Crash Bandicoot is a Playstation icon – an icon that been out of the spotlight for far too long. While many fans of the series wondered if Crash Bandicoot 4 would ever become a reality, their fervor for a new installment was quelled with the release of Crash Bandicoot: The N. Sane Trilogy. A complete remake of the first three Crash Bandicoot titles bundled in one package, the game went on to sell over 2.5 million copies and became the best selling remastered collection in the Ps4’s history. Now that Crash Bandicoot is set to go multi-platform, the gold standard of trilogy remakes is set to reach an even broader audience and deliver the marsupial mascot to more homes than ever before. So with the continued success of Crash Bandicoot: The N. Sane Trilogy guaranteed, I thought it might be fun to take a trip down memory lane, and choose five Playstation trilogies that might be worth revisiting.
5) The Gex Series
Crash Bandicoot? More like Crash BandiWHO?! (Yes I recycled that joke). Consisting of Gex, Enter the Gecko, and Deep Cover Gecko, the Gex series starred a wise-cracking lizard with a lovable penchant for obscure movie/television references. Having sold a combined total of over 15 million copies, Gex 3 – the final game in the trilogy – was the best selling of the series, shipping over 6 million copies and becoming the best-selling PlayStation adventure game of 1999 with 3 million copies in that year alone. As long as comedian Dana Gould would be able to return to voice the sly-tongued lizard, Gex would be able to capture the hearts of a whole new generation – and cash in two decades worth of pop culture zingers and one-liners.
4) The Mega Man Legends Collection
Yes, I know. Mega Man Legends died with the cancellation of Part 3 years ago…but I hate myself and I just can’t let go! Made up of Mega Man Legends 1 + 2 and the spin-off The Misadventures of Tron Bonne, the Mega Man Legends games were quite the departure from what gamers thought a Mega Man game was supposed to be. Ditching its 2D roots for a full 3D world complete with voice acting and a super-engaging plot, the games instantly became a classic among Mega Man fans worldwide. And given that the Blue Bomber is set to dazzle gamers once again with Mega Man 11, and X will return in a collection series, I see no reason why Mega Man Volnutt should be ignored. A remake of the entire Mega Man Legends library might be the first step in a proper sequel. And seriously, isn’t about time we get that lovable blue guy off the damn moon?!
3) Prince of Persia – Sands Series
Prince of Persia was one of the more prolific series during Playstation 2-era of gaming. And since the original trilogy came to an end. gamers have been subjected to a laughable mobile game, a silver-screen adaptation which bombed, and a divisive reboot which failed to capture any of the magic and wonder the original trilogy was known for. Remaking the these three games could invigorate a long dormant fan-base and possibly and show new gamers what the perfect blend of story and gameplay looks like.
2) Syphon Filter, PSX Trilogy
Borrowing elements from GoldenEye 007 and Metal Gear Solid, the Syphon Filter series was every bit as engaging and entertaining as gaming best spy/espionage thrillers. Starring Gabriel Logan, the original PSX trilogy detailed the impending threat of a deadly bio-weapon that could be programmed on a genetic level to target specific groups of people. With the Metal Gear Solid franchise moving forward sans Hideo Kojima and as a shadow of its former self, the timing is right for Gabriel Logan to show gamers just what he is capable of. And besides, the though of tasering someone until they burst into flames in full, remade glory is too much of an awesome sight to pass on. Get on this, Sony!
1) Spyro the Dragon Trilogy
Do I even need to say why this is Number 1 on the list? First off, the series’ debut was not only met with critically acclaim, it was also a commercial success, selling nearly 5 million copies worldwide. Second, if there was ever a character that would be as synonymous with the Playstation brand as Crash Bandicoot was back in the day, it would no other than Spyro the Dragon. It comes as no surprise that rumors persist of a remastered trilogy hitting the PS4 this year – it would be an absolute no-brainer for Sony and Activision to return this series to its former, pre-Skylanders glory. It may possibly have even stronger earning potential than the bandicoot himself.
Honorable Mention – Die Hard Trilogy
Go ahead – convince me why this wouldn’t make be amazing. Bundle it with Die Hard Trilogy 2, and BOOM, Game of the year.
So, reader, what do you make of this list? Do you see Sony perusing bundled remakes given how well Crash Bandicoot’s revival performed? Did anyone expect Crash Bandicoot: The N. Sane Trilogy to sell as…insanely well (*note to self: make some toast in the tub) as it did? Let us know, as well as what trilogy you would like to see remade, in the comments section below.
As much as I loved all of these games, I would love to see the Onimusha games revisited. Warlords, Samurai Destiny and Dawn of Dreams. DO IT!