PlayStation Reportedly Abandoned Plans to Bring Back Classic PS1 Game

Summary

A former Sony executive revealed that the company had considered bringing back the classic PS1 game Jumping Flash.
The 3D platformer had entered early development but never made it past that stage.
Jumping Flash was an influential title, helping to define what 3D games could be in the early days of the PlayStation.

Former Sony Interactive Entertainment executive Shuhei Yoshida recently revealed that the company was about to bring back the classic PS1 game Jumping Flash to PlayStation VR, though it eventually decided not to. Besides Jumping Flash, Yoshida also commented on other franchises that have been adapted for PlayStation VR.

The PlayStation 1 has an immense portfolio of games, with titles that have become major franchises over the years. During its lifespan, the PS1 revolutionized the video game industry, introducing an innovative and more accessible way to experience the medium and becoming a strong competitor to Nintendo at a time when the Mario creator was the dominant force in gaming. Some of the franchises that originated on the PS1 are Gran Turismo, Silent Hill, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, MediEvil, Crash Bandicoot, and many more. Franchises like these were not only major hits back in the 1990s and 2000s, but also endured over time and spawned many subsequent titles and remakes. However, some significant titles have remained long dormant, and Sony has not brought them back yet.

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These RPGs have yet to receive a coveted re-release on modern consoles and remain trapped to this day on the PlayStation 1.

But reportedly, Sony had indeed weighed the possibility of licensing some classic franchises and bringing them to the PS VR game lineup, though it eventually scrapped the plans—and this was the case with Jumping Flash. Former SIE president Shuhei Yoshida told VGC that Sony wanted to revive the quirky and historically significant platforming franchise, with the game even reaching very early stages of development. Yoshida didn’t elaborate on his answer, so it’s unclear why Sony didn’t move forward with development.

Sony Reportedly Abandoned Plans to Bring Jumping Flash to PlayStation VR

Jumping Flash may not be the most famous PS1 game, but it was a very important title, as it helped define what 3D games could be in the early days of the PlayStation. The game stands out as one of the first true 3D platformers that allowed full freedom of movement in a 3D space, hitting the scene before the massively popular Super Mario 64. The game blended 3D platforming with shooting mechanics and offered six thematic worlds for players to explore.

Fans of classic PlayStation games have also recently learned that Lumines Arise will arrive on the PS5 in the fall of 2025 with optional PS VR2 compatibility. Although the game had already been released on the PS2, Xbox 360, PlayStation Vita, and mobile platforms, this enhanced version will feature new music and improved visuals. While video games keep evolving and impressive new titles appear all the time, players also appreciate it when companies revive classic games—unfortunately for Jumping Flash, it didn’t make the cut.