10 Best FPS Games Still Stuck on Older Game Consoles

by

A great feature of today’s gaming is being able to enjoy older, classic first-person shooter games on newer consoles.

Games find new life in a couple of ways. Sometimes, like with Metroid Prime on the Nintendo Switch, they’re completely rebuilt. Other times, like with the popular game Black now available on Xbox Game Pass, they’re simply made playable on newer systems.

It’s a shame that many excellent first-person shooter games don’t get re-released for today’s consoles. This is a common problem across all types of games, with lots of older titles remaining unavailable on modern systems.

Now that Metal Gear Solid 4 is confirmed to be released on newer consoles, we’re highlighting some of the best first-person shooter games that have been stuck on older systems.

10. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes

Still Waiting on That Remaster, Nintendo

I brought up Metroid Prime Remastered earlier, so it makes total sense to me that everyone’s still hoping the next game in the series finally comes to the Nintendo Switch. We’re all eagerly awaiting that next jump!

It seemed like 2025 would be the ideal time for a Metroid Prime 2: Echoes remaster. With the fantastic success of Metroid Prime Remastered and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond scheduled for release, fans anticipated a re-release of the second game. However, that remaster never happened, leaving Metroid Prime 2: Echoes stuck on its original GameCube and Wii platforms.

Nintendo could include the game on the GameCube through Nintendo Switch Online, but a full remake, similar to what they did with Metroid Prime, would be better. Perhaps they’ll release it to celebrate the franchise’s 40th anniversary this year.

9. Darkwatch

Vampires and Cowboys, Oh My!

Even though Darkwatch had a really cool idea – letting you play as a vampire cowboy in the Old West – it unfortunately wasn’t a huge success.

Does this game feel like it belongs to the Xbox and PlayStation 2 generation? Maybe. But with so many online games constantly appearing and disappearing now, we really need more self-contained, single-player experiences that you can finish in about 5 to 10 hours.

Darkwatch wasn’t groundbreaking, but it was a really enjoyable experience. It let you play as a vampire gunslinger in the Wild West, offering fast-paced and exciting first-person shooting.

Considering Capcom’s consistently high-quality gameplay in recent years, a surprise remaster or re-release of Darkwatch would be fantastic.

8. TimeSplitters 2

Out of Time

There are countless great FPS games from the early 2000s that stand the test of time.

Most gamers consider Metroid Prime and Halo to be all-time greats, and thankfully, both are still playable on today’s consoles. Just below those two in terms of quality is the TimeSplitters series, with many fans considering TimeSplitters 2 to be the best game in the trilogy.

TimeSplitters, created by the team behind classic games like GoldenEye 007 and Perfect Dark, delivers the same fun, fast-paced shooting experience. However, it’s currently limited to older gaming systems. With the recent cancellation of a planned revival, it seems unlikely to be updated for modern platforms.

7. Resistance: Fall of Man

A PS3-era Boomer Shooter

With the new DOOM game being so popular, many people expected to see a return to the fast-paced, action-packed ‘boomer shooter’ style of games.

Unfortunately, things haven’t quite worked out that way, despite having a few existing possibilities to explore. A prime example is the Resistance series, originally created by Insomniac Games for the PlayStation 3.

Insomniac Games hasn’t worked on the series since the third installment, but it would be fantastic if another developer revived it for today’s players. And while they’re at it, improving the game’s artificial intelligence would be a huge plus.

6. Killzone 2

Gone But Not Forgotten

It was always going to be tough for Killzone 2 to match the excitement created by its amazing E3 trailer. But despite that, it’s still a really solid first-person shooter.

Okay, so Killzone 2? Huge step up from the first game. Seriously, the single-player campaign just throws you right into the action – it’s non-stop and feels like a proper next-gen experience. It reminded me a lot of when Gears of War first came out on the Xbox 360 – that same level of impact and polish.

I was really bummed when Killzone 2 didn’t become the huge, lasting franchise I thought it could be for PlayStation. It just sort of faded away, and I honestly never understood why! I mean, Guerrilla Games found amazing success with Horizon, which is fantastic for them, but it felt like someone else could have picked up the Killzone torch. It would be awesome if we could at least play the older games on our PS5s or something!

5. Red Steel 2

Far Better Than the Original

I really looked forward to the first Red Steel game, but it unfortunately didn’t live up to expectations and was a major disappointment.

While not perfect, Red Steel 2 is a surprisingly enjoyable game. It definitely has its flaws – relying heavily on motion controls for a first-person shooter ultimately doesn’t work well – but it still manages to be a hidden gem.

This game is like a classic, enjoyable action movie – not groundbreaking, but definitely fun. I’d happily play it on the Switch 2 if Nintendo and Ubisoft could make it happen.

4. Medal of Honor

A PS1 Classic

The original Medal of Honor on PlayStation 1 was a groundbreaking game that really set the standard for World War II first-person shooters. Despite the PlayStation 1’s technical constraints, it delivered a surprisingly immersive and cinematic experience.

Look, Alien Resurrection was okay and definitely pushed console first-person shooters forward, even if better games eventually came out. But honestly, Medal of Honor? That game was a big deal. It really changed things for the genre and gaming in general, and I think people sometimes forget just how important it was.

While it might not seem as impressive now, this game remains a significant piece of gaming history and is worth experiencing even today.

3. Condemned: Criminal Origins

A Sleeper Xbox 360 Gem

Though not strictly a first-person shooter, Condemned: Criminal Origins is a fantastic and often overlooked horror game that came out with the original Xbox 360 in 2005.

Subscribe for smarter takes on classic FPS ports

Get curated coverage by subscribing to the newsletter – deep looks at classic FPS preservation, remaster prospects, and which retro shooters deserve modern-console returns.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

A sequel arrived three years later, but surprisingly, the series hasn’t been continued since. In 2015, the creator, Jace Hall, mentioned on Facebook that he was considering working with an experienced indie development team, but unfortunately, those plans never materialized.

Horror games are popular again thanks to hits like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, so it might be a good time to revisit Condemned. It’s been removed from Steam, and currently can only be played on Xbox 360.

2. No One Lives Forever

This One Hurts

I’m not sure how Monolith Productions managed to keep their older games running on outdated systems, but somehow they did.

No One Lives Forever is a fantastic blend of first-person shooting and stealth, perfectly capturing the fun and excitement of classic spy stories. It’s a polished and stylish game that doesn’t try to be overly serious, making for a really enjoyable experience.

What’s really frustrating is that the game No One Lives Forever came out on both PlayStation 2 and Windows. Unfortunately, because the rights to the game are currently unresolved, it’s unlikely to be re-released, meaning you’d need the original PS2 or a compatible PC to play it.

1. 007 Nightfire

The Best Bond Game Not Named GoldenEye

Okay, so if I was making this list a few years ago, GoldenEye 007 would’ve definitely been on it. But thankfully, they finally re-released it on Xbox and Switch in 2023! Thinking about other great first-person shooters that were stuck on older consoles, sticking with the James Bond series makes sense.

Okay, so I’ve been revisiting some old PS2 games, and honestly, 007 Nightfire still holds up! The single-player campaign is fantastic, but what really got me hooked back then – and still does – was the multiplayer. It was seriously one of the best multiplayer experiences on the PS2, maybe even better than the campaign itself!

Nightfire unfortunately suffered from being measured against popular first-person shooters from the early 2000s like Metroid Prime and Halo. However, considering current trends in the genre, I think a remake would be very successful.

Read More

2026-03-13 17:41