At one time, Psychonauts was considered a big disaster. It’s since become one of the most beloved 3D platformers of all time, and one of the defining titles of the original Xbox.
It was supposed to be a 1st party Microsoft title. But because it encountered numerous development problems – and Xbox head Ed Fries left the company – Microsoft abandoned it.
But it got a second life from 3rd party publisher Majesco. However, Psychonauts release was met with severe financial disaster and was one of the big reasons Majesco entirely abandoned AAA games.
At the time, people were simply not into 3D platformers. And they certainly had no appetite for something as off the beaten path as Psychonauts.
Psychonauts simply wouldn’t die, though. With word of mouth, more people discovered it, and it’s since become a classic. It’s easy to see why Psychonauts now has its fanbase.
For one thing, developer Double Fine Productions simply wouldn’t let Psychonauts die. They republished it on Xbox 360 and One, PlayStation 3 and 4, Mac, and Linux. And they’ve made sure that the game remains playable on high resolution and wide screen aspect ratios.
This is a case where game preservation has taken something from the dead and given it new life. Even now, you can get Psychonauts on GOG.com, buy it for a mere C$13.59, and have it DRM-free. You can even play it on the Steam Deck.
It’s still good even now. At a time when people were obsessed with shooters, Psychonauts quirkiness ensured it stood out. Sure, back in 2005, you could be a typical meathead asshole shooting non-descript enemies. Or you could wage battles of the mind in Psychonauts.
We all know what people pick back then. But what do people prefer now? Well, look at the reviews on Steam – which currently stand at 96%.
Or better yet, look at the reception that its recent sequel Psychonauts 2 received and we have our answer. People were so hungry for more Psychonauts that it became one of the standout games of 2021.
As for Psychonauts itself, this is a game that I continue to play. It never gets old. There is nothing like it.
