Recently, Sony announced that the PlayStation 4 would be getting support to run PlayStation 2 games via emulation, similar to what Microsoft is doing with the Xbox One getting Xbox 360 support. However, as news went on, it’s clear that what Sony’s talking about is a lot more complex. The PlayStation 4 does not have direct PlayStation 2 support, where it was believed you could put in a PlayStation 2 disc and play it on your PlayStation 4. Instead, you’ll have to purchase the games off PlayStation Network. While the PlayStation 3 had PlayStation 2 games on PSN, you cannot just download the games to your PS4 if they were purchased through the PlayStation 3’s store. Instead, you have to purchase them off the PlayStation 4’s store in order to play them on a PlayStation 4.
It’s an odd move that is fairly costly too, though what Sony is doing isn’t a complete cash grab. The games will be playable in 1080p with fixed visuals, have a full list of trophies, and other PlayStation 4 features like Remote Play are there, similar to some of the PlayStation 2 -to-PlayStation 3 remasters from last generation, like God of War Collection, and the Jak and Daxter HD Trilogy.
So far, Sony has confirmed 8 PlayStation 2 games will be released on PlayStation Network for purchase.
- Dark Cloud
- Grand Theft Auto III
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- Rogue Galaxy
- The Mark of Kri
- Twisted Metal: Black
- War of the Monsters
The games will retail for $14.99 each, though in the list given, Twisted Metal: Black and War of the Monsters retail for $9.99, suggesting some games may vary in price like some PS One Classics do. Sony also states they will be adding more PlayStation 2 games to download over time, like Dark Cloud 2 and Ape Escape 2. The same games will be playable at PlayStation Experience as well for attendees.
