Ps1 best games

25 Best PS1 Games of All Time

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The original PlayStation (PS1) is a legendary console with legendary games in its library, no doubt.

With games like the Final Fantasy series, Crash Bandicoot series, and Spyro series, this console is one of the best consoles of all time.

How about we try to remember the best PS1 games of all time?

Some of you will know some of the games mentioned in this list.

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#25. Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped

The third and final Crash Bandicoot platformer on the PlayStation takes a trip through time.

Crash must successfully collect the crystals across five unique worlds, all set in different eras of time.

Players travel through vibrant environments, performing tough jumps and defeating enemies.

There’s a bigger focus on gameplay variety, with more collectibles to find and objectives to complete.

#24. Final Fantasy VIII

Like most Final Fantasy games, VIII invites you into a gorgeous and fantastical world.

The turn-based combat has a deep level of strategy to it, and the narrative is complex and enthralling.

As a follow up to the hugely popular Final Fantasy VII, this game does the franchise justice.

#23. Tomb Raider

Regarded as one of the most influential action games of all time, Tomb Raider expertly blends third person combat and exploration.

Players control Lara Croft, traversing tough 3D environments and fighting off enemies with dual pistols.

Lara’s first adventure is challenging, but it’s packed with surprising moments and awesome level design.

#22. NFL Blitz

This game was a smash hit in arcades, and makes the jump to the PlayStation with ease.

Players can choose from a selection of NFL teams, and face off in football matches with easy-to-learn controls.

This is a great game for casual football fans who want to throw the ball and tackle, without all the complexities.

#21. Street Fighter Alpha 3

This iteration of Street Fighter is all about fighting the way you want, with distinct playstyles available for all available characters.

You will immediately be impressed by the high quality of the action, which contains awesome animation.

This home console version also features the World Tour mode, which holds secret unlockable fighters to enjoy.

#20. Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus

Although considered a spin-off of the main Oddworld series, this game still gives players excellent puzzles and 2D gameplay.

The gameplay isn’t as challenging as past Oddworld games, as the auto-save and unlimited lives make mistakes less punishing.

Instead of using attacks, Abe outwits the Glukkons by solving a variety of puzzles with his extraordinary abilities.

#19. Ape Escape

In Ape Escape, you play as a monkey collector named Spike.

Using a variety of fun gadgets and gizmos, you’ll track down the escaped primates over the course of several levels.

As you make it further into the game, you’ll unlock cooler gadgets to use, and become the ultimate catcher!

#18. Spyro: Year of the Dragon

The Spyro franchise is great for multiple reasons.

First, it offers fun and exciting level design that is split into bite sized chunks.

Controlling Spyro and using his attacks feel great, as does dashing around the level at supersonic speeds.

There are plenty of collectibles to grab, tons of secrets, and an all-around great third-person adventure to enjoy.

#17. Xenogears

This RPG is a hugely sprawling game that has a massive narrative and hours upon hours of gameplay.

Besides participating in standard RPG turn-based fights, you can jump into a giant robot and take the battle to the skies.

If you like RPGs that you can sink tons of hours into, Xenogears is a great place to start.

#16. Soul Blade

In this fighting game, characters can move in eight directions, which opens up a lot of options.

The quick-paced 3D fighting centers around the various weapons that each character possesses.

This fighting game broke new ground in the genre, and went on to spawn the amazing Soul Calibur franchise.

#15. Crash Team Racing

Like Mario Kart, Crash Team Racing has you and opponents drifting around colorful and exotic courses.

Along the way, you’ll grab powerups that can be used to harm other players and push them back in the rankings.

If you like Mario Kart but consider yourself a bigger fan of Crash Bandicoot, this is a no-brainer.

#14. Vagrant Story

Vagrant Story makes huge leaps in the gameplay department by fusing action/adventure and RPG elements together.

In the game, you’ll explore 3D environments from a third or first person perspective.

As you battle enemies, you’ll find new elements that can be used to modified your existing gear and weapons.

#13. Colony Wars

Pick from one of seven awesome starfighters and take off into challenging space combat missions!

The missions contain branching paths, depending on your success in battle.

This gives the game a lot of replayability, as you simply can’t play every level in one go.

Overall, this is one cosmic dogfighting game that sci-fi fans will absolutely love.

#12. Chrono Cross

Following up Chrono Trigger is a hard act, but Chrono Cross managed to do it with some smart gameplay decisions.

Firstly, all random battles have been removed from the game, which makes exploration less annoying.

Additionally, the game features multiple story lines and endings.

This means you’ll have plenty of reason to return to the game once you’ve already finished it.

#11. Final Fantasy VII

Final Fantasy VII excels due to its memorable characters, addictive gameplay, fantastic story, and awesome special moves.

The cast of characters you’ll meet during your journey will stick in your memory for a long time, mostly due to the heart-wrenching storytelling.

As a video game, Final Fantasy VII is an addictive RPG with tons of replay value.

#10. Gran Turismo 2

Gran Turismo 2 is a great game for petrolheads; people who love tinkering with cars.

This game provides an unparalleled amount of control over your car, and the gameplay feels incredibly realistic.

The game contains hundreds of unique vehicles, each with their own feel.

There are also multiple modes of play, both for solo players and group play.

#9. Final Fantasy IX

This entry in the Final Fantasy series allows you to play as eight different characters.

You’ll encounter enemies along your travels, and defeating them rewards you with new gear and money to spend.

Overall, Final Fantasy IX offers players hundreds of hours of RPG goodness, and an amazing story line as well.

#8. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

This insanely popular side-scrolling adventure game paved the genre for decades to come.

Players explore the twisting castle as Alucard, fighting off tons of enemy types using a variety of weapons and spells.

This Castlevania title is lengthy and complex, with so many secrets that you’ll be scouring the castle for many hours.

#7. Resident Evil 2

Gameplay wise, Resident Evil 2 plays much like the original.

You move about using “tank controls”, collecting weapons and scarce ammo.

You spend time exploring the city and buildings within it, searching for useful items and avoiding zombies.

The game is truly horrifying, and has received high praise since its original release.

#6. Metal Gear Solid

Metal Gear Solid has such a ridiculous plot line, it would be hard to sum it up quickly.

Basically, dangerous military weapons are being produced, and the appropriate military branches send Solid Snake in to defuse the situation.

You’ll spend time sneaking through facilities, shooting guards with tranquilizer darts, and even fighting tanks.

#5. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater

This game is every skateboarder’s dream.

In it, you get to thrash through multiple levels that are based on real locations.

You can shred railings in a school, skate big ramps in downtown cities, and much more.

There are also extra objectives to complete, bonus characters to unlock, and even some super secret levels to find!

#4. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2

In addition to the wild tricks, customizable characters, and awesome courses, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 brings even more to the table.

For the first time, you can build your own skatepark to shred in.

The story mode is also deeper, containing more objectives and courses to enjoy.

There are also multiple modes that make multiplayer sessions even more fun!

#3. Wipeout XL

This crazy racing game combines breakneck speeds with rising difficulty, giving players an experience unlike any other!

After picking your aerodynamic craft, you’ll race on increasingly tough courses against AI opponents.

Using your weapons, you can even destroy other racers to eliminate them.

This is the stand out title in the Wipeout franchise, due to its great gameplay and awesome course design.

#2. Gran Turismo

During this console era, most games struggled between realism and arcade-like controls.

Gran Turismo entered the scene and absolutely nailed the realistic driving experience.

Cars drive, turn, and handle completely differently.

There are over ten courses to race across, so you’ll have to drive perfectly if you want to score the highest rank!

#1. Tekken 3

This masterpiece of a fighting game shows that you don’t need extra frills to sell a quality product.

Regarded as one of the finest fighting games ever made, Tekken 3 defies all odds with its perfection.

There’s also an extra mini-game mode to distract yourself with, but you’ll likely be so preoccupied with the fantastic fighting mechanics to notice.

Are your favorite games on the list?

Deciding the best PS1 game is no doubt a little bit late since this iconic console has been around for more than two decades, but thanks to emulator and remastered games, it’s still exciting!

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I’m R, and I’ve been playing video games since I was a kid. My first console was the original PlayStation (the gray one) and I spent countless hours playing Crash Bandicoot series and Spyro series. My second console was the PS2 Fat, and I completed all of the GTA series 100%.

60 Best PS1 Games Of All Time

When I sat down to write this list of the best PS1 games of all time, I figured it would be a piece of cake. 60 of my favourite PlayStation games – easy. No problem at all.

Then I started listing my favourites, and soon I had around 250 titles with more popping into my head every second.

Not so easy after all, then!

The PS1 was, and in many ways still is, a pivotal console in the world of gaming. It’s the birthplace of many of today’s most influential video game characters, a groundbreaking console that changed the way we play forever.

The PS1 wasn’t just Sony’s answer to Nintendo’s home console devices. It was soon to be the home of some of the best games ever made, franchises that are still going strong today.

From a child-friendly dragon to dragon armoured warriors, there are so many exciting titles on this console that I’ve had a sweat on trying to whittle it down to just 50!

Still, no task is too great for us here at Retro Dodo. Check out our 50 best PS1 games below. I’m going for a lie down!

Table of Contents

60. Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete

Lunar: Silver Story Complete gets things kicking off in our best PS1 games list, and what a game to start with!

Ok, so this is also one of the best Sega Saturn games ever released too, but the revised edition for the PS1 looks and plays a whole lot better.

It’s been given the superstar treatment!

Follow Alex, a boy chosen to be a Dragonmaster. Yes, it’s an RPG with dragons in it, which means that it’s instantly one of the best PS1 games on the planet.

Complete trials set by wise dragons themselves to fulfil your destiny. Then, when you’ve passed every test, it’s time to defeat an evil wizard.

Piece of cake, right?

The simple early FF style visuals and interesting animations make this game a joy to play. Ok, so it doesn’t look as exciting in 2021, but this game still have a massive cult following.

So much so that there’s a petition to get a Lunar 3 game going as we speak!

59. Spider-Man

Everyone’s favourite wall-crawler Spider-Man is up next, making his debut on the PS1.

Man, this game brings back some memories, swinging through cities, pulling off punch combos with enemies on rooftops; this was the closest I was ever going to get to being Peter Parker.

If you’re a fan of the cartoon series, then this game certainly won’t disappoint. It feels like an interactive cartoon itself, with Spidey’s web attacks being emphasised for your TV viewing pleasure.

Wrap your fists in webs, swing from webs, tie people up with webs; basically, webs rule.

Chase and battle enemies, reach goals, and stop classic villains from getting away with dastardly crimes. With great power comes great responsibility!

58. Silent Hill

Silent Hill takes the 58th spot on our list of the best PS1 games ever made!

So, if you’re guessing that this isn’t a family friendly title, then you’d be right. Set in the weirdest village since that place Christopher Lee visits in the Wicker Man, this is one of the most intense psychological horror titles I’ve ever played.

It’s also one of the most successful too!

Play as Harry Mason, a dude that gets caught up in all sorts of horrifying scenarios as he’s trying to discover what’s real and what’s not in his life.

He’s not a special agent or a super hero; he’s just an ordinary dude, out of shape, with zero aim and no special fighting qualities.

Armed with a radio, he’s basically going up against all of the weird and horrible things that you’ve seen in every horror movie ever.

You need to experience all the nightmarish devilry of this game in person to really understand it. Just do it in the daylight… it’ll be less scarier that way.

57. Colin McRae Rally

It’s time to check out the legendary Colin McRae Rally, one of the greatest driving games of all time.

Despite this game being on the PS1, the scenery looks fantastic. We’re talking stunning backdrops, beautiful scenery, and roads that you just want to go on forever.

And, thanks to LAN multiplayer, eight people can go up against each other in supreme multiplayer races.

Now, if you know the 1998 World Rally Championship like the back of your hand, then this news is going to blow your mind…

Players can choose from all of the rally cars used in the actual championship races themselves. Plus, Colin McRae gave his dulcet tones to the title, making it even more authentic.

This game has always been one of army favourite racing titles. The tracks are second to none, the cars are spectacular, and the backdrops have stood the test of time very well. It’s certainly the best of the best PS1 racing games ever made, and long may it reign!

56. Nightmare Creatures

Nightmare Creatures II slashes its way into 56th place, showing once again that Konami are a bunch of sick puppies that love a good horror title.

To be fair, it’s not all Konami; Rob Zombie has lent his musical talents to this game too, helping to give it a ghoulish edge from start to finish.

So, Adam Crowley is back, and he’s using his evil-occultist ways to defeat monster hunters trying to kill his precious creations.

It’s safe to call this game bizarre… ok, incredibly bizarre.

Escape from monsters in crypts, uncover more mysteries of the occult, and fight demons of all shapes and size.

It’s basically a monster fest, and we love every second of it, all accompanied by Rob Zombie. What more could anyone possibly want.

55. Dino Crisis

Dino Crisis claws its way into the 55th spot on our best PS1 games list. It’s basically the game that we all wanted Jurassic Park to be with lots of blood and Turok-esque action.

It might be an unconventional survival horror game, but it’s still an s/h title at its core. Play through quiet, abandoned jungles and laboratories, messing yourself every time a Dino jumps out at you.

4 million people bought this game. That’s 4 million people that still can’t go into the national history museum without freaking out that one of the dinosaurs are going to eat them alive.

The game was set in 2009, so we can all be safe in the knowledge that it’s not actually going to come true or that Capcom somehow predicted the future.

If I had to pidgeon hole this title, I’d definitely say that it was more of a Panic Horror (to be fair that’s what Capcom chose to call it, and I agree with them wholeheartedly). It certainly makes me panic when I play it!

It’s also made by the same people as the Resident Evil games, which means that as well as pant-wittingly scary quests, there are puzzles and mysteries aplenty to solve.

If you can keep your eyes open for long enough, that is.

54. Tenchu: Stealth Assassins

Tenchu: Stealth Assassins is not, I repeat not for people that like running in and asking questions later.

This is a stealth game at its best and comes jam-packed with ancient Japanese lore and Samurai culture, definitely one for the Ghosts of Tsushima fans out there.

Work from dispatching small time enemies to murderous One goblins and trolls, demons that make up a large part of Japanese folklore and fairytales.

Games like Syphon Filter and Tomb Raider that require a level of nous are very similar to the Tenchu series. Sometimes what you don’t do can be just as important as what you do do… if you know what I mean.

Play through classic Japanese fortresses and epic mountain regions, basking in beautiful soundscapes and graphics that, for the PS1, look fantastic.

Choose your Ninja, take a deep breath, and fight for honour!

53. Alundra

Alundra takes the 53rd spot on this list of the best PS1 games ever made, bringing a Landstalker meets Legend of Zelda vibe to Sony’s maiden console.

Every game character has a special feature that separates them apart from the crowd. For our protagonist Alundra, his power is the ability to step into people’s dreams.

Now that might sound a little creepy to some people, but we all loved the BFG, and he basically did the same thing!

Alundra washes up on a beach and is taken in by a smith. Once he feels better, he discovers that there is a hidden evil lurking on the island by stepping into peoples dreams.

One, that’s a blatant invasion of privacy; and two, this all sounds a little too much like Link’s Awakening for my liking…

Let’s be honest, this is totally a Zelda-inspired game. It’s an RPG puzzler with a lost boy as the lead, with dungeons and monsters to beat back.

Collect items, learn special attacks and spells, and upgrade to reach new levels.

52. Bishi Bashi Special

Bishi Bashi Special brings two games for the price of one! If you’ve ever been lucky to play the Japanese releases Super Bishi Bashi and Hyper Bishi, then this is an collection of the two.

Essentially, this is like a PS1 version of WarioWare meets Mario Party, with players taking part in bonkers minigames such as cake throwing, afro growing, and many more weird concepts.

Even back on the PS1, up to eight players could compete, with random players being picked for each mini game with zero time to prepare.

Yeah, this game made for some pretty interesting games nights alright!

If you’re after something silly that doesn’t require much mind power but super fast reflexes, then this definitely fits the bill.

51. Grandia

Grandia, one of the best looking RPGs of all time, kickstarts this list of the best PS1 games of all time!

For starters, any game that has over 80 hours of gameplay under it’s belt is a winner with me. So many games are over too quickly, but Grandia gives real value for money, especially if you’re picking up a sealed copy from the internet!

Championing the skill development of characters and a superb magic system, this game is a credit to the genre. Not only that, but there’s a healthy amount of standard and turn based battles in this game so nothing ever feels samey or stale.

But what is Grandia all about? Well, players follow a dude called Justin. Like all kids, he wants to be an adventurer, and after chancing on a clue as to how an ancient presence vanished, he sets out on an epic quest.

The graphics in this game make it one of the best on the console, and the battle system is intuitive while giving lots of freedom for the player to attack in their own style.

Honestly, with thousands of games released for the PS1, sitting at 50 is still as high achievement. This game needs to be in your collection!

50. Madden NFL 2001

Madden NFL 2001 is American Football at its finest. We’re talking all the highs, the lows, and the brutal tackles that the game has to offer.

These games all basically have the same premise year after year, but 2001 was the first game that I came to in the series and is a firm favourite in my collection. The commentary is superb, the pitch looks great, and all the pros from the time make an appearance.

It’s never enough to just play the sport though; the crowd reactions and the player’s banter is what makes games great… am I right?

The NFL Coaches Club License gets you closer to the action with close ups of managers yelling instructions and cursing their rotten luck at losing yet again. And having Pat Summerall and Mr John Madden himself explaining what’s going on to the player makes it feel like you’re right there in the stadium!

Even if you know nothing about American football, this game is a great way to get into the sport and the perfect way to dish some vengeance to your mates for all the crap they give you. It’s time to play dirty!

49. Resident Evil 3: Nemesis

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis takes the 48th spot in this list of the best PS1 games of all time, and boy is it a gruesome gorefest.

Wimpish readers should probably carry on to number 47…

Resident Evil titles are known for their mindless Zombies and bloodlust around every corner. Still, The Nemesis is perhaps the most freaky dude bar Pyramidhead that I’ve ever experienced in a game.

This title totally gave me goosebumps as a kid, and I’m pretty sure it still does now too!

Guts galore and brains a plenty, Resident Evil 3 remains one of the most action-packed survival horror titles ever made. There’s less of a tactical approach to this game when I’m playing as opposed to mashing the fire button and screaming.

And The Nemesis is lethal! He just appears out of nowhere and runs after you like a crusty, half-eaten gorilla, determined to eat your throat and guzzle up your innards.

Definitely not a family game then…

A key feature in survival horrors is multiple endings depending on paths that you take in the game. This keeps people playing again and again, which is good as the title itself is a little on the short side.

48. WWF Smackdown! 2: Know Your Role

Wrestling was everything when I was a kid, and playing as my favourite wrestlers in Smackdown! 2: Know Your Role was the greatest.

The Rock, Kurt Angle, Triple H, The Undertaker, The Hardy Boys, The Dudley Boys; the list goes on.

Watching those guys on Sky One and then playing as them right after was how I spent pretty much every Saturday morning. Pile-driving opponents through tables, brawling in the carpark; this was the real deal!

Tables, ladders, and chairs matches were the best, as were tag-team matches with mates. Recreating rivalries from the TV Show never got old, and neither did pulling off timeless moves like the People’s Elbow or the Tombstone.

There are a lot of moves to learn, but show me a fighting game where there isn’t. I spent far too many hours playing this game as a kid and I’m now urging you to do the same!

47. Galerians

If you don’t like survival horror titles, then you might want to skip this bit and move on. Still, you’ll be missing out on Galerians, one of the finest ‘edge of your seat’ games for the PS1.

‘What’s the premise of this game?’ I hear you shouting from behind the sofa. Well, players control a chap named Rion who has suddenly developed psychic abilities. Not only is he now a walking-talking Alakazam in shorts, but he’s also got amnesia.

Oh, and he’s earth’s last hope of stopping a race of GM humanoids from terrorising the planet.

It’s probably fine; I bet Rion has access to some killer guns along the way… right?

Rion has zero weapons apart from his Psychic powers. And here’s the real stinger; he has to take a drug every time he attacks someone.

This certainly isn’t Hyrule Warriors; running in and attacking willy nilly isn’t going to do you any favours here.

Galerians focuses on attacking at the right moment, conserving attacks for when they’re really necessary, and knowing when to leave a fight and run.

Trust me, you’re going to do a lot of running.

46. Colony Wars

Colony Wars takes the 44th spot in this list of the best PS1 games of all time!

This game is one for the Rogue Squadron fans out there. It’s a space fighter game that sees players taking control of a starfighter, strapping into the cockpit and getting ready for some interstellar combat.

That should have been the blurb on the back of the game!

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to bravely fight as part of the League of Free World’s forces. Each craft is selected for you on each stage, so there’s plenty of new weapons to get used to along the way.

Wield EMP cannons, fire torpedos, and blast enemy fighters out of the sky as you bring peace to the galaxy.

As with Lylat Wars, different actions result in different paths between levels. There are a few different outcomes to the game too, and losing in a mission doesn’t always mean the end of the game.

If you’re the kind of person that wishes you could be a gun turret operative in the Milenium Falcon, then Colony Wars needs to be in your collection!

45. Spyro: Year of the Dragon

Spyro: Year of the Dragon glides in at Number 44 on our list of the best PS1 games of all time!

I’ve often thought that after the groundbreaking success of games one and two, Insomniac could have put out an absolute dung bomb of a game and still made tonnes of money on it. Instead, they made a title that not only compliments the series, but ones that’s still heralded as being one of the best Spyro games today!

Year of the Dragon boasts mini games for the first time. Yes; Spyro in a mini game; obviously I lost my freaking mind when this came out!

The third and final game in the original bunch came with groovier music, slick graphics, and tonnes of new characters and features for gamers to sink their claws into.

And instead of just following the same form as the first two titles, Year of the Dragon felt more like a Nintendo platform game. Play as different characters, complete missions, and trade items for gems with Moneybags the Bear.

Will you reach high with Sheila the Kangaroo or take Spyro for a swim without fear of drowning? Year of the Dragon is a solid game that I’ve played again and again on the Spyro Reignited Trilogy for Nintendo Switch!

44. Resident Evil

Take a trip back to where it all began with the next title on our list of the best PS1 games – Resident Evil.

If you’ve just joined the canon at Resident Evil: Village, then you may want to grab hold of a copy of the first ever game in the series. Step into Racoon City, a city swarming with zombies and horrifying creatures that would like nothing better than to eat you alive.

Other than that, the weather’s usually pretty decent and it’s easy to find a parking spot…

Ok, so it might look a little raw these days. Coincidentally, raw is how the zombies in this game like their meat, so I guess it’s just as well.

Players take control of a special operative sent to determine what happened to the city. Enter Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield, the chosen characters who must uncover what really went down in a secret genetics laboratory.

If one thing Resident Evil is known for is its zombies, then the other is its array of guns. There’s so much firepower available here that you’ll be spoilt for choice. Still, don’t take too long thinking about it; there’s a Zombie about to bite your face off!

43. Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped

Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped takes the 41st spot in this list of the best PS1 games ever made!

Released in 1998, this is perhaps one of the toughest Crash games in the series. We’re still not sure why PAL games had to have the ‘3’ in the title to make it clear that it was the third one…

… we’d played the first two to death, of course we knew it was the third one!!

Warped follows straight on from the events of Crash Bandicoot 2. Dr Neo Cortex and the vengeful Aku Aku are back to cause havoc once again, and Crash has to stop them from getting crystals and enslaving the minds of the people.

Play as Crash or Coco as you leap over holes, collect apples, spin enemies, and try to stay alive. The music still sets my feet tapping and puts me in a great mood. In fact, ask anyone about Crash Bandicoot and they’ll hum the iconic tune to you…

… you’re doing it right now, aren’t you?

Here’s a fact for you; this was the first ever non-Japanese game to hit over 1-million sales in Japan. How insane is that. Looks like Crash knew how to bring home the bacon, and he’s still kicking ass in new games today!

42. Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins

Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assasins takes the 40th spot on our list of the best PS1 games of all time!

Many readers may well have met Rikimaru and Ayame in the original Tenchu: Stealth Assassins game for the PS1. Well, this prequel to the original classic title sees players controlling the trained killers as teens.

The story follows Rikimaru and Ayame while learning their craft from Ninja Masters. Things don’t get much cooler than this!

