Top 10 PlayStation Plus Premium Classic Games

PlayStation consoles have seen many memorable games throughout the years. From Final Fantasy to Jak & Daxter, there is a lot of classic goodness to find on PlayStation Plus Premium.


Published: June 24, 2022 11:00 AM /

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Ape Escape PlayStation Plus Premium Classic Games

PlayStation Plus Premium holds many games in its catalog, which we'll hopefully see expand in the months to come. However, there are many classic games on the service that are worth playing right now. Ape Escape delivers a charming puzzle platformer from the glorious PS1 era, while the original God of War trilogy shows Kratos' younger days. Here are ten of the best PlayStation Plus Premium Classic Games right now.

Hot Shots Tennis Is a Solid PlayStation Plus Premium Classic Sports Game

Hot Shots Tennis PlayStation Plus Premium Classic

You wouldn't think it by looking at the front cover, but Hot Shots Tennis is a surprisingly entertaining sports video game on PlayStation Plus Premium. The controls are solid as you move around the court. There are different varieties of shots like a lob, a spike, a short hit, and then a normal volley back. It's up to you strategically decide on how to return your volleys to fool the other player.

Something else to consider is the character you choose; they each have their own unique strengths and weaknesses when they pick up the racquet. It is up to you to determine who fits your play style. There's also a fairly in-depth single player Challenge Mode, which unlocks new characters, skins, courts, and umpires when you win matches. Even though Hot Shots Tennis is 16 years old, it still offers a more rounded experience than the recently released Mario Strikers: Battle League 

BioShock: Remastered Is a PlayStation Plus Premium Classic Game Worth Revisiting

BioShock Remastered PS Plus Premium

We have a lot to thank the BioShock series for. It helped make the FPS genre more immersive and the storytelling more in-depth. The ambition of the 2007 game was tremendous and still holds up as an impressive first-person shooter you can play 15 years later. You have various magical abilities at your disposal like the use of fire or electricity to take out foes.

There are mighty foes called Big Daddies that dominate the area with their hulking structure and act as fantastic bosses. Finally, the voice acting is top notch at the time as characters in the game speak to you through an old-fashioned speaker. It's one of the most engrossing games ever made and with this remastered version, it looks almost up to par with regular double-A releases.

Pull My Devil Trigger, Devil May Cry HD Collection Is a PlayStation Plus Premium Classic

Devil May Cry HD Collection PlayStation Plus Premium Classics

Available only through streaming, Devil May Cry HD Collection has remasters of the first three titles in the series. Arguably the best game to check out is the third, while the second failed to live up to expectations. The first is a wicked blast from the past as you can see its origins as a Resident Evil game are present within the atmosphere and camera angles of the game.

The Devil May Cry series is a great source of action gaming goodness with lengthy combos and exhilarating bosses to take out one by one. The bonkers storyline will also entertain you throughout. The graphics have certainly aged when compared to Devil May Cry 5, but Devil May Cry 3 is one of the best games on PlayStation Plus Premium right now.

The God of War Series Are PlayStation Plus Premium Classics

God of War 3 Remastered PlayStation Plus Premium

Modern gamers may know Kratos from his exploits as the father of Atreus, but before he ever stepped foot in Norse mythology, he took down the gods of Olympus in Greece. The classic games from the PS2 and PS3 have Kratos ripping and tearing through mighty beasts and gods in a fast-paced manner. You'll have to keep your wits about you as you block, roll, and strike at these daunting levels.

The story is epic in scale, and the bosses make even more of an impact as they outsize Kratos to a massive degree. The animation is also outstanding, especially if you like gore, as Kratos pulls out his victim's eyes and rips through the mouths of his foes. Just don't expect much character development with Kratos; when compared to his interpretation in 2018, he's pretty dull and angry in the classic games. We can't wait to play God of War: Ragnarok, hopefully later this year. 

Street Fighter III: Third Impact Online Edition Is a Legendary PlayStation Plus Premium Classic

Street Fighter 3 Third Strike PlayStation Plus Premium

Jazzy NYC, here we come, as we play Street Fighter III: Third Impact Online through PlayStation Plus Premium. This fighting game has aged gracefully throughout the years as streamers like Maximilian Dood and others showcase the exciting combos and characters on offer.

This classic title has thorough 2D animation and thrilling music that will keep you playing for hours on end. It does look aged, and it will be streamed online, leading to more input lag, but if you can set those aside, you'll have an outstanding fighting game on your hands.

If you're a fan of this game, you may want to play Street Fighter III: Third Impact by purchasing the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection instead as streaming the game may not be the best option.

Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age Is a Glorious JRPG PlayStation Plus Premium Classic

Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age PlayStation Plus Premium Classics

Also featured in our Best RPGs list for PlayStation Plus PremiumFinal Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age presents a grand adventure and a deep gameplay system for its players. Initially, you play as Vaan, a 17-year-old on the street trying to survive, but he finds himself wrapped up in some royal drama. He dreams of becoming a sky pirate and finds a perfect way of doing that under Balthier. A princess is then thrown in the mix, and the story goes ahead from there.

The story is well-told through some talented voice actors, such as Catherine Taber (The Loud House), Yuri Lowenthal (Marvel's Spider-Man), and Gideon Emery (Final Fantasy VII Remake), among many others. The Gambit system is also very flexible with how you level up your characters, leading to a rewarding amount of replayability and customization. 

Ape Escape Is a Nostalgic PlayStation Plus Premium Classic That Still Holds Up

Ape Escape PlayStation Plus Premium Classics

One of a select few PS1 games on PlayStation Plus Premium truly stands out, and that's Ape Escape. This brilliant game from 1999 is the first to utilize the dual analog controls, and in my point of view, did a staggeringly good job with them. Yes, the camera controls can be finicky with the D-Pad, but using the right analog stick as the interaction for your gadgets is stellar.

You can swing the right analog stick to create a round attack with your sword or catch a monkey with the net. It's such a satisfying control method that I love utilizing. Ape Escape has clever puzzles along the way as you catch monkeys and stop them from causing chaos across time and space. I wish PlayStation would bring back this IP and make it for a new generation, either for children or kids at heart. At least the PS4 and PS5 port of this game has trophies.

Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy Is a 3D Platforming PlayStation Plus Classic

Jak And Daxter PlayStation Plus Premium Classic PS2

Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy is the first and arguably best game in the series. It features a bright, colorful world for you to platform your way through, a funny script, and smooth controls. Before Naughty Dog worked on the Uncharted series, the developer showed how much potential they had when they released this game in 2001.

The locations, while following the same trend of multiple biomes like a lava area and a frozen area, are a blast to explore, and The Precursor Legacy encourages you to find collectibles in every corner. This 3D platformer has just the right amount of challenge to make it feasible for a child but remains challenging for anyone older. The graphics are definitely aged, but it's impressive to see how you can see different towns in the far-off distance like the windmills of Sandover Village shifting with the wind.

Ratchet & Clank: A Crack In Time Is Another 3D Platforming PlayStation Plus Premium Classic

Ratchet & Clank A Crack In Time PlayStation Plus Premium

The PlayStation fanbase has loved the lombax and robot, Ratchet & Clank, for over two decades now, and A Crack In Time is considered as one of the best in the series. The storyline of finding Clank and discovering the last lombax kept us all engrossed in 2009 when it released on the PS3.

What also helps is the intense mix of platforming and third-person shooting, making it a fast game that requires your instincts. A Crack In Time also stands out for its approach to a more open world. You were able to slide with your power boots across large environments and find all the collectibles in the area. It was a thrilling step in the series and is even present in the most recent PS5 title Rift ApartWe just wish Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction was included in PlayStation Plus Premium as it's the direct predecessor to A Crack In Time. 

Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster Is Arguably One of the Best PlayStation Plus Premium Classics

Final Fantasy X PlayStation Plus Premium Classics

The last entry in this list is Final Fantasy X/X-2 Remaster, a JRPG that helped shape the genre in 2001. It was the first entry in the series to have voice acting, and the production value at the time was incredible. Arguably, the series has never been better. The combat is exceptional with tough, strategic boss battles, engaging moves to learn, and riveting turn-based action.

The story will wrap you up with excitement as you explore the world of Spira and get invested in the memorable characters of the game. The slow, moving relationship between Tidus and Yuna will make you smile, and as the characters grow, you'll become more attached to them.

The core theming around death and what it does to society is also poignant throughout your adventure. I also have to shout out Nobuo Uematsu, who delivers an emotionally driven musical score with classics such as Yuna's memorable theme, the upbeat Besaid Island theme, and the enchanting Macalania Woods theme. 


That concludes our list of the best classic games on PlayStation Plus Premium as of June 2022. Are there any that we missed? Let us know in the comments below.

PlayStation Plus Premium access was provided to the writer by PlayStation Canada.

Have a tip, or want to point out something we missed? Leave a Comment or e-mail us at tips@techraptor.net


Chris Penwell TechRaptor
| Staff Writer

The British “Canadian” Chris Penwell has been a video game journalist since 2013 and now has a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from MacEwan University.… More about Chris