The sad fact is that merit isn’t always rewarded, especially in the gaming industry. Developers may pour their hearts and souls into an inspired idea, but consumers simply don’t respond. Whether due to bad marketing or other reasons, the result is always a financial flop. That rings true for any console, including those under thePlayStationname.Sony’s systems have seen countless titles that failed to make a widespread impact. Fortunately, there exists a silver lining.
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After the initial release, loyal fans may continue singing a game’s praises. This keeps the title in the public consciousness, albeit in a small way. As a result, one can’t help but root for them as underdogs in a merciless industry.PlayStationhas its own collection of such cult classics scattered throughout its history. Fans just have to know where to look, but these hidden gems are well worth the search.
7Bushido Blade
ThisPS1fighter set out to be different from others in its genre. It forgoes the flashy spectacles of its peers and places a greater emphasis on realism. If a blow lands on an arm, the combatant can’t use that limb anymore. Ultimately, that approach proved to be the game’s downfall.
The title didn’t have the wider appeal of arcade brawlers likeStreet FighterorMortal Kombat. In hindsight, though,players have looked kindlier onBushido Blade, appreciating its commitment to authenticity. Even in today’s crowded market, that devotion helps it to stand out.
6Tearaway
Coming from the creators ofLittleBigPlanet,Tearawaydebuted on thePS Vita. That already puts it at a disadvantage since that handheld system soon became infamous for commercial disappointment. However, the game’s specialized platforming mechanics earned praise from those who played it, leading to respectable sales by Vita standards.
That modest success was enough to spawn a remastered version onPS4, but this turned into an utter flop. On the upside, it caused many to reflect fondly on the Vita version. Gamers now had a greater admiration for how it implementedthe handheld’s distinctive touchscreen and motion control features into an organic and personalized adventure. Those scrounging for Vita titles should consider picking it up.
5Super Dragon Ball Z
Games based onDragon Ballare nothing new, but this odd duck comes from severalStreet Fighteralums. As expected, they bring their storied fighter expertise to the anime franchise with a surprisingly deep combat system. It rewards timing, positioning, and elaborate combos. These strengths are probably why the game was so successfulin Japanese arcades.
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Sadly, it failed to reach the fandom internationally. The game released amidst of theDragon Ball Z: BudokaiandBudokai Tenkaichiseries. Players didn’t really know what to make of this oddball standalone and, thus, overlooked it in favor of the franchise’s more established fighters. In hindsight, though, fans have come to respectSuper Dragon Ball Zfor its slick, strategic take on the series' flashy fights. In many ways, it was the precursor toDragon Ball FighterZ. It’s not the only such precursor here…
4Rygar: The Legendary Adventure
A remake of anNEStitle,Rygaris a hack-and-slash adventure about a warrior making his way througha world inspired by Greek and Roman mythology. At his side is the Diskarmor: a bladed shield which Rygar swings to and fro with a chain. All of that sounds eerily similar toGod of War. In reality,Rygarcame a few years before and enjoyed similar rave reviews, but it wasn’t the same runaway success.
TheWiiport in 2008 only dug the hole deeper. This version was maligned, thus tainting the brand that it was meant to revive. Still,Rygaris a respected part of thePS2’s game library. Players just have to sift through the console’s other classics to find it, but that may be more likely given the acclaim of its rival. Ironically,Rygaris a satisfying way to get one’sGod of Warfix.
3Shadows Of Rome
Speaking of Ancient Rome, the setting also inspired another hidden gem on the PS2.Shadows of Romerevolves around a gladiator and a senator working together to investigate Julius Caesar’s assassination. That premise leads to a wide variety in gameplay, which lies at the heart of the title’s praise. It sports a healthy mix of combat, stealth, and other mechanics to keep things interesting and provides enough depth to each one to make it engaging. The tragedy is that audiences didn’t show up to this arena.
Shadows of Romeunderperformed, and the developers reworked their proposed sequel intoDead Rising. With that weird metamorphosis, it seemed like gladiatorial game was well and truly buried. However, those looking into the history of its zombie successor (or seeking a game about the Roman era) occasionally come across this gem. Upon witnessing it conquer the competition, they’re left to wonder what might have been.
2War Of The Monsters
Another fighting title,War of the Monsterssimulates the colossal battles seen inGodzillaflicks and other kaiju bashes. It ably captures that appeal with its wide selection of monster archetypes, impactful combat, and fully destructible cityscapes. Like other experimental fighters, though, it failed to stand out among the more recognizable names.
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Kaiju filmsmake up a niche genre outside of Japan. That was especially the case in the mid-2000s. Thankfully, the recent big-screen success of the MonsterVerse has revitalized Western interest in the genre. Possibly because of that,War of the Monstershas regained enough of a following to land on the PlayStation Store.
1PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale
PlayStation hasmany mascots which have become beloved staples of gaming. Sony sought to use this vast character catalog to capitalize on the popularity of crossover fighters likeMarvel vs. Capcomand, more directly,Super Smash Bros.The resultingPlayStation All-Stars Battle Royalewas less a whirlwind of success and more of a light breeze. While the archaic gameplay was solid, the lack of content disappointed many fans. Because of that, the game didn’t sell remotely enough copies to spawn a series like its contemporaries.
Despite this failure, devotees still dream about a sequel or successor. Some of that comes down to recent enthusiasm forSmashclones likeNickelodeon All-Star BrawlandMultiVersus. More instrumental, though, is the wealth of new PlayStation icons which have emerged since the game’s release. Players would love to see this updated roster duke it out with the oldies.