Like many of the following third-person PS1 games in this list, stealth is the key to both winning and surviving. Taking down enemies without being seen increases a player’s ranking, and higher ranks mean better gadgets to help with future levels.

In other words, don’t go in with all-guns-blazing as it won’t help you!

Tenchu 2 has a great level editor too. If you liked Mario Maker but want to see lots more swords and blood, then creating your own stealth-based ninja-battle levels should prove to be pretty fun!

41. Star Wars: Jedi Power Battles

Star Wars: Jedi Power Battles is up next, a simplified version of Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace that gives players the opporunity to control other Jedis.

The game follows a plot line very similar to the film. All of the same bad guys and many of the same places feature, though gamers can now use Mace Windu and unlock other characters such as Captain Panaka and Darth Maul.

What I like about Jedi Power Battles is that it doesn’t feel solely like a hack ‘n’ slash game like Hyrule Warriors. There are some puzzle/adventure elements to the game too.

Many levels have jumping puzzles to overcome, putting those midichlorians to the test while traversing different stages. Some levels require piloting crafts, and most involve using R1 to deflect and take down Droidikas and other enemies from the film.

With 10 levels and four unlockable stages, it’s not the worlds longest game. It is a winner in my book, however, and Star Wars fans should certainly give it a try.

40. Einhänder

Next up is Einhänder, a Square scrolling-shooter title with epic cutscenes and some seriously bad-ass robo bosses.

German readers may well be wondering where the one-handed sword is or what part it could play in a spaceship game. Well, the name refers to the fighter jets large manipulator arm, giving it the impression of being a fencer reader to strike.

Or something like that, at any rate…

While classed as 2.5D with occasional 3D viewpoints, the game mostly follows a side-scrolling format. The levels look very futuristic and industrial, like a rave those kids from the Jetsons might hold when they’re eighteen.

Einhänder has a rather odd plot line. The ships are used by kamikaze pilots in a battle between a colony on the moon with a colony on the earth. One pilot decides that terminating his life isn’t something he wants to do, and he goes on a bit of a rogue bender.

Singlehandedly turning the fate of both colonies, the lone Einhänder pilot is an unnamed hero. Players must square up against their own superiors in order to bring peace.

Think you’re up to the task?

39. Jumping Flash!

Jumping Flash! takes the 38th spot on our list of the best PS1 games of all time!

Robbit the robot rabbit first bounced into our lives back in 1995. He, along with the game itself, are often credited as championing 3D gaming on home consoles.

Whether you care about impressive accolades or not, Jumping Flash! is a cracking platform game that requires lots of exploration while searching for hidden jet pods. stashed by a maniacal science boffin.

Imagine, if you will, a first person Space Station Silicon Valley. That’s basically how Jumping Flash! works, minus the changing into multiple different animals.

Robbit must save the world by collection pods dropped by the game’s antagonist, Baron Aloha. The graphics might look a little dated now, but this was cutting edge stuff back in the day!

Critics praised the groundbreaking success of this game and the immersive action spread across each of the 18 levels. It still holds the world record for being the first true 3D platform game too.

That’s not a bad award to have under your belt as a developer, right?

38. One

One took me absolutely ages to find pictures and links for, so the least you can do is stick around to learn a little more about it.

Do you what comes up when you type in ‘one Ps1 game’? Just lots of singular PS1 games, and none of them One!

This could well be why many people haven’t heard of One and why it remains such an underated game. It’s probably one of the least known titles on this entire list, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not worth trying.

On the contrary, One is an epic game that requires brains to beat. Sometimes blind shooting isn’t enough; players must use the scenery around them and unlock new abilities by powering up a ‘rage meter’.

I always used to hate the long load times with PS1 games, though One never had that problem. It used asynchronous loading to keep gameplay flowing, leaving players to pump enemies full of lead and figure out clever ways of staying alive.

The main character wakes up with an arm missing. It’s been replaced by a gun, and he has no idea who he is. With only a tattoo of a barcode on his neck, players must try to keep the mysterious fighter alive long enough to find out who he is.

Finding out why everyone wants to kill him would be a good idea too!

One looks and plays like a PS2 game. It’s slick, its fun to play, and the gameplay is exciting from start to finish.

37. Bushido Blade

Bushido Blade takes the 35th spot on our list of the best PS1 games ever made!

Square (Squaresoft) feature a heck of a lot in this article. They’re responsible for making some of the greatest PS1 games we’ve ever had the pleasure of playing on, and Bushido Blade is certainly one of them.

Imagine Mortal Kombat with Ninja Swords. I’ll admit, it’s a crude comparison, but it would have certainly caught my attention back in 1997!

Not that my mother would have let me buy it back then, of course…

Matches in Bushido Blade are like playing a game of chess. A single move could prove fatal, and while the rounds may last a long time, the gory deaths are pretty quick and brutal to watch.

Players feel every hack and slash in this game, as do the characters. Unlike Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter, there is no time limit or health bar. One strike really is enough to defeat an opponent if timed right.

The levels have no constraint’s either, so backing off and dodging until a player loses concentration is also an option too. Characters can be wounded with certain hits, leaving them to hobble or crawl.

Admittedly, it’s a little like playing with your food, though you can really make your mates suffer if they’ve annoyed you on a previous game!

THAT’LL TEACH YOU TO BEAT ME AT MARIO KART, BRANDON… ahem… where was I?

36. R4: Ridge Racer Type 4

R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 is the perfect title for recreating arcade feels in the living room. With stunning locations and epic powerslides, it’s one of the best racing titles for the PS1.

It’s also the last Ridge Racer made for Sony’s first home console, with Ridge Racer V dropping on the PS2.

Players choose one of four imaginary teams and car makes from four different countries before going for gold in different races.

As with titles such as Burnout and Need for Speed, new cars and upgrades are unlocked as players progress through the game.

There are 320 main cars to unlock in total, with a final car based on a certain famous dot-eating arcade character arriving as a bonus vehicle thereafter. I don’t know what I’d do if I had 321 cars to choose from in real life! Where would I put them?

Ridge Racer fans will already love the hi-octane corner taking and drifting past opponents, and PS1 fans in general should give this game a go. Find a JogCon and experience this game with total control.

Trust us, you’ll be a pro in no time!

35. Spider-Man

Spider-Man wall-crawls into the 33th spot in our list of the best PS1 games of all time!

I couldn’t get enough of this game when it first came out. As a marvel nerd anyway, anything with Spider-Man is usually on my radar. But playing as Spidey for the first time with voice actors from the original cartoon series – well that just blew my mind!

Weird how i hate spiders though…

Spideys out to clear his name after being mistaken for a criminal. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Venom, Mysterio, Scorpion, and all the usual baddies are here to make life tough for our wanted-wallcrawler.

Narration from the one and only Stan Lee, the opportunity to unlock comic book covers, swinging through cities; the Spider-Man video game has it all. And while I’ve played this game on multiple consoles over the years, the PS1 version is still my all-time favourite.

The game sent critics into a frenzy, and it’s not hard to see why. Compared to Miles Morales, one of the best PS5 games, this much simpler adventure feels more like a comic book outing and less like a motion picture. That’s why this title will forever be one of the best PS1 games of all time!

34. Twisted Metal 2

Twisted Metal 2 takes the 32nd spot in our list. It’s one of the most popular vehicular combat titles of all time and resembles a gnarlier version of the Battle Mode in Mario Kart multiplayer.

It’s essentially Goldeneye while in cars with a bit of demolition derby thrown in for good measure. And when I put it like that, it suddenly becomes one of the best games ever, right?

Ruined husks of Moscow, New York, Holland, and other countries around the globe serve as proving grounds in this no-holds barred battle game. Driving well won’t earn you any points in Twisted Metal 2. It’s all about putting the pedal to the metal and causing as much havoc as possible.

Like current deathmatch games such as Fortnite, the last plater standing is the winner. There’s no point-based scoring system, just stay alive to win.

Items and weapons are scattered around each of the battle arenas for players to collect. This game is fun to play in single player, though it’s best enjoyed with friends. Nothing beats plowing over your mates in a tank…and I mean nothing!

33. Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace

Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace force pushes its way into the 31st spot on our list of the best PS1 games of all time!

As a self-proclaimed sci-fi nerd, the Phantom Menace game was like a dream come true. Wielding lightsabers on a federation ship, solving puzzles in Naboo, traversing the underwater Gungan city; it all happens in this epic playable version of the film.

Fighting with Lightsabers in 3D was the closest I could come to being a Jedi back in 1999. Deflecting blaster fire felt so cool, and the game’s levels looked and felt just as great as the scenes from the movie.

One of the best bits about this title is how in depth each of the levels are. Lucas Arts could well have made a simple Star Wars title, though they went to great efforts to add engaging NPC dialogue into the game and areas for players to explore.

What’s more, new scenes have been added that don’t feature in the film. These explain what other characters may have been up to while other scenes were playing out. Rest assured, this is a cleverly made and well thought out Star Wars game for the ultimate Jedi-wannabe.

32. Final Fantasy VIII

Final Fantasy VIII joins the umpteen other Square titles in this list of the best PS1 games of all time. They should have renamed the console the PlaySquare!

VIII is the eighth game in the series, though this won’t come as a surprise to any Roman Numerals fans out there. As with the other games in the canon, it champions turn-based battles and RPG plotlines that George R.R Martin could only dream of conjuring up.

Featuring an unknown world, a futuristic sorceress, romance, action, and gigantic monster, FFVIII is a stunning game for players to sink their teeth into. It has everything that one might expect from a Final Fantasy game.

The graphics are pretty special too, once again producing scences that wouldn’t look out of place on the PS2.

31. Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage

Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage blazes its way into the 29th spot on our list of the best PS1 games of all time!

Spyro games have a timeless feel to them that make them popular with gamers everywhere. It doesn’t matter whether you are 8 or 80, collecting gems, awakening dragons, and blasting enemies with fire will always feel amazing.

Ripto’s Rage follows a similar style of play to the previous Spyro game, though the none of the other dragon characters make an appearance. This time Spyro and Sparx feature in a brand-new adventure, rescuing castles from Ripto’s control and gliding around Avalar in style.

As before, Sparx acts as Spyro’s health bar. Watch his colour as he indicates how much life Spyro has left. Bottled butterflies act a little like a bottled fairy in Zelda, giving Spyro an extra life.

The enemies, buildings, and scenery are quintessentially Spyro. I know that’s a given for a Spyro game, but I bet any of you could see the picture above and tell me what game it was from. It’s an iconic style that many of us grew up with, and Spyro is without a doubt one of the most influential gaming characters of all time.

Glide to hidden areas, ram bad guys, and get that perfect gem-collecting score on every level. It’s the stuff that dreams are made of.

30. Star Wars: Rebel Assault II: The Hidden Empire

Speaking of games that dreams are made of, Star Wars: Rebel Assault II: The Hidden Empire provides Rogue Squadron-style action on the PS1 that puts gamers right in the heart of the Rebel Alliance.

Pilot all kinds of crafts from the Star Wars franchise including X-Wings as you take down Tie Interceptors in the heart of space.

This game rules! Honestly, it’s. a joy to play and looks stunning on the PS1. From Admiral Ackbar and Darth Vader’s inclusion in the story to the chases through space, this slice of Star Wars Expanded Universe gameplay is a winner right from the word go.

Players control Rookie One, which admittedly isn’t the world’s most inventive name. Chase phantom ties and defend Rebels from obliteration at the hands of the Empire.

That sentence gave me goosebumps!

Unsurprisingly, the game was huge commercial success. Besides the gameplay, the game score was phenomenal and, true to every Star Wars film, had us humming and whistling along in no time. The controls are a little skittish at times, but the PS1 port is like watching a 4K video compared to the PC version.

Grab a copy today and help turn the tide of the war for the Rebels.

29. Parasite Eve

Parasite Eve roars into the 27th spot on this list of the best PS1 games of all time, accompanied by Bring Me The Horizon playing at full volume!

Parasite Eve can best be described as a Resident Evil with RPG feels. Aya Brea is tryuing to stop a demonic woman called ‘The Eve’ from killing humans through spontaneous combustion.

Sounds like she should have a bash at starring in Mortal Kombat!

Gameplay follows a similar pattern to Pokemon, albeit without the fluffy monsters and a load of burning bodies instead. Aya encounters battles at random while walking over certain areas and can dodge and attack in a turn-based system.

Check out how good the graphics look too. This game looks well ahead of its time and plays like a PS2 title. It’s crisp and handles well, though if I had to be critical I’d say it needs to be a little longer.

Still, playing the game again after completion brings a new mode with a new level filled with battles to test your wits against. It’s an immersive survival horror with a difference and a nice change from the R.E series if you’re bored of slaying zombies.

28. Xenogears

Xenogears takes the 26th spot on our list, adding to the ever growing number of Square titles compiled here. Honestly, I’m only noticing just how many Square titles there are now that I’ve put them all together in one place!

As the first entry in the ‘Xeno’ family of games, Xenogears kickstarted a franchise that would go onto rival Final Fantasy and Chrono Trigger, as well as every other RPG title Square monopolised during this time period.

Players begin by exploring the world of Ignas, working alongside other characters and utilising information from NPCs to find, collect, and battle their way to victory.

Turn-based battles are the name of the game in Xenogears. Gamers control Fei Fong Wong as he tries to remember who he is while teaming up with other interesting folk from different parts of the region.

Expect reincarnation, magic, upgradable skills, and every other desirable trait one might find in a Square game. If you’re the kind of person who enjoys Fenyx Immortals Rising because you loved BOTW, then this Final Fantasy-esque game should provide an exciting adventure that feels both familiar and new at the same time.

27. Wipeout 2097

Fans of Nintendo favourite F-Zero X will love the first game in our list. Wipeout 2097 has some incredible Star Wars inspired futuristic vehicles and is the second instalment of the series.

This futuristic racer is faster and more dangerous than the original game. It’s set four decades later, and it seems that racers have a need for bigger weaponry the further along through time your travel!

The damage bar was introduced for the first time in this game. You’ll be watching it constantly as you use that air brake to zip around corners at frightening speeds.

The graphics on this game are superb and the courses are well thought out and incredibly imaginative. The music really got you pumped up and added to the whole feel too.

There’s no wonder Wipeout 2097 received positive scores accross the critics board, including a couple of 5/5 ratings from reviewers. Looks like we’re kicking off our best PS1 games with a winner!

If you’re a fan of F1 titles rather than family-friendly games such as Crash Team Racing, then give Wipeout 2097 a try. It’s white-knuckle action from the moment you start your first race!

26. Time Crisis

One of the only reasons that I used to agree to go bowling as a kid was so I could play Time Crisis in the arcade afterwards. This game was the coolest, and when a port came out for the Playstation, I could finally give up bowling altogether.

Standing behind the sofa with the GunCon Light Gun was amazing. It felt like I was really in the action, except for the fact that I was in a house and not a cavern filled with gun-toting enemies.

The duck and reload element of Time Crisis is what made the Arcade game so exciting. That and the mega bosses you had to face up against too. The PS1 port is amazing and great fun to play with a friend.

The game doesn’t differ from the arcade mode that much at all. As the player, you make your way through various stages kicking bad-guy ass. There are various objects to hide behind while you reload, and you have to tactically pick off the enemies one by one to move to the next stage.

The arcade-style time limit is what keeps this game addictive and your nerves on edge. You can’t hide forever, so you make a move, get hit, and start all over again. That’s Time Crisis!

Time Crisis will never win an award for the best storyline in a game, but it is one of my favourite titles and a nostalgic one at that. It’s certainly worth adding into your collection.

25. Klonoa: Door To Phantomile

This next title in our list of the best PS1 games is one that many of you will remember. Big-eared wonder-kid Klonoa and his pal Huepaw are the stars of the show in side-scrolling platform game Klonoa: Door to Phantomile. It’s vibrant, it’s fun to play, and it’s well worth taking a look at if you’ve never played it before.

The game is interesting for the fact that it’s a 3D game set on a 2D plane. Does that make it 2.5D?

The whole game kind of reminds me of Goeman: Mystical Ninja. Except Goeman wasn’t an anthropomorphic animal in a dream world. Maybe he and Klonoa could team up for a sequel!

A lot of retro games tend to revolve around a dream world, but this game does it superbly without rehashing old ideas. It’s set in Phantomile, a world based on the dreams we have at night. When an airship crashes and Klonoa finds a guy who wants to turn the planet into a world of nightmares, you know there’s going to be trouble.

There are bosses to fight at the end of some stages, and the grunts throughout the game provide just the right level of difficulty. You can pick up and throw enemies as weapons or turn them into springboards to reach new areas.

The whole 2D/3D thing might seem weird to gamers delving into the PS1 for the first time. Still, once you get a hang of it, Door To Phantomile is a cracking game. Fans of Crash and Mario? Give this a go!

24. Mega Man Legends

If you need introducing to the Mega Man Legends, then you must have been living under a rock for most of your life! Mega Man seems to flit between consoles more than I have hot dinners, making him a well-known gaming icon no matter where your gaming allegiances lie.

Most of Mega Man’s previous titles have been side-scrolling games, but legends is more of a cross between Mario 64 and Holy Magic Century. It features some of our space-age hero’s coolest power-ups and abilities and has some exciting worlds to explore.

Legends was later ported to the N64 as Mega Man 64 (catchy title). The PS1 title went on to spawn two sequels. Mega Man Legends 2 looks better visually, but I prefer to play the game that kickstarted his PlayStation career.

For those rock dwellers who don’t know who this blue dude is, Mega Man is a space-age robo-guy. The game is set in the year 80XX, whenever the hell that is. Humans have been replaced by fast-breeding cyborg imitations, and most of the planet is underwater.

Sound’s like we’ve got a lot to look forward to!

Mega Man has to deal with a host of antagonists during the course of the game. Pit your skils against the meddlesome Reaverbots, the fourty-one Servbots, and the Bonne pirate family. The characters are a motley crew, but they helped to make the game an instant hit amongst fans of the blue boy-wonder.

23. Medal of Honor

If you haven’t head of Medal of Honor before now, then you must have been living under a rock, in space, or just on the wrong website.

Did you know that Spielberg first created these games. This was his first game in the series, the series that has gone on to span multiple platforms and different time frames over the years.

It’s World War II action at its finest, with players taking control of Lt. Patterson battling Nazis and saving rural France from German control.

As you might expect, all of the weapons are guns from the WWII era. We’re talking MP40s, antique pistols, wielding them through special covert missions and through multiplayer battles.

Listen, this is a bona fide classic without a shadow of a doubt. If you’ve never played it, then grab a copy IMMEDIATELY and give it the respect it demands.

I mean, can you really call yourself a gamer if you haven’t completed MOH 35 times?

22. Final Fantasy IX

You didn’t think I would leave it too long before bringing in Final Fantasy IX, right?

Squaresoft have made some of my favourite ever titles for the PS1. I would be scared to tot up all of the hours that I’ve spent playing Final Fantasy games; it’s definitely a lot! It’s probably no surprise that I happened to get hooked on what many critics have claimed to be the best game in the series.

FF IX is based on a war in the made-up realm of Gaia, which is the Greek primordial deity of the Earth for any history buffs out there. The story is far too complex for me to fit into these short paragraphs, as is the case with every FF game.

All you need to know is that it’s addictive as hell and an instant winner.

You play as bandit Zidane Tribal (awesome name), as well as controlling a number of other characters that you pick up throughout the game. FF IX has a new item reveal system, a little like the noise that appears in Links Awakening to tell you that there are hidden secrets nearby. It’s perfect for those players that love to explore every nook and cranny.

The game has a top-down perspective for most of the exploration, with close up 3D battle scenes that boast some cool looking monsters and enemies. The worlds that Squaresoft create are always magical, and FF IX is no exception.

If you’re a fan of RPG turn-based combat games and titles where exploring and interacting are the keys to success, then this NEEDS to be in your collection.

21. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

The next title on our list of the best PS1 games is Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, an underworld themed action-adventure game of epic proportions. Set 150 years after Blood Omen, the first game in the series, Soul Reaver brings Dark Souls style fun with some demonic characters and blood-thirsty battles.

The game follows the journey of a vampire/wraith called Raziel. He used to be mates with Kain until the great Vampire Lord bumped him off. Now, the Elder God has revived Raziel and made him his personal Soul Reaver.

There’s more confusing conflict going on here than in an episode of Game Of Thrones!

This game was a classic and gave a nice twist to the kind of gothic gameplay you find in the Castlevania series but in a 3D world. Raziel’s abilities and weapons were awesome and some of the creepy enemies still give me chills when I think about them.

Soul Reaver was, however, a little repetitive. It’s definitely worth a play if you can pick up a copy cheap online, and the graphics are way better than what you’d expect from the PS1.

If third-person horror-themed platformers are your bag, then you’ll soon become enthralled by the immersive worlds in Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver. Give it a shot and let us know your thoughts!

20. PaRappa The Rapper

A game about rapping – that should be enough to make you purchase it straight away!

Before Donkey Konga and Guitar Hero, PaRappa the Rapper was the music-matching game hero that made this title one of the best PS1 games around. Dressed like every cool ’90s rapper of the time, PaRappa must learn how to rap from a teacher that looks a little like a warrior walnut.

I always thought that the makers of Wario Ware: Smooth Moves might have taken inspiration from this game. The bright visuals and quirky theme are super addictive. And while it’s a weird one to play, it’s one of the most memorable and best PS1 games on the console.

You’ll be pleased to know that you don’t actually need to rap out loud. Like Guitar Hero, you have to press different symbols to make PaRappa Rap in time with the teacher. Get a good score and progress to the next round.

The whole game revolves around PaRappa having to rap against teachers to reach the front of the line for the bathroom. Then you go on to compete in a rap battle to profess your love to a female pooch named Sunny.

I know it all sounds bizarre and a bit like a psychedelic trip gone wrong, but it’s worth it. Trust us, you’ll be dressing like PaRappa and busting out rhymes in no time.

19. Street Fighter Alpha 3

Street Fighter Alpha 3 takes the 18th spot in our list of the best PS1 games of all time!

Everyone knows about Street Fighter. There have been so many different games on multiple consoles, and the series is so popular that it can even be recognised by its individual characters.

The Alpha series is a sub-series following Street Fighter 2 and one of the best PS1 fighting games to date.

The game largely follows the same mechanics but has a couple of differences. The graphics look a little more cartoony albeit more put together, and the game has some new characters added to the roster.

Alpha 3 brought back Street Fighter favourites such as Ryu, E.Honda, and Blanka. It also featured new characters such as the Zangief-obsessed R. Mika, who would go on to become a firm fixture in future games.

Alpha 3 also brought in a new feature that allowed gamers to change fighting styles. Players can choose between ‘A-ism’ – 3-level super combo gauge moves, ‘X-ism’ – the same playing stye used in Street Fighter Turbo, and ‘V-ism’ – variable style like in Alpha 2.

Street Fighter Alpha 3 is great for multiplayer madness with your friends. It’s also perfect for blowing off a bit of steam when you don’t want to think about engaging plot lines or puzzle solving.

Besides, what more of an excuse do you need to shout ‘HADDDOUUUKEN’ at the top of your voice?

18. Chrono Cross

It’s time for another RPG game! Chrono Cross is the sequel to Chrono Trigger, a game that some of you may have read about in our list of rare SNES games. It’s visually perfect, so much so that it received a score of 10/10 from many critics when it first came out.

I love the plot in Chrono Cross because it deals with parallel worlds in a very clever way. You play as a boy named Serge who died in an alternate reality. You and your companions must try to avoid that other world and work out the truth of how the realities are intertwined.

Obviously there’s bad-guys trying to stop you along the way and important onjects that need to be collected. Why can’t games developers make these things easy for the poor characters, eh!

As with other RPGs, conversing and exploring are the keys to success. The turn-based combat works well, and the different abilities that the characters possess complement each other nicely.

There’s an elemental magic system in Chrono Cross like all the best RPG games, and abilities can be enhanced as you progress through the game. The characters backstories all help to draw you into their world and the levels are all richly textured.

If you’re a fan of parallel worlds, three-dimensional play, and games with over 40 influential characters, then get on the internet and start hunting a copy of this game down!

17. Driver

Driver is the first thrilling car game that I can remember playing. It was so different to everything that had come before it and encapsulated every element of the car chases in my favourite movies. Speed, reckless driving, and a plot that could have been taken straight from the series ’24’.

What more do you when looking for the best PS1 games?

