A few weeks ago we ran a feature where I scoured the dark and dusty corners of the App Store to look for games that invoked the spirits of our favourite Nintendo franchises of yore. Sometimes they were shameless rip-offs, but the important thing is that they were good shameless rip-offs.

Sony's PlayStation has a fair few decent exclusive franchises of its own too, so again I've braved the depths of the App Store to find you the 12 best PlayStation alternatives for your iPhone or iPad.

Enjoy!

1. Crash Bandicoot = Shrek Forever After - Number one on our list goes to possibly the most popular PlayStation character of all time, Crash Bandicoot. Like Super Mario Bros., he redefined 3D platforming - but unlike Mario, Crash is not technically a first party property - the series is now owned by Activision. Shrek Forever After is the closest thing that I've found gameplay-wise to Crash Bandicoot. He even spins when he attacks!

2. Killzone = N.O.V.A. - It was always going to be difficult to replicate Killzone on iOS due to it's bleeding edge visuals. I'm not saying that N.O.V.A was trying to mimick Killzone, but visuals were an obvious priority in this still gorgeous looking iOS shooter, and it definitely appeals to those looking for a futuristic shooter.

3. Uncharted = Unearthed: Trail of Ibn Battuta - I'm going to throw a disclaimer in here: Unearthed: Trail of Ibn Battuta isn't a great game. What it does do a good job of is replicating the "feel" of Uncharted on iOS. The controls in Unearthed are super floaty, but the protagonist looks a fair bit like Nathan Drake, which counts for a lot.

4. PaRappa the Rapper = WINtA - WINtA has one thing in common with PaRappa the Rapper and it's pretty huge - they share the same developer. PaRappa the Rapper is a unique rhythm action game from the early PlayStation era, while WINtA is a modern rhythm action game on iOS. WINtA has a similar charm to PaRappa the Rapper but is wrapped up in a very modern touch-based package.

5. Jak and Daxter = Skylanders Trap Team - Jak and Daxter is a beautiful 3D action platformer exclusive to PlayStation and, minus the iconic ottsel, you're getting a totally comparable experience with Skylanders Trap Team on iOS. They're both super cute and colourful, feature a great cast of characters, strong platforming, and fun but simple combat segments.

6. Gran Turismo = Real Racing - Real Racing 3 was a roaring success when it arrived on the App Store in early 2013. It offered a very similar package to that of Gran Turismo: a physics-based driving and racing simulator. It also set something of a bar for all other App Store racers to test themselves against in terms of visual fidelity, which is exactly what Gran Turismo has been doing for years on PlayStation.

7. LittleBigPlanet = Paper Monsters - This is a surprising entry because LittleBigPlanet actually has its own iOS spin-off, but I felt that Crescent Moon's Paper Monsters did a much better job of evoking LittleBigPlanet's spirit. The world and its characters all seem to have been built out of card or paper and the visuals are beautiful. It also does platforming better than most 3D platformers on iOS. The upcoming port of the Wii U version, Paper Monsters Recut, looks set to be the definitive version of this terrific platformer, so keep an eye out for that.

8. Ratchet & Clank = Cordy - Much like LittleBigPlanet, the iOS version of Ratchet & Clank is a bit naff. Good thing we have Cordy to save the day. It's a decent 3D platformer that oozes colour and charm, much like Ratchet & Clank.

9. God of War = Godfire: Rise of Prometheus - Remember those shameless rip-offs we were talking about? Well, this is one of them. Godfire: Rise of Prometheus is God of War in all but name. It derives its plot from Greek mythology, features an overly muscular protagonist, and is largely about creatively destroying monsters. It's a decent rip-off though, and definitely brings a console-quality experience to the App Store.

10.  Wipeout = Repulze - Repulze is another game that's heavily inspired by its source material, but it does a great job of replicating Wipeout on iOS. It handles well and, from a racing physics perspective, has a similar "magnetic" feel to the early Wipeout games.

11. Twisted Metal = Indestructible - Sony's PlayStation sure does love its driving games, doesn't it? Twisted Metal sees you driving around a custom built and fully armed vehicle blowing up as many opposing vehicles as possible. That's what Indestructible does as well, though the carnage is viewed from an isometic perspective.

12. Sly Cooper = Bentley's Hackpack - The final franchise in our selection is a true classic: Sly Cooper. Fortunately for iOS users we get Bentley's Hackpack, a mini-game collection spin-off that's taken straight out of Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time.

Now is the time to tell us what YOU think, AppSpies. Did we miss a favourite franchise of yours? Can you recommend us any iOS games that also serve as decent replacements? Let us know!