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The PlayStation 4 might be able to play your PS2 games soon

Yesterday, Eurogamer published a report stating Sony is working on a firmware update for the PlayStation 4 that would add PS1 and PS2 emulators to its new console. What’s more, these emulators would allow you to play your physical PlayStation games and even in native HD resolutions.

“Assuming this intention carries through to final code, we’ll be seeing an effect similar to the resolution scaling seen on unofficial PC emulation of Sony’s consoles, as well as a great many of the “HD remasters” we saw on PS3 – where original assets were rendered at a higher resolution, often without any actual remastering at all,” Eurogamer’s Richard Leadbetter wrote.

I can almost hear you asking yourself, “What does this matter to me?” Well, allow me to remind you there are quite a few SEGA PlayStation 2 games that are well worth your time and aren’t available digitally anywhere else.

SEGA Classics Collection

The games in this compilation were released as part of the SEGA Ages series in Japan. It features 3D versions of:

– Alien Syndrome
– Bonanzo Bros.
– Columns
– Fantasy Zone
– Golden Axe
– Monaco GP
– Space Harrier
– Virtua Racing

SEGA Genesis Collection

One of the best collections of all time, containing more than 30 classic Genesis games. A few of the notable inclusions are:

–  Alex Kidd in Enchanted Castle
– Ecco: The Tides of Time
– Golden Axe
– Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium 
– Ristar
– Super Thunder Blade
– Vectorman 2

Grandia II

While many consider the PS2 port inferior to the Dreamcast original, the thought of playing it in crisp HD melts our hearts.

Shining Force NEO

I wasn’t happy when Shining Force moved away from its turn-based, strategy roots to take on an action-RPG style in Shining Force NEO. Not surprisingly, I didn’t really like the game all that much back then, but I’ve been meaning to give it a second chance to see if the many years it’s been sitting on my shelf might have aged it well.

Headhunter Redemption

When the first Headhunter released on the Dreamcast, many billed it as the Metal Gear Solid killer. That it certainly wasn’t, but it was a decently fun game. The sequel, however, never made it to the Dreamcast, instead releasing on the PS2 and Xbox in September 2004. Plus, Richard Jacques composed the game’s soundtrack, so there’s that.

Those are just a few of the games we’d love to slide into our PlayStation 4s. Any that you’d fancy giving a go if these emulators see the light of day?

Chris Powell

Chris is the editor-in-chief of Mega Visions Magazine and the co-creator of SEGA Nerds. He was the former managing editor of Airman magazine and has written for publications like Joystiq, PSP Fanboy, RETRO magazine, among others.
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