaking, making your adventure through Necrum and the Brewery an experience you won’t soon forget, thanks to its one-of-a-kind gameplay.

Oddworld: Soulstorm offers a modern take on Exoddus, but doesn’t hold a candle to the original.

3 Lumines

All The Hallmarks Of A Classic

Best Classic Games On PS Plus
Developer Q Entertainment
Platform Sony PSP
Release Date December 2004

Lumines is straightforward enough for anyone to start playing, but, similar to other challenging puzzle games, it has layers of intricacy for those willing to delve deeper and master it.

At first glance, Lumines appears to be a simple tile-matching game. The objective is to arrange blocks of the same color in groups of four, followed by the disappearance of these blocks as a moving line sweeps through. Seems straightforward, doesn’t it?

In the game ‘Lumines’, the key factor is the pace at which the line scrolls, synchronized with the music. Each level showcases a distinct musical genre, compelling you to adapt your playing strategy swiftly to achieve impressive high scores.

A multitude of top-notch puzzle games across the globe boast an appealing accessibility, thanks to their straightforward game mechanics. “Lumines” stands out as one such game, offering a refreshing contemporary update.

2 Worms World Party

Kamikaze!

Best Classic Games On PS Plus
Developer Team 17
Platform PlayStation
Release Date April 2001

Amongst Worms enthusiasts like myself, Armageddon is often hailed as the pinnacle of the series. Despite being a bit older, it continues to captivate players and boast an active community on PC. However, let me share with you another gem from the same franchise – Worms World Party.

Worms World Party can be seen as an enhanced version of Worms Armageddon, featuring some fresh game modes and customizable options. While the fundamental mechanics of Armageddon remain intact, there are numerous opportunities to introduce variations to the gameplay.

Back then, something like this wouldn’t have been a DLC, because it didn’t exist yet. Instead, it came out as a standalone game.

The classic game titled “Worms” involves strategic, turn-based play, and it takes many hours to fully grasp the intricacies of its weaponry, such as the powerful Bazooka and explosive Grenades.

1 Tekken 2

Enter The King Of Iron Fist Tournament

Best Classic Games On PS Plus
Developer Namco
Platform PlayStation
Release Date August 1995

If you’re a fan of fighting games, don’t miss out on playing “Tekken 2”. Although it may have some rough spots, “Tekken 2” is all business and features many characters that are familiar from “Tekken 8”, making their first appearance in this game.

In addition to Tekken 2, it boasts some characteristics not commonly found in modern games today. Each character has their own unique FMV ending when you complete the game, and remarkably, you don’t have to purchase new fighters; instead, you can unlock them! Can you believe it?

While Tekken 3 certainly shook up the fighting game genre with its release a few years after, let’s not forget that Tekken 2 remains an eternal classic and one of the finest fighters available on the PlayStation 1.

If you’re a fan of Tekken and prefer gameplay that excludes Rage Arts, Heat, and lengthy 20-second combos, then you might find Tekken 2 quite appealing as an alternative.

On PlayStation Plus, there’s an abundance of fantastic games that it was challenging to squeeze all the top-notch picks onto this list. I’ve made an effort to represent a variety of genres, but please understand if some of your preferred titles weren’t featured here.

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2024-08-30 13:09