Driver follows an undercover cop named John Tanner who infiltrates a notorious gang. What starts off as a means of finding out about the shady stuff they get up to soon turns into the discovery of their intent to assassinate the President.

Talk about things escalating quickly!

Unlike Crazy Taxi where the cities are loosely based on real places, Driver is based around four real-life cities. The player must travel around Miami, New York, San Fransisco, and Los Angeles. As a cop and former racing driver, you make yourself useful as a getaway driver for the various mob activities, proving your skills and trying to stay one step ahead of the game.

You can even unlock the city of Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK, with a cheat code. I love a good hidden Easter egg!

Driver is renowned the world over as being one of the best PS1 games ever made. It’s one of the PlayStation platinum collection and went on to spawn multiple sequels.

Fast cars and undercover police work is what every citizen dreams of being involved with. Driver makes those dreams come true!

16. Medal of Honour: Underground

Before the CIA, there was the OSS, and they play a pivotal role in Medal of Honor: Underground. Players control Manon Batiste, a resistance fighter recruited by the OSS to stop the Nazis in their tracks.

Your mission; to track and battle the members of the Reich across the globe, putting your life on the line everywhere from Paris to the Northern reaches of Africa.

This FPS is incredibly famous. I remember the first time I hd to go up against a tank in MOH: Underground and resisted the temptation to run the other way as fast as possible.

For anyone who hasn’t played a MOH game before, the premise is simple. Aquire predetermined collectibles, and destroy enemy targets.

And when the game finishes, the real fun begins. The bonus level that becomes available after completing the main story see players going up against dogs with guns, zombies, nutcrackers, robots, and mythical knights.

It’s a little like a shooting game crossed with the most potent hallucinogens of all time, but it’s also one of the best levels on any game ever made!

15. Tomb Raider II

If Link was Nintendo’s signature warrior, then Lara Croft is undoubtedly PlayStation’s most kick-ass character. Tomb Raider II takes the 15th spot in our best PS1 games list!

Arguably the gnarliest woman in gaming, Lara Croft has gone on to commercial success in both gaming and Hollywood. She’s a cosplay go-to character and the second-hottest video gaming character according to a recent poll. (She lost out to Bayonetta if you’re interested in that sort of thing).

We’re only interested in how good her games are, and they were spectacular! That’s why she’s in our list of the best PS1 games, after all!

Tomb Raider II was a huge success. It sold over 8-million copies in total as of 2003 and helped to prove that women are far more than side or supporting characters. It’s a shame it’s taken so long for the rest of the world to catch up…

Tomb Raider II has all of the exotic locations and dangerous dungeons that we’ve come to expect from Lara Croft’s exploits. New weapons, moves, and vehicles are available to enhance the gameplay, and you can save your progress pretty much anywhere you like without having to find one of those annoying crystals from the first game.

In this adventure, Lara is on the hunt for a dagger that, when plunged into the heart of its owner, can turn them into a dragon! I’m not sure stabbing myself and becoming a dragon is entirely worth it. But if that’s the kind of thing that floats your boat, then who am I to judge.

Lara will always be one of the coolest gaming characters of all time, and Tomb Raider II is a must have for any PS1 collectors gaming arsenal.

14. The Legend Of Dragoon

The original soundtrack for this game was astounding. The monsters were incredible, and the character abilities were super cool. It’s essentially an RPG with the same turn-based action as other games in the genre.

But in Dragoon mode, the characters can develop armour and wings, giving them extra powerful attacks and improved defence capabilities. How cool is that!

Play begins following a character named Dart. He’s been hunting a monster that killed his parents. There’s a dragon attack, and then bad stuff just starts happening all over the shop. He’s got his work cut out for him, but the various characters that you meet along the way are they to help you put things in order.

Collectibles, interaction, and exploration are the keys to completing Legend of the Dragoon. It’s not that different to other RPGs for the system, but I really like the whole dragon armour element and the dragon references throughout.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that if you’re a nerd like me, then you’ll love this game.

13. Resident Evil 2

Now, Resident Evil 2 is a game that will forever make people feel freaked out when alone in dark rooms. This survival horror title was certainly not for the faint of heart. Although it looks pretty tame now, it was creepy beyond belief when it first came out!

Resident Evil 2 is set just two months after the events of the first R.E game. You have to escape the fictional Racoon City and avoid being eaten alive by zombies, using your wits to stay alive and big-ass weapons to destroy hordes of undead.

Sound like something you’d be into? Then keep reading!

The game mechanics are pretty similar to the first title, though now you have to cope with solving puzzles as well as pumping zombies full of lead.

There are a couple of instances where you can experience events from the different characters perspectives, which makes for cool gameplay and some nice ’cause and effect’ storylines.

Fans of The Walking Dead and World War Z will love Resident Evil 2. There are so many sequels out on different consoles now, but Number 2 will always be one of my favourites.

12. Crash Team Racing

Crash Team Racing is one of the only titles to come close to knocking Mario Kart off the family-friendly racing top spot. It’s a genius little game with all of the favourites from the series showing up for some Kart-based madness.

15 of the series’ most famous characters appear in CTR. The players are all racing against the tyrannical Nitrous Oxide in a bid to save their planet from being blown to smithereens.

The game mechanics are very similar to Mario Kart, with weapons to stop other opponents appearing in crates and apples to collect instead of coins.

Players can drift, boost, and in some cases soar over massive ramps as they drive around the various courses. There are five modes to choose from – Adventure, Arcade, Time Trial, Versus, and Battle.

There are 16-tracks in total, and more unlockable content can be discovered as you progress through the game. It’s fast paced and certainly a game that you can keep coming back to time and time again.

All you need to do now is decide which is a cooler invincibility shield – the Mario star, or the Aku Aku mask. My money’s on the second one if you’re still reading this article!

11. Syphon Filter

The next title in our list of the best PS1 games is one that went on to span across 8 glorious years. Syphon Filter is a third-person shooter, and it’s hard as nails!

If you’ve read my best games articles before, then you’ll know I’m completely rubbish at stealth games. Still, that doesn’t mean that I can’t pretend I’m good at them, right? Syphon Filter is secret-agent spy action at its finest. We’re talking biological outbreaks, terrorist attacks, and saving the United States.

Looks like the stakes are pretty high then!

Players control special agents Gabriel “Gabe” Logan and Lian Xing. They’re on a mission to stop a German terrorist from wreaking havoc in America (sounds a little like another franchise loved by ‘die-hard’ action fans).

The stealth and puzzle action in this game is second to none, and the way in which you can engage with the game’s multitude of enemies keeps the action fast-paced.

You’ll travel everywhere from cramped American streets to the deserts of Kazakhstan in Syphon Filter. It has a compelling storyline and more than deserves a place in our best PS1 games compendium.

10. Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee

We’re down to the final 10 titles in our list of the best PS1 games, and Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee

This title is even developed by a company called Oddworld Inhabitants. The whole game is odd from start to finish, but that’s why we love it.

For those people still wondering what Abe is, he’s a Mudokon slave who works at a meat processing plant. So that’s why he’s got his mouth sewn shut! Abe revolts when he realises he and his fellow Mudokons are going to be executed (and probably tinned with the rest of the meat).

The game follows Abe’s attempts to save his persecuted race, freeing as many weird and wonderful beings as he can while travelling through perfectly designed worlds and engaging levels.

The design elements in Oddworld: Abe’s Odysee are spectacular. It’s a perfect 2D platforming experience that simply works, and the detail in the background is just as impressive as what you see in the foreground too.

Abe, however, is a bit of a wuss when it comes to his own game. You can die so easily, pretty much by anything that touches you. You can throw rocks and jump or sneak past enemies, but if one of them grabs you or you fall from a great height (or hold something for too long), then you’ll return to the last checkpoint.

Oddworld might be an odd world, but it’s one that defined my PS1 experience. There are few characters as weird as Abe out there; he’s a Sony institution!

9. Gran Turismo 2

Number 9 in our list of the best PS1 games is a racing classic. Selling close to 10-million copies worldwide, Gran Turismo 2 is one of the most successful games on the PS1 and considered by many to be the daddy of all racing games.

GT2 doesn’t differ that much to other racing games in terms of mechanics. It’s the well thought out tracks, the large array of cars, and addictive gameplay that separate it from other titles in the genre.

Players can choose from 27 tracks to play on, some of these being rally tracks. The best part of this game, however, is the sheer number of cars that you can choose from. There are 650 available – that’s insane!

GT2 had the largest collection of classic cars in any game at the time of release. It was never hard to find a favourite with all of those vehicles to choose from, and it made replaying all of the courses with the different cars super fun too.

Which such impressive sales records, it’s no surprise that GT2 received positive scores of around 9.8/10 across the board when it first came out. Tournaments, single races, and multiplayer modes made this game a huge success, and it remains one of my favourite racing titles to this day!

If that isn’t a good enough pitch, then I don’t know what is!

8. Spyro The Dragon

Here he is; everyone’s favourite dragon. Smaug tried to take the title in the second Hobbit movie, but he’s no much for the purple-winged wonder that is Spyro the Dragon.

I think everyone who has ever owned a PlayStation has either bought or played a Spyro game in their time. Like Number 6 on our list, he’s a quintessential Sony character and one that is synonymous with the PlayStation brand.

Spyro is a 3D platform game with five magical worlds. Together with his dragonfly friend, Sparx, they must defeat the evil Gnasty Gnorc and free the trapped dragons throughout the various levels.

Spyro was Sony’s answer to the family-friendly Nintendo 64 which was known for having games that appealed more to younger players. But Spyro didn’t just capture the hearts and minds of children. It hooked big kid gamers too!

The game itself isn’t incredibly hard, but it is good fun. Collect treasure, burn bad guys, ram sheep. However you play, you’re sure to have a good time flying and bouncing around with Spyro.

The various characters and wise words from the freed dragons help to create a spellbinding plot that hooks you in from the very beginning. It’s PlayStation platforming at it’s finest and is usually twinned well with…

7. Crash Bandicoot

The spinning Crashing Bandicoot drops in at Number 6 on our list of the best PS1 games. He’s become a global icon since this first game, with players around the world bearing him on t-shirts, jackets, and even tattooed onto their skin.

I reckon you could say ‘UMBADAGAA’ to any gamer, and they’d get that you were talking about Crash’s witchdoctor mask, Aku Aku. Now THAT is the mark of a successful game!

Crash Bandicoot was a tough game to crack. I remember a level where you had to get past a goat on a bridge than almost made me throw my PS1, and later my Nintendo Switch, through the window!

Players must take crash through a variety of different levels and worlds. You’re ranked by how many boxes you break at the end of each level. Collect apples and search for the hidden icons on each stage to access a bonus area where you can find extra lives.

Crash is another one of Sony’s most iconic characters. He’s been bouncing on explosives and running away from boulders since the late ’90s, and there’s no sign of him stopping or slowing down any time soon.

All the enemies and level dynamics in this game are superb. Crash is a brilliant character, and as long as you can keep your cool, will be a great asset to your PS1 collection

6. Tekken 3

Street Fighter might be one of the most popular names in the fighting genre, but nothing beats the Tekken series. Tekken 3 boasts some of the most memorable characters of all time, including the crazy Yoshimitsu and Eddy Gordo. They’re two of my favourite fighters, hence the picture below!

There were 23 characters to choose from all-in-all, giving you multiple ways to battle.

It didn’t matter whether you were going it alone or fighting against a friend, Tekken 3 packed some serious punch (and not just because it was a fighting game). Its one of the best PS1 games for blowing off steam!

The game mechanics are similar to every fighting game of the genre. There’s a countdown clock, health bars, and special moves that can be pulled out in order to get the upper hand on your opponent.

The characters and the attention to detail on the levels are what makes the Tekken series the best in the business if you ask me. It seems that you all agree too, what with the game selling over 8-million copies.

Critics scored this game highly, with many reviews getting close to or hitting 100%. Ryu doesn’t have to be in every fighting game. Try your hand at Julia Chang or Brian Fury instead. Once you play Tekken, you’ll never be shouting Hadouken again.

5. Tony Hawks Pro Skater 2

The Number 5 spot on our list of the best PS1 games of all time goes to the most famous skateboarder of all time.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 is another one of those games that I reckon we’ve all had a go on at one time or another. For many people, myself included, this was the closest they’d ever get to pulling off a 1080 or cruising down a half pipe.

Don’t get me wrong, the first Tony Hawks game was still amazing. But the updated graphics and gameplay in Pro Skater 2 made it my favourite sports game on the console.

Every Tony Hawk’s game fan will remember how awesome the music was on Pro Skater 2. There was nothing better then cruising around the skateparks and grungy streets while listening to some of the best punk rock anthems.

Man, this takes me back!

Choosing from all of your favourite skaters was always one of the most exciting parts. Watching them on TV and then trying to recreate their most famous moves without face planting the floor was tricky. Still, at least it meant you didn’t have to get hurt in real life!

4. Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night

Konami know how to make addictive games, and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is no exception. The Castlevania series is legendary and spans multiple consoles. It seems that gamers never grow old of killing Dracula and his many relatives, and they never get tired of trying to kill us!

Symphony of the Night is part action-adventure platform game/part RPG. Some of you might think that side-scrolling titles deserve to be further back up the list, but this game is seriously something special.

The player must explore Dracula’s castle and save the famous Richter Belmont from being possessed. This entry in our list of the best PS1 games makes Luigi’s Mansion look like a walk in a brightly lit park in comparison!

You might recognise the famous whip-wielding members of the Belmont clan from other Castlevania titles. In this game, however, you can choose from a variety of weapons and store them in an inventory.

Garnering experience points and exploring every creepy nook of the castle are the keys to moving forward in this game. The adventure is non-linear, but in true RPG fashion, certain areas will only open up when you have found specific items.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night was almost a flop back in the day. It was a slow burner, but once critics got hold of it and began shouting from the rooftops, Konami was saved. It’s now one of the most successful selling games on the console and a true classic.

3. Final Fantasy VII

If I had a dollar for every minute I spent playing Final Fantasy VII, I’d be a very rich gamer. It’s the seventh game in the series and the first to receive a PAL release.

You play as Cloud Strife, which is a pretty good name for an ‘eco-terrorist’ who wants to stop corporations destroying the planet. It’s one of the most compelling plotlines in any RPG game to date and never fails to leave you coming back for more.

The game uses 3D characters in a 2D world. It’s the same type of 2.5D feel as Klonoa: Door to Phantomile. FF VII, however, is much more science-fiction orientated with a strong apocalyptic feel.

Play revolves around the massive world map, the field where most of the exploring happens, and the battle screen where you destroy your enemies. It’s very similar to the other Japanese RPG mechanics of the time, and PAL gamers went mad for it.

As with every FF title, the characters, their moves, and the people you interact with are what makes these games so damn addictive. It’s so easy to get hooked playing this game. I remember lying to my friends for the entire Easter holidays when I eventually got a copy because I didn’t want to leave the TV. I was obsessed!

FF VII is considered by so many gamers to be the best of the best PS1 games, but not on this list. It’s been pipped to the top spot by two other titles that are close to my retro gaming heart.

2. Vagrant Story

The fictional kingdom of Valendia was and still is one of the greatest places in gaming history. Squaring off against huge dragons while trying to take down evil organisations – Vagrant Story has it all and more.

It’s an action-adventure RPG, but there isn’t any trading of armour or speaking with every character to find a specific clue. The game concentrates on creating and modifying gnarly weapons, as well as using your brain to solve difficult puzzles and finding strategic ways out of sticky situations.

You play as Ashley Riot, which is easily one of the coolest names ever. You’re an agent referred to as a Riskbreaker, and you’re used to diving headfirst into dangerous situations.

That’s just a normal day at Retro Dodo towers!

Vagrant Story has tonnes of cool features like the Grimoires that you have to find to learn magic spells. Everything from the combat mechanics right through to the original score for the game is wholly epic.

The storyline is so intense I would need a week to write it out in detail, and there’s plenty of action to keep you hooked.

Critics went mad for this game. It sold 100,000 copies in the first 20 days and is the only PlayStation game to ever receive 40/40 from Famitsu Magazine. If that doesn’t prove how good this title is, then I don’t know what will!

1. Metal Gear Solid

For those of you that have been wondering when Metal Gear Solid would finally arrive, here it is. MGS is without a shadow of a doubt the worthy winner of the top spot in our best PS1 games list.

Let’s take a moment to give it a round of applause…

Despite being another stealth game that I was initially terrible at, I knew that this game was worth persevering with. It’s an absolute classic, perfect from the moment you switch on your machine to the end credits.

Solid Snake, the games protagonist, is still one of the coolest characters to date too. I reckon he could even give Lara Croft a run for her money!

What makes Metal Gear Solid so special then? Well, Apart from Solid Snake having a cool name, a cool look, and a bad-ass set of skills, it’s full of organisations with names like FOXHOUND and DARPA.

It made me feel like a real-life super spy – that’s even more dangerous than skateboarding down a half-pipe!

Stealth is the aim of the game in MSG. Solid Snake can be detected when he moves into an enemies line of vision, so the player has to duck, crawl, and sneak their way to victory. You can also shoot bad guys too, but don’t risk alerting other guards to your presence.

This game is 3D but is often viewed from a top-down perspective.

The camera angle changes in moments of combat, however, giving you the best view of the action no matter what’s going on. Honestly, if you haven’t played this game, then you owe it to yourself to give it a try. It’s a masterpiece, and we can’t give it any higher praise than that!

What was the best selling PS1 game?

The best selling PS1 game of all time was Grand Turismo, selling over 10 million units worldwide.

Seb Santabarbara has bought every Nintendo console that has ever been released in his 31 years on Planet Earth. His favourite game franchise is Zelda, and he’s patiently waiting for Banjo-Kazooie to come back to the fold. When he’s not playing games, he’s travelling the world in his self-converted camper van.

Классика навсегда: Редакция IGN назвала 25 лучших игр для первой PlayStation

Любопытная статистика от PlayStation: Американцы лидируют по количеству потребляемых игр, но отстают от всех по трофеям

Новая Need for Speed ориентирована на молодую аудиторию, репрезентация женщин и различных культур усилится — слух

Утечка: Новая версия геймпада Xbox Elite Series 2 поступит в продажу в сентябре

Паучку погасили свет: Дополнение Destiny 2 Lightfall превзошло еженедельные продажи Spider-Man Remastered в Steam

Игра будет постоянно побуждать вас выживать вопреки шансам: Новые подробности перезапуска Alone in the Dark

Лучшие фильмы вашей жизни

Xbox Series X [Xbox Scarlett]

Крупнейшее англоязычное игровое издание IGN представило обновленный список лучших проектов для первой PlayStation по версии своей редакции. Одновременно с этим журналисты выпустили видеоролик про десятку фаворитов.

Полный список выглядит следующим образом:

24. Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee

23. Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped

21. Mega Man Legends 2

19. Crash Team Racing

18. Syphon Filter

17. Soul Reaver: Legacy of Kain

16. Final Fantasy Tactics

15. Medal of Honor: Underground

14. Final Fantasy IX

12. Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage

10. Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back

9. Vagrant Story

7. Resident Evil 2

5. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2

4. Gran Turismo 2

3. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

2. Final Fantasy VII

1. Metal Gear Solid

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Best PS1 Games Of All Time: 20 PlayStation Classics

From Final Fantasy 7 to Syphon Filter, the original PlayStation was a software goldmine that redefined an era of gaming.

on March 14, 2022 at 7:57PM PDT

PlayStation has become a juggernaut in the gaming industry over the past 25-plus years, but it’s doubtful many would’ve expected how successful Sony’s gaming division would be way back during its humble beginnings. The original PlayStation was released in 1994 in an era where Nintendo and Sega were the undisputed kings of the industry. But the PlayStation upped the ante with cutting edge technology that made use of CD-ROMs and 3D graphics. Over the next six years the console—known now as the PS1—made its mark on the industry and changed gaming forever. Picking the best PS1 games isn’t an easy task considering the massive size of the library.

Many of the most heralded entries in iconic series can be found on the PS1, including Final Fantasy 7, Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil 2, and more. Simply put, the original PlayStation had a treasure trove of memorable games, but we’ve whittled down its impressive library to the 20 best PS1 games (listed in alphabetical order).

Ape Escape

No good could come from Simians on the loose, and in Ape Escape, it was your job to stop the monkey madness before it reached a boiling point. Ape Escape is beloved for a number of reasons, from its truly bizarre humor to the endless pop culture references it threw players, but it’s also fondly regarded as one of the first PlayStation games to make the recently introduced Dual Analog controller mandatory. For good reason as well, as feeling every shake and vibration of this manic monkey game only served to heighten the absurdity of those absurd apes.

Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night

Konami’s Castlevania series had always been a solid collection of action games, but they had rarely made major waves in the industry. That all changed with Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night, as this return to Dracula’s castle was a landmark in game design. While it felt like every game under the sun was chasing the 3D craze that new console hardware allowed for, SOTN instead sunk its fangs into substance over style. That’s not to say that the game wasn’t stylish thanks to its smooth animation, Gothic influences, and hints of anime in the art department, but those positives played second fiddle to SOTN’s RPG elements, non-linear exploration, and the part it played in establishing the metroidvania genre.

˙ƃuıɯɐƃ ɟo ǝɹuǝƃ ɐıuɐʌpıoɹʇǝW ǝɥʇ ƃuıɥsıןqɐʇsǝ uı pǝʎɐןd ʇı ʇɹɐd ǝɥʇ puɐ ‘uoıʇɐɹoןdxǝ ɹɐǝuıן-uou ‘sʇuǝɯǝןǝ ƃԀᴚ s,N⊥OS oʇ ǝןppıɟ puoɔǝs pǝʎɐןd sǝʌıʇısod ǝsoɥʇ ʇnq ‘ʇuǝɯʇɹɐdǝp ʇɹɐ ǝɥʇ uı ǝɯıuɐ ɟo sʇuıɥ puɐ ‘sǝɔuǝnןɟuı ɔıɥʇoƃ ‘uoıʇɐɯıuɐ ɥʇooɯs sʇı oʇ sʞuɐɥʇ ɥsıןʎʇs ʇ,usɐʍ ǝɯɐƃ ǝɥʇ ʇɐɥʇ ʎɐs oʇ ʇou s,ʇɐɥ⊥ ˙ǝןʎʇs ɹǝʌo ǝɔuɐʇsqns oʇuı sƃuɐɟ sʇı ʞuns pɐǝʇsuı N⊥OS ‘ɹoɟ pǝʍoןןɐ ǝɹɐʍpɹɐɥ ǝןosuoɔ ʍǝu ʇɐɥʇ ǝzɐɹɔ ᗡ3 ǝɥʇ ƃuısɐɥɔ sɐʍ uns ǝɥʇ ɹǝpun ǝɯɐƃ ʎɹǝʌǝ ǝʞıן ʇןǝɟ ʇı ǝןıɥM ˙uƃısǝp ǝɯɐƃ uı ʞɹɐɯpuɐן ɐ sɐʍ ǝןʇsɐɔ s,ɐןnɔɐɹᗡ oʇ uɹnʇǝɹ sıɥʇ sɐ ‘ʇɥƃıN ǝɥ⊥ ɟO ʎuoɥdɯʎS :ɐıuɐʌǝןʇsɐϽ ɥʇıʍ pǝƃuɐɥɔ ןןɐ ʇɐɥ⊥ ˙ʎɹʇsnpuı ǝɥʇ uı sǝʌɐʍ ɹoɾɐɯ ǝpɐɯ ʎןǝɹɐɹ pɐɥ ʎǝɥʇ ʇnq ‘sǝɯɐƃ uoıʇɔɐ ɟo uoıʇɔǝןןoɔ pıןos ɐ uǝǝq sʎɐʍןɐ pɐɥ sǝıɹǝs ɐıuɐʌǝןʇsɐϽ s,ıɯɐuoʞ

Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back

Taking a more-is-better approach, Naughty Dog’s marsupial was back in action on the PlayStation with even more devious levels, challenging boss fights, and a brilliant 3D presentation. While it didn’t diverge too much from the template set by the first game, Naughty Dog’s first sequel felt like a more confident follow-up that knew exactly which risks to take while preserving the bonkers attitude of Crash and making the game one of the best-selling titles of all time on Sony’s home console.

