
The PlayStation brand is celebrating nearly 30 years of bringing video games to players. Over those three decades, countless games have been released on PlayStation consoles – from timeless classics like Final Fantasy 7 and God of War, to hidden gems like the original Helldivers.
It really bugs me when I think about amazing games that have just… vanished. I’m not talking about games that are slightly overlooked or have a small cult following. These games are totally forgotten! Like, no one’s bothered to remaster them, remake them, or even make a sequel. You probably haven’t even heard of them, and if you haven’t, that’s totally understandable. But honestly, they’re fantastic, and a lot of them still play incredibly well even now.
Shipwreckers!
A Pirate Ship Adventure
| Platforms | PS1, PC, macOS, Nintendo Switch |
|---|---|
| Released | October 28, 1997 |
| Developer | Psygnosis |
| Genre | Action Adventure |
Shipwreckers! (also known as Overboard! in Europe) is an action adventure game viewed from above. You command a pirate ship led by Captain Blowfeet and a small crew, sailing across five unique regions – from the Caribbean to the Arctic – to fight rival pirates and hunt for treasure.
While the gameplay of Shipwreckers! isn’t complicated, it’s surprisingly engaging and hard to put down. The ships are easy to control whether you’re exploring or battling, and the different environments keep the game fresh. It’s at its best when played with friends locally, adding a fun, chaotic energy to this hidden gem from the original PlayStation.
The Mark Of Kri
Polynesian-Inspired Action Adventure
| Platforms | PlayStation 2 |
|---|---|
| Released | July 30, 2002 |
| Developer | San Diego Studio |
| Genre | Action Adventure |
I still can’t believe how good The Mark of Kri looks, and it’ll be almost 24 years old in 2026! A big part of that is the art team – they were all experienced 2D animators, even some who used to work at Disney. But it’s not just pretty; it’s a really cool action-adventure game that focuses a lot on stealth, and it can get surprisingly violent!
The game’s art draws inspiration from various Polynesian cultures, and its world is deeply rooted in Maori mythology. This use of Maori mythology did receive criticism from some in New Zealand who felt the game wasn’t always respectful of their culture. Despite this, the mythology is unique and helps The Mark of Kri stand out visually and narratively. Combined with its distinctive controls and challenging combat, the game offers some of the most engaging gameplay on the PlayStation 2.
Shadow Of Rome
Gladiator Combat With Political Intrigue
| Platforms | PlayStation 2 |
|---|---|
| Released | February 8, 2005 |
| Developer | Capcom |
| Genre | Action Adventure |
It’s often forgotten, but Capcom’s Shadow of Rome was designed with Western players in mind. Clearly influenced by the popularity of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, the game reimagines the assassination of Julius Caesar. The story follows Agrippa, who’s forced into arena combat after his father is falsely accused of the murder. Simultaneously, players control Octavianus, who secretly investigates in Rome to prove Agrippa’s father’s innocence.
Shadow of Rome delivers a fantastic Roman gladiator experience. The arena battles are tough, visually impressive, and don’t shy away from violence. The story follows Octavianus, who investigates Rome’s powerful figures using stealth and political maneuvering – it’s a captivating narrative with strong visuals. Interestingly, Capcom approved a sequel before the original even released. When Shadow of Rome didn’t sell well, the plans for that sequel were surprisingly transformed into the game Dead Rising.
Star Wars: Starfighter
Starship Dogfights Both In Space And On Planets
In the late 90s and early 2000s, Star Wars games were really experimenting with different concepts. They weren’t limited to the typical Jedi and Force-based gameplay; games explored things like podracing, playing as a scoundrel, and spaceship combat. Star Wars: Starfighter was one of these games, released during the popularity of The Phantom Menace, and focused on the exciting world of spaceship battles.
Starfighter really shines because it offers exciting combat both in space and on planets. You’ll be dogfighting over diverse landscapes like fields, mountains, and oceans, which is a refreshing twist on typical space combat games. The game gives you complete control of your ship, making those close-quarters planetary battles feel smooth and empowering. Plus, each level has hidden goals that unlock even more content, adding extra replay value. It’s a genuinely fantastic experience.
The Warriors
Back When Rockstar Worked On More Than Two Franchises
In the mid-2000s, Rockstar Games wasn’t just famous for titles like GTA and Red Dead. They also created some unexpected hits, including a surprisingly fun table tennis game, Bully, Midnight Club, Manhunt, and a video game based on the 1979 film The Warriors. While it wasn’t a game many people requested or anticipated, and movie fans were initially skeptical, it quickly won players over.
