These days the line between PC and console gaming is thin. Almost every game available on a Windows or Mac is also playable on an Xbox or PlayStation system. The main difference is the ability to further customize graphics options on a PC.
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However, in the past, the chasm separating consoles and computers was much wider, with numerous classic PC games never even having a hope of coming to a home console. While many previously exclusive PC titles have since made their way to consoles, many of them are still stuck on a computer. Maybe some of these will change in the future.
10Starcraft 2
Some may forget how the originalStarcraftcame out on the N64, though it is hardly the optimal way to play.While RTS games are always better to play with a mouse and keyboard, it would still be nice to be able to play the game on a console. Since Blizzard is not likely returning to the series anytime soon, a port is probably nowhere on their list of priorities.
9System Shock
AfterDoom, first-person shooters all tried to copy the hectic action of the 1993 classic.System Shockwent down a different route, crafting an atmospheric adventurewith RPG elementsthat went on to influence the immersive sim genre. The sequel,System Shock 2, was similarly impactful in the first-person genre. Irrational Games developed the second game, and the developer would go on to make the classicBioShockseries.System Shock 3is currently in development, along with a remake ofSystem Shock.
8The Witcher
The Witcher 3is one of the most celebrated games of the last generation. It revolutionized theopen-world RPG. Any console gamer who wants to go back and experience the prior titles has to stop atThe Witcher 2. The first game is only available on PC. The debut title is a little rough around the edges, but it is still worth playing for a bit as a curiosity.
7Diablo 2
The firstDiablohas a release on the original PlayStation, and this version actually haslocal cooperative play.But the legendary sequel,Diablo 2, is only available on PC.
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The game has been updated numerous times over the past twenty years. However, console gamers only have to wait a bit to get their hands on itsince the remake,Diablo 2:Resurrected,will come to PlayStation and Xbox platforms in addition to Switch. Playing with a controller is a totally different experience than playing with a mouse and keyboard.
6Fallout
TheFalloutseries reached a new level of popularity whenBethesda took over the franchiseand put the action into a first-person perspective. However, plenty are still yearning for the days of Interplay Entertainment’s isometric RPGs. Any console gamer curious about the series' past has to jump on a computer to check it out. Putting them on a console seems like a surefire way to make a few bucks, and we’re curious as to why it has not happened yet.
5Warcraft / Warcraft 3
Back in the 90s it was hit or miss concerning whether RTS games came to consoles.Starcraftcame to the N64 while the firstCommand and Conquermade a similar move.Warcraft 2: Tides of Darknessmade its way to the original PlayStation in 1997, but the debut title andWarcraft 3stayed exclusively on the computers. The third title is considered the best, though Blizzard dropped the ball with the remake.
4Battlefield 2
BeforeBattlefieldwas EA’s bid to compete with the monstrousCall of Dutyfranchise, it was a unique military FPS for PCs with giant battles. Some fans are still yearning for the days beforeBattlefield 3. It is surprising there has been no re-release of the original games for both PC and consoles. While newer games still havelarge-scale battles,they have a distinctly different feel compared to the original PC titles.
3Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall
WhileElder Scrolls 3: Morrowindruns tragically bad on theoriginal Xbox, it was still a revelation to see such a large open-world RPG on a console. Since then, western RPGs on a similar scale have regularly made their way to Xbox and PlayStation systems.
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However, RPGs with release dates prior to 2002 have been ported.Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfallis a particularly beloved entry in the franchise. While it is hard to get into for modern gamers, a console version would still be interesting to dive into for history’s sake.
2Thief: The Dark Project
Most associate first-person shooters with intense action. TheThiefseries turned this notion around by forcing players to play as stealthily as possible. This design would later influence games likeDishonored.Thief: The Dark Projectwas too graphically impressive for consoles in 1998, but these days a port would not be hard to pull off. While other games have improved upon the gameplay, revisiting a classic would still be interesting.
1S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow Of Chernobyl
This atmospheric science fiction first-person shooter quickly became a cult hit. It is far from perfect, but the originality helped it shine and distinguish itself from other first-person shooters.TheMetroseriesis seen as a spiritual successor, but it lacks the hardcore survival elements and open areas ofS.T.A.L.K.E.R.With a sequel currently in development for Xbox and PC, now is as good a time as ever to re-release the original to attract a new legion of fans.