Chrono Cross

Even in a generation of gaming that saw multiple RPGs cement their status as classics on the PlayStation, Chrono Cross still felt like a cut above anything else available on the market. Released under the shadow of the monumentally influential Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross decided to forge a new path for itself instead of live up to the expectations of its predecessor. The end result was a game that featured innovative combat, a sprawling story, dozens of memorable characters, and some of the best music of that video game era.

A wildly different experience when compared to its SNES predecessor, Chrono Cross still earned respect for its bold choices and colorful storytelling.

Driver

Provided that you could pass the ludicrously hard tutorial of this game, you’d be in for a treat when Driver handed you the wheel and a few streets to burn rubber on. Clearly inspired by classic 1970s cinema, Driver was a perfect getaway vehicle from the humdrum reality of life with its exhilarating driving, selection of perfectly-paced missions, and the freedom to choose your own route as you outraced the fuzz across San Francisco, Miami, New York, and Los Angeles.

Final Fantasy 7

The PlayStation era of Final Fantasy is undeniably the golden age of the franchise which saw multiple hits in the mainline series and multiple spin-offs grace Sony’s console. But when it comes to pure impact, nothing tops the global juggernaut that was Final Fantasy VII. With unheard levels of hype behind it thanks to a cunning marketing campaign, Square Enix’s massive gamble on a Final Fantasy game that deviated wildly from the formula established by previous games was a risk that paid off handsomely.

Bleeding edge graphics, revolutionary computer-generated cinematics, and the story of Cloud Strife’s fateful encounter with a Materia girl in a Materia world made for a game that shook the world with its bold ideas and presentation. The brilliantly executed animations made it amazing to see in action, the soundtrack was a masterpiece of emotional tracks, and even decades later, this particular chapter in the Final Fantasy series is seen as one of the definitive games in the entire franchise.

Final Fantasy Tactics

1997 was a landmark year for Final Fantasy, as the PlayStation was home to two excellent entries in the franchise. Final Fantasy 7 may have hogged all the attention, but Final Fantasy Tactics established itself as an exceptional tactical role-playing game at the time. First released in Japan in 1997, western audiences would have to wait a year for the game to make its way across the globe, but that patience paid off in the end.

Riding high on Final Fantasy fever—take a Hi-Potion and call me in the morning if symptoms persist—the first chapter in the Tactics series was brilliant when it launched, and in the years since then, has only continued to age like the finest of wines. Cleverly complex and emotionally deep with its plot, this was a mature spin-off that gave veterans fans the fantasy that they had been craving.

Gran Turismo 2

The original Gran Turismo is as close to perfection as what a racing game could be at the time, as it blew all of its competition off the track with its collection of highly-detailed cars and superb handling that made each one feel authentic. Gran Turismo 2 further polished up the most realistic racing game on console, smoothing out any lingering rough edges and adding more of everything else that made Polyphony Digital’s PlayStation debut such a roaring success at the time.

More cars, more tracks, and even the chance to get some mud on the tires with rallying action, made for a sequel that was overflowing with new content that could keep fans satisfied during the long wait for Gran Turismo’s shift to the PS2 platform.

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

While the first game in the Legacy of Kain series was both artistically and thematically dark, Soul Reaver was an even grimmer descent into the bowels of Nosgoth. Betrayed and murdered, a freshly-resurrected Raziel embarked on a journey to slay the father who had left him for dead at the bottom of the Lake of the Dead. An epic odyssey that saw him battle and murder his own brothers, Soul Reaver became a cult classic for its dark atmosphere, stylish visuals, and puzzles stretched across the material and spectral plains of existence.

A mature game for its time that helped herald a shift in what the medium was capable of, the Legacy of Kain series would see three more games released before it went back into its tomb for a—so far—uninterrupted period of hibernation.

Metal Gear Solid

There had always been a fine line between the worlds of video games and the film industry, but Metal Gear Solid blurred those borders in 1998 with its stellar combination of stealth espionage action and its cinematic storyline. A sequel to the classic NES games that Hideo Kojima had worked on, Metal Gear Solid was a wildly ambitious experience that threw players for a loop with its discussions on morality, nature vs. nurture, and other esoteric subjects.

Years later, it’s still amazing to see just how far ahead of the game Metal Gear Solid was with its ideas, hiding layered and inventive ideas beneath its stealth gameplay facade. Filled with incredible boss fights—who can forget those Psycho Mantis and Liquid Snake showdowns—Metal Gear Solid was a benchmark in design that raised the bar for the entire gaming industry when it was first released.

Resident Evil 2

While the first Resident Evil game took its time in establishing an atmosphere of dread inside of the Spencer mansion, its first sequel decided to take the zombie bull by the rotting horns as it increased the action, intensity, and scope of its viral apocalypse with big-budget showdowns against Umbrella Corporations bioweapons. That’s not to say that the game had lost its horror roots though, as there were plenty of moments filled with pure body horror nastiness that was lurking in the shadows.

Even better, Capcom redesigned the game to offer added value during a second run where the decisions made in your maiden completion of the game could result in drastically different outcomes. Leon and Claire’s journey through a devastated Racoon City was the stuff of nightmares, but at least it played like a dream.

Silent Hill

Horror games usually relied on tried and true blood and guts to get your heart pumping, but Silent Hill was a departure from that gory formula. It still had moments of visceral shock horror to dole out, but this was a game that worked to keep you on your toes by attacking your psyche with its unique blend of unknowable terror. With your mind filling in the gaps of nightmarish scenarios thanks to the creepy fog that obscured everything, novel use of the DualShock controller to send some haptic chills down your spine, and nightmare fuel creatures, the first Silent Hill was a horror classic.

Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage

The first Spyro game was already a heap of fun to play, but its first sequel gave the adorable purple dragon a heart and soul that the first game was largely lacking. Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage was a lengthy adventure with plenty of charm, new secrets to uncover, and a soundtrack put together by none other than The Police’s former drummer, Stewart Copeland. All ingredients that when combined, made for a tasty sequel.

Street Fighter Alpha 3

Street Fighter’s PlayStation swan song in the Alpha series of games was pure arcade action at its finest in 1998. The fighting mechanics had never felt better, the art design made every attack an eye-popping masterpiece of graphical grappling, and the inclusion of multiple new characters made for a roster that was bursting at the seams. Like other fighting games of the era, Street Fighter Alpha 3 was also filled with all manner of extra content, including the underrated World Tour mode that added character customization options if certain goals were achieved.

While the years after launch would bring a handful of Street Fighter crossover games, a shift into the 3D space with Street Fighter EX, and cuter brawling titles in the Pocket Fighter series, Street Fighter Alpha 3 kept the competitive flame of the franchise burning strong and just long enough for a second golden age of fighting games to kick off.

Syphon Filter

Third-person stealth action in an industry that still had a Metal Gear Solid hangover? That was a tall task for any game in 1999, but superspy Gabe Logan was up to the task in Syphon Filter, a superb secret agent mix of espionage and action that wore its influences on its black ops sleeve. All the charm of a James Bond adventure mixed with cunning enemies and excellent replay value, made for an impressive debut at the time; even with several sequels following in its wake, fans still patiently wait for the day that Gabe returns to action.

Tekken 3

If you ever lost a friend in the late 1990s, chances are that you could lay the blame at Tekken 3 and the day that your chum decided to play as Eddie in the brawling threequel. Bandai Namco’s previous Tekken games had been good, but Tekken 3 elevated the experience to a new level with its fresh cast, buttery-smooth graphics, and hard-hitting action. Everything about Tekken 3 screamed refinement, making this particular sequel the go-to fighting game to have on the PlayStation.

More than just the definitive Tekken of its era, Tekken 3 was also stuffed with extra content, unlockable mini-games, and the surprisingly excellent Tekken Force that provided addictive beat ’em up action.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2

Neversoft’s massively successful follow-up to the original Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater helped make skateboarding cooler than ever when it successfully landed a 1080 sequel Ollie in 2000. Thrusting the extreme sport into the mainstream with a combination of gravity-defying tricks, unlockable skaters, and imaginative locations to gleam the cube in, all of this was wrapped up with a licensed soundtrack that still stands as an all-time classic selection of punk rock energy and rebellion.

If the first THPS game set the bar, then its sequel surpassed it with gnarly attitude, polished gameplay, and a chance to grab some air as Spider-Man. The Terminator 2: Judgement Day of sequels, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 was bigger, better, and more confident in this sophomore outing.

Tomb Raider

The first time is sometimes the charm, and Lara Croft’s original expedition on the PlayStation was a debut for the ages. Wholly unique at the time, Lara’s gun-toting exploration of ancient tombs mixed in a few head-scratching puzzles, an encounter with a very angry dinosaur, and claustrophobic conundrums. In the span of a few years, Tomb Raider would grow into a massive entertainment property with multiple games, feature films, and merchandise anchored around the agile archeologist, but the 1996 introduction of Lara Croft stuck the landing and earned a place in the record books with its addictive blend of ideas.

Vagrant Story

Looking back at it, Vagrant Story felt like the sum total of Square’s experience on the PlayStation console. Beautifully rendered cutscenes and a darkly gothic art direction gave this game plenty of unique character, but the sharp gameplay that cut plenty of fat off of the RPG formula made for a game that respected your time and emphasized gameplay over dizzying amounts of lore to sit through. The deep combat system that allowed you to target limbs was ahead of its time, and several other factors made this game a cult classic of the age.

Years later, Vagrant Story’s most devoted fans still crave a follow-up, but for now it remains a timeless PlayStation classic.

Wipeout 2097

The PlayStation made a name for itself as the cool console of its age, with games like Wipeout 2097 helping it establish its reputation on the streets. Nothing like Wipeout was available on the market, as this racing game mixed futuristic visuals with unrestrained speed and a soundtrack comprised of certified electronic bangers. Both a visual and an audio treat for the sense, Wipeout’s racing action was enhanced by its vehicular combat and too-cool-for-school atmosphere, and at the very least, you could have a wicked house party just by leaving this game on in the background as its soundtrack pumped out hit after hit.

60 Underrated Playstation One Games

Here are our picks for the top 60 underrated PlayStation One games for the console that changed home gaming as we know it.

Sony’s original PlayStation was launched in Japan in 1994, hitting the rest of the world in 1995, and it proceeded to revolutionize the console market. It took a pastime that was seen as exclusive to geeks and children, and turned it into a true mainstream phenomenon. PlayStation made gaming “cool,” and it brought with it a huge catalog of games, introducing us to all-time classics like Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid, Wipeout, Resident Evil, and many, many more.

However, for all the critically and publicly acclaimed titles the unit had, it also had a whole selection of underappreciated releases. Some of these are titles that may not be for everybody, but still offer superb entertainment to many Others are simply great, but failed to shine due to poor advertising or low sales. These facts don’t change the quality of these titles, and here we’re going to take a look at our own top 60.

Of course, being a list of underappreciated games, these are titles that range from obscure, cult classics to games that just didn’t sell, despite being good releases in their own right, so don’t expect to see acclaimed titles like the aforementioned Metal Gear or Final Fantasy VII here. Let’s not waste any more time and get to it…

60. YoYo’s Puzzle Park

Here’s a decidedly strange arcade action game from Irem, which is actually a spin-off of a larger series of Japanese, Lemmings-like puzzle titles called Gussun Oyoyo. YoYo’s Puzzle Park is a single-screen platformer with a surreal premise: controlling the baby-like hero, you jump around and stun enemies with what looks like a giant party popper. Once a foe’s incapacitated, you finish them off by kicking a bomb in their face.

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Even at the time of its release in the late ’90s, YoYo’s Puzzle Park felt like a bit of a retro throwback to games like Rodland or Psycho Pigs UXB, which means it never got much of a release in the west. All the same, it’s colorful and lots of fun, particularly in two-player mode.

59. Gradius Gaiden

You’ll know all about the Gradius games if you’re into your retro 2D shooters, but the PlayStation-exclusive Gradius Gaiden is undoubtedly one of its most obscure entries. Released only in Japan, Gradius Gaiden saw Konami attempt to update the spaceship shooter template a little, with polygon graphics, additional weapons systems, and a greater variety of difficulty levels to court the less seasoned gamer.

It’s a superb game and one that takes great advantage of the PS1’s processing power. Its action may be rooted in ’80s arcades, but its big, meaty explosions and background effects (including a nice-looking aurora borealis shimmer on level one) give it a glossy feel.

Sadly, Gradius Gaiden‘s limited release makes it a bit of a collector’s piece these days. If you can’t afford the PS1 version, it’s also contained on the Gradius Collection release for the PSP.

58. Hogs of War

This turn-based strategy game got a bit of a lukewarm reception on its release in 2000, but we’d argue that it’s worth overlooking its more annoying quirks. In essence, it’s a kind of 3D take on the classic Worms, with rival squads of porcine soldiers murdering one another with a variety of tanks and explosives.

The controls are nicely tailored for the PS1’s controller, and there’s a surprising amount of tactical depth beneath the cartoonish presentation. Hogs of War also contains a welcome voice-over by the late, great Rik Mayall.

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57. R-Type Delta

Like Gradius Gaiden, this is another console-only entry in a much-loved shooter series, and Irem’s first attempt to move its visuals from traditional sprites to 3D polygons. As a result, R-Type Delta doesn’t quite have the timeless quality of the original R-Type or its sequels, but it’s still a great shooter. This time, there’s a whole hangar of variant R-series ships to choose from, each with their own variations on the Force – the little indestructible satellites you can use as shields or deadly weapons.

Polished, slick, and ferociously difficult, R-Type Delta‘s one of the very best sequels Irem ever made to its seminal 1987 blaster. Indeed, we’d go out on a limb and say that Delta‘s a little better than the beautiful-looking yet glacially-paced PS2 swansong, R-Type Final.

56. Mr. Driller

We’ve no idea why Namco’s adorable Mr. Driller isn’t a more popular franchise than it is. First appearing in late ’90s arcades, it’s an action game with a hint of strategy: your job is to drill down to the bottom of each stage, busting through rocks and collecting the air capsules that keep your ever-depleting energy bar from running out. The twist is that the blocks you drill through are shaped a bit like the ones in Tetris and have a tendency to fall down and crush you if you’re not careful.

From a simple premise, Namco created a hugely addictive and replayable gam. No two levels are alike since the blocks are randomly generated. This means that, even as your digging skills get sharper, you’re still only one poor choice away from an ignominious death. It’s a great game on the PlayStation and we’d love to see a Mr. Driller revival on the Nintendo Switch. How about it, Namco?

55. In the Hunt

If you’re fond of the Metal Slug series, then you’ll immediately recognize the stunning sprite design in this horizontal shooter. You control a miniature submarine charged with blasting a path through an entire ocean of enemies, ranging from planes patrolling the skies above to huge bases on the seabed.

In the Hunt was overlooked at the time of its release, perhaps because its publishers tried to hide its 2D roots on the cover. Boot the thing up, though, and you’ll discover one of the most fun and original shooters the PS1 has to offer.

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54. No One Can Stop Mr. Domino

This is one of those quirky-looking games that, at first, seems completely impenetrable. Once you play it for a few minutes, though, No One Can Stop Mr. Domino proves to be challenging and curiously addictive. Traversing a range of 3D courses (which look a bit like the ones in those Micro Machines racing games), you control Mr. Domino, a lively little chap who refuses to stop running. The aim is to avoid hazards and obstacles while placing dominos on pre-defined squares by pressing one of the PS1 controller’s face buttons at just the right moment. Once they’re all in place, the dominoes are knocked over and the stage is cleared.

In essence, Mr. Domino‘s a kind of racing puzzler and one filled with the kind of surreal Japanese humor we’d see years later in Katamari Damacy. If you can find it at a reasonable price, this is an obscure title well worth picking up.

53. Pop ‘n Pop

An adorable little action puzzle game that feels more like something from the SNES era than the cooler-than-thou days of the PlayStation, Pop ‘N Pop provides an affectionate nod to the classics of Taito’s ’80s era. Playable characters include Tiki the Kiwi from The NewZealand Story, the bubble dragons from Bubble Bobble, and lots more besides.

In essence, Pop ‘N Pop‘s a riff on the Puzzle Bobble/Bust A Move color-matching theme. You fire colored balloons at the other balloons at the top of the screen and burst them by matching like with like. That the balloons move left and right, and gradually descend towards your character at the bottom of the screen, means that Pop ‘N Pop has as much in common with Space Invaders as Puzzle Bobble. If you love Taito’s old output, this is a must-have.

52. Zanac X Zanac

Japanese developer Compile was responsible for some classic shooting games, most memorably Musha Aleste on the Sega Mega Drive (or Genesis). Zanac X Zanac takes the firm right back to its beginnings since it brings together a port of the original Zanac (one of its earliest shooters) and pairs it with a 15th anniversary update, Zanac Neo. It’s all of a piece with the fast-paced, vertically scrolling action Compile perfected in the Aleste series, but Zanac Neo looks and sounds great on the PlayStation, even if it isn’t quite up to the peak brilliance of Musha Aleste.

Another low-key release in 2001, when 2D shooters had fallen out of favor, Zanac X Zanac is a bit of a collector’s item today. Regrettably, it was also one of Compile’s very last releases, so if you loved this studio’s shooters, then you may want to splash out and add this one to your collection.

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51. Starblade Alpha

We love a good rail shooter and this is one of our favorites on the PS1. It’s simple, arcade-style stuff: taking on the role of an ace star pilot, you fly through asteroid fields and space danger zones, blowing up all the stuff that comes at you. Meanwhile, a commander barks orders at you to add a bit more atmosphere.

Starblade Alpha is, unfortunately, a bit pricey these days, but if you love blowing stuff up and generally pretending you’re the kid out of The Last Starfighter, then this ’90s Namco offering’s well worth your consideration.

50. One

One is a fast-paced shooter in which you play as an amnesiac with a gun arm on a mission to find out his identity. He attempts to discover the answer across six levels, and is constantly pursued by the police and military.

The game is an early example of a 2.5D title, and as the player runs through the various 3D rendered worlds, the camera zooms around automatically, giving the game a more cinematic feel. Action is thick and fast, and boss battles are challenging, often requiring special tactics to survive.

One received pretty high scores on its release back in 1997, and is still held in high regard by fans.

49. Rampage World Tour

If you’re an old-school gamer who was around in the 80s, you’ll no doubt remember the classic arcade title, Rampage. Starring three B-movie monsters – George the giant gorilla, Lizzie the dinosaur, and Ralph the giant werewolf, the game simply tasked players with one goal, and that was destruction of various cities.

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Rampage World Tour on the PlayStation is a more up to date take on the classic, with better visuals, new locations spread around the world, and new power ups. The core gameplay, however, remains the same, and allows players to smash buildings, eat civilians, and mash enemy tanks. It’s simple, yes, but still as fun as it was back in the 80s.

48. (c-12) Final Resistance

Clearly inspired by a certain Arnie-powered killer robot, (c-12) Final Resistance is a third-person shooter that sees players take on the role of cyborg soldier Riley Vaughan, as he attempts to fight invading aliens who want the planet for the abundance of carbon.

Okay, so the story is a bit of old guff, but the actual game is very good, and takes place in various ruined cities and wartorn environs. Riley can utilize a range of weapons, including a powerful sniper scope, and he has to complete various other tasks alongside killing invaders to proceed on his mission.

Visually impressive for the PS1, (c-12) Final Resistance came out of the respected SCE Studio Cambridge, which would go on to become Guerrilla Games, of Killzone fame, making this an early example of things to come.

47. LSD: Dream Emulator

Without a doubt the most bizarre game on this list, and possibly of all time, LSD: Dream Emulator is as messed up and drug-induced as it sounds. Based upon the creator Hiroko Nishikawa’s own dream journals, the game lets you explore totally random and weird worlds, and was sadly, only released in Japan.

As with most dreams, these worlds make little sense, and by touching any object, be it a person, creature, or even a wall, you’ll jump from one dreamscape into another. Hitting people and certain objects makes your dreams stranger and stranger, and there are actually some genuinely scary moments to be witnessed. Dreams are measured in four categories – upper, downer, dynamic, and static, and after a set time you wake up, able to carry on with another, new dream, advancing the game’s day count by one. Eventually, you can replay your dreams, unless you run into a a man wearing a grey hat and trench coat, who can take this ability away.

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It may not look all that attractive, in fact it’s downright primitive and ugly, but that’s not the point here. There’s not even any real goal, all you do is simply wander around tripped out worlds, over and over. For some reason, this is very addictive.

46. In Cold Blood

In Cold Blood is a third-person adventure with some action elements. Players take on the role of MI6 agent John Cord, who infiltrates the fictional Russian state of Volgia. Unfortunately, he’s captured and tortured, and this leads to him losing his memory. So yes, you’ve guessed it, it’s your job to help him escape and to ultimately remember his past and the events that led to his capture.

The game mixes in a lot of puzzle and stealth elements into the third person adventure, and the story is actually very interesting, keeping you ploughing along, despite some awkward action sequences. The high-tech spy setting and decent visuals are paired with some solid voice acting, and while it isn’t recommended for pure action fans, adventure buffs should seek it out.

45. Crusader: No Remorse

Also available on the Sega Saturn and PC, Crusader: No Remorse is an isometric shooter that few people have ever played. It may have blatantly stolen its main character design from a certain Star Wars bounty hunter, but the gameplay is great.

Developed by Origin Systems, the game mixes shooting and puzzles within a rich and detailed world. As the crimson-clad hero, the Silencer, you have to infiltrate various facilities, bypassing security systems, hacking computers, and taking out guards to achieve your ends. To do this you have a range of weapons and abilities, and you can destroy a lot of the objects in the world.

The controls are a little clunky and take some getting used to, but the slower-paced combat and flexible approach to completing your objectives are great.

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44. Rapid Reload/Gunners Heaven

A blatant clone of Treasure’s Mega Drive classic, Gunstar Heroes (even the characters are treasure hunters), Rapid Reload is, nonetheless, a great side-scrolling shooter packed with action and some memorable boss battles.

Like Gunstar Heroes, the game features different ammo types, including a flame thrower and homing shot, and characters also have a grappling hook to help them navigate the six levels.

Rapid Reload was originally part of the first wave of PlayStation titles released, and although it didn’t push the platform technically, it was, and still is a great early outing, and the gameplay holds up today.

43. Fighting Force

Fighting Force is a 3D scrolling beat ’em up in the same style as Sega’s Street of Rage, and earlier classics like Final Fight and Renegade. In fact, it was originally planned as a Street of Rage title, but was later re-branded.

It features four different characters, with their own strengths and weaknesses, and alongside the usual melee combat, players can utilize weapons, guns, and the environment. Different paths through the game can also be chosen.

The game arrived to fairly average reviews on release, limiting its potential, and despite a sequel on the Dreamcast (which was fairly poor), it quickly vanished. The original is still held in high regard by fans, though, and it’s one of the first 3D beat ’em ups of its type, which makes it well worth a punt.

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42. Wargames: Defcon 1

Although the only thing similar to the 1983 Matthew Broderick flick is the name and the inclusion of NORAD and WOPR, Wargames: Defcon 1 is a great game anyway, so it doesn’t matter if you like the film or not.

The story takes place 20 years after the film, and sees NORAD doing battle with the WOPR forces, which, like its digital buddy, Skynet, wants to eradicate mankind (why do computers need to be so bloody evil all the time?)

An action strategy title, players control various units on the battlefield directly, able to jump from one to another at will. Units not under player control can be given basic orders, including forming up on the player vehicle, and the two sides have vastly different forces, with NORAD having traditional tanks and aircraft, and WOPR sporting sci-fi mechs and advanced vehicles. Of course, the game also taunts you if you lose, asking if you prefer a nice game of chess. Nice.

41. Intelligent Qube / Kurushi

A simple, but devilishly challenging puzzler. Kurushi sees you trying to stay alive by destroying blocks that are continuously rolling towards you. You do this by highlighting areas of the floor to detonate, and timing the blast to hit the cubes as they roll over them. Some blocks can cause larger explosions and chain reactions, and others need to be left alone, otherwise you lose a part of the floor you’re standing on. It sounds simple, but this is an addictive and tough title.

40. Bloody Roar

What’s more fun than playing a larger-than-life selection of martial artists with over-the-top special moves? Playing a larger-than-life selection of martial artists with over-the-top special moves who can transform into animals, of course!