While inspired by the classic film, The Warriors video game offers a fresh and modern gameplay experience. Players can choose from nine different gang members – from the leader to the artist – level up their abilities, and engage in intense street fights with rival gangs. The combat system is easy to pick up but allows for complex moves, grappling, and weapon use. The game also expands on the movie’s story with compelling flashback missions that reveal how each character joined The Warriors. Considering the developer’s reputation and the game’s overall quality, it’s surprising that The Warriors isn’t more widely remembered.
Majin And The Forsaken Kingdom
Before The Last Guardian, There Was…
| Platforms | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 |
|---|---|
| Released | November 23, 2010 |
| Developer | Game Republic |
| Genre | Action Adventure |
In the fantasy world of Majin and the Forgotten Kingdom, you play as Tepeu, a thief who must liberate a legendary Majin and restore its abilities. Together, they’re the only hope for cleansing a mysterious darkness and bringing the kingdom back to its former glory. Developed by Game Republic, known for games like Folklore and the Genji series, this action-adventure game features puzzles and a similar feel to the classic The Last Guardian.
In Majin and the Forgotten Kingdom, you directly control Tepeu, but you can also give commands to the powerful creature Teotl during battles and when solving puzzles. Teotl is incredibly strong – it can lift heavy objects and easily defeat groups of enemies, also acting as a protector for the more fragile Tepeu. The game is visually stunning and features a compelling story, though the voice acting isn’t always the strongest part.
Binary Domain
The Yakuza Team’s Sci-Fi Shooter
I’m a huge fan of the team behind the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio! But did you know that back in 2012, they tried something totally different? It’s called Binary Domain, and it’s a sci-fi shooter where you play as Dan Marshall. He’s part of a group called Rust Crew, and they’re sent to Tokyo to figure out what’s going on between two robot companies that are fighting with each other. It’s a bit of a hidden gem!
Like the Yakuza games, Binary Domain offers a lot more than just shooting. It’s packed with different types of levels – think turrets, jet ski chases, and epic boss fights – and even includes a memorable mission in a futuristic cannabis farm. But just like in Yakuza, these are really breaks between the core of the game: the excellent shooting. Destroying robots is consistently fun, thanks to the detailed damage models and the wide range of weapons you can use. Binary Domain is a silly, action-filled game that deserves more recognition, and it’s definitely worth playing.
Tokyo Jungle
A Sci-Fi Survival Game With Playable Animals
Most games don’t let you play only as an animal, and even fewer offer a roster of nearly 50 different species. That’s what makes Tokyo Jungle unique. It’s a survival game set in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo where humans are largely gone. Animals are now left to survive on their own, and you get to experience the world through the eyes of the wildlife reclaiming the city.
You start the game as a lone pomeranian, desperately searching for food to survive. You’ll fight off cats and build a small group of poms, but that’s just the first step. You’ll quickly move on to playing as different animals – a lion, a crocodile, a hyena, and many more. While the gameplay isn’t overly complicated for any one creature, you don’t spend too long as each animal, keeping things fresh. Tokyo Jungle is truly unique, and it excels at what it sets out to do – offering a wild and unusual survival experience.
The Eye Of Judgement
One Of The Best Reasons To Own A PlayStation Eye
| Platforms | PlayStation 3 |
|---|---|
| Released | October 23, 2007 |
| Developer | Japan Studio |
| Genre | Collectible Card Game |
The PlayStation Eye was a camera for the PS3 that allowed games to respond to a player’s movements, though how well it worked varied. Several games used its features, like PES 09, Def Jam Rapstar, and LittleBigPlanet 2. However, The Eye of Judgement was the best – and the very first – game to really showcase what the device could do.
Fans of the Yu-Gi-Oh! anime often remember the cool holographic card effects during duels. The Eye of Judgement aimed to recreate that experience. It’s a collectible card game where you gather physical cards, build a deck, and battle against friends using a special game mat. While there was an online mode, it wasn’t always reliable, and the game was most enjoyable when played face-to-face. The gameplay was easy to pick up for new players, yet had enough depth to keep experienced players engaged. Surprisingly, The Eye of Judgement has maintained a dedicated community of in-person players, even though the online servers are no longer active.
ModNation Racers
A Kart Racer With A Deep Track Creation System
ModNation Racers is a kart racing game that, interestingly, was initially seen as more similar to LittleBigPlanet than Mario Kart. While the game can be quite challenging, particularly in career mode, it offers incredibly smooth controls, distinctive power-ups, and great online and local multiplayer options, making races with others a lot of fun.
The biggest appeal of this game is how much you can customize everything. You can design your racers to look like almost anything, and personalize their karts too. But players really spent their time building tracks – the track editor is incredibly powerful and lets you create some truly unique and crazy courses. Plus, you can share your creations with other players and race on tracks they’ve made – and often, those community-built tracks are the most fun!
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2026-01-21 02:39