PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royalewas not the success Sony wanted it to be, but over the years many gamers have asked the publisher to take another shot at aPlayStation-focused fighting game. On paper, the idea of bringing Sony’s various mascots and powerful characters like Kratos together so that they could fight in a tournament is a sound one. Unfortunately, it did not work, as a lack of content and poor presentation proved detrimental to the overall experience.
WithPlayStation All-Starsreleasing exactly a decade ago on June 06, 2025, many are using the game’s 10-year anniversary as a jumping off point to ponder what could have been. Further, areference to the flawed but fun title inGod of War Ragnarokhas sparked even more discussion.PlayStation All-Starshad a tremendous amount of potential, and though it remains to be seen whether a sequel will ever happen, now would be an excellent time for Sony to give it a chance.
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The Platform Fighter Genre is No Longer Completely Dominated by Smash Bros.
WhenPlayStation All-Starsreleased, it was instantly dubbed aSmash Bros.clonelike most competitors are. Though it had better multiplayer functionality, and the idea of two areas from different franchises being merged to form one stage was clever,Smash Bros.still had the edge. While PlayStation had more characters to pull from than Xbox in 2012, it simply lacked the roster depth of Nintendo, which proved to be a major issue. The lacking singleplayer mode only furthered the problem, and when a newSmashgame dropped in 2014, most gamers forgot aboutPlaystation All-Starsentirely.
However, in 2022, gamers are warming up to the idea ofSmash Bros.being challenged for the spot of best platform fighter. WhileNickelodeon All-Star Brawlfumbled its strong concept and failed to meet expectations,MultiVersussurpassed them, becoming a surprise hit. The free-to-play approach likely contributed to this success, and with the game constantly getting new content and characters, its future is bright. WithSmash Bros.on hiatus following the completion ofUltimate’s DLC run, there is a massive platform fighter void to be filled, andMultiVersuscould use the competition. HadPlayStation All-Stars Battle Royalereleased right now, it could have had a great chance at success, so it would be nice to see a sequel dropping whileSmash Bros.has moved into the background.
PlayStation Has a Far Larger Roster of Characters To Pull From Now
One of thebiggest criticisms ofPlayStation All-Starswas its roster, and it is easy to see why gamers were disappointed in the lineup. The fact that good and evil versions of Cole McGrath fromInfamoustook up two slots speaks volumes, as there was some clear roster padding present. Further, the game used the heavily disliked version of Dante from theDmCreboot ofDevil May Cryinstead of the original, and Raiden was used to representMetal Gear Solidinstead of the beloved Solid Snake. While niche picks likeKillzone’s Radec are always going to be seen in fighting games, missing a heavy hitter like Snake makes picks likeFat Princessa lot less acceptable.
However, things have changed since 2012, as Sony went through its best generation of exclusive games with the PlayStation 4. In the last decade, gamers have met several new characters, some of which are now synonymous with the PlayStation brand. Another game could pull all of these new heroes in, leading to a stacked roster - instantly fixing one of the key issues withthe originalPlayStation All-Stars.
Joel and Ellie fromThe Last of Usare two of the most celebrated video game characters ever, and either could be added to the roster. Assuming he uses his bike to mix things up,Days Gone’s Deacon St. John could also work, andDeath Stranding’s Cliffwould be a perfect summoner. Aloy has made a name for herself thanks to two greatHorizongames, and the Savior of Meridian could wield everything from bows to spike throwers in a platform fighter.Bloodborne’s Hunter could pull out some trick weapons, Astro could beat foes down with various PlayStation props, andGhost of Tsushima’s Jin Sakai could use stealth against his foes. Insomniac’s versions of Spider-Man and Wolverine could also be on the table.
Whether it isInfamous’ Delsin Rowe using his many leeched powers, Cloud Strife wielding his buster sword, orReturnal’s Selene dashing through an arena, the list of potential roster members goes on and on. Even Kratos would be significantly different and have a deeper moveset, as he could be given the Leviathan Axe and the Blades of Chaos. His sonAtreus has also grown into a formidable fighter, and his transformation abilities would make for some fun mechanics in a modernPlayStation All-Stars.
If a newPlayStation All-Starswere to be released, Sony could also be a bit more careful with the selection of characters from outside its first party lineup. Picking characters closely associated with PlayStation through exclusivity deals, likeDeathloop’s ColtorForspoken’s Frey, would be wise. Though it was fun to play as the Big Daddy fromBioShockandDead Space’s Isaac Clarke, neither had specific ties to PlayStation. Also, choosing the main character fromMetal Gear Solidand the more popular version of Dante would help a bit.
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PlayStation All-Stars’ Flaws Were Clear and Are Easy To Fix in a Sequel
Apart from a roster overhaul that incorporates the many new characters fromPlayStation’s biggest franchises, whoever develops the game could aim to correct the original’s other flaws. Super moves could be given another look, as though some liked how the mechanic added strategy, as it was required for knockouts, others thought it was too punishing. Presentation would also be key, with the singleplayer mode needing proper cutscenes instead of static images. The various franchises’ music would have to incorporated better, too.MultiVersushas shown how to do stage themes well, and with so much great music in PlayStation first party titles, using it poorly would be a big mistake.
Ultimately, content is key, as Sony could provide far more than 20 characters and 15 stages at launch. Further, the publisher is reportedly looking to get into live service titles, andMultiVersushas shown just how viable this approach can be for a platform fighter. If a newPlayStation All-Starscould continuously add fighters, stages, and skins to its lineup, it would thrive. The originalPlayStation All-Starssimply came too soon, as a version with a modern roster would be infinitely more exciting. If it had better presentation and used the traditional knockout system instead of super moves, too, the game could have been huge. Hopefully, Sony revives this concept with a new platform fighter, as there is no better time to try again than right now.
PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royaleis available now on PS3 and PS Vita.
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