One part of what PS Plus offers players on PS5 and PS4 that goes somewhat under the radar is the PlayStation Classics catalog available with PS Plus Premium – an additional service that gives you a chance to download and play some truly iconic original PlayStation games. Sure, a lot of the games available here might be around two decades old but, with titles like Tekken 2 and Syphon Filter among them, there’s still a lot of fun to be had. These really are classics in every sense of the word. And now, a truly iconic Star Wars game from 1999 is set to join them.
If you want to play some of the best PS5 games out there, but you don’t want to have to keep paying upwards of $50 (or more) for each one, then PS Plus Premium (or PS Plus Deluxe) is perfect for you. It might not offer us quite as many new PS5 games as Xbox Game Pass does new Xbox games, but it’s still excellent value for money if you make sure you’re taking full advantage of what’s on offer. One of those ‘things on offer’ you might not actually be aware of is the PlayStation Classics catalog; it’s something we don’t really see PlayStation talk about all too much, but it’s something it should definitely talk about more. While the original PlayStation games (PS1) available here aren’t quite remastered, they are improved upon – just like all the PSP games and PlayStation 2 games you’ll find here, too – with modernized control schemes and Quality of Life features like the ability to create multiple save states that may not have been available originally.
If you finally want to experience the original Resident Evil game, which is one of the best horror games of all time, you can on your PS5 console with the PlayStation Classics catalog. Similarly, if you want to play one of the best co-op games out there in Worms Armageddon – a 1999 party game that’s a classic in every sense of the word – you’ll find that there too. And, if you want to sit down and experience the truly incredible Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace movie tie-in game from the same year, we have some excellent news for you.
As spotted by Gematsu here, the original PlayStation game Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace has been rated for PS4 and PS5 in Taiwain – something that heavily suggests the game will be available via PS Plus’ PlayStation Classics catalog on both platforms soon.
It’s important to note that we don’t know for certain that this game will be available through the PlayStation Classics catalog, but very few original PlayStation games (or PSP, PS2, or PS3 games) are available independently of this service on the PlayStation Store. With several older Star Wars games (Star Wars Demolition, Star Wars Bounty Hunter, and Star Wars Jedi Starfighter to name a few) already available via this service, it seems almost certain that Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace is set to join them.
Even if you’re not a huge fan of The Phantom Menace when it comes to the Star Wars film franchise, you should absolutely give this game a go if you get the chance. It might not stand out as one of the best Star Wars games out there when pitted against incredible titles like Star Wars Squadrons and Star Wars Jedi Survivor, but it’s an experience every fan of the franchise should look to go through. Just, don’t expect the voice acting to be superb – only a handful of the movie’s cast reprise their roles here.
Elsewhere on PS Plus, outside of this truly fantastic revelation, the free PS Plus games for December 2023 are now available to download and play. While these have been weak in recent months, the PS Plus December 2023 games line-up is actually one of the best we’ve seen all year. Also, with the PS Plus Season of Play promo event starting, you can claim five free PS5 avatars right now.