Sony has released a series of PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable video games, remastered in high-definition (HD), for PlayStation 3 and Playstation Vita. A number of related programs exist, the most prominent two being "Classics HD" (also known as "HD Collection") and "PSP Remasters". The former consists of multiple PlayStation 2 games compiled on one Blu-ray Disc. The latter are individual PlayStation Portable games republished on Blu-ray. These games are not direct ports, but remastered versions in high-definition, to take advantage of the newer consoles' capabilities. The remastering of the games include updated graphics, new textures, Trophy support and sometimes include 3D and PlayStation Move support. Some HD remasters have been released individually or in bundles as downloads on the PlayStation Store; others are released exclusively as downloads.
Classics HD is the official name given for these compilations in Europe, no equivalent of such name exists in North America or Japan. However, these games include the subtitle "Remastered in High Definition" or "HD Collection" on the North American cover. PSP Remasters is the official name given by Sony for collections featuring remasters of PSP games.[1] The PSP Remasters line includes the same features as the Classics HD line, as well as cross-platform play and shareable saves between the two versions. According to Sony Computer Entertainment Japan, PSP Remasters will not include trophy support.[2]
The first remastered collection to be released is the God of War Collection which consists of God of War and God of War II. This collection was released before Sony decided to officially begin a line of Classics HD games. God of War Collection was brought about from feedback in anticipation for God of War III and what type of content fans would like to see in a special edition of that game. From this feedback, Sony released the collection separate from God of War III as a way to introduce new players to the franchise.[3]
The success of the God of War Collection prompted Sony to make a new line of games that would be bannered Classics HD in PAL regions (North American copies simply have the subtitle "Remastered in High Definition" or "HD Collection"). One of the reasons why this brand was created is because PlayStation 2 titles are not compatible with most PlayStation 3 consoles (only the 20 GB and 60 GB models, and the first iteration of the 80 GB model are compatible).
The second series of games ported to the PlayStation 3 and first to use the Classics HD banner is The Sly Collection released in November 2010.[4] The Prince of Persia series is the first non-Sony published games remastered,[5] published by Ubisoft. After months of speculation, it was finally revealed in September 2010 that Ico and Shadow of the Colossus would be remastered for a September 2011 release.[6] On November 2, 2010, the God of War Collection became the first remastered collection to be released as a digital download on the PlayStation Store.[7] In 2010 a remastered version of Frontline was included in the PlayStation 3 version of Medal of Honor with updated gameplay options and trophie support, in 2011 Frontline HD became available as a separate PSN download.[8] The first three games of the Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell series was also remastered and was released on Blu-ray in Europe in September 2011 [1] and was released in North America later in that month.[9] The Tomb Raider Trilogy was announced on December 19, 2010 and included all three second era games of the series: HD remasters of Tomb Raider: Legend and Tomb Raider: Anniversary for the first time on the PlayStation 3 plus Tomb Raider: Underworld.[10]
At E3 2011 during Sony's press conference, the PSP Remaster line was announced. Monster Hunter Portable 3rd HD ver. was the first of this line to be announced.[1] According to Sony Computer Entertainment Japan, the PSP Remasters line will not include trophy support, God of War: Origins Collection despite being both remasters of PSP games is not part of this line thus will have trophy support. Additionally the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection will include a PSP remaster for the game (available standalone in Japan) Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, which will include the various features that a PSP remaster are intended to have (eg. importing saves between the PS3 and the PSP version).
Oddworld Inhabitants and Just Add Water are currently working on HD remasters of their games. Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath (December 2011) and Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee (2012) are to be released separately on PSN and PS Vita with HD remasters of the first two Oddworld games (known as Abe HD) soon to follow. This set has been dubbed The Oddboxx.[11] HD Remasters of Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil Code: Veronica X were released both together and separately as the Resident Evil Revival Selection, which are downloadable titles only except for in Japan. The Silent Hill Collection has a release in January 2012, it includes both Silent Hill 2 and Silent Hill 3 with new voice actors recorded for the Silent Hill 2 dialog. A HD Collection of the first three games in the Devil May Cry series has been confirmed by Capcom for 2012. A Resident Evil Chronicles HD Collection was confirmed with both Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles and Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles. After much rumor and speculation, a HD Collection of the Jak & Daxter series was confirmed for a February 2012 release. [12]
There is a growing demand for HD collections among fans for game series such as Kingdom Hearts, Ratchet & Clank, and Twisted Metal (Popular franchises from the PS2 owned by Sony). Whether these collections will be made or even by the original studios is unknown.[13] [14]
Along with trophies, 3D support and HD upgrades the various compilations also boasts various other extras to accompany them. The God of War Collection contains bonus materials for God of War II (originally released as a DVD in the God of War II two-disc set on PS2) and early copies included the God of War III demo while the Origins Collection also contains one for Chains of Olympus and the documentary, God of War - Game Directors Live, the Kratos Legionnaire bonus skin, and Forest of the Forgotten combat arena (originally released as a download via the Ghost of Sparta preorder package). In Japan, the PS3 version of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker: HD Edition is standalone and includes a code to download the PSP version while Metal Gear Solid 2 and Metal Gear Solid 3 are packaged separately in Metal Gear Solid HD and come instead with a download code for the original Metal Gear Solid. In North America and Europe, the three HD games are packaged together in Metal Gear Solid HD Collection with no downloadable games. Tekken Hybrid will not only include an HD upgrade of Tekken Tag Tournament and a prologue based on its sequel but will also come with the 3D CGI film Tekken: Blood Vengeance.
To help showcase the addition of the Playstation Move, The Sly Collection includes various additional minigames as well. Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD will have PlayStation Move and 3D support , however, those will be available through a patch at a later time after launch.[15] A XMB Dynamic Theme based on Stranger's Wrath was also released. The Oddboxx upon the release of Munch's Oddysee HD will include the first two PSone Classics Abe's Oddysee and Abe's Exoddus, as confirmed by Oddworld Inhabitants. The Ico collection features bonus content, including two XMB Dynamic Themes and exclusive video content for Ico, Shadow of the Colossus and The Last Guardian (for which an inclusion of a demo was considered but never included). It will also feature the original PlayStation 2 cover arts for both games on the inner side of the case. The Silent Hill Collection is said to include both original and new recorded dialog for Silent Hill 2.
A notable feature with the PSP Remasters is that one can import saved games between the PSP version and the PS3 version and vice versa.
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