Parasite Eve
Starting off with Parasite Eve, this is a PlayStation franchise that ended too soon. As a sequel to the novel of the same name, Parasite Eve touts three games. Though, technically The 3rd Birthday, its last entry, has very little ties to the original games.
A survival horror series, Parasite Eve centers around a woman named Aya as she struggles to save the world from the titular Eve. With survival horror-esque elements, this series takes you on a wild ride.
From what we’ve seen of the Final Fantasy VII remake, a remake of Parasite Eve would probably be a complete overhaul of graphics, gameplay, and practically everything else.
A remake would bring the series to newer audiences and it would be a pleasant addition to Square Enix’s large collection of remasters and remakes.
PaRappa the Rapper
PaRappa the Rapper is an old school rhythm game series that follows the titular PaRappa, a dog that loves to rap. Imagine Sayonara Wild Hearts but with animals and talking vegetables.
You could argue that, without PaRappa the Rapper, rhythm games wouldn’t be what they are now especially since many people consider this to be the first ever rhythm game.
PaRappa the Rapper’s popularity spawned two sequels and a few TV shows as well. It was recently remastered for the PlayStation 4 but a full on revival of the series would be well welcomed especially since the series is so weird.
Sly Cooper
Sly Cooper is an iconic stealth platforming PlayStation franchise that deserves to come to the PlayStation 5. Originally developed by Sucker Punch Productions, Sly Cooper’s last entry appeared on PlayStation 3 and PS Vita after development from a different studio.
Sucker Punch recently included an elaborate Sly Cooper Easter egg in Ghost of Tsushima so they haven’t completely forgotten about this series.
Hopefully, since Ghost of Tsushima and its most recent Legends update have come out, Sucker Punch many have a bit more time to start working on a possible Sly Cooper remaster or revival. *nudge* *nudge*
Sly Cooper is a well known character and seeing his stealthy platforming in crystal clear 4K HD would be incredible, especially since we’ve come a long way when it comes to platformers.
Also, there aren’t many games that let you take control of a master thief raccoon in a film noir setting and environment. Move over Animal Crossing. Sly Cooper’s in town.
Resistance
Resistance is a wild first/third person shooter series that takes place in a alternate version of the 1950s. Blending different genres, Resistance mixes modern day and futuristic weaponry together to take you on a crazy journey to defend earth from alien invaders known as Chimera.
The popularity of the first game in the series, Resistance: Fall of Man, spawned two sequels and a PS Vita release. Online support for the series stopped in 2014 but a revival of this franchise with updated graphics and images would make the aliens look terrifying.
Resistance was developed by Insomniac Games and they’re currently busy with Spider-Man and Ratchet & Clank. A remaster or reboot won’t be very likely in the near future but it would still be amazing to see a revival of this long forgotten series.
Warhawk/Starhawk
This particular PlayStation franchise started off as Warhawk, a flight-combat game released in 1995. You take control of two pilots who are tasked with defending against a global terrorist bent on taking over the world.
A multiplayer-only remake of the same name came out in 2007 and that spawned its spiritual successor, Starhawk, which released in 2012.
The series is known for its smooth controls, open world, great music, and cool sound design so upgrading these elements for the PlayStation 5 would make for an incredible reboot.
Microsoft Flight Simulator and similar games have shown the current power and potential of flight games so a revival of the Warhawk/Starhawk series would fit in perfectly with modern gaming technology.
Patapon
Patapon is a series of rhythm games released on the PlayStation Portable where you essentially serve as a god, commanding your tiny little subjects in rhythmic dance and movements.
Cartoon-y, stylized, downright cute, and surprisingly existential, the Patapon series takes you on a weirdly complex journey to colonize new lands, defeat your enemies, and, in later games, bring the literal dead back to life.
The Patapon franchise was originally developed by Pyramid and Japan Studio with the latest entry releasing in 2011. Japan Studio is well-known for collaborating with other developers on releases like Bloodborne, Gravity Rush, and Shadow of the Colossus.
They’re currently busy working on the Demon’s Souls remake but a revival of the Patapon series could still hopefully be possible in the near future.
Twisted Metal
The second vehicular franchise on this list, Twisted Metal is a series dedicated to vehicular destruction and demotion derbies. Think of it as a Mad Max-esque Rocket League but without the sports balls and to the death.
While seemingly having a simple concept, the story to the Twisted Metal games generally takes you on an elaborate roller coaster of a journey to have your dreams come true.
Twisted Metal, the titular demotion derby, awards the winner of the tournament with whatever they so desire but it generally doesn’t end well for whatever the winner wishes for.
The Twisted Metal series was rebooted in 2012 for the PlayStation 3 but another reboot would be wholeheartedly welcomed with the power of the PlayStation 5.
PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale
Sony’s version of Smash Bros, this long lost PlayStation franchise pitted iconic characters like Kratos, Isaac Clarke, Jak and Daxter, and other PlayStation protagonists against each other in an all-out brawl.
There was technically another All-Stars game that came out a year after the first, but it was developed by another studio. It was also released on mobile and it didn’t get too much traction compared to its predecessor.
We’d love to see next-gen and PlayStation 4 characters duking it out on the PlayStation 5 especially since the graphics would make everyone look incredibly detailed.
I mean, who wouldn’t want to see the hunter from Bloodborne, Aloy from Horizon Zero Dawn, Jin Sakai from Ghost of Tsushima, and Ellie from The Last of Us all in one place fighting it out?
Ape Escape
There have been quite a lot of Ape Escape games including the main series, Japan-only spinoffs, and party games.
This PlayStation franchise centers around defending the world against a literal primate army sent by Specter, an evil monkey bent on taking over the world. Equipped with different gadgets and tools, the protagonists are tasked with stopping the ape invasion.
The most recent game in the series is a party game known as PlayStation Move Ape Escape released in 2011 in North America. Since then, there hasn’t been any new additions to the franchise.
The Ape Escape series is defined by its monkey-related jokes and puns, pop culture references, and crazy gameplay. Rebooting or remastering this series for the PlayStation 5 would be a pleasant addition to PlayStation’s robust list of exclusives.
Jak and Daxter
Our final PlayStation franchise is technically coming to PlayStation 5 but the Jak and Daxter collection is a remastered pack of the first three games. There hasn’t been a new entry in the series for quite some time.
If Ratchet & Clank can come blazing onto the PlayStation 5, then another iconic duo can as well. Video games have come a long way and it would be amazing to see an updated and modern addition to the Jak and Daxter series.
The franchise is already known for blending several different genres to create a unique experience and seeing this powered by the PlayStation 5 would be crazy.
Since Naughty Dog, its original developers, aren’t too busy now, they could maybe give this series its long-deserved revival.
