The PlayStation 3 gave us some of the most memorable games of its generation. While many popular titles have received remasters, remakes, or sequels, several interesting games have been left behind. Some had unusual gameplay ideas, while others told stories that deserved a much bigger audience.
A modern remake could give these games another chance. Better graphics would certainly help, but improved controls, redesigned levels, and new features could make them enjoyable for players who never owned a PS3.
Here are five forgotten PS3 games that deserve a fresh start on modern consoles.
1. Puppeteer
Original release: 2013
Developer: Japan Studio
Genre: Platformer
Puppeteer is one of those games that feels different from almost everything else on the PS3. The entire adventure takes place inside a magical theater, with characters, backgrounds, and stage changes designed to look like a live puppet performance.
You play as Kutaro, a young boy who has been turned into a puppet by the evil Moon Bear King. Armed with a magical pair of scissors, he must travel through different stages, fight enemies, and find a way to escape his situation.
The game's biggest strength is its presentation. Levels constantly change around the player, with scenery moving like pieces of a stage set. It gives the adventure a creative style that would still stand out today.
A remake could preserve that theatrical look while improving the platforming controls and adding more responsive movement. Modern hardware could also make the stage transitions more detailed without losing the original's charm.
More importantly, bringing Puppeteer to current platforms would give a new generation of players a chance to experience a game that never received the attention it deserved.
2. Folklore
Original release: 2007
Developer: Game Republic
Genre: Action RPG
Folklore offered something unusual for a PS3 game. Instead of relying on a traditional fantasy setting filled with familiar heroes and monsters, it built its story around Irish folklore, mysterious creatures, and a village hiding a dark secret.
The story follows two characters, Ellen and Keats, whose investigations lead them into the world of the dead. Each character has a different perspective on the mystery, and their stories gradually connect as the adventure progresses.
Combat is another interesting part of the experience. Players fight creatures called Folk and use their abilities against other enemies. The original game also made use of the PS3's motion controls, which could feel awkward at times.
A remake could redesign the combat around modern controllers while keeping the idea of capturing creatures and using their powers. The mysterious environments would also benefit from improved lighting, richer details, and more expressive character animations.
There aren't many action RPGs that use folklore in quite the same way. A new version could turn Folklore into a memorable supernatural adventure for modern audiences.
3. Tokyo Jungle
Original release: 2012
Developer: Crispy's!
Genre: Survival action
Imagine a version of Tokyo where humans have disappeared and animals have taken over the streets. That is the basic idea behind Tokyo Jungle, a survival game that turns familiar city locations into dangerous territory.
You begin as an animal trying to survive in an abandoned Tokyo. Depending on the species you choose, you may need to hunt other animals, avoid predators, find food, and protect your territory. Survival depends on understanding your surroundings rather than simply defeating every enemy.
The game also has a progression system that encourages players to keep surviving across generations. Its unusual setting and simple premise make it stand apart from more conventional survival games.
A remake could expand the city, introduce more animal species, and make the environment feel more alive. Improved artificial intelligence could also make encounters between predators and prey less predictable.
There is room for new missions, more survival challenges, and a deeper ecosystem without losing the original game's central idea.
Tokyo Jungle might not be the biggest PS3 game, but its concept is strong enough to support a much larger modern experience.
4. 3D Dot Game Heroes
Original release: 2009
Developer: Silicon Studio
Genre: Action-adventure RPG
Modern games often focus on realistic graphics, but 3D Dot Game Heroes went in the opposite direction. It combined the appearance of classic 8-bit adventures with a three-dimensional world made from block-shaped characters and environments.
The game follows a hero exploring a fantasy kingdom, fighting monsters, collecting equipment, and searching for ways to stop an approaching threat. Its gameplay takes inspiration from old-school action RPGs, especially the early The Legend of Zelda games.
One of its most memorable features is the character editor. Players can create their own blocky heroes, giving the game a personal touch that fits its retro style.
A remake would not need to replace the original art direction with realistic visuals. Instead, it could make the existing style more detailed, improve combat responsiveness, and add more creative options to the character editor.
The developers could also introduce new dungeons, additional weapons, and quality-of-life improvements while preserving the straightforward adventure that made the original appealing.
With the continued popularity of retro-inspired games, a modern version of 3D Dot Game Heroes could find an audience beyond players who remember it from the PS3 era.
5. Enslaved: Odyssey to the West
Original release: 2010
Developer: Ninja Theory
Genre: Action-adventure
Enslaved: Odyssey to the West reimagines the classic Chinese story Journey to the West in a world where civilization has collapsed and machines roam the ruins.
The story follows Monkey and Trip, two characters who are forced to work together while traveling through a ruined version of the United States. Their relationship develops throughout the journey, giving the adventure a stronger emotional focus than its straightforward combat might suggest.
The setting is one of the game's biggest strengths. Nature has started reclaiming abandoned cities, with vegetation growing across buildings and old machines scattered throughout the landscape. It creates a post-apocalyptic world that feels different from the usual wasteland setting.
However, some of the original gameplay systems and combat mechanics could use an update. A remake could improve climbing, platforming, enemy encounters, and camera controls while giving the environments more room to explore.
The story and character performances should remain at the center of the experience. Better facial animation and more detailed environments could make the relationship between Monkey and Trip even more engaging.
With its mix of science fiction, mythology, and character-driven storytelling, Enslaved is a strong candidate for a modern remake.
Which PS3 Game Needs a Remake the Most?
Each of these games offers something different. Puppeteer could return as a creative platformer, Folklore could become a more polished supernatural RPG, and Tokyo Jungle could benefit from a much deeper survival system.
Meanwhile, 3D Dot Game Heroes would be a good choice for players who enjoy retro-style adventures, while Enslaved: Odyssey to the West could benefit from modern action-adventure mechanics and improved presentation.
If I had to choose one, I would pick Folklore. Its setting and creature-based combat give it room to become something special with modern technology. Puppeteer would be a close second because its stage-based presentation remains distinctive even today.
Of course, a remake should do more than improve the graphics. The best version would preserve what made each game memorable while fixing the parts that have not aged as well.
The PS3 library still has plenty of ideas worth revisiting, and these five games deserve another chance to reach a wider audience.
