That Ico and Shadow of the Colossus were both strikingly beautiful in their original PlayStation 2 incarnations has never been debated. Still, there is no denying the obvious upgrade each game has received in its transition to PlayStation 3 – especially Shadow of the Colossus’s much improved frame rate.

If you have somehow not been looking forward to this re-release, prepare to get on-board. Take a look at the trailer for the game that started it all, Ico.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D0BkUe1V4Q

As emotionally touching a game as Ico is, Fumito Ueda and Team Ico really outdid themselves with its follow up. Shadow of the Colossus may not be the best game of the PlayStation 2 era, but it remains the favorite of many a player. Now freed from the technical limitations of the PS2, the game’s austere landscapes have never been more beautiful. Take a look at the trailer for Shadow of the Colossus.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewACEmWP904

Now, if only Sony and Team Ico could commit to a release date.

The Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection is set to precede the release of the long in development The Last Guardian, which itself has no current release date. Completely absent from E3 2011, The Last Guardian remains among the most anticipated of Sony’s games.

Ueda claims The Last Guardian will push the PS3 “to its limit,” which may help explain why development is taking so long. Given all the PlayStation 4 rumors, perhaps TLG will release as one of the final marquee first-party titles for the PlayStation 3, just as SotC did on the PlayStation 2. In any case, here’s hoping we see the Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection and The Last Guardian sooner rather than later. Keep your eyes on Game Rant for the latest news on both titles.

Ranters, are you looking forward to the Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection? What do you think of the updated visuals? Will the collection make it out this year?

The Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection is coming to the PlayStation 3 at an as-yet undisclosed date.

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