Recent trademark filings indicate that Sony is contemplating the revival of The Best of PSN collections. The initial release of The Best of PSN Volume 1 on the PS3 in 2013 bundled together four of the most beloved indie games on the PlayStation platform onto a single Blu-Ray disc.
The first volume featured a collection of four popular digital-only games: When Vikings Attack, Fat Princess, Sound Shapes, and the Sony-backed Tokyo Jungle. Despite showcasing the finest indie games of its time, a sequel never came to fruition. However, after an 11-year gap, recent actions by Sony suggest a potential change on the horizon.
In a recent trademark renewal application, Sony seeks to extend the Best of PlayStation Network moniker, which has been inactive for years. Given the absence of a Volume 2 on the PlayStation 3, this move may seem unexpected to players. Nonetheless, companies often renew trademarks to safeguard their products. In 2022, Microsoft renewed the trademarks for Blast Corps, leading to its subsequent release on the Nintendo Switch Online N64 Expansion Pass.
Games Featured in The Best of PSN Volume 1
- When Vikings Attack
- Sound Shapes
- Tokyo Jungle
- Fat Princess
It is important to note that the trademark renewal for Best of PlayStation Network may not necessarily result in a new physical compilation; Sony could be merely safeguarding the brand name against unauthorized usage. The Japanese company frequently re-registers older IPs alongside new concepts. Recently, Sony has even filed a patent for a Holographic Display that might integrate into the PlayStation ecosystem.
Gamers may have to exercise patience to discover if Sony is indeed resurrecting the Best of PlayStation Network compilation series. Presently, the company is focused on delivering games through the PlayStation Plus service, which introduces new games monthly. In March 2024, the Extra tier featured games like Blood Bowl 3, LEGO DC Supervillains, and Marvel’s Midnight Suns. Additionally, the Premium tier added retro titles such as Cool Boarders, Gods Eater Burst, and Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier.
Only time will reveal Sony's decision regarding the revival of the Best of PlayStation Network collections. With the PS5 granting access to a vast majority of PS4 titles and the PlayStation Store housing over a decade of games, Sony's expanding game library could indicate a potential spotlight on smaller titles by reinvigorating the Best of PlayStation Network series.