The PlayStation Plus catalog features a vast selection of great games that are easily accessible to all PlayStation 5 owners. Depending on the tier that one subscribes to, there's an ensemble of games that are ported from different PlayStation platforms. However, if you subscribe to the PS Plus Premium tier, the highest one available, you gain access to several classic PlayStation titles that are exclusive to that tier. Everything, ranging from classics on the original PlayStation to big hits made for PS2, PS3, and PSP, is readily available for subscribers to download and play. For anyone who plays a ton of games on PlayStation platforms, it's a great deal with a lot of value to it.

But which are the classic PlayStation games that everyone should play on their PS5 through PlayStation Plus Premium? With so many games already on the service, and even more being added periodically, there's a lot to choose from. Not every new game added to the subscription has all the perks that come with playing the games on the new console, but there's a good number of them that already do and are worth playing now. Here are 6 PlayStation classics that you need to download from the PlayStation Plus Premium service when you can.

6 Blood Omen 2

The dark lore continues

There are few game series that are more epic and dark in tone than the Legacy of Kain series. Following the release of the first three entries in the series, Blood Omen 2 was the fourth game to continue the franchise on the PlayStation 2. Within the timeline of the Legacy of Kain series, Blood Omen 2 chronologically takes place after the events of Soul Reaver 1 and Soul Reaver 2, but with the twist of an alternate timeline created by the events in those previous games. The plot focuses on the original protagonist of the series, the vampire Kain, and his ongoing feuds with various human and vampire factions. The events that take place are a warped history that unveils the events that happened between the first Blood Omen game and the first Soul Reaver.

Being the first entry on the PlayStation 2 to focus on Kain himself, the gameplay is very different from the original Blood Omen, with everything feeling more like an action adventure game than a top-down dungeon crawler. Kain has a number of abilities he can utilize against enemies, while also taking advantage of their weakened state to drain them of blood and recover health. For most of the game, Kain doesn't have his Reaver weapon and has to rely on other means of taking out enemies. This means picking up other weapons like swords and spears to fight with, as well as powers like Kain's Dark Gifts. What keeps things interesting is the voice acting and the delivery of lines throughout the story, which still rivals many big releases today. Blood Omen 2 in the PS Plus Classics catalog features trophy support, filter options to tinker with, quick save, and other enhancements not included in the original release.

5 Toy Story 2

Going beyond infinity

Many people grew up watching the Toy Story films, which were created by Pixar. As those movies were released, multiple video games based on Toy Story characters were released on different platforms, including a game tie-in for Toy Story 2 on the PlayStation. Unlike previous games based on the series, this sequel puts players in control of Buzz Lightyear and takes them to different locations featured in the movie. Buzz needs to collect Pizza Planet tokens by completing various tasks in each location, which often involve helping other toys or taking out certain enemies. There are ten levels and five boss fight locations, for a total of 15 different stages within the game to visit. Toy Story 2 was also available on the Nintendo 64 and Sega Dreamcast, but many feel that the game on PlayStation is the superior version. It was later brought to other platforms and eventually added to the PlayStation Plus Premium classics catalog.

Buzz Lightyear possesses several abilities that serve as useful tools throughout the game. He can shoot his trademark laser to damage enemies, spin like a top for a spinning attack, and even double jump using his pop-out wings. However, outside of Buzz's own unique abilities, he can receive assistance from other toys that offer gadgets used for various tasks at each stage. Helping out someone like Hamm or Mr. Potato Head can give Buzz a temporary shield to cross hazardous obstacles, rocket boots to give him a boost in speed, and much more. Completing tasks can open up new areas to find more Pizza Planet tokens, which grant access to new stages and boss battles. The game was well received by critics and fans on the PlayStation, with many citing the solid controls as a great aspect of it.

4 Killzone Liberation

Pocket-sized Helghast

Killzone Liberation is a spin-off of the Killzone series, which first appeared on the PlayStation 2. The game was originally developed for the PlayStation Portable but was later ported to the PlayStation 4 and 5 for the PS Plus Classics catalog. The game is set around two months following the events of the first Killzone game, with players taking control of an ISA soldier named Templar. The ISA is still struggling in its fight against the Helghast, despite the significant victories it achieved in the previous game. Templar goes on a mission to rescue hostages that are being held captive by General Metrac of the Helghast army, while the ISA continues to battle the Helghast forces in the background.

The gameplay in Killzone Liberation differs significantly from the original Killzone, opting for an isometric perspective rather than a first-person view. Templar can use different weapons he can find on the battlefield, as well as take control of different vehicles he encounters. Enemy soldiers appear in groups throughout the game as mission objectives are completed. New weapons can be unlocked and used in battle by collecting money cases that are hidden throughout the game, opening up stronger weapons that can deal more damage to enemies. Templar can also get stronger by completing certain bonus objectives during missions, which improve Templar's abilities.