Bloody Roar may not be the best example of the combat genre, and other games like Tekken and Soulcalibur do a better job mechanically, but Bloody Roar‘s animal transformation and brutal specials create a supremely satisfying and enjoyable scrapper. Where else can you pit a mole against a tiger and have a good, balanced fight?

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Even though it isn’t as polished as Namco’s offerings, Bloody Roar plays very well, with decent combo systems, and as each character has a human and animal form, the range of moves and tactics open to players is impressive. Well worth a look for beat ’em up fans.

39. Myst/Riven

The Myst series as a franchise is far from underappreciated, but on the PlayStation it hardly made a splash. True, the slide-show puzzler has always been about as divisive as you can get, with console owners being far from the game’s original core demographic, but as a game in its own right, few can hold a candle to the brilliant puzzles and superb atmosphere Cyan Worlds’ titles ooze.

Both Myst and Riven appeared on the PlayStation, and for those looking for a truly challenging brain bender, this is a good choice. The mysterious island and the worlds that follow all contain some of the most bizarre landscapes around, dotted with tough puzzles. Solving the game requires all of your grey matter, and this changed little on the PlayStation.

Riven was, and still is, the hardest of the series, and ups the ante when it comes to mental callisthenics, and is every bit as absorbing as the debut title, Myst.

38. MDK

It seemed like a big release for its time, coming from Shiny Entertainment, creator of Earthworm Jim, but on the PS1 it didn’t really get out of the starting blocks. This is a shame as, although short, MDK was a great third-person shooter, packed with humor and unique features for the time.

As heroic janitor Kurt Hectic, you have to save the earth from invading aliens, and you use the powerful coil suit to do so. This suit allows Kurt to glide long distances and take out his foes both at close and long range, thanks to a powerful arm machine gun which can be slotted onto Kurt’s head to form a sniper rifle.

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It’s a very quirky title with impressive visuals for the time, and some interesting missions and mini games. It spawned a sequel, but many fans still say the first is the best of the two.

37. Jade Cocoon

This is an RPG that combines some of the more traditional RPG elements with creature training and evolution. The protagonist, Levant, is a Cocoon Master who is able to capture and tame Minions. These creatures can be used to fight for Levant, and can be fused together with other Minions to create more powerful beings that inherit the skills of the paired creatures.

Battles mainly consist of plentiful use of elemental powers, with the various abilities having strengths and weaknesses against others. Fire attacks beat wind, for example. Minions possess these elemental powers, with more powerful, new generations of creatures having more than one. The graphics are good, the audio design great, and the game world is expansive, making for a unique, well-rounded RPG.

36. Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain

The first game in the Blood Omen series, preceding the more well-known installments like Soul Reaver, Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain is not a 3D action adventure like it’s sequels, but is a top-down action RPG. It features full voice acting (some of which is unintentionally humorous), and simple, but enjoyable hack-and-slash world-roaming and dungeon-crawling.

The game is an origin story, depicting the series’ main antagonist Kain’s rise to power as he hunts down and slays the Circle of Nine. As well as his martial skills, Kain also possesses various magical abilities, such as shape-shifting, and he attains more skills and items as he progresses, similarly to Nintendo’s Zelda series.

35. The Misadventures of Tron Bonne

Part of the Mega Man Legends series, The Misadventures of Tron Bonne casts players as the titular anti-heroine, and features various gameplay styles, including 3D action, puzzles, and strategy. Using her robotics and army of Servbots, Tron is on a mission to raise money to pay off a family debt, which means making money in any way possible, usually by stealing.

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Tron’s army of Servbots is a big feature of the game, with each one having its own personality, and they can be improved by undergoing training minigames. The visual style is the same as the other Legends games, and it’s a gleefully colorful and enjoyable robotic romp, even if it strays far from the usual Mega Man-style of play.

34. Galerians

Galerians is one of the more interesting Resident Evil clones, and focuses not on traditional, scour-the-area-for-every-single-bullet play, but instead features the use of mind powers. As protagonist Rion Steiner, a boy who wakes up with no memory, players explore the hospital he wakes up in. By using special drugs, he can utilize his psychic powers to combat foes. If Rion takes too much damage, he can unleash a powerful, but uncontrollable assault, killing foes instantly.

Still satisfying the survival horror mechanic, Rion needs vials of drugs to fuel his powers, of which there is a limited amount, so conservation is still needed while navigating the world and solving puzzles.

Galerians was originally lost in the fever surrounding Resident Evil and Silent Hill, but genre fans should certainly check it out.

33. Tobal 2

Sadly, Tobal 2 never got a release outside of its native Japan, which is a shame as it’s one of the better fighters on the system. It might not have the mainstream appeal of Tekken and its ilk, but the core fighting engine of Tobal 2 is one of the best of the generation, and the combo system is fast and fluid, all running at an impressive 60 fps. There’s even an RPG-style quest mode spanning several dungeons to add more longevity to the core fighting. This combat doesn’t need all that much help, though, with around 200 characters to choose from, and a fully 3D fighting arena. A quality title that’s a must import for the genre’s fans.

32. Tempest X 3

For the handful of people who bought an Atari Jaguar (and the few who didn’t immediately take it back to the shop), one of the best games for the system, and an all-time classic arcade title, was Tempest 2000. Tempest X 3 is basically the same game, but for the PlayStation.

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Jeff Minter’s trademark acid trip visuals and a thumpingly brilliant soundtrack accompany the eye-melting action, and the result is a digital, high score-seeking drug. As simple as it is addictive, Tempest‘s gameplay hasn’t aged one bit, and this is clearly evident in this version of the game, which is straightforward, reflex-challenging bliss.

31. Disruptor

Created by Insomniac, the team responsible for the Resistance series, Disruptor is a great early example of a non-N64 console FPS title that worked well, with decent controls and steady challenge.

Disruptor is a traditional corridor shooter at heart, with a range of decent weapons and psi powers accompanying the bullet-slinging. It looks pretty good for an FPS release of the time, and although it does little all that differently from other similar period entries in the genre, psi powers aside, it’s one of the best FPS releases on Sony’s debut platform.

30. Vandal Hearts

This was one of the first tactical RPGs to arrive on 32-bit, and is very similar in gameplay to Sega’s Shining Force series. Unlike Shining Force, Vandal Hearts is an isometric game with much better visuals. Players take turns moving their units around the grid-based battlefields, which feature varying heights and terrain types. Units can attack and use abilities, and when all have had a turn, the enemy units have their go.

It’s an RPG game of chess, where the outcome isn’t simply decided by higher levels or even a player’s manual dexterity, but instead well planned out tactics and strategies. This makes Vandal Hearts a very different RPG experience to the majority of similar titles on the PlayStation, and one that should be very welcome to players looking for a more mental role-playing challenge.

29. Alundra

Want to play Zelda on your PlayStation? Well, although impossible at the time of release and today, there’s always a great alternative in Alundra.

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Clearly a blatant Zelda clone for Sony’s console, Alundra is a top-down action adventure with light RPG elements. It features the same hack-and-slash combat as Nintendo’s series, as well as item gathering, and adds in the ability to explore other people’s dreams and nightmares. There’s also a heavy puzzle element, some of the most difficult in the genre.

28. Ehrgeiz

Ehrgeiz is a dream game for many PlayStation owners. Not only is it a cross between Tekken and Powerstone, but it features Final Fantasy characters battling it out in full 3D. Yes, fans actually get the chance to wield Cloud’s Buster Sword and to play as the iconic Sephiroth.

It isn’t as smooth as competing fighters, but this is a fighter that’s sold on the strength of its characters, and for Final Fantasy VII fans, this is more than enough. Sadly, though, it didn’t do all that well commercially when it released.

Alongside the combat modes, the game also features a quest mode, much like Tekken‘s later installments that are crammed in as a side show. This boasts a long dungeon crawl-style of play, complete with item looting and a hunger status. Other minigames are also featured, further bolstering the longevity of the title.

27. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment

Now a cult series of wacked-out RPGs, the Persona series also found a home on the PS1, and Persona 2is a great example of what the traditionally off-the-wall series has in store. Played in third-person, with random battles and the persona system that grants new strengths and abilities, it’s a different, but no less absorbing role player.

Personas can be levelled up with use, and new personas are acquired by gathering tarot cards and attracting demons. The rumor system is intriguing, and new rumors can be collected with various outcomes if the player pays for the rumor to become fact. Quriky? Yes. Great? Most definitely.

26. Heart of Darkness

This was quite the hype monster back before its release in 1998, and it took six years to develop. It includes an impressive orchestral score (one of the first games to do so), FMV cutscenes, and some of the best graphics around at the time. It also plays well, and features a myriad of ways for the main protagonist to die, some actually pretty grim to be honest.

Sadly, the game didn’t live up to its lofty ambitions, and partly due to a very short length, it didn’t do all that well at retail. This is a shame, as it’s still great, and it could have been a decent series if the developer, Amazing Studios, hadn’t moved on from game development.

25. Suikoden II

The second game in the series, and another excellent JRPG for the PS1, Suikoden II doesn’t try to follow many of its stable mates by using flashy 3D or technical prowess. Instead, it simply goes for pure, traditional JRPG 2D quality, and tasks you with recruiting a myriad of characters to aid you in your fight.

The storyline is one of the better to be found in the often poorly-translated JRPG genre, and the purposely traditional design focuses fully on gameplay, and it doesn’t disappoint.

24. The Legend of Dragoon

A Sony-published RPG, and one that was initially criticized for being overly generic, The Legend of Dragoon has become a cult classic for PS1 fans. The game is a clear product of the Final Fantasy era, and has many similar features, including random encounters (which can be avoided if the player wishes).

Although it apes a lot of FF features, The Legend of Dragoon also has some unique features, most notably the Additions system that features user-input combos to open up more powerful attacks. Characters can also transform into the titular Dragoons once they acquire a Dragoon Spirit.

Many fans of the game actually consider The Legend of Dragoon to be superior to the Final Fantasy series, such is its impact, and this definitely makes this a game to seek out if you’re looking for some classic PS1 RPG action.

23. Rival Schools

One of Capcom’s most overlooked releases, Rival Schools is a great example of the 3D one-on-one brawler. Set in typically colorful Japanese-style schools, complete with dodgy schoolgirl underwear flashing, combatants vary from martial artists to sports players, and you pick two of them at a time. One is your actual combatant, and the second is used to the game’s team-up special attacks.

Rival Schools only uses four attack buttons, which was odd for a Capcom title, but the fighting system works well, and is surprisingly deep and satisfying. The characters are all interesting and different from the usual selection of overused world warrior archetypes, and the introduction of the “vigor” meter allows access to more powerful moves as you fill it up during a fight. It also includes launch moves that open up air combos and juggles. Great stuff.

22. Klonoa

Klonoa is a lesser-known 2.5D platformer, and to genre aficionados it’s one of the best on the system. It features a striking art style and a main character who can pick up and throw his foes at each other, or use them as stepping stones for higher jumps.

This is wrapped up on some of the most well-implemented platforming on the system. It’s a shame the game is a little short, even for a platformer, but while it lasts, it’s gold.

21. Silhouette Mirage

Treasure is one of the the most acclaimed developers of the 16- and 32-bit era, and it made a big name for itself by creating off the wall titles with distinctive twists. Silhouette Mirage is one of those titles, and it’s a side-scroller that plays like a mash-up of two other Treasure titles, Gunstar Heroes and Ikaruga.

The main twist of the game is main character Shyna’s split abilities. Using both Silhouette and Mirage powers, you have to attack your foes with the opposite power, similar to Ikaruga‘s polarity-switching mechanic. Silhouette enemies are defeated by Mirage, and vice versa. The added twist is that to use each power, you need to be facing the right direction.

This produces a very interesting and quirky take on side-scroller play, and being a treasure title, it packs in great visuals and a well-balanced difficulty. It’s also very challenging for completionists, as you have to complete the game numerous times with only a handful of continues to unlock all of the secrets.

20. Jumping Flash

One of the PlayStation’s launch titles, and still to this day, one of the best. Jumping Flash was one of the first ever attempts to create a first-person platformer, and for the most part, it worked. This is big praise as even now, very few games that have attempted the same thing have got it right. Oh, and you play as a robotic rabbit named Robbit, which is nice.

The game features bold, colorful worlds to jump around in three dimensions and sports a rather unique interface, complete with radar and an auto view tilt when you jump, so you can see where you were going to land. It mixes this platforming with first-person shooting of sorts, and item collection goals with boss battles.

The game plays well, even with the PS1’s limited tech, and it set the stage for 3D platformers to come when it first arrived, so it deserves praise if only for its precursor status.

19. Tomba 2/Tombi 2

A 2.5D platformer of the Metroidvania-style, this is another often overlooked, but trend-setting title on the PS1, despite the protagonist having bright pink hair. As the feral hero, players explore the large environments of the game, jumping in and out of the background and breaking the traditionally linear platforming mold. Players can also choose where they want to go at various points. Some areas of the game open up with top-down gameplay that allows more freedom, and there are tons of missions to try out, over 100 in total.

The variety in the game is pretty good for a platform title, and in order to fully complete it, you have to finish every challenge, which is quite tricky. Each completed mission grants adventure points, used to open reward boxes scattered around the world.

Taking a page out of Mario’s book, Tomba can also wear various power-up suits that give him different abilities, such as a flying squirrel that allows gliding and pig suit that lets him talk to pigs. This, and its prequel, were also among the first titles to utilize the now standard DualShock control method.

18. Silent Bomber

Imagine Hudson Soft’s Bomberman series, only faster, with open levels and more anime hair, and you’ve got Silent Bomber. This is a great fast-paced, top-down action title in which you complete missions by running around like a loon, jumping, and wall climbing, while throwing and detonating bombs to blow up your foes and objectives.

It features a character upgrade system, big boss fights, great set pieces, and some pumping audio driving the action along, and the quick fire bombing holds up throughout.

17. Star Ocean: The Second Story

On a platform that’s so well endowed with RPGs, especially of the JRPG persuasion, it’s easy for truly great titles to get lost in the mix, and Star Ocean is one such example. Although overshadowed by other, more recognized titles, Star Ocean: The Second Story is one of the best RPGs on the system.

Underneath some great and lovingly polished presentation, the game has a solid combat system, a massive quest, a unique item creation tool, and multiple endings. The series has jumped ship to various platforms since, but this is one of the best, and it’s well worth seeking out if you still have your PS1, and are a fan of classic JRPGs.

16. Puzzle Bobble 4/Bust-A-Move 4

Most gamers are well aware of the Puzzle Bobble/Bust-a-Moveseries of games, and the slew of clones that have carbon-copied the series into obscurity, especially on mobile devices. Taito’s franchise was the first, though, and most would agree, the best.

Puzzle Bobble 4 on the PS1 is one of the best examples of the series, too. With well over 600 levels and new pulley/scale system game mechanics, this is also one of the finest puzzlers on the platform, period. Both a story and arcade mode are present, along with puzzle mode, challenges, and more. You can even use the level editor to create your own challenges. Chain reactions are also introduced in two player matches (and 1P vs. CPU). The various modes and excellent two player challenges make this a no-brainer for puzzle fans.

15. Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo

With Street Fighter dominating the genre, Capcom decided to broaden the series’ horizons by creating Puzzle Fighter. Like many of the best puzzle games, the core gameplay is simple – match colored blocks and drop them on your opponent. It features cutesy versions of popular Street Fighter characters and special moves based on the fighting title.

As with many popular puzzlers, the game has been cloned (it was itself based on Capcom’s Pnickies), most notably in Mortal Kombat: Deception. It’s also been ported to modern consoles via PSN and Xbox Live, but the PS1 version is one of the best, and despite bearing the Street Fighter name, could have done much better.

14. Legend of Legaia

Consistently brought up in underrated discussions by fans, Legend of Legaia is one of the most fondly remembered titles on the platform by genre fanatics. One of many examples of fine JRPGs on the system, it features a turn-based combat system that allows players to choose the type of attack by selecting left or right attacks, as well as high and low. Depending on the equipment used, these attacks can be greatly affected. High and low attacks can be useful in different situations, with low attacks missing flying enemies, for example. Characters can also team up with powerful entities called Ra-Seru, which augment their abilities.

Although not entirely revolutionary, Legend of Legaia is a great RPG that ticks all the boxes needed to produce a winning formula, and it remains a firm fan-favorite to this day.

13. G-Police

A technical powerhouse, and a perfect game to show off the power of the PlayStation, G-Police was one of the most impressive releases on the system in its day. Developed by Psygnosis, the game puts players in control of agile Police craft in a sci-fi setting.

Utilizing unique (at the time) vibration features alongside some truly impressive visuals, G-Police is one of the hardest games on the platform. Some may argue that this is due to clunky controls, but fans weren’t, and still aren’t put off, and the game is still a firm favorite, and can even be bought for the PS3 via PSN.

12. Colony Wars

Although the space setting isn’t quite as technically impressive as G-Police‘s fully rendered cityscapes, Psygnosis’ Colony Wars is arguably the better actual game of the two. It also spawned two sequels in Vengeance and Red Sun, but the series faded away, which is a shame.

A space combat sim, Colony Wars features smooth space dogfights, and a non-linear mission structure, with mission failure not always leading to a game over, but instead changing the progress of the missions, a nod to the classic, genre stable mate, Wing Commander.

The game features a number of possible endings, making for increased replayability, and there are few similar titles of this genre as good on the PS1.

11. Bishi Bashi Special

Long before Nintendo’s Wario developed a taste for tiny, bite-size minigames, Bishi Bashi Special was shaking soda bottles and wasting mechanical pencil lead on the PlayStation with style and content that could only come from Japan.

One of the best party games ever made, especially if you use two PlayStation mult-taps to enable eight player support, there are few times when button mashing is so much fun, even in the wake of motion-controlled silliness. What makes it all the most enjoyable is the bizarre nature of it all, and the crazy selection of challenges, something of a rarity at the time of release for Western audiences, only served to make the whole thing more of a post-pub staple for drunken gamers, a trend that continues for fans today.

10. Um Jammer Lammy

A sequel of sorts to the more famous Parappa the Rapper, Um Jammer Lammy follows the same formula as the previous release, but has a focus on guitar playing, rather than rapping. Like Parappa, Lammy has to play various songs alongside her teachers with players reproducing button presses as instructed.

The game is more difficult than Parappa, which puts many off, but it’s the superior of the two as it not only has a more in-depth challenge, but also a two player mode and Parappa remixes. Once again, it makes for a brilliant party game, post-pub or otherwise, and few games, even the original Parappa, can match its psychedelic visuals.

9. Ghost in the Shell

Based on the popular anime, Ghost in the Shell is a third person shooter which puts players in the cockpit of a powerful, wall-climbing, ‘Fuchikoma’ tank. This tank is impressively agile, offering the kind of freedom of movement few others games possessed at the time of release. Many levels see you jumping and climbing around increasingly more complex landscapes, and this is necessary as the enemy can be very dangerous, so you need your agility to get the drop on them.

Ghost in the Shell is widely considered to be one of the best anime tie-in games, even if it didn’t originally sell all that well, and was missed by many. Whether of not you like anime or the series the game is based on, this is a great action shooter regardless.

8. Bushido Blade

As with a lot of underappreciated titles, Bushido Blade is a game that takes a famliar genre and attempts to do something differently. This time it was to replace fisticuffs and flashy special moves with realistic, insta-death sword fights.

Although it may not have worked from a commercial standpoint, hence its inclusion here, Bushido Blade‘s combat is both rewarding and addictive. It does away with the ability to button mash your way to victory, and instead features a combat system that requires genuine skill and perfect timing, especially when going up against another human opponent.

Perhaps its focus on a more realistic and low-key setting, coupled with the rather mundane characters, compared to the competition at least, did it no favors initially, but overlooking this yields some truly brilliant combat packed with depth.

7. Die Hard Trilogy

The only thing better than one John McClane is three of him, and that’s just what Die Hard Trilogy delivers, and it does so in a very impressive way.

Spanning the first three Die Hard movies, Die Hard Trilogy features three different games in one package, all of which are great. Die Hard is a third-person action-shooter, Die Hard 2: Die Harder is a Virtua Cop-like shooting gallery (with light gun support), and the jewel in the crown is Die Hard with a Vengeance, which is a challenging, checkpoint-lead driving game.

All three titles are full games in their own right, and the mixture of styles make for a long-lasting challenge, and what a challenge it is. The on-rails Die Hard 2 is enjoyable, but both Die Hard and Die Hard with A Vengeance are very tricky, with the latter being the hardest of the three. This challenge is always on the right-side of fair, though, and for its time, this was a very impressive compilation. And it’s Die Hard, which just never gets old (until Die Hard 4.0, anyway).

6. Policenauts

Directed by Metal Gear creator, Hideo Kojima, Policenauts is very similar to the previous, excellent Sega CD title, Snatcher. Like the previous game, this is a point-and-click interactive comic of sorts, with shooting segments. By clicking on the environment, the protagonist, Jonathan Ingram, can analyze items and converse with people in order to investigate the circumstances surrounding his wife’s death.

Unlike Snatcher, which was a cyberpunk story set in Neo Kobe on Earth, Policenauts takes place primarily in space, on the colony Beyond Coast. Also, like Snatcher, it’s one of the first games to feature such high quality voice acting throughout, and also sports FMV cutscenes.

The game has never been released outside of Japan, and was initially only available on NEC PC-9821, 3DO, Sega Saturn, and PlayStation. However, a fan-made English translation has since surfaced online.

5. Vib Ribbon

Released in Japan in 1999, and everywhere else in 2000, Vib Ribbon is one of the most original titles you’re ever likely to play, and is one of the best examples of the music genre. You don’t even need a cheap, plastic guitar.

Using either the supplied music, or your own, your goal is simple, to guide the enigmatic protagonist, Vibri, along a straight line that warps and shifts along with the music. As the music plays, the line changes, generating obstacles that can be avoided with well-timed and correct button presses. The obstacles are generated in time with the music, which means that the style and tempo of music you use can actually affect the difficulty.

Classical and chill out music may be relatively simple and sedate, while heavy metal or dance music can produce the kind of obstacle avoidance test that could tie your fingers in knots.

The gameplay is as simple as it gets, but is brilliantly implemented, and although Vibri is made up of basic, vector-style lines, he’s a charming and likable character, and evolves or devolves depending on your progress, much like the later, PS2 and Dreamcast music title, Rez.

4. Future Cop LAPD

A criminally (if you’ll forgive the pun) overlooked gem of a game. Future Cop LAPD is a great sci-fi action title that sees you control a powerful law enforcement mech (that can transform into a car) on a series of missions. The gamepley somewhat resembles that of EA’s Strike series (which is well overdue for a return), and the entire campaign can be played in split-screen co-op.

Alongside the main content, there’s also a basic strategy game included, complete with unit building. This can also be played by two players. Great value and a great game.

3. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

Considered by many fans to be the best of the long-running series, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver is a Tomb Raider-inspired Gothic adventure in which you play as Raziel, an-ex vampire lord who now stalks the world devouring souls looking for revenge against his former master, the titular Kain.

Created by Crystal Dynamics, who ironically now heads Tomb Raider, the game takes plenty of inspiration from Ms. Croft’s outings, including a heavy focus on block puzzles and environmental navigation. Unlike Tomb Raider games of the period, however, Soul Reaver features a large, open world with no loading times, a big feature at the time of release. This world is split into various regions, each ruled by a different vampire clan, the leader of which Raziel has to locate and defeat in order to acquire new abilities. Raziel can also switch from the living and dead planes, and this serves as a major puzzle and plot device.

This all amounts to a brilliant mixture of Tomb Raider and Metroid, with areas opening up once Raziel acquires the powers needed to access previously closed-off zones. Throw in some Zelda-style combat and all sorts of supernatural abilities (which also make for some very impressive puzzles) and you have a fantastic fantasy adventure.

2. Parasite Eve 2

While Resident Evil and Silent Hillmay have captured all of the mainstream attention in the survival horror genre, there was another series that was every bit as good – if not better, according to its fans. This was Parasite Eve, which mixed Resident Evil-style survival horror with RPG elements to create a very different take on the genre.

Parasite Eve II is the highlight, and stars returning protagonist, FBI agent Aya Brea. She’s once again investigating outbreaks of Mitochondrial creatures, in events set two years after the first game.

