PlayStation has been huge in gaming for years, right? Think back about those days, the excitement of a new game and the hours spent playing through these awesome worlds.
Ever since the 90s, Sony’s consoles have given us great experiences. And a big part of that is thanks to PlayStation IPs – those special game series that everyone knows and loves.
Want to take a trip back? Let’s look at some of the best PlayStation IPs from over the years, talking mostly about older franchises as well as highlighting some of the best recent ones.
The most iconic PlayStation IPs throughout the years
Let’s check out some of the coolest and most important PlayStation IPs, from different types of games and different PlayStation consoles:
Ape Escape
Let’s start way back with Ape Escape on the first PlayStation. Made by Japan Studio, this platformer came out in 1999 and was just plain fun.
What made it different? Instead of just running and jumping, you had to catch monkeys using all sorts of gadgets. Remember trying to use the Monkey Net? And don’t even get us started on all the silly minigames across its multiple titles. Or the Japan-exclusive spin-off revolving around vacuuming pants from those poor monkeys…
Ape Escape was also just funny and didn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s partly what made it great. For many people, Ape Escape is what early 3D platformers were all about – just being creative and engaging.
Jak and Daxter
Next up is Jak and Daxter on PlayStation 2, a platformer/adventure series from Naughty Dog. Starting in 2001 with Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, it became a PS2 classic. What was so cool about it? It felt like a big, open world, it played smoothly, and the characters were awesome.
Jak and Daxter mixed platforming, action, and puzzles perfectly. Exploring the world or racing around was always fun. And Jak and Daxter themselves? Jak, who starts out quiet but then starts talking, and Daxter, the funny sidekick who always had something to say. They were a great pair, weren’t they?
Ratchet & Clank
Another big platformer series is Ratchet & Clank, a PlayStation favorite from Insomniac Games that’s been around for ages, starting on PS2 in 2002. This series came packed with action, jokes, and using crazy gadgets. Remember the weapon that turned enemies into sheep? Pure satisfaction.
Ratchet & Clank games are known for being bright and colorful, having fast action, and that special Insomniac Games touch. Whether you were shooting enemies with wild weapons or checking out cool alien planets, these games were always fun. Plus, they were a hilarious and great duo to watch.
Sly Cooper
If you liked sneaking around, there was Sly Cooper, a stealth platformer from Sucker Punch Productions. First appearing on PS2 in 2002 with Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus, it had a really cool, unique look. That cartoonish style? It made it stand out.
Sly Cooper was about being sneaky, not just fighting. You had to sneak past guards, steal stuff, and use Sly’s cool moves. With its cartoon style and fun characters – Sly, Bentley, and Murray – Sly Cooper became known as the cool, sneaky platformer on PlayStation.
SOCOM
Now for something different: SOCOM, a tactical military shooter series from Zipper Interactive. Starting with SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs on PS2 in 2002, it was one of the first to really do squad-based, realistic shooting on consoles.
SOCOM games required lots of planning, talking to your team, and working together. It wasn’t just running and gunning like your average shooter, you had to think. With its focus on being real and playing online, SOCOM really influenced how tactical shooters worked on consoles, leading to lots of games like it later on.
Warhawk
Still talking about multiplayer titles, Warhawk, from Incognito Entertainment and LightBox Interactive, was a fast, vehicle-based action game that was awesome for PlayStation online gaming early on. The first Warhawk was on PS1 in 1995, but the 2007 PS3 version is what people really remember.
Warhawk had memorable big fights, flying planes, and ground combat all mixed together. Driving tanks and battling across big maps was a blast, wasn’t it? This game showed to the world how good online multiplayer could be on PlayStation and helped make online gaming a big deal on consoles.
Uncharted
Moving to more recent games, Uncharted, from Naughty Dog, became a PlayStation must-play from the PS3 era on, starting with Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune in 2007. This action-adventure series felt like playing a movie, with action, platforming, puzzles, and great stories. Did you ever feel like you were right in the middle of an action film?
Uncharted tells the story of Nathan Drake, the funny and cool treasure hunter. Exploring old ruins, getting into gunfights, and solving mysteries became what the series is known for. Uncharted is one of those games that feel more like movies, with amazing graphics and even greater storytelling.
God of War
You can’t talk about PlayStation without mentioning God of War, a series that’s changed a lot over the years. Originally a hack-and-slash action game on PS2 in 2005 from Santa Monica Studio, God of War became a PlayStation icon. Remember how angry and powerful Kratos was in the Greek games?
From fighting Greek gods to the Norse mythology games starting in 2018, God of War always came packed with intense fighting, huge battles, and great stories. Whether you were fighting monsters from Greek myths or exploring Norse worlds with a more serious Kratos, God of War has always been a top action-adventure game on PlayStation.
Bloodborne
For those who wanted a challenge, Bloodborne, from FromSoftware in 2015, was a special action RPG only on PlayStation 4. It took the tough “Souls-like” style and made it dark and gothic, like something out of a horror story.
Bloodborne is famous for being hard but fair, having a detailed, creepy world, and looking amazing. Exploring the streets of Yharnam, fighting scary monsters, and figuring out the secrets of the world was something you wouldn’t forget. Bloodborne showed that PlayStation could deliver different kinds of gaming experiences, even really challenging ones.
Astro Bot
Lastly, Astro Bot is a newer PlayStation series that fans really love. Starting with Astro Bot Rescue Mission for PSVR in 2018 and Astro’s Playroom (on PS5 in 2020), Astro Bot has become a modern PlayStation mascot for platformers. By the way, its more recent iteration, simply called Astro Bot, received the 2024 Game of the Year (GOTY) accolade.
This franchise’s games are pure platforming fun, with smart level design, cute characters, and lots of love for PlayStation history. From the VR fun of Rescue Mission to the packed-in Astro’s Playroom, Astro Bot is a great example of PlayStation’s classic platforming style, but reimagined for newer console generations.
PlayStation franchises: conclusion
From catching monkeys to epic adventures and tough battles, PlayStation IPs have given us so much fun over the decades. In fact, they’re a big part of gaming culture – millions of people remember them fondly, bringing back good memories, starting conversations, and inspiring new generations of game developers.
Whether you’ve been playing PlayStation franchises for years or are just starting out, checking out these classic series is totally worth it. So, why not play some of these games again or try them for the first time? There’s a whole history of PlayStation games waiting for you!
If you want to make your own awesome game and create the next big IP, Main Leaf can help. We’re experts in game development, inspired by the best games out there and passionate about making games that people love.
Contact us today, and let’s talk about how to make your game idea a reality.
