Psst...Hey, Japanese Devs, Your PS1 Classics Are Popular
Final Fantasy VIIIHey, did you Japanese developers notice something?
Maybe this will serve as a wake-up call of sorts, but at this rate, it seems very unlikely that any Japanese designer will ever have their finger on the pulse of gamer nation.
However, it should be noted that many of the PS1 classics that arrive on the PlayStation Network are awfully popular. Everyone seems to love the fact that Legend of Dragoon is headed to the PSN, and how long was Final Fantasy VIII on top of the most popular download list? By the way, what other games were on that list? Many of them are titles that offer a style of gameplay that is dead or dying and yet, despite the myth that all Westerners only want to play shooters, those classics often outsell new digital offerings on a consistent basis.
Sure, some of it is nostalgia. In fact, a lot of it is nostalgia. But in many cases, I think it's a very particular brand of nostalgia; the kind that aches for an entertainment experience that is getting more and more difficult to find. Also, let's not forget that these aren't remakes; these aren't games sporting glossy new veneers and redone voices and presentations. Oh no, these are the original adventures and even so, despite all the advances in technology and uber-HD graphics and photorealistic environments, a great many gamers go and download Chrono Cross and Suikoden and Wild ARMs.
Maybe that's a small message. Maybe it might prove there's still a place for story-driven, linear, turn-based adventures in a world that is rapidly going another direction. It may further prove that actual remakes of such titles would be embraced with open arms...
Tags: japanese gaming, japanese developers, ps1 classics, gaming culture
4/11/2012 9:00:53 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (18 posts)
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 @ 10:10:22 PM
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Wouldn't it be weird if someone made a JRPG that just had the updated visuals we expected but everything else was about the same? Talk aboot Bizarro World.
6 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Thursday, April 12, 2012 @ 12:38:36 AM
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Xenoblade Chronicles
The Last Story
Ni No Kuni
... AND all those PS3 exclusive JRPG's that were announced recently by NIS.
Sure, they won't sell millions like Call of Duty, but you don't need to sell millions if your budget isn't sky high!!
4 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, April 12, 2012 @ 12:47:16 AM
2 up, 0 down
ZenChichiri
Thursday, April 12, 2012 @ 2:28:54 AM
1 up, 0 down
dbyzforce
Thursday, April 12, 2012 @ 7:51:21 AM
Xenoblade Chronicles
The Last Story
Should've been on PS3 as well :(
Well least I did not sell my wii...
Speaking of PS1 Classics, why has Sony not implemented playing them on the PS Vita yet?
Last edited by dbyzforce on 4/12/2012 7:56:02 AM
5 up, 0 down
dbyzforce
Thursday, April 12, 2012 @ 8:53:39 AM
0 up, 2 down
Ultimadesires
Thursday, April 12, 2012 @ 3:08:25 AM
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I also see they have put Persona 3: FES on the US store, that along with the soon to come Legend of Dragoon have my very interested.
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gunblademaster
Thursday, April 12, 2012 @ 3:46:02 AM
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I would be interested to hear their reason as to why they are not remaking ps1 classics. Surely they have given a reason. Have they?
5 up, 0 down
___________
Thursday, April 12, 2012 @ 5:19:20 AM
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i wish $ony would bring some of there famous original series back to PSN.
or even to retail like there doing with ps2 HD classics!
oh what i would do to see crash 1,2,3, CTR and bash, spyro 1,2,3 and syphon filter 1,2,3 all remade into HD!
be nice to have some of the looney tunes games too like bugs and taz time busters, bugs and taz lost in time and even oddworld, pandemonium, and looney tunes sheep raider.
3 up, 0 down
Looking Glass
Thursday, April 12, 2012 @ 7:48:01 AM
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Last edited by Looking Glass on 4/12/2012 7:51:18 AM
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Edito
Thursday, April 12, 2012 @ 7:52:21 AM
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0 up, 0 down
gumbi
Thursday, April 12, 2012 @ 8:17:39 AM
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No amount of evidence will convince them that there is a market here for good traditional JRPG's. There always has been, we didn't go away. Oh well, it was a good time while it lasted. I shall remember the era fondly.
1 up, 0 down
Highlander
Thursday, April 12, 2012 @ 11:52:00 AM
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Now, maybe they will see the great sales of FFVII on PSN and realize that there is a market for a classic, high quality JRPG in the West.
When FFVIII hit PSN I said;
Now, maybe they will see the great sales of FFVIII on PSN and realize that there is a market for a classic, high quality JRPG in the West. Good lord, combined with the success of FFVII only an idiot would miss this.
When FFIX hit PSN I said;
OK, now they *have* to see what we've been saying. Combined sales of these classic FF titles from the PS1 must surely demonstrate that there is a market for classic style, high quality JRPGs?
But, ya know, that hasn't happened. Which means that the idiots in charge do not see what is on the end of their own nose; OR the believe that people are sheep that by FF games on the name recognition and reputation alone.
I think they're all fools.
3 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Thursday, April 12, 2012 @ 2:15:54 PM
Afterall, I didn't need a review to know an FF would be awesome.
Words.... eaten....
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saintaqua
Thursday, April 12, 2012 @ 12:58:41 PM
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Sadly I'm beginning to think all Japanese developers have amnesia and have forgotten their roots.
Maybe by the time they face the final boss (when we stop buying their crappy C.O.D. clones) they will remember who they are and save this gen.
3 up, 0 down
LowKey
Thursday, April 12, 2012 @ 2:43:31 PM
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0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Friday, April 13, 2012 @ 12:39:24 PM
0 up, 0 down
Temjin001
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Wednesday, April 11, 2012 @ 9:53:10 PM
I dare you to do it SquareEnix. Re-make all of the PSX FF's and just maybe you'd be forgiven by irate fans ;)