Unlike the first title, PEII features a real-time battle system, reminiscent of Resident Evil, and this is tempered by the Parasite Energy system that grants Aya special, magic-style abilities. Although it’s certainly a survival horror, complete with puzzles and pre-rendered environments, there’s a larger emphasis on combat, and here you also need to level Aya up, improving her abilities and customizing her weapons. This is important, as later enemies became increasingly more and more deadly, and unprepared players can be unceremoniously destroyed.

The far deeper gameplay and great presentation arguably make Parasite Eve II the superior title to Resident Evil, so it’s strange that is sold relatively poorly.

1. Vagrant Story

It’s crazy to think of a SquareSoft RPG title as being underappreciated, given that the PS1 was arguably one of the finest hours for the company, but the sublime Vagrant Story is just that. It is a very different kind of RPG for the traditionally turn-based JRPG developer, but one that’s blissfully refreshing and difficult.

As elite an Riskbreaker named Ashley Riot, your mission is to infiltrate the creepy, abandoned city of Lea Monde in pursuit of cult leader Sydney, who’s kidnapped the Emperor’s son. The city is populated with all manner of beasts and monsters, along with powerful bosses. Along the way we also discover Ashley’s troubled past.

What sets Vagrant Story apart from its RPG brethren is the overall style. Instead of a traditional turn-based approach used by the likes of Final Fantasy, here the game fuses both turn-based and real-time with action-adventure exploration and puzzle solving.

Combat is essentially turn-based, but is more fluid. You can move around during combat, which flows seamlessly with exploration, eschewing random battles, and you use a unique targeting system to strike various enemy body parts. As you fight, your “risk” meter fills up. The higher it gets, the less likely your hits are to connect, but critical hit chances are increased. With careful timing, you can string together attacks endlessly, using your own custom move set, and a full counter attack system is in place.

Outside of combat, Ashley can craft his own weapons, and all of these gain experience (affinity) against specific enemy types as they’re used. There’s also a hefty dose of block-based puzzling, all wrapped up with a visually impressive, very different style, and a good story with strong characters.

The game is very tough, requiring the mastery of all of the game’s systems in order to survive. You could say this was the Dark Souls of its time, and it’s the go to game for RPG fans wishing for both a unique experience and a big challenge. Sadly, these strengths didn’t turn out to be enough when it released, and any hopes for a sequel were dashed.

Did we miss something? Is there an underrated gem you fondly remember? Lets us know in the comments.

Лучшие игры для PlayStation 1

Какие еще достойные игры могут появиться на PlayStation Classic – более компактной и мощной версии PS1? Выбор огромен, если учесть прославленную историю консоли, давшую жизнь многим легендарным франшизам и игровым технологиям. На PS1 можно найти игру любого жанра, будь то хоррор, экшен или стелс.

С таким разнообразием трудно выбрать всего 25 тайтлов, но мы постарались отметить самые лучшие игры, выпущенные для PS1. Итак, пришло время погрузиться в прошлое и вспомнить легендарные игры для PlayStation – от Metal Gear Solid до PaRappa the Rapper. Если вы хотите узнать про более современные игры, почитайте про лучшие игры для PS4 и Xbox One или ознакомьтесь с топом лучших MMORPG и лучших ко-оп игр.

Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins

Без сомнения, самая успешная стелс-игра – это Metal Gear Solid, хотя Снейк все равно не является воплощением истинного ниндзя, в отличие от Рикимару и Аямэ в Tenchu ​​2, которые во время своих миссий показывают высококлассные стелс-операции.

В игре много интересных особенностей, но самое главное преимущество Tenchu ​​2 – это режим создания миссий. Вы могли построить свою собственную миссию с нуля и, используя творческие способности, создать идеальный план убийства. И никого не волновало, что разработка миссий порой занимала больше времени, чем их выполнение.

Klonoa: Door to Phantomile

Несмотря на то, что Klonoa изначально предназначался для детской аудитории, игрокам всех возрастов пришлась по нраву превосходно созданная вселенная и уникальный дизайн игры. Это милый, веселый и простой платформер, в который внедрили уникальные для того времени дополнения, чтобы привлечь внимание геймеров.

В игре использовался 2.5D движок (это 3D движок с преимущественным использованием 2D графики). Тогда это была прекрасная возможность обеспечить доступность и сохранить интерес к старым 2D-платформерам в процессе повсеместного перехода игровой индустрии к 3D-играм. Игра внесла свой вклад в развитие платформеров – жанра, не потерявшего актуальность до сих пор. Возможно, Klonoa не стала великим наследием Namko, но она навсегда останется в наших сердцах.

Suikoden 2

Если вы никогда не играли в Suikoden 2 и даже ничего не слышали о ней, возможно, вы просто никогда не видели ее в продаже. Несмотря на высокие оценки и толпу преданных фанатов (наверно, появившихся слишком поздно), Suikoden 2 была издана ограниченным тиражом и никогда более не переиздавалась. Очень печально, что одна из величайших RPG-игр для PlayStation просто пропала из поля зрения.

Сюжет является главной особенностью игры, и это не только линия главного героя. Большую часть игры нужно провести, подыскивая порядка 108 союзников, которые будут сражаться на вашей стороне. Это чем-то напоминает Pokemon, только ваши сторонники могут разговаривать, убивать, а их свободу не ограничивают магические шары-тюрьмы. Ну ладно, может Suikoden 2 вовсе и не похожа на Pokemon.

Driver: You Are the Wheelman

Driver исполняет мечты и переносит вас в кино 70-х годов про погони на машинах, где вы оказываетесь в роли крутого копа под прикрытием. В эту игру можно было играть часами, проезжая через впечатляющие городские районы, скрываясь от властей и нарушая правила во время выполнения основных миссий. Сюжет игры развивается в Нью-Йорке, Сан-Франциско, Майами и Лос-Анджелесе.

Физика машин была фантастически реальная для своего времени: любая авария оставляла отметку на наших автомобилях. И хотя мы хотели оставаться несокрушимыми (а кто не хочет?), реализм и стремительный экшн игры побуждали играть в нее снова и снова.

Spyro the Dragon

Как и Crash Bandicoot (о котором мы поговорим позже), Spyro был своего рода Марио для PlayStation. За много лет о приключениях этого забавного фиолетового дракона была выпущена целая серия игр, хотя лучшей из них все-таки принято считать самую первую из них, созданную в 1998 году.

Спайро – очень способный дракончик, несмотря на то, что он гораздо меньше своих сородичей. Используя комбинации прыжков, парение в воздухе, атаки огнем и удары головой, Спайро сражается против злодея Гнасти Гнорка и его преданных прислужников. Плюс ко всему вы можете играть за дракона. За дракона! И он восхитителен.

Spider-Man

Это та самая игра, которая позволяет побыть в шкуре самого настоящего Человека-паука. Играя в Spider-Man на PS1, чувствуешь себя супергероем, взбираясь по стенам домов и избивая плохих парней, даже не вспотев.

Vagrant Story

С первых пяти минут игры становится понятно, что Vagrant Story затянет с головой. После такого впечатляющего начала любой уважающий себя геймер просто обязан продолжить играть. По-другому не выйдет.

Mega Man X4

Когда Mega Man X вышел на PlayStation, некоторые фанаты переживали, что общее качество серии будет поставлено под угрозу. Первые впечатления от Mega Man 8 заставили сомневаться в возможностях компании Capcom. К счастью, Mega Man X4 соответствует качеству игр SNES и выводит серию X на совершенно новый уровень.

В X4 наконец-то можно выбрать между персонажами X и Zero для прохождения всей игры. У этих героев два совершенно разных стиля игры. Мегамен X не отличается особыми способностями, а Zero привлекает тем, что мастерски владеет мечами. Благодаря этому X4 представляет собой две игры в одной, что делает прохождение гораздо интереснее.

R4: Ridge Racer Type 4

Несмотря на некоторую схожесть графики, R4 сильно отличается от гоночного симулятора Gran Turismo 2. Ridge Racer – это аркадное управление, дрифты и, что самое важное, легкость прохождения. Даже у игроков, не имеющих опыта в гоночных играх, получается хорошо играть и ощущать себя настоящим профессионалом. R4 была самой последней и самой лучшей игрой из серии Ridge Racer, выпущенной для PlayStation, и, несмотря на то, что франшиза выходит по сей день, R4 до сих пор считают успехом серии.

Street Fighter Alpha 3

Любители ретро-игр ругают PS1 за предпочтительное использование полигональных визуальных эффектов, чем 2D-спрайтов, при этом забывая о большом количестве игр, в которых сохранилась рисованная графика. Прекрасный тому пример – успех Capcom и ее серии Alpha со Street Fighter Alpha 3, где самые лучшие 2D-бойцы среди всех игр для PlayStation.

SFA3 не только имел несколько игровых стилей и комбо-датчиков на выбор, он также имел впечатляюще богатый состав. Фанатам серии представилась возможность увидеть, как оригинальные персонажи Роуз и Сакура сражаются с такими классическими бойцами SF2, как Гайл, Фей Лун и Бланка. SFA3 стал доказательством того, что бойцам старой школы все еще есть место в эпохе полигонов.

Tomb Raider 2

Возможно, оригинальная Tomb Raider была пионером среди 3D-игр в жанре action-adventure, но в то время, когда она вышла, PlayStation была еще молодой платформой, и полигональная графика в играх встречалась довольно редко. Ко времени выхода Tomb Raider 2, вышедшей через год после первой части, все уже знали, кто такая Лара Крофт и с нетерпением ждали продолжения.

И Core Design не разочаровала. Разработчики учли все недочеты первой игры, и создали огромный и еще более захватывающий мир. TR2 ушла далеко вперед от своего предшественника, чего, однако, нельзя сказать о Tomb Raider 3.

Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee

Черт побери, Abe’s Oddysee была прекрасна. Быть может не в общепринятом смысле этого слова (сюжет о рожденном в неволе рабе-мудоконе, который возглавляет восстание и избегает смерти от мясорубки, – это вам не сказка на ночь), но трудно отрицать высокую художественную ценность игрового дизайна и саундтрека. Oddworld (с англ. “странный мир”) абсолютно оправдывала свое название и именно ее необычность привлекала фанатов.

Даже движок игры отличался уникальностью и получил свое собственное имя: A.L.I.V.E (Aware Lifeforms In a Virtual Environment – с англ. Осознанные формы жизни в виртуальной среде). И враги, и друзья – все имели уникальный характер и по-разному реагировали на определенные раздражители, а не просто предсказуемо шли влево или вправо. В результате получился мир, который заставляет вас думать и рассуждать – это была свежая концепция для 2D-платформеров того времени.

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

Soul Reaver стала одной из самых запоминающихся 3D-игр для PlayStation в жанре action-adventure благодаря мрачной истории, впечатляющей озвучке и разнообразной механике. Никто не ожидал такого успеха, учитывая, что по стилю эта игра совершенно отличалась от своего предшественника в жанре RPG.

В процессе разгадывания головоломок игрок мог переключаться между материальным и духовным миром. Это было необычное и интересное решение, которое затмевало тот факт, что игра была довольно простой. Но просто – не значит плохо, и мы с ностальгией вспоминаем времена, когда мы сражались за вампира в Soul Reaver.

Final Fantasy VII

Конечно же эта игра в нашем списке. Но вряд ли о ней можно рассказать что-то такое, чего вы еще не знаете. Final Fantasy VII установила планку для жанра RPG – это своего рода “Битлз” среди ролевых игр. Клауд и Сефирот стали легендарными персонажами благодаря их грандиозным приключениям, в которые погружает эта великая игра 1997 года.

Final Fantasy VII была хороша во всем: геймплей, сюжет и графика. Система получения новых способностей (система материи) до сих пор оказывает влияние на дизайн современных игр. Также игра славится одним из самых неожиданных поворотов сюжета в истории, а качество графики для того времени была просто невероятным. Final Fantasy VII была революцией в жанре RPG и оставила все другие игры далеко позади.

Ape Escape

Когда появился контроллер Dual Shock, лишь немногие игры, среди которых была и Ape Escape, использовали его преимущества. Вместо того, чтобы использовать правый стик для управления камерой, его применяли для ловли обезьян при помощи различных забавных предметов. Когда мартышка попадала в сачок, или когда вы крутили ускоряющий обруч, каждое прицельное действие сопровождалось непередаваемыми тактильными ощущениями.

По правде говоря, кто бы не хотел путешествовать во времени, лупя мартышек по голове предметом, похожим на световой меч, а потом захватывать их во временную сеть и тут же возвращать обратно в настоящее. Идея продает себя сама.

Tekken 3

Во второй половине 90-х годов трехмерные файтинги пользовались огромной популярностью, однако Tekken 3 определенно не желала почивать на лаврах. Аркадный порт раздвинул границы графических возможностей PlayStation, а улучшенный геймплей получил высокую оценку и вывел игру еще на более высокий уровень.

Появилось так много новых бойцов и разнообразных заданий (благодаря добавлению мини-игр), что трудно было поверить, что Tekken 3 может существовать на PS1. Это была потрясающая игра, и многие до сих пор считают ее лучшей из всей серии.

Worms Armageddon

Наши червяки перемещались на веревках ниндзя, взрывали друг друга ракетами и отправляли своих братьев в водные глубины. Неважно, сколько раз мы играли в эту игру и сколько вражеских червей мы уничтожили, игра до сих пор интересна. Даже сейчас, спустя 10 лет после выхода оригинальной версии, мы получаем удовольствие от игрового процесса.. Наша любовь к уничтожению червей не умрет никогда.

Gran Turismo 2

Помните те времена, когда ваши родители входили в гостиную и думали, что вы смотрите телевизор, хотя на самом деле вы играли в видеоигру? Наверняка это происходило, когда вы смотрели повтор гонки в Gran Turismo 2. Да, выглядело очень реалистично.

Конечно же, GT2 славилась не только высококлассной записью игрового процесса. Эта игровая серия сделала популярными гоночные симуляторы, и GT2 была так же хороша, как и другие игры на PS. Даже те, кто не интересовался автомобилями и / или гонками, были привлечены влиянием известного имени. И давайте не будем забывать о более, чем 600 высокодетализированных машинах и реалистичных и понятных настройках управления. Хорошие были времена.

PaRappa the Rapper

Предшественник таких ритм-игр, как Dance Dance Revolution и Rock Band, PaRappa the Rapper разработал отличную идею синхронного нажатия кнопок, которые соответствуют определенным битам, и добавил очаровательные бумажные анимации, забавные рифмы и запоминающиеся мелодии. Беззаботные и смешные песни о том, как научиться водить машину и сражаться за очередь в туалет, нравились абсолютно всем.

Но если вы не успевали нажать кнопку, песня быстро превращалась в смешной кавардак. Порой слушать, как PaRappa пропускает свои реплики и вступает не в то время, было так же приятно, как выигрывать в игре. Ну, по крайней мере, для зрителей.

Silent Hill

Silent Hill была задумана не просто как стандартный ужастик, где на вас из-за угла выскакивают страшные монстры. Целью создателей было шокировать и напугать до такой степени, чтобы вы боялись ложиться спать. И как ни странно, всем это очень понравилось.

Густой туман, давящая темнота и множество измерений – в Silent Hill была самая пугающая атмосфера, которую невозможно забыть. Еще более тревожным было осознание того, что главный герой игры, Гарри Мейсон, не был крутым космическим десантником с сигаретой во рту – он был обычным чуваком, который совсем не умел драться. Было ли это из-за неудобных настроек управления, или разработчики специально ограничили боевые способности персонажа, – неизвестно, но тогда нам всем открылся новый смысл жанра “survival”.

Если бы вас преследовали смертельно опасные чудовища, бегство было бы первой мыслью, пришедшей вам в голову. И спасибо Konami за воплощение такой идеи. А еще по сюжету в одной из концовок игры вас могли похитить инопланетяне. Невероятно круто.

Twisted Metal 3

Как только изобрели автомобили, водители мечтали установить на них пулеметы, чтобы жестоко и безнаказанно обстреливать другие машины. Эта мечта осуществилась в Twisted Metal. Затем в Twisted Metal 2 добавили пороха. Ну а в Twisted Metal 3 завернули все это в смирительную рубашку и подожгли, создав один большой шар пылающего абсурда.

Конечно, экстремальные гонки на выживание были самой притягательной частью игры. Но обстановка, в которой происходили сражения, и неубедительные образы персонажей лишали игру индивидуальности и делали ее механической и безликой. Sony делала ставки на то, что в каждом из нас глубоко внутри сидит безумный садист, и не прогадала.

Resident Evil 2

Первая игра из серии Resident Evil во многом была выдающейся, но все равно в ней было немало недостатков, которые мешали ей достичь подлинного величия (например смешные заставки). Однако Capcom быстро усвоил урок и через два года вернулся с Resident Evil 2: игрой, превосходящей первую почти во всех отношениях.

Запекшаяся кровь, ужасные события, головоломки, продуманные персонажи и, конечно же, сильное желание выжить в противовес необходимости уничтожать всех вокруг – все эти элементы были существенно усовершенствованы (по крайней мере, с точки зрения возможностей PlayStation) в RE2. Возможно, в RE3, геймплей был несколько лучше, но в ней не было той запоминающейся индивидуальности.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2

Если Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater эффективно соединила две самые крутые вещи в мире – скейтбординг и видеоигры – и получила первое место, то THPS2 стала редким алмазом на игровой арене. Она мгновенно стала классикой, которая не только поразила воображение тогдашних фанатов, но и создала армию новых.

Увеличение продолжительности уровней, создание собственного скейтера и собственных скейт-парков, а также внедрение инструкций, как связывать комбо – это колоссальные дополнения, доказывающие, что THPS2 был выпущен не просто ради денег(хотя мы не можем сказать то же самое о любой из последующих игр Tony Hawk, выпущенных за последние 10 лет).

Кроме того, благодаря THPS2 мы все знаем наизусть песню Powerman 5000 “When Worlds Collide”. А каждый раз при виде эскалатора у нас возникает желание сделать грайнд на передней подвеске, даже если в жизни мы совсем не скейтеры. Таково было влияние этой невероятной игры.

Metal Gear Solid

Металл Gear Solid требовал от своих игроков слишком многого. Во-первых, нам пришлось научиться прекращать давить на кнопки джойстика, как бестолковые герои ситкомов, и просто наблюдать за игрой. Когда же управление переходило к нам, нужно было применять навыки скрытного передвижения и тихих убийств. После стремительного продвижения вперед( насколько это возможно в MGS), вы также часто встречались с быстрым сокрушительным поражением. Почему же мы с этим мирились?

MGS не только подарила нам захватывающий интерактивный опыт, но и стала этапом эволюции в играх. Ее похожие на кино ролики и тщательно продуманные уровни для режима стелс были тем эталоном качества, который нечасто встретишь в видеоиграх. Здесь Konami и Кодзима потрудились на славу и блестяще справились с поставленной задачей.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Услышав название Castlevania, многие геймеры вспоминают именно игру Symphony of the Night. И это неудивительно – она была потрясающей. Если это описание вам ни о чем не говорит, должно быть, вы просто не играли в эту классику жанра.

Обширная карта, элементы RPG, разблокируемые навыки и, что приятно, возвращение SOTN привели к появлению термина «Метроидвания» для описания подобных игр. И благодаря тому, что Konami сосредоточилась на использовании возможностей PS для усиления 2D-графики вместо того, чтобы углубляться в разработку трендовых 3D-игр, SOTN имела успех. Настолько большой, что она считается одной из лучших игр не только эпохи PS, но и во всей истории видеоигр.

Если вы хотите узнать о других легендарных играх того времени, почитайте о лучших играх всех времен для N64. Если же вас интересуют только игры для PlayStation, здесь вы найдете топ самых лучших игр для PS3.

Топ 30 | Лучшие игры на PlayStation 1 (PS1)

30 Ape Escape

29 Colin Mcrae Rally 2.0

Графика в игре детализированная, в ней большое количество трасс всего мира, даже погодные условия меняются. Вы можете настроить автомобиль на свое усмотрение. Повреждение машин так же присутствует: разбиваются фары и стекла, мнется кузов, погнутая крышка капота прыгает на неровной трассе. Это все придает Colin McRae Rally 2.0 атмосферу настоящих гонок.

28 Tomb Raider II

На этот раз Лара отправляется на поиски Кинжала Ксиана, который по легенде дарует силу дракона его владельцу. Ей придется побывать в красивейших местах мира. Ларе предстоит преодолеть долгий и захватывающий путь от горных вершин Тибета и каналов Венеции до морских глубин. По пути вас будут поджидать смертоносные ловушки, таинственные гробницы и воины-монахи, члены одного культа которые тоже охотятся за Кинжалом Ксиана.

27 Lego Island 2: The Brickster’s Revenge

Геймплей LEGO Island 2 очень разнообразный. Вы сможете полетать, поучаствовать в гонках, понырять с аквалангом и полетать, как космонавт. В игре есть возможность взаимодействовать более чем с пятидесятью различными персонажами острова Лего.

26 Resident Evil 2

Игровой процесс Resident Evil 2 основан на исследовании территории, решении головоломок и схватках с врагами. Он включает в себя основные элементы жанра survival horror, такие как небольшое количество боеприпасов и ограниченная возможность сохранения игры. Для каждого героя в игре присутствуют свои собственные сценарии.

25 Croc 2

Главный герой игры крокодильчик по имени Croc. В предыдущий части Крок спасал жителей островов от Барона Данте. В этой части нам так же предстоит остановить Барона Данте, но теперь Крок будет заниматься поисками своих родителей. Игра представляет собой 3D платформер, игровой процесс которого схож со Spyro The Dragon и Crash Bandicoot.

24 Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Это прямой сиквел Castlevania: Dracula X, игрок сначала управляет Рихтером Бельмонтом, который сражается с Дракулой, позже управление переходит к вампиру по имени Алукард, путешествующему по замку Дракулы. В игре используется вид сбоку. Красивая графика, замечательные спецэффекты и музыка не оставят вас равнодушными, даже если вы не относитесь к любителям поохотиться на нежить и вампиров.

23 Final Fantasy VII

Final Fantasy VII — седьмая игра из серии Final Fantasy, выпущенная в 1997 году компанией Square Co., Ltd., и продолжающая оставаться одной из самых популярных игр в серии. В центре сюжета игры — борьба группы друзей, возглавляемой молодым наемником Клаудом Страйфом, против зловещей корпорации «Шин-Ра», поглощающей саму жизнь Планеты.

22 Metal Gear Solid

21 Spider-Man

Первая трёхмерная игра про Человека-паука. Управляя героем, игрок способен ползать по стенам и потолку. С помощью паутины можно перемещаться с одного здания на другое. Также присутствует компас, который указывает направление, в котором необходимо двигаться для выполнения миссии.

20 Silent Hill

Игровым персонажем Silent Hill является Гарри Мэйсон, который ищет свою пропавшую дочь Шерил в городе Сайлент Хилл, куда приехал с ней в отпуск. Геймплей игры состоит из боёв с монстрами, исследования местности с целью нахождения важных для прохождения игры предметов и решения загадок. В Silent Hill используется вид от третьего лица, однако в некоторых локациях для достижения драматического эффекта камера «следит» за игроком только из заранее заданных мест.

19 ISS Pro Evolution 2

Это первая игра серии, имеющая надлежащие лицензии, благодаря чему в нее были добавлены новые команды, чемпионаты и лиги, а некоторые игроки получили свои реальные имена – например, Beckham вместо Bekkam, как это было в предыдущих играх. Кроме того в ISS Pro Evolution 2 появился режим карьеры, в котором можно выступить за один из 24 европейских и южноамериканских клубов, а также добавилось 6 новых стадионов с реальными названиями, среди которых присутствуют стадионы, принимавшие Чемпионат Мира 2002, Евро 2000 и олимпиаду в Сиднее.

18 Ace Combat 2

Игровой процесс Ace Combat 2 очень схож с предшественницей, Air Combat. Игрок также выполняет миссии, зарабатывает деньги за уничтожение техники и получает возможность приобретать на них самолёты. Основное отличие от Air Combat заключается в значительно улучшенной графике окружающего мира и самолётов; к примеру, на самолётах появилась анимация движения закрылков, воздушных тормозов и форсажа.

17 Twisted Metal 2: World Tour

16 Test Drive 5

В Test Drive 5 вас ждет 28 лицензированных транспортных средств, включая автомобили современной и классической эпох, среди которых Ford Mustang, Aston Martin Vantage и много других. Вы сможете посоревноваться с другими гонщиками на 17 различных трассах, расположенных от России до Гавайских островов, с различными погодными эффектами. На треках вам будут попадаться альтернативные и короткие пути, а также полицейские.

