Console gaming cannot be compared with PC gaming, both have their individual advantages and disadvantages. Some people prefer consoles, while others like PC’s but most avid gamers know how to balance both. The PC is known as a hub for FPS’ (First Person Shooters) since it is a breeze to aim using your mouse. The consoles on the other hand allow you to sit back, relax and play on your Television screen, which is usually larger than your monitor and play RPGs (role playing games) or third person shooters.
In the recent times we have seen that studios release their titles on almost all consoles considering that this as a financially viable option. But sometimes they stay exclusive to a platform, usually to enhance the gameplay and the graphics of their game.
Here we have top 5 console games that should have been ported to PC for various reasons.
5. Black (2006), Criterion Games, EA (PS2 and Xbox)
Criterion (also famous for its Burnout series) released this first person shooter in February 2006 and people bought their copies to shoot through whatever came in their way. Criterion said they wanted something different in this rather than other titles of same genre just like their Burnout franchise.
There are a lot of FPS’ out there but this particular one was famous for its environment destructibility. It was said that anything you saw in front of you could be damaged and further more destroyed completely and this was accurate enough when people played it. The game puts you in the shoes of a black ops soldier who is at loggerheads with the CIA.
This EA published game was visually stunning with a rock steady frame rate. The game would go into a real time blur while reloading. When we would be running low on health the game would engulf players into a black and white effect where we all would hear was our heartbeat. This dynamic aspect of realism was much appreciated, but would prove annoying especially in the midst of a firefight. The environment is accommodating enough to allow players to shoot through people, windows, doors, walls, cars, houses, almost everything in your sight!
Throwing grenades into shed/house would obliterate everything in sight. The game was not realistic to the core. The guns for instance were over stylized and their magazines could hold more than the fair amount of bullets. The purpose was to have a better gameplay experience.
Therefore it was wished by many that this beautiful title BLACK comes to PC so the exciting unique features of the game could be enjoyed with a mouse and keyboard set. Alas this never happened! The PC version was never set in development as Criterion had their hands full with successive Burnout projects. The game received positive reviews from everywhere and the PS2 version scores an 80% on Game Rankings based on 72 reviews, whilst the Xbox version scores a 77% based on 70 reviews.
4. Ninja Gaiden (2004), Team Ninja, Tecmo (Xbox and PS3)
Tecmo released Ninja Gaiden in 2004. The protagonist Ryu Hayabusa was the same character from the NES series, and the mechanics of the game relied on pure action combined with an overdose of a hack and slash element. The player starts off as a weak powerless ninja, but as the story progresses he gets upgraded to become a terrifying force to reckon with. The story may be average since the game relies heavily on the combat mechanics. There are similar games to this on the PS2 such as The God of War and the Devil May Cry series which have an equally large fan following.
Ninja Gaiden was the only title that delivered this level of third person action on Xbox and thus was praised for that. The game’s difficulty was a cause of agony to many players, since God of War or DMC was relatively easier as compared to this. Thus providing ample challenge to advanced players but proved to be a pain for beginners. But highly satisfying in a nutshell!
Ninja Gaiden Sigma was an enhanced port of the same game and was released for the PS3 which utilized the Cell processor to give a considerable enhancement to the visuals, action and gameplay.
The gameplay was slightly improved allowing some more abilities plus a way to play as another character, Rachel. But this was again never intended for PC users who could use a hack n slash game a step away from the monotony of strategy and FPS games that flood the platform.
Ninja Gaiden received high critical acclaim. Mainly because of its initial exclusivity of Xbox (till Sigma) it is still regarded as a stunning action adventure game which never made it to the PC. It scores 92% on Game Rankings.
3. God of War 1/2 (2005, 07), SCEA (PS2)
If you haven’t heard of God of War, you are probably not into gaming. This is the most famous console action game series ever. PS2 owners are known to unleash their wrath by assuming the role of Kratos in the game. The guys at Santa Monica studios seem to know their console hardware to deliver one of the most satisfying titles for the PlayStation 2.
God of War 2 reportedly uses 99.3% of PS2’s processing power. The series is a third person action game and utilizes the theme and setting of Greek Mythology. Our protagonist is Kratos, a Spartan warrior, suffering for the sins he committed, is set loose to reclaim retribution from the Gods that imprison him to do their petty biddings.
The combat is the star of the game using a cinematic blend of melee attacks and magic, it allows players to whirl through the game using button mashing to deliver a highly satisfying experience. Apart from crazy action it also has puzzle solving elements as a Tomb Raider title.
Even though PC owners will love to get their hands on a port, it is highly unlikely since Sony owns the rights to the series. Game Rankings gave it a 93%.
2. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006), Nintendo (Wii and GameCube)
Nintendo is known for Zelda (and Mario). Zelda fans have a league of their own. The series started in 1986 and continues with every Nintendo console. This is also an action adventure title that puts us in the role of Link. The Wii version features a control system using the Wiimote and nunchuck making the game more exciting.
The Zelda series has never seen light on the PC and most gamers wish that they would be able to play it on the PC. It is definitely enjoyable on the PC as the graphics requirements are not high enough and the gameplay and the rabid community make this title worthwhile for the PC.
It’s a console-exclusive since Nintendo deals only with consoles. Game Rankings gave the Wii version 94.6 % and the GameCube one 96%. The game undoubtedly holds a huge acclaim universally with minor flaws throughout. This should have been ported to the PC!
1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004), Konami (PS2)
Metal Gear Solid… (Intentional brief pause!) is inarguably the best game series of all times. People who don’t play this game still like this series for the story, for the saga, for the legacy. In its third iteration Snake Eater takes us back in time and lets us assume the role of the series protagonist who is Solid Snake’s genetic father Big Boss. The Mission codenamed Snake Eater takes places in a Russian Jungle in the year 1964.
The engine of the game created a stunning jungle environment where stealth (which MGS is known for) was more appropriately applied. The “Camouflage” feature was the core appeal and the entire game lived up to the overall polish the series is known to have. It holds the ‘Best PS2 Game’ title on many websites. The stealth, the action, everything was paid attention here.
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MGS3 can be talked about forever. So coming to the point at hand, after MGS had its huge success it was ported to the PC by Microsoft and later MGS 2 was also ported to the PC (and Xbox) although it did not have as much acclaim as MGS. The environment shift in MGS3 was crucial to the critical success the game garnered for critics and fans alike.
Now it was never intended to be ported on the PC (which shattered the hopes of a lot of PC gamers).The reason was just not clear, maybe the technology for required for the PC was very high at that time and it was just not profitable to port it to the PC, since it would restrict the user base with its high system requirements.
Another reason might have been that they had immediately started working on the hotly anticipated MGS4 on PS3. They did release a remake of MGS3 for the PS2 titled Subsistence which had a new 3D camera style gameplay but alas there was no good news for the PC players. Most PC gamers shifted their focus to the consoles to play the game. There still exists a unilateral opinion that this game may be ported and that is the day when the community shall rejoice. Let’s pray and hope for the best.
This game can be regarded as the top game that people wish reaches the PC, mainly because of the critical acclaim of MGS saga. Needless to say, the game is highly praised all over. Game Rankings gave it 91% on based on 92 reviews.
-By Anubhav Priyadarshi