Summary
- Sony considered reviving the classic PS1 game Jumping Flash for PlayStation VR.
- The project entered early development but was quietly cancelled.
- Former Sony exec Shuhei Yoshida confirmed the details in a recent interview.
Sony Almost Brought Back a Forgotten Classic PS1 – Jumping Flash
Jumping Flash, one of the earliest 3D platformers ever made, was almost revived for modern players. According to former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida (via VGC), Sony had plans to bring the game back through a VR version. Sadly, the idea didn’t move past early development.
Originally released in 1995, Jumping Flash! was ahead of its time. It gave players full 3D freedom and launched before even Super Mario 64 hit the scene. The game mixed jumping mechanics with first-person shooting and explored six colorful worlds. While not as popular as Crash Bandicoot or Gran Turismo, it had a special place in gaming history.
Why the Revival Didn’t Happen
Yoshida shared that some developers wanted to license Jumping Flash for a new VR title, but the plans were eventually dropped. He didn’t reveal the exact reasons, or who the developer was, but the game was reportedly in very early stages before getting canceled. That’s a real shame for fans hoping to see the PS1 gem reimagined with modern tech.
Still, it’s interesting that Sony even considered licensing older franchises. Yoshida mentioned that the same thing happened with Fantavision, which ended up getting a VR remake. With games like Lumines Arise and new Patapon titles also in the works, there’s clearly some interest in bringing classic games back for both nostalgia and discovery.
Will More PS1 Games Come Back?
Even though Jumping Flash’s return didn’t happen, this shows that Sony might be open to reviving other dormant PS1 franchises. Fans have long wanted comebacks for series like Ape Escape or Legend of Legaia. If upcoming classic revivals perform well, Sony may take more chances in the future.
For now, Jumping Flash stays in the past. But who knows—one day, this quirky little robot rabbit might jump back into the spotlight.