15 Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed

В Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed есть два абсолютно различных режима однопользовательской игры. В первом вы выступаете в роли тест-драйвера компании Porshe. Вашей задачей будет выполнять различные задания на определенных автомобилях, начиная от выполнения какого-либо маневра в определенное время, заканчивая гонкой с другими водителями. Второй режим называется «Evolution». В нем вы начинаете с запасом денег, достаточным для покупки 356 Ferdinand и участвуете в гонках, зарабатывая капитал на новые авто. Пятерку лучших игр NFS на ПК вы можете увидеть в соответствующем рейтинге.

14 Sim Theme Park

Суть игры заключается в постройке парка и обслуживании его. В отличие от своего предшественника, игра очень похорошела, как в плане графики, так и в экономической части. Настройке подвергается качество товаров в магазинах, количество соли в бургерных и т.д. Игра поделена на 8 уровней (4 мира по 2 парка в каждом). Это доисторический мир, мир Хэллоуина, мир снов и космический мир. В зависимости от типа мира вы будете строить парк определенной направленности. Так же вы можете зайти в свой парк и погулять в нем от первого лица.

13 Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Сюжет игры, аналогично сюжету одноимённой книги или фильма, повествует о том, как одиннадцатилетний мальчик по имени Гарри Поттер попал в школу чародейства и волшебства Хогвартс. Игровой процесс игры представлен в виде аркады с обзором от третьего лица, сочетая в себе элементы приключенческой игры. Между обязательными сюжетными заданиями, игрок может изучать секреты замка, участвовать в турнирах по квиддичу.

12 007 Racing

11 Theme Hospital

Действие игры разворачивается в больнице. От игрока требуется создать условия для привлечения пациентов (у которых довольно забавные недуги, болезни и заразы). В игре присутствует доля чёрного юмора. Несмотря на то, что игра зависит от того, как будет себя вести персонал больницы, игрок не может управлять ими напрямую. У игрока, впрочем, есть возможность подбора любого сотрудника в штат больницы и свобода их перемещения по зданию.

10 Spyro the Dragon

Spyro the Dragon является первой игрой в серии «Spyro», которая познакомит игроков с молодым дракончиком по имени Спайро и его лучшим другом, стрекозой Спархом. Вместе с ними вы отправитесь в опасное путешествие, чтобы спасти своих друзей, заколдованных злым волшебником Гнасти Гнорком, а также собрать все украденные драгоценные камни. В Spyro the Dragon игроков ждет шесть разнообразных сказочных и загадочных миров, со своими особенностями, яркими уровнями, различными целями и заданиями. И помните, что Спайро хоть и молодой дракон, но все же умеет плеваться огнём, летать, а также планировать на крыльях.

9 Syphon Filter 2

8 Crash Bandicoot

Атаки Крэша сводятся всего к одной кнопке. Своим вращением он может разбивать ящики, расставленные по пути, и убивать врагов. В игре представлено очень много видов противников и ящиков, к каждому из которых нужно будет искать подходящий ключик. В ящиках лежат фрукты вумпа, которыми может питаться герой по пути, дополнительные жизни, а также оберегающие маски. Собрав все ящики на уровне и не потеряв ни одной жизни, вы удостоитесь драгоценного камня. После того как соберёте все камни, вам откроется секретная концовка.

7 Gran Turismo 2

GT2 входит в линейку Sony Greatest Hits. На сайте Metacritic средний балл игры составляет 93 %. В игре используется два совершенно разных режима — arcade и simulation. В arcade mode игрок может свободно выбирать машины и трассы, и участвовать в гонках. В simulation mode игроку нужно получить водительское удостоверение, платить за машины и зарабатывать трофеи, чтобы открыть новые трассы. В Gran Turismo 2 представлено 650 автомобилей и 27 гоночных треков.

6 Driver 2

Бывший автогонщик Джон Таннер теперь работает в полицейском департаменте Майами и направляется руководством на сложную операцию под прикрытие в городскую преступную группировку. Он должен зарекомендовать себя перед городской организованной преступностью в качестве безупречного водилы «на подхвате», войти к ним в доверие и потихоньку собирать улики против преступников.

5 GTA 2

4 Tekken 3

Выпущенная на аркадных автоматах в 1997 году, впоследствии и для игровой приставки Sony PlayStation в 1998 году по всему миру, игра была хорошо принята. До сих пор считается одним из величайших файтингов в истории игр. Сражайтесь за, или против более 20 персонажей, каждый с уникальными движениями и специальными видео-концовками. В дополнение к Arcade и Versus, Namco добавили еще несколько дополнительных режимов, таких как Survival, Ball, Force, Team Battle, Time Attack, Practice, и Theater.

3 Tomba! 2: The Evil Swine Return

Зловредные свиньи похитили девушку Табби, и Томба с кислотной прической отправляется в опасное путешествие через десятки уровней, чтобы спасти возлюбленную. Игра выполнена с использованием трехмерной графики, но тем не менее большинство времени герой передвигаться лишь вперед и назад по определенному пути. Tomba! 2: The Evil Swine Return обладает уникальным геймплеем и не похожим игровым процессом. При этом главная особенность игры заключается в костюмах, которые можно найти или получить от кого-либо. Они дают ему различные бонусы и суперсилы, которые позволяют попадать в новые места, уничтожать особо опасных врагов и проходить дальше по сюжетной линии.

2 Civilization II

По сравнению с предыдущей частью в ней значительно улучшилась графика, добавились новые юниты, чудеса света (после завершения строительства появляется ролик), технологии, цивилизации и повысился искусственный интеллект оппонентов. Как и прежде для победы вам нужно будет победить всех своих противников или же первым построить и отправить в космос космический корабль. В Civilization II цивилизации были распределены между 7 цветами, причём одновременно в игре могла присутствовать только одна из трех цивилизаций для каждого цвета.

1 Hogs of War

The original PlayStation just turned 25 — here are the 25 best PlayStation One games, according to critics

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Sony is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the original PlayStation, the company’s first video game console and one of the most influential gaming devices of all time.

The PlayStation debuted in Japan on December 3, 1994 and sold 100,000 units on its first day of release. Sony took the PlayStation worldwide a year later, and it went on to become the very first video game console to sell more than 100 million units.

Sony’s PlayStation brand has grown into a titan of the video game industry, launching four home consoles, two portable consoles, a virtual reality headset, and tons of PlayStation gadgets. Sony has sold more than 500 million PlayStation systems through the last 25 years.

Nintendo and Sega dominated gaming during the early 90s, but the innovative PlayStation helped Sony earn its footing. The first PlayStation popularized the use of CD-Roms for video game releases — Sony’s competitors were using plastic cartridges with much less storage space. As a bonus, the PlayStation could also play music CDs, giving it some extra utility as a media player.

But the PlayStation’s huge library of games is what really set it apart from the Nintendo 64, the Sega Saturn, and the rest of the competition. PlayStation gave birth to blockbuster franchises like «Resident Evil» and «Tomb Raider,» while old series like «Final Fantasy» and «Metal Gear» found new life on the PlayStation, thanks to its impressive 3D graphics.

Below, we’ve listed 25 of the best games for the original PlayStation, as rated by professional critics. These scores are collected by Metacritic, which aggregates dozens of publications and also lets fans vote on their favorites.

The 20 best PlayStation 1 games

Timeless classics suitable for enshrinement on a mini-console

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Chrono Cross Square/Square Electronic Arts

20. Chrono Cross

(Square, 2000)

The Final Fantasy games were Square’s heavy hitters on PlayStation, but it’s this semi-sequel to Chrono Trigger that shows the company at its experimental 32-bit best. Look beyond the controversial slap-to-the-fan’s-faces story connections to its classic Super NES predecessor and you’ll find one of the most innovative role-playing experiences ever to appear on a console.

Everything about Chrono Cross speaks to a game whose creators decided to challenge RPG dogma at each step. It rewards players who come to terms with its intricate battle system, in which every action you take and even the party you assemble has a consequence — though you can always run away, even from boss battles, if things don’t go your way. Multiple routes through the story ensure the composition of the player’s party (built of dozens of recruitable weirdos hiding throughout the world) changes every time, and the stunning music and gorgeous (if choppy) visuals make the game an absolute delight. Well, at least until you get to the part where you find out all the characters you loved in Chrono Trigger are now dead. But hey. Omelets and eggs, and all that.

Colony Wars Psygnosis

19. Colony Wars

(Psygnosis, 1997)

Colony Wars represented Sony’s entrée into the space sim genre, a fresh take on the likes of Elite, Star Control and Wing Commander. The scenarios and ships presented here don’t break much new ground, especially for anyone who’s spent any amount of time with LucasArts classics like X-Wing, but that doesn’t really matter. The important thing about Colony Wars is that this game, unlike all those others, was created from the ground up for PlayStation rather than beginning life on a personal computer. As such, it’s more limited both in terms of the scale of its missions and in what you can actually do during combat. But that’s hardly a flaw here; Colony Wars harnesses its technical limitations in order to give players a highly focused adventure that brings a distinct arcade sensibility to the genre. Did Colony Wars reinvent the shooter? Not at all. Is it a fine and highly replayable shooter that makes the most of the PlayStation’s strengths? Heck yeah.

Jumping Flash! Exact, Ultra/Sony Computer Entertainment

18. Jumping Flash!

(Exact, 1995)

Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee Oddworld Inhabitants/GT Interactive Software

17. Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee

(Oddworld Inhabitants, 1997)

Designed in the spirit of methodical classics like Prince of Persia but possessing a style all its own, the original Oddworld journey stands out as one of the few PlayStation games to dwell unapologetically in pure, old-school 2D. Yet the public’s supposed contempt for traditional game graphics in the late ’90s didn’t stop Abe’s odyssey from becoming a hit. Maybe the dark, gross-out vibe helped sell it — Abe’s Oddysee leans heavily into the “exploding Yoshi fanatic commercial” mindset so prevalent during that era, allowing you to destroy other characters (both good and bad) in countless graphic ways. There’s also a dedicated fart button, if that helps you pin down where Oddworld Inhabitants’ minds were at.

Arc the Lad 2 G-Craft, Sony Computer Entertainment/Working Designs

16. Arc the Lad Collection

(G-Craft/Sony Computer Entertainment, 2002)

Wipeout XL Psygnosis

15. Wipeout XL

(Psygnosis, 1996)

The original Wipeout pretty much just combined everybody’s two favorite Super NES racing games — F-Zero and Super Mario Kart — by dropping the competitive combat mechanics of the latter into the high-speed techno-world of the former. It didn’t feel derivative, though, because it went about the whole affair with immense style and confidence. With its thumping electronic score and sleek ’90s Euro-futuristic visuals, Wipeout was one of those demo kiosk showcases that convinced curious shoppers to become PlayStation owners back in the console’s tender early days.

Bushido Blade Light Weight/Sony Computer Entertainment

14. Bushido Blade

(Light Weight, 1997)

Players take up arms as one of roughly a dozen modern-day samurai seeking to escape the corruption of their clan, and everyone plays for keeps. Each one-on-one bout takes place in a large, open arena situated on the grounds of a Japanese castle, where factors like elevation or groves of destructible bamboo shape your combat strategy. Bushido Blade lacks life bars and time limits; it’s just you versus your foe, each trying to land a fatal blow against the other — a task that becomes much easier if you manage to strike and permanently disable their limbs. Every blade handles differently, and each character has their own weapon proficiency. The enormous depth and unflinching immediacy of Bushido Blade’s combat more than makes up for its rough tech.

Mega Man Legends Capcom

13. Mega Man Legends

(Capcom, 1998)

Once you get past the fact that Legends isn’t simply the classic Mega Man formula rendered in polygons, you’ll find one of the best and brightest action games of its era. Capcom imbued this adventure with the look and energy of classic anime, and the characters that inhabit its world possess all the charm you’d find in a vintage Tatsunoko Productions cartoon.

The action here is solid enough (although its pre-Ocarina of Time lock-on shooting hasn’t aged well), but what really makes Legends work is the world Mega Man explores. Everything takes place on an island called Kattelox, and it’s a pleasure to work your way through the interconnected labyrinths beneath the surface while solving the citizens’ crises above ground. These tasks range from helping a pregnant lady reach the hospital before she goes into labor to finding cool bugs for a bunch of kids to preventing a death-laser satellite from wiping out all life on the island — yeah, the story escalates quickly. Oh, and the would-be villains of the piece, a family of Ghibli-inspired air pirates called the Bonnes, end up stealing the show.

As an early 3D action game, Legends feels a bit clunky at times. But its good-hearted dialogue strikes a rare balance between sincere and cloying that remains all too rare in video games, 20 years later.

Tomb Raider 2 Core Design/Eidos Interactive

12. Tomb Raider 2

(Core Design, 1997)

Tomb Raider became a massive hit right out of the gate, most notably on PlayStation. Naturally, for the sequel, developer Core Design sat down and gave us more — more — MORE! Tomb Raider 2 manages to build on the great ideas and mechanics of the original game without becoming bogged down in repetition or overloaded by elements grafted clumsily onto an aging game engine. It is, in short, the optimal classic Tomb Raider experience.

Tomb Raider 2 sends Lara Croft around the world, from the Great Wall of China to the canals of Venice to the drowned wreck of the luxury liner Maria Doria, and at every step it combines complex environmental puzzle solving with harrowing combat to present players with a perfectly paced adventure. The endless browns and grays of the first game’s ruins and caverns give way to vivid and varied settings, and hired goons replace innocent wildlife to give Lara a greater challenge that you don’t have to feel guilty about riddling with bullets. Things would go quickly downhill for the series in subsequent games, but for this one adventure, Lara delivered on the promise inherent in her inventive but unpolished debut outing.

Street Fighter Alpha 3 Capcom

11. Street Fighter Alpha 3

(Capcom, 1998)

A true video game miracle. The PlayStation’s internal architecture was poorly suited to handling traditional 2D graphics, especially those as varied and fast-paced as you find in a fighting game. Somehow, though, Capcom managed to finagle the system into supporting an excellent rendition of its gorgeous, anime-inspired arcade brawler Street Fighter Alpha 3 with only a few compromises. Only the most hardcore of enthusiasts noticed the few lost animation frames here and there, and even those fanatics were hard-pressed to deny the extraordinary depth this port offered over and above its coin-op incarnation.

The PS1 conversion expanded the game’s roster and introduced new modes while turning hidden features of the arcade game (such as the story-driven two-against-one Dramatic Battle) into upfront options. Sure, the Saturn and Dreamcast ports turned out better a few years later, but this was as good as 2D fighting got on PlayStation: rich in features, boasting dozens of beautifully drawn characters, and sporting a huge array of fighting styles to suit all tastes.

Klonoa: Door to Phantomile Namco

10. Klonoa: Door to Phantomile

(Namco, 1998)

The advent of Super Mario 64 may have quashed the public’s taste for classic 2D graphics and platformers, but that didn’t stop developers from attempting to sneak them into the mix anyway. Klonoa is one of the best of those stealth efforts, a rock-solid run-and-jump action game that pretends to be a polygon-powered modern-day experience.

In truth, though, it plays more like Yoshi’s Island than Super Mario 64: Protagonist Klonoa can extend his leaps with a brief hover ability, grab and toss enemies as projectiles, and launch himself off captive foes for a double jump. But it all plays out in two dimensions, despite putting on a good show with its gorgeous 3D-looking environments, presented to dazzling effect by dramatic camera movements. Heavily inspired by Sega’s faux-3D adventure Nights into Dreams, Klonoa updates a classic game formula with newfangled visuals, smart level design and a surprisingly heart-wrenching story to stand as one of the PlayStation’s greats.

Einhänder Square/Sony Computer Entertainment

9. Einhänder

(Square, 1997)

Much like Klonoa, Einhänder is one part old-school game and one part flimflam artist. It seemingly takes many of its design cues from Technosoft’s Thunder Force games for Sega Genesis, including its weapon swapping mechanic (your ship has one hand that can snatch guns and energy blades from defeated foes). You’d never mistake this for a Genesis game, though. Its intricate polygonal landscapes pitch and zoom to play with perspective, pumping new life in the aging arcade shoot-’em-up genre without ever abandoning the format’s core tenets. All of this arrives in the care of a pulsing techno-EDM soundtrack worth listening to on its own. Squaresoft made its name on PlayStation as a purveyor of top-flight role-playing games, but like Bushido Blade, Einhänder demonstrated that the company had impressive chops regardless of genre.

Incredible Crisis Polygon Magic/Titus Interactive

8. Incredible Crisis

(Polygon Magic, 2000)

The PlayStation presented developers with an appealing combination of technical factors that had never been available before: a powerful piece of hardware with a massive audience and an inexpensive media format. The platform quickly became home to inventive, experimental games with profound niche appeal — works like Kenichi Nishi’s Incredible Crisis.

A game like this could never have worked on, say, Super NES, and not just because it’s jammed full of rollicking CD-quality music by the Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra. It’s just that Incredible Crisis is extremely weird and hard to define, a collection of oddball minigames built around a loopy premise. A loving nuclear Japanese family sets out to buy birthday gifts for their grandmother and ends up becoming involved in dance-offs, outracing Indiana Jones-style boulders, foiling bank robberies and battling Godzilla-sized teddy bears. The madcap variety of Incredible Crisis almost certainly helped inspire the WarioWare series, but this is a wonderfully ludicrous must-play experience in its own right.

Final Fantasy Tactics Squaresoft/Sony Computer Entertainment

7. Final Fantasy Tactics

(Square, 1998)

The PlayStation had no shortage of Final Fantasy games, but none of the numbered entries have aged quite so well as this spinoff from the team behind Tactics Ogre. Essentially a chess game enriched with Final Fantasy job classes and magic spells, Tactics drops players into a succession of turn-based battles in which positioning, elevation and time have a massive impact on the outcome of every single action. The system has a few bottleneck encounters (remember, always create a second save before Riovanes Castle!) and tends to be a bit of a cakewalk toward the end, but the breadth and depth of the systems together make for the single most replayable chapter of the Final Fantasy franchise — every single trip through the story can take a radically different form.

R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 Namco

6. R4: Ridge Racer Type 4

(Namco, 1999)

Namco’s impressively faithful port of arcade driving game Ridge Racer helped sell the PlayStation at launch. With the fourth chapter of the series — designed exclusively for this platform — Ridge Racer hit its creative peak. Its graphics and fleet of unlockable cars didn’t quite match the immensity of Polyphony’s ultra-hot Gran Turismo games, but R4 let players do something that’s impossible in the taxing GT series: simply enjoy driving. Spiritually, R4 feels almost like a successor to Sega’s Out Run, setting its courses along gorgeous European roads and allowing drivers to just chill. It plays down the hard-rocking intensity of earlier Ridge Racers in favor of easygoing Eurobeat tunes, making the simple act of cruising down the highway a delight.

Of course, fans of classic racing aren’t left in the cold here; R4 contains a story mode, refined drifting mechanics, car customization and even a 60-frames-per-second remake of the original Ridge Racer. It’s truly a racing game for everyone, not just car fans and adrenaline junkies, and it’s a must-play experience.

Resident Evil 2 Capcom

5. Resident Evil 2

(Capcom, 1998)

The original Resident Evil was, let’s be honest, Capcom’s big ripoff of Infogrames’ Alone in the Dark. With the sequel, the series established itself as a distinct venture in its own right. The action shifts here from the confines of a creepy mansion to spill across the streets of a city choked with zombies, and players take control of two different characters whose paths combine and crisscross to paint the full story of the Raccoon City crisis.

Resident Evil 2 is a huge, cinematic adventure crammed with secrets and bursting with replay value. Like the best sequels, it builds on its predecessor by giving players more of everything: more characters, more challenges, more monsters to overcome and — most of all — more tension. Resident Evil 2 doesn’t change everything, though; it retains the original game’s fixed camera angles, character-oriented controls and strict inventory mechanics. While those design choices don’t sit well with everyone these days, they make possible Capcom’s core vision for classic Resident Evil: a challenging adventure that rarely affords players the opportunity to feel safe. In a game where zombie hordes roam the streets of suburban America, it’s only fitting.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo/Konami

4. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

(Konami, 1997)

Symphony represented (at the time) a significant rethinking of what “Castlevania” meant, but every inch of it shines with both genuine affection for the franchise and a desire to make the best game possible. From vanity footwear whose only use is to make protagonist Alucard a few pixels taller to the hidden secret ending that doubles the length of the adventure, Symphony is a best-case scenario of what happens when you give passionate developers the tools to express their vision.

Vagrant Story Square/Square Electronic Arts

3. Vagrant Story

(Square, 2000)

Vagrant Story has only one significant flaw, really: It’s too long. If the developers hadn’t padded it out to head off the complaints that its spiritual predecessor Parasite Eve had been too short, it might well be a perfect work. The minds behind Final Fantasy Tactics sat down to create an adventure in the Resident Evil/Metal Gear Solid mold, and they came up with something wholly unique in video game history.

Presented with a quirky narrative format that blends comic book and fantasy film aesthetics, and told with a rich English-language script that gives its fantasy-horror pulp an almost Shakespearean air, Vagrant Story remains perhaps the single most technically impressive PS1 title ever assembled. It’s not all flowery prose and wyvern-stabbing drama, though; Vagrant Story is held together by absolutely brilliant action mechanics that weave together platforming, puzzle solving and a complex battle system that takes on the feel of a rhythm game at times. Truly a game like no other, which makes it absolute justification for owning a PlayStation.

PaRappa the Rapper NanaOn-Sha/Sony Computer Entertainment

2. PaRappa the Rapper

(NanaOn-Sha, 1997)

When the CD-ROM format debuted, developers weren’t quite sure what to do with all that extra space. Throw in some movies? CD-quality music? Not bad ideas, but ultimately those embellishments turned out to be little more than window dressing for standard video game concepts. It wasn’t until PaRappa the Rapper came along that CD-quality audio became truly integral to the game itself. Sony (in collaboration with artist Rodney Greenblat and developer Masaya Matsuura) turned the music itself into a game, demanding players triumph in a series of rap battles in order to win the heart of the protagonist’s would-be girlfriend.

PaRappa synthesized a lot of mismatched ideas that had been floating around the games industry for a while and turned them into a single clever, charismatic musical adventure that takes full advantage of the PS1 hardware. The technology powering the ever-changing raps combines the dynamic music of LucasArts’ iMUSE system with the aspiring-producer gimmick of Peter Gabriel’s Xplora1 and transforms it all into a silly and memorable experience. What other game would dare ask players to guide a lovestruck puppy as he learns to out-rap a UB40-soundalike reggae frog at a flea market? Together with its sequel UmJammer Lammy, PaRappa the Rapper embodied Sony’s innovative, anything-goes approach to publishing — an attitude that had everything to do with PS1’s triumph over the console war competition.

Metal Gear Solid Konami Computer Entertainment Japan/Konami

1. Metal Gear Solid

(Konami, 1998)

Sony never managed to produce precise counterprogramming for landmark Nintendo 64 hits like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (sorry, Ape Escape fans). Luckily, Konami stepped up and delivered Metal Gear Solid, which took the same spiritual approach as Mario and Zelda’s latest adventures at the time — that is, updating a classic formula — and advanced it an extra step ahead.

Like Nintendo’s hits, Metal Gear Solid took a concept from an earlier console generation and reinvented it for three dimensions. Director Hideo Kojima barely strayed from the mechanics and design of 8-bit Metal Gear here, but the simple act of reworking stealth warrior Solid Snake and his world into polygons brought new life to those well-worn concepts. Sneaking around wasn’t a new idea when Metal Gear Solid debuted, yet evading (instead of fighting) foes in a three-dimensional space felt far more real than it had in 2D, opening the door for a new philosophy of action game design. It also introduced gamers to a new style of immersive storytelling; thanks to its thrilling real-time cutscenes and extensive, voice-acted “codec” conversations, Metal Gear Solid is as much a movie or radio play as a video game.

15 Best PlayStation One RPGs Ever Made

Some of the best RPGs ever made called the PlayStation One their home, but which PlayStation RPG is the best of them all?

