The original PlayStation was a hotbed for RPGs and JRPGs alike. So many classics came out of that era, including Final Fantasy 7, which created an entire generation of JRPG fans. I remember when it came out so clearly, and the years that followed; many more people were successfully converted to the genre after being turned off by earlier consoles.

Many RPGs on the original PlayStation became classics instantly, and some were developed in-house by Sony itself. I can rattle many of them off by memory because of how iconic they became: Lunar 1+2, Suikoden 2, Xenogears; I could go on for a while.

But one game in particular ended up wowing everyone at the time, and it arrived later in the PlayStation’s life cycle. You can find it on PSN now, and we hope a remake is in the cards at some point.

Back in 2000, Sony introduced The Legend of Dragoon on the PlayStation in the West, after its late 1999 arrival in Japan; the world wasn’t ready for it. A fantasy RPG set in a world where you can channel the spirits of dragons, this PlayStation classic enamored fans with an engaging combat system, an incredibly rich world, beautiful pre-rendered backgrounds, and interesting character designs.

As protagonist Dart, you’ll slowly acquire more and more party members as you race against time to defeat Lloyd, the ultimate villain of the game. One of the best parts of The Legend of Dragoon was easily the party. You have Albert, Meru, Dart, Rose, Haschel, Shana, Kongol, Miranda, and Lavitz, all of whom bring different things to the table from a gameplay and story perspective.​

Kongol, for instance, is the last living member of the Gigantos race and wields a huge axe in combat as a bruiser. Then there’s Haschel, a martial arts master and the oldest party member, a jokester who can turn into serious mode on a dime. I also have to mention Miranda, a bow-wielding hothead who is the daughter of a queen.

Another key part of the game is the Super Sentai-like transformation element, which is featured on the cover art. Party members can unlock the ability to transform into Dragoons, which are basically souped-up versions of the cast with wings. When combined with the interactive combat system (that’s kind of like Super Mario RPG, in that it asks players to hit buttons at specific times to up effects/damage), taking down bosses was more engaging than the average RPG.

Custom Image by Hannah Diffey

If you’re interested in The Legend of Dragoon, you don’t need to wait for a remake. It’s available now on PSN for $9.99, or included with a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription. That version isn’t a straight port; it also has enhanced features like up-rendering, quick saving, custom filters, and rewinding.

Sadly, the legacy of Legend of Dragoon has fizzled a bit. According to Sony, Dart was set to appear in Sony’s Super Smash Bros. competitor PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, but that DLC never came to fruition. Instead, Dart has been relegated to Astro Bot as a collectible, serving as a cameo for the series.

If you were around for the original PlayStation and never played The Legend of Dragoon, you should change that. Whether you play the original on modern PlayStation consoles or wait for an eventual remake that may never come is up to you.

Brand

Sony

Original Release Date

September 9, 1995

Original MSRP (USD)

$299.99

HDR Support

No

Weight

3.2lb (1.5kg)