While the current library of PS Plus games is stacked, nothing beats revisiting classics back from the PS2 glory days. Compared to the slate of PS5 games on the service, the Classics Catalog is kind of lacking, but that could change as Sony appears to be improving its PS2 emulation capabilities. With the addition of Star Wars The Clone Wars on PS Plus, it might be the start of a fresh wave of rejuvenated PS2 titles.
As spotted by Gematsu, Sony seems to be preparing to roll out one of the best Star Wars games of the PS2 era soon, but it won’t be just any kind of ordinary re-release on PS Plus. The game’s description explains that “this title has been converted from the PlayStation 2 version to the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles and provides newly added features.” These new features include rewinding, quick save functionality, up-rendering, and custom video filters.
As a result, the new PS5 game will feature “times when the title plays differently from the PlayStation 2 version, or where some features may cause the title to not function properly.” Gematsu’s report states that the game is targeting a Tuesday, June 11, 2024, release date, indicating that it could be part of the new lineup of PS Plus Extra and Premium games slated for that month. It has been 21 years since Star Wars The Clone Wars launched in North America, and was one of the last titles developed by Pandemic Studios – the team behind the Mercenaries franchise.
Before the Star Wars Battlefront games hit the scene, The Clone Wars served as a great precursor for large interstellar skirmishes that captured that pure Star Wars magic. What makes it one of the best games in the Star Wars pantheon is how it expands on Attack of the Clones long after the credits have rolled. Before Anakin Skywalker’s descent to the Dark Side in Revenge of the Sith, The Clone Wars gives us a taste of his growing power. Yet, the most exciting part of this rejuvenated re-release is what it could signal for PS2 emulation on the PS5 going forward.
Previously, hopes for improved emulation features have stemmed from Sony’s partnership with Implicit Conversions, a company specializing in, you guessed it, emulation. According to the company’s LinkedIn profile, it clarifies that it is “working with clients to bring NES, PS1, PSP, and PS2 games to the PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox.” Furthermore, it crucially mentions it is working on the Syrup Engine, an emulator engine designed to specifically to bring older games to modern platforms, and it comes equipped with the following enhancements:
- Ability to add network multiplayer
- Up-rendering and post-processing
- Addition of trophies and custom audio/visuals
- Controller upgrades like rumble or remapping
- Custom scripting to allowing remasters and modernization of games
Whether it will be acclaimed RPG games or bona fide FPS game bangers, it certainly looks like we can expect some more PS2 additions in the future. Put the Revenge of the Sith game on PS Plus with its multiplayer game mode intact, and then we’ll be cooking.
In other gaming news, Red Dead Redemption 2 is saddling up for a PS Plus return soon, and Sony confirms you’ll get to play major PS5 shooter Concord later this year.