The game features a multiplayer component that replicates aspects of the original Killzone. In the original release on the PSP, players can join matches via the handheld's online multiplayer infrastructure and engage in game modes such as Team Deathmatch and more. The version of Killzone Liberation in the PlayStation Plus Premium classics catalog includes all the original content, along with some added improvements to the visuals and quick save options. The game also has trophy support on PSN for everyone who plays it.

3 The Legend of Dragoon

High fantasy role-playing

One of the most beloved original PlayStation RPGs of the late 90s is The Legend of Dragoon. The game was developed by Sony Computer Entertainment in 1999 in Japan, but was released in North America in 2000. The story follows a group of allies led by a man named Dart as they try to prevent the world from being destroyed. There are nine playable characters that are part of the main plot, each with their own personalities and backstories to follow. While the game has been compared to other series like the Final Fantasy games, many PlayStation players praise The Legend of Dragoon for its great visuals and cutscenes that help tell the story.

Similar to other role-playing games of the era, The Legend of Dragoon has players exploring a world called Endiness and getting into battles with enemies. Battles are turn-based, with a bit of quick-time events added to make things feel a little different. After progressing the story enough, characters gain the ability to change into a Dragoon form that makes them stronger in battle. Every character has their own unique transformation, but it can only be done when they have executed enough attacks in normal form to gather spirit points and transform. This adds a layer of complexity to the combat, making certain battles more dynamic and challenging when changing forms becomes necessary.

With The Legend of Dragoon being a success, a sequel was planned shortly after the initial release. However, the game was canceled and never continued development, despite fans wanting to see more. The version of the game in the classic catalog for PS Plus Premium has a few extra features, including quick save and rewind, as well as trophy support.

2 Tekken 2

The king of iron fists

When it comes to fighting games on any PlayStation console, Tekken is considered the top dog. The sequel to the original PlayStation, Tekken 2, is considered a major classic in the PlayStation 1's library. Although the third entry in the series would go on to become bigger, Tekken 2 is still an incredibly fun and exciting game to play. The series originally began in arcades, with Namco releasing the first Tekken for arcade cabinets in 1995, before bringing it to home consoles in 1996. The story of the King of Iron Fist tournament involves the Mishima Zaibatsu, its leader Heihachi Mishima, and his son Kazuya Mishima. Two years after the original tournament, Kazuya leads the Mishima Zaibatsu, significantly increasing its power and influence. He announces the second King of Iron Fist tournament to bring his rivals and enemies together so he can wipe them out for good.

There's a total of 25 playable characters in Tekken 2, each with their own style of combat and unique moves. To many fans, Tekken 2 helped lay a lot of the groundwork for what would be perfected in its sequel and taken to new heights in later entries. Both the visuals of the game and the soundtrack are what made people come back again and again. However, the match-ups between characters and the depth of the fighting helped make Tekken 2 a certified classic among fighting game enthusiasts. To many, it was the best 3D fighting game to play at home over Sega's Virtua Fighter series.

The PlayStation version of Tekken 2 features an arcade mode that allows players to unlock new fighters and view CG movies for each character. The home version would also feature different game modes, such as Survival, Time Attack, and Team Battle Mode, to mix things up, as well as arranged music distinct from the arcade version. Unfortunately, Tekken 2 doesn't have trophy support in the PS Plus Premium classics catalog, but it does offer extra filters and quick save options for use while playing.

1 God of War III

Epic battles of legend

One of the most epic franchises in the entire PlayStation library is the God of War series. The mythic saga of Kratos and his war against the Olympians is the stuff that legends are made of, with an incredible amount of action and mature grit to delight everyone. God of War III is the final game in the Greek myth saga, before the reboot of the franchise by Sony Santa Monica in 2018. The third entry of the series finds Kratos having one final clash with Zeus and the remaining Olympians, bringing an end to the reign of Mount Olympus and Kratos' revenge. There are major callbacks to the first two games, but God of War III stays focused on bringing new parts of the world to the forefront, showing more new characters and mythological creatures for the first time. The battles are even bigger, the stakes get even higher, and the shocking twists that unfold make this game one of the most epic PlayStation games of all time.

God of War III has been re-released a few times on different PlayStation platforms, but the version on the PlayStation Plus Premium classics catalog is God of War III Remastered. This version of the game has even more polished visuals and a better frame rate to make the presentation even better. While everyone should play the entirety of the God of War series when they can, the third game is definitely a must-play for everyone, as it provides a satisfying conclusion to an epic saga. Of course, things were far from over for Kratos and the series as a whole, but how God of War III wraps up everything really made it feel like the series was going out with an absolute banger.

Getting in on the classics

Anyone who owns a PlayStation 5 and wants a myriad of game options to browse through should consider getting PlayStation Plus Premium. The classics that are part of the catalog for subscribers are abundant, featuring great games that everyone should check out at least once. There are a ton of titles that can be considered must-play experiences in the PlayStation pantheon, with many being readily available through PS Plus. If you're looking for something different to play and want the best that PlayStation has to offer, exploring what's included in the classics catalog is worth the time.