Summary
Space Station Silicon Valleyis one often forgotten and overlooked game fromGrand Theft AutodeveloperRockstar Gamesthat deserves to make a comeback on modern hardware.Rockstar Gamesrose to prominence thanks to itsGrand Theft Autoseries, later developing other big hits likeBullyandRed Dead Redemption. Many of the biggest Rockstar Games titles have been primarily developed by Rockstar North, a studio that was formerly known as DMA Design.
DMA Design is the name Rockstar North used prior toGrand Theft Auto: Vice City. It’s the name it used from its first release,Menace, in 1988, all the way to the launch of thegroundbreakingGrand Theft Auto 3in 2001.Grand Theft Autois really what put DMA Design on the map, but the studio released a wide variety of games in the late-80s and mid-90s that weren’tGTA, including the 3D platformerSpace Station Silicon Valley.
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Space Station Silicon Valleyhas a unique premise. In it, a sentient microchip has to take control of various animals to complete levels and collect items to build a robot body. The game was noted at the time of its release for its sense of humor andsolid 3D platformer gameplay. Unfortunately, the positive buzz surroundingSpace Station Silicon Valleydid not translate into strong sales. That combined with the overwhelming success DMA Design/Rockstar North would soon enjoy with theGrand Theft Autofranchise has leftSpace Station Silicon Valleycompletely overshadowed and largely forgotten by even the most hardcore Rockstar Games enthusiasts.
This has leftSpace Station Silicon Valleytrapped on the PlayStation 1 and Nintendo 64, with another version trapped on the Game Boy Color. The game hasn’t been re-released on any Virtual Console services or through the PS1 Classics line. It would be great to seeSpace Station Silicon Valleyget another shot on modern hardware, even if it’s just through something like PS Plus Premium or theNintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack, though fans shouldn’t hold their breath that such a thing will ever actually happen.
One would think that if Rockstar Games had any interest in revivingSpace Station Silicon Valley, it would have done so by now. The studio has re-released many of its older games, with its PS2-era titles readily available on modern PlayStation consoles. It sometimes releases proper ports as well, with theoriginalRed Dead Redemptionrecently coming to both the PS4 and Switch. It has also dabbled in remasters, though theGrand Theft Auto Trilogyremaster was not well-received.
Space Station Silicon Valley’s unique premise and great sense of humor make it something worth checking out. It’s just a shame that anyone interested will need todig out a Nintendo 64or PS1 to do so.
Space Station Silicon Valleyis available for Game Boy Color, Nintendo 64, and PS1.
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