In our look at the best Super Nintendo RPGs ever, we mentioned that the SNES is arguably the greatest RPG console in video game history. Well, if there is a console that makes that discussion an argument, it would have to be the PlayStation One.

With a lot of help from Square, Sony quickly established the PlayStation as not just the home of incredible RPG experiences but as a console that was capable of effectively convincing people who previously had no real interest in RPGs that they absolutely needed to devote 50+ hours of their life to the next gaming epic. That sudden rise in genre popularity inspired some of the industry’s greatest RPG developers to try to outdo each other creatively and commercially.

The result was a classic collection of role-playing experiences that still rank comfortably among the absolute best ever made. With due respect to the 20+ other games that deserve to be on this list, these are the 15 best PS1 RPGs ever made.

15. The Legend of Dragoon

The Legend of Dragoon’s legacy has only grown since the game’s late 1999 release, and it’s not hard to see why. While this game was initially criticized for not living up to the standards of some of the other PS1 RPGs we’ll soon be talking about, time has been kind to the various things this game does so very well.

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The Legend of Dragoon makes up for its slow story with an incredible combat system that emphasizes an almost QTE-like mechanic that helps ensure you’re rarely simply watching a battle play out. This RPG’s character transformation mechanic is also one of those brilliant gameplay concepts that should have been copied many times since this game’s release. There’s also always been something special about the fact that Legend of Dragoon‘s ambitious CGI cutscenes ensured this epic spanned four PS1 discs.

14. Wild Arms

Wild Arms is another one of those PS1 RPGs that were initially overshadowed by some of the all-time classic games it had to compete against, but the thing that stood out about this title at the time is the thing that still makes Wild Arms special to this day: its style.

Wild Arms‘ blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and western design concepts shouldn’t work nearly as well as it does here. Developer Media.Vision deserves a lot of credit for ensuring this game’s ambitious world always felt cohesive and for finding some truly clever ways to subvert genre expectations through this title’s approach to exploration, combat, and puzzles.

13. Breath of Fire III

The Breath Of Fire III vs. Breath of Fire IV debate will likely not be settled here, but the third entry in this series ultimately gets my nod due to the ways it so clearly raised the bar for this franchise and its genre competition.

Breath of the Fire III’s 3D visuals and voice acting helped sell this game’s engaging story, while the game’s combat and wonderful cast of characters ensured you were constantly engaged and ready to see where this absolute gem was going to take you next.

12. Front Mission 3

Front Mission 3 rewards players willing to put the time into its fairly complex mechanics and deep storyline with one of the best tactical RPGs of the era and one of the best mech games ever made.

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This game is rightfully remembered for its customization options and often punishing tactical gameplay but I don’t know if it gets enough love for its faction-driven narrative and the ways its visuals convey epic mech battles without relying on more traditional action gameplay.

11. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

The only reason this all-time great game isn’t higher on the particular list is that there are just other PS1 RPGs that better represent the genre and the kind of epic experiences we think of when we think of one of the best RPG platforms ever.

Having said that, the way that Symphony of the Night incorporated RPG elements not only changed the franchise forever but eventually helped inspire developers everywhere to enhance their own action titles by utilizing role-playing mechanics. This is still one of the best blends of role-playing and action/adventure ever made.

10. Valkyrie Profile

Long before God of War took us on a journey through Norse mythology, Valkyrie Profile caught many PS1 gamers by surprise with its unique blend of Japanese design and a Norse narrative that tasks you with assembling the perfect party of heroes to assist you through Ragnarok.

Valkyrie Profile‘s true calling card, though, is its turn-based combat system that essentially assigns a button to each character in your party. Getting the most out of your party of heroes requires you to successfully assign each character the right actions at the right time in order to unleash powerful combo attacks. It’s complex, original, and a whole lot of fun.

9. Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete

Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete may have started off as a Sega Saturn title, but it’s hard not to ultimately remember this as a PS1 game due to the many ways that Sony’s first console allowed Lunar’s developers to share their full vision for this classic.

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It’s true that Lunar is an “old-school” JRPG in a lot of ways that might turn some people off, but when level grinding, party management, and methodical turn-based gameplay are done this well, it’s hard not to see this as one of the ultimate genre comfort zones.

8. Star Ocean: The Second Story

It’s hard to talk about Star Ocean without eventually getting around to the fact that it has almost 90 possible endings, so let’s not bury the lede. What’s even more impressive than the game’s number of possible endings, though, is the fact that many of those endings are clever, logical, and, in their own ways, complete.

Really, though, this game’s incredible number of possible conclusions just highlights the various ways this sci-fi/fantasy title makes you feel like every action you do truly matters and that anything can happen. I also have to pay respect to this game’s brilliant “private action” system: a unique mechanic that allows your party members to have their own adventures that ultimately contributes to some of the best sidequests in RPG history.

Read more

25 Best RPGs Ever Made

Was Final Fantasy Really the First JRPG?

7. Xenogears

Xenogears features a fascinating blend of styles and mechanics that is quite appropriate considering the details of this game’s complicated development history (it started off as a pitch for Final Fantasy VII before briefly being designed as a Chrono Trigger sequel). Admittedly, there are times when you can tell this game is trying to find its creative voice and gameplay footing.

Yet, all the concepts this RPG touches upon ultimately come together to form something wonderful and memorable. It features one of the best ATB combat systems ever, a complex and creative story, a lot of heart, great visuals, and a truly incredible soundtrack. Sure, the game struggles a bit in the second half, but it’s easy enough to overlook those shortcomings as the byproduct of ambition.

6. Final Fantasy VII

Final Fantasy VII should be a victim of its own success. After all these years, all the praise, and all of the discussions, you would think we’d be at the point where the dreaded term “overrated” might linger just above this game’s legacy.

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That’s not the case, though. Maybe Final Fantasy VII was eventually surpassed, but it’s truly tragic to imagine what RPG gaming in the ‘90s and early 2000s would have been like if it wasn’t for this game. It alerted millions to the fact they loved video game RPGs, and it did it without sacrificing depth, quality, heart, or ambition.

5. Final Fantasy Tactics

Considered by many at the time to be the best tactical RPG ever made, it has to be said that the most impressive thing about Final Fantasy Tactics is the fact that it’s still difficult to argue against this game’s claim to that title nearly 24 years after its release.

Final Fantasy Tactics‘ surprisingly accessible (yet still deep and rewarding) gameplay perfectly complements its colorful visuals, engaging character, and surprising story. I don’t know if it’s the best tactical RPG ever made, but it may always be seen as the standard in the eyes of many.

4. Vagrant Story

It feels like people have been waiting for Vagrant Story to get the love it deserves ever since the game was released in 2000. While Vagrant Story absolutely has a cult following, it seems pretty clear at this point that it’s just never going to reach that level. It’s too difficult, too different, and it will probably never get the remaster it deserves.

However, those who have played Vagrant Story know it was Square’s most mechanically ambitious and unique PlayStation RPG. From its stunning visuals to its deep combat and mature narrative, Vagrant Story has honestly aged better than all but a few of the games of this era. A game this different and innovative shouldn’t feel as complete and confident as it does.

3. Chrono Cross

From the moment Chrono Cross was released, it feels like the first line about this game has been that it disappointed those who were expecting a direct follow-up to Chrono Trigger. Even when we learned that the Chrono Cross team never really saw this as a Chrono Trigger sequel, Chrono Cross still lived in the shadow of its all-time great predecessor.

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Maybe there are ways that Chrono Cross would have been better off sticking closer to that SNES classic, but even at the time of its somewhat controversial release, many praised Chrono Cross for its innovative combat, weird and wonderful story, large cast of characters, music, visuals, and commitment to defying expectations at every turn. This shouldn’t be your first PS1 RPG, but it might be the one you end up remembering most fondly.

2. Final Fantasy IX

Final Fantasy IX was essentially Square’s PS1 swan song. While the title’s return to the medieval fantasy style of classic FF games highlights the studio’s jovial mood at the time, the fact is that many people wondered if Square could recover from the controversial Final Fantasy VIII and produce an RPG that effectively ended their unbelievable run of hits in style.

The fact they managed to do just that is an accomplishment that should never be overlooked. To this day, I struggle to think of even a handful of RPGs that challenge Final Fantasy IX’s charm, humor, and cast of characters while still providing a role-playing adventure that will feel rewarding to veterans and newcomers alike. This is an across-the-board triumph that delights and impresses in equal measure.

1. Suikoden II

Suikoden II was pretty much “doomed to fail” from the start. It was released in the wake of Final Fantasy VIII’s massive debut, wasn’t widely distributed, and featured “retro” graphics that initially turned quite a few people off at the time of cinematic PS1 visuals. It didn’t help that its predecessor was a very good, but not great, RPG that also failed to find a wide audience.

Yet, Suikoden II is quite simply one of the best games ever made regardless of genre. I would love to tell you about its nuanced and deep politically-driven narrative, varied combat system, minigames, world-building elements, and score, but how long can you really talk about Suikoden II without getting around to its cast of over 100 recruitable characters and the ways Konami managed to make each and every one of them (as well as their interactions with each other) among the best of their era?

I wouldn’t call this a perfect game, but at the same time, I’m struggling to think of a single thing I’d change about it.

25 Best PS1 Action Games of All Time

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We already published the list of best PS1 games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best PS1 action games of all time.

With amazing titles like the Spyro series, Crash Bandicoot series, and Oddworld series, the PS1 surely have a great collection of action games.

If you’re a fan of both PS1 and action games, there’s a chance you’ll like this list.

Some of you will know some of the games mentioned in this list.

Browse Games By Genre

#25. Gex: Enter the Gecko

Gex: Enter the Gecko should have been a much better game.

They certainly jacked enough concepts from Mario 64 to warrant a good game, but the atmosphere surrounding the gameplay really brings it down.

It’s a somewhat good and enjoyable game at its finest.

#24. Rival Schools

Rival Schools is a fighting game that doesn’t take itself seriously with the humorous banter and move set between character, and playing the game with friends guarantee a bursting laugh here and there.

If you’re looking for an easy-to-pick-up fighting game that puts a slightly new spin on the old fighting genre, Rival Schools fits the bill pretty well.

#23. Um Jammer Lammy

Um Jammer Lammy is a great addition to the genre.

With the game’s new two player mode, the extra PaRappa remixes, multiple save options, this game has so much more that PaRappa didn’t have.

So if you enjoyed PaRappa the Rapper, then yes, this fun game is a must have.

#22. Tomba! 2: The Evil Swine Return

Tomba 2 may be a repackaging of the original game, but it’s a slick and refined one at that.

Newcomers and fans of the original game are in for a treat, but not enough has changed to make the game attractive to those who didn’t like the original.

#21. Dance Dance Revolution

Dance Dance Revolution is a great introduction to a truly unique series with an addictive gameplay and a soundtrack that will have you humming for days.

Your concentration will be so focused on forthcoming arrows that you won’t be paying much attention to the dancers and psychedelic images floating through the background—though this makes for decent eye candy for spectators.

#20. Dead or Alive

Dead or Alive won’t disappoint you if you’re a fighting game purist.

It’s fast paced, fun and needs a great amount of strategy to execute fast in order to win. It is one of the best fighting games ever to appear in any console.

Overall, Dead or Alive delivers a realistic fighting experience.

#19. Bust A Groove

Bust A Groove won’t attract non-gamers in like PaRappa did, but it’s still quite a bit of fun.

The great music and graphics go a long way, and again, the motion capture is really terrific.

If PaRappa left you wanting more games in that genre, Bust A Groove makes for a good follow-up.

#18. Spyro the Dragon

Spyro the Dragon hasn’t aged perfectly, but it still feels solid and runs well.

If you can work past a few of the camera and repetition issues, you’ll have fun with Spyro and perhaps understand why it was considered such a phenomenal title all those years ago.

#17. Medal of Honor Underground

Like Medal of Honor before it, Underground provides the younger generations with a look back at a period of history that also deserves attention.

Also, it’s one of the better first-person shooters available on the PS1, and as such, fans of that genre and history buffs alike owe it to themselves to give it a shot.

#16. Dance Dance Revolution Konamix

One of the things that hasn’t changed between versions of DDR is the graphics, and Konamix looks almost identical to the original Dance Dance Revolution, save for the inclusion of a few new onscreen characters.

Casual players who enjoyed the original Dance Dance Revolution for the PS1 may want to check out Konamix.

#15. R-Type Delta

If you’re a big fan of the shooter genre, and you’re in the mood for another one, R-Type Delta will sooth your appetite.

And despite a handful of frustrating parts, R-Type Delta gives shooter fans exceptional gameplay, variety, and replay, in addition to carrying the spirit of the original on in style.

#14. Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage!

Spyro 2‘s addictive features show up early and keep on going right through to its excellent final boss level, creating a game that makes you actually want to acquire every single object and coin to see the alternate ending.

That’s rare to see, and something you really should attempt.

#13. Syphon Filter

This hybrid of action/adventure/shooter and puzzler-solving aspects integrates well-balanced gameplay, FMV, and story plot lines like few before it.

In fact, it’s easy to say that while it borrows aspects from other games, it comes nowhere near close to feeling like any of them. It’s a game in its own right, straight and simple.

#12. Rayman 2: The Great Escape

Rayman 2 is one of the best platforming experiences available on the PlayStation.

As long as you’re not directly comparing it to the other versions of the game, the PlayStation Rayman 2 is an excellent, worthwhile game that is not only challenging, but is also rewarding.

#11. Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor has its share of flaws, but it has a ton going for it, too. Its numerous little touches add up to compensate for its problems.

It’s an excellent game and the closest thing you’re going to get to GoldenEye 007 on the PlayStation.

#10. Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee

Unlike any number of platformers, Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee requires lots of thinking in solving its puzzles, which are well constructed and challenging, instead of cheap and frustrating.

Abe’s Oddysee really is the ideal platformer, balancing its action and puzzle elements perfectly to make the game intelligent, engaging, and, best yet, fun.

#9. PaRappa the Rapper

PaRappa‘s only real problem lies in the length of the game—it’s way too short.

This game isn’t for everybody because it’s very silly and odd, and somewhat childish.

In the end, PaRappa the Rapper is undeniably cute and hip—the ideal PlayStation mascot in that he’s so universally acceptable and nonthreatening.

#8. Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back

Crash is back in a sequel that is so far superior to the original.

But this time, the game’s problems are balanced out by the game’s excellent gameplay and intelligent design.

In short, Crash Bandicoot 2 is a topnotch platform game. If you’re a fan of the genre, you owe it to yourself to check this title out.

#7. Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped

The third and final Crash Bandicoot platformer on the PlayStation takes a trip through time.

Crash must successfully collect the crystals across five unique worlds, all set in different eras of time.

Players travel through vibrant environments, performing tough jumps and defeating enemies.

There’s a bigger focus on gameplay variety, with more collectibles to find and objectives to complete.

#6. Street Fighter Alpha 3

The game’s graphical prowess and arcade-perfect gameplay combined with its cache of bonus modes makes Street Fighter Alpha 3 the standard for 2D excellence on the PlayStation.

Overall, Street Fighter Alpha 3 is a flashy fighting game with RPG like element thanks to the World Tour mode.

#5. Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus

In all, Abe’s Exoddus is a great example of how a game can stay true to its conceptual pursuit while still improving upon the original, all while keeping its soul intact.

If you loved the first one, you’ll like this game more. If you didn’t play the first one, you can start here.

#4. Ape Escape

In short, Ape Escape is one of the PlayStation’s finest development efforts, one that shouldn’t be overlooked because of its silly storyline and title.

Underneath these lies one of the best 3D platformers to date, brimming with innovation, originality and fun.

#3. Spyro: Year of the Dragon

Spyro games have always been among the best looking on the PlayStation, and Year of the Dragon continues this tradition.

Spyro himself seems a bit more detailed than his previous incarnations, and the other characters are also well built and nicely animated.

In short, this is the best platformer for the PS1.

#2. Soul Blade

Soul Blade is extremely fun, and has just enough new elements to make it worth playing multiple times.

Soul Blade‘s only drawback is that it may be too easy, which is bad for some hardcore fans of the genre.

But if fast-paced weapon-to-weapon combat sounds like welcome addition to the fighting arena, Soul Blade is just the game for you.

#1. Tekken 3

This masterpiece of a fighting game shows that you don’t need extra frills to sell a quality product.

Regarded as one of the finest fighting games ever made, Tekken 3 defies all odds with its perfection.

There’s also an extra mini-game mode to distract yourself with, but you’ll likely be so preoccupied with the fantastic fighting mechanics to notice.

Are your favorite games on the list?

Deciding the best PS1 action game is no doubt a little bit late since this iconic console has been around for more than two decades, but thanks to emulator and remastered games, it’s still exciting!

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Hi, I’m R, and I’ve been playing video games since I was a kid. My first console was the original PlayStation (the gray one) and I spent countless hours playing Crash Bandicoot series and Spyro series. My second console was the PS2 Fat, and I completed all of the GTA series 100%.

25 Best PS1 Sports Games of All Time

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We already published the list of best PS1 games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best PS1 sports games of all time.

With amazing titles like the WWF SmackDown! series, NFL Blitz series, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series, the PS1 surely have a great collection of sports games.

If you’re a fan of both PS1 and sports games, there’s a chance you’ll like this list.

Some of you will know some of the games mentioned in this list.

Browse Games By Genre

#25. NHL Rock the Rink

NHL Rock the Rink is a pleasantly surprising “extreme” sports game.

It doesn’t get muddled down with too much stat tracking or too many gameplay options.

In short, it’s a basic, bare-bones game that lets you jump right in and score some goals.

#24. NCAA Football 2001

Despite the bugs and the lack of any serious innovation, NCAA Football 2001 is still a great game.

If you’ve never experienced NCAA Football and you’re in the market for a college football simulation, this bad boy should be your obvious choice.

#23. NBA Live 2001

This title gives you tons of modes to play, guaranteed to satisfy your basketball cravings.

You can play through an entire season of basketball with realistic settings, or score huge dunks and shooting flaming basketballs in arcade mode.

NBA Live 2001 does a great job replicating real athletes and their play styles, resulting in an excellent playable version of the sport.

#22. NCAA Football 99

If college football is a hobby of yours, you’ll love this simulation game that’s packed with content.

This title features every NCAA team from 1999; over 110 of them!

You can recruit your own team of players and participate in a number of championships, including the Rose Bowl, the Cotton Bowl, and many more.

#21. Hot Shots Golf 2

Like the previous game, Hot Shots Golf 2 is simple to learn.

You can compete in a full tournament, enjoy some head-to-head action, and even brush up on the basics in training.

The mixture of basic controls and colorful visuals makes it easy to hop in and play, but golfing experts will find plenty of reasons to keep playing.

#20. Madden NFL 99

Madden NFL 99 is a well-rounded and comprehensive football package, great for any fan of 2000’s era football.

This Madden introduced Franchise mode, which lets you pick a team and simulate 15 year-seasons of football.

Combined with an impressive multiplayer suite, this is a football game that any sports fan will enjoy.

#19. NCAA Football 2000

You can take your favorite college team through a full season, play exhibition matches, or dive into the lengthy dynasty mode.

The 3D graphics are an improvement over previous years, including a variety in physique type for players.

Overall, this is a great sequel and a fun college football title.

#18. NHL 2000

This entry in the franchise has a good collection of modes, some new and some old.

Each mode will have you competing in realistic hockey matches.

You can enjoy a full season mode, with features like player trading, retirement, and more.

You can also check out the tournament mode, which sees 16 different teams in a round-robin tournament.

#17. NHL 2001

This hockey game has everything a fan would want, with extensive modes and customization.

As the final NHL game on the PlayStation, NHL 2001 delivers the ultimate package.

The gameplay remains easy to learn and fun to play, with tight controls and a great sense of speed.

#16. WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role

This sequel to the original WWF Smackdown! game builds on the foundation of its successor while adding new features.

There are now a great selection of “Create-A” modes.

These let you create your own moveset, wrestler, manager, and more.

This, combined with a great season mode and some awesome athletes makes this game a must-have.

#15. NBA Live 2000

This version of NBA Live is the first to feature NBA all-star Michael Jordan, and also contains a handful of other historic athletes.

You can play against these timeless legends in one-on-one or five-on-five competitions.

Using facial scan technology, you can also attach any face to a virtual player, allowing you to make endless teams of fantasy players!

#14. Madden NFL 2002

Like always, Madden offers a great football game with exciting gameplay and plenty of options.

It’s the additional modes, like collectible Madden cards and Classic Madden that make this game stand out.

In Classic Madden mode, the whole look and feel of the game transforms into a retro 16-bit style, giving you a nostalgic perspective of play.

#13. FIFA 2001: Major League Soccer

Although the actual gameplay of FIFA stayed relatively unchanged, this entry introduced a new physics engines.

Athletes look better than ever, sporting custom clothes and appearances.

There are also some minor upgrades, such as power bars that indicate shot strength, and the ability to intentionally foul.

#12. NFL Blitz 2000

In this surprisingly violent football game, you control a slew of licensed NFL teams in hard-hitting matches.

New features like the play editor and four-player modes flesh out an already awesome experience.

If you perform well, you can even catch on fire, giving you infinite turbo and a hearty boost in strength.

#11. Madden NFL 2000

Truthfully told, the mechanics behind the Madden series don’t radically change each year, but Madden NFL 2000 did enough to warrant its spot on this list.

The franchise mode received a significant overhaul.

It now allows for multiple team owners to compete at the same time; a feature previously unavailable.

#10. WWF SmackDown!

The game contains a handful of modes, but the biggest focus is the three-part story mode.

Progressing through this mode unlocks new outfits, moves, and generally strengthens your custom fighter.

There are also some fun match types, such as Steel Cage matches, Single Elimination, Tag Team, and more!

#9. NFL GameDay 99

The GameDay franchise is well known for its solid football gameplay.

GameDay 99 stands out thanks to improved graphics, better animations, and a great visual flow.

Every NFL team from the 1999 season are available to choose from, and there are multiple difficulty options to select.

If Madden NFL isn’t quite your speed, give this football simulator a try.

#8. FIFA 2000: Major League Soccer

Besides the expected modes and teams, FIFA 2000 brings in some cool features to spice things up.

For the first time, you can play over the course of multiple seasons, eventually being promoted to higher ranks.

The United States Major Soccer League was also included for the first time in the franchises’ history.

#7. Triple Play 2000

Baseball fans will love this simulation game, which contains the full Major League Baseball roster from the 1998-1999 season.

There are multiple modes to choose from, including play-offs, full season, exhibition match, or the beloved Home Run Derby.

The controls offer precise baseball gameplay, both offensively and defensively.

#6. FIFA 99

Like other FIFA titles, this soccer simulator is packed with customization options and modes of play.

This version features the European Dream League mode, which sees 20 of the world’s best teams competing against each other.

FIFA fans and soccer fans alike will be heads over heels for this great iteration.

#5. NBA Live 99

For the first time in NBA Live history, you can now engage in multi-season careers!

Shape up your skills in Practice Mode, or form your own team in Dynasty mode.

This basketball simulator also amps up the realism, with improved player models and graphics.

#4. Madden NFL 2001

This Madden title franchise is all about customization, allowing players to tweak everything to their liking.

You can create your own athlete, create plays, start your own franchise, and more.

There are “Madden Cards” you can collect, which allow your players to perform special moves during the game.

Also, this Madden contains dozens of stadiums and over 50 different licensed teams.

#3. NFL Blitz

This game was a smash hit in arcades, and makes the jump to the PlayStation with ease.

Players can choose from a selection of NFL teams, and face off in football matches with easy-to-learn controls.

This is a great game for casual football fans who want to throw the ball and tackle, without all the complexities.

#2. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater

This game is every skateboarder’s dream.

In it, you get to thrash through multiple levels that are based on real locations.

You can shred railings in a school, skate big ramps in downtown cities, and much more.

There are also extra objectives to complete, bonus characters to unlock, and even some super secret levels to find!

#1. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2

In addition to the wild tricks, customizable characters, and awesome courses, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 brings even more to the table.

For the first time, you can build your own skatepark to shred in.

The story mode is also deeper, containing more objectives and courses to enjoy.

There are also multiple modes that make multiplayer sessions even more fun!

Are your favorite games on the list?

Deciding the best PS1 sports game is no doubt a little bit late since this iconic console has been around for more than two decades, but thanks to emulator and remastered games, it’s still exciting!

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I’m R, and I’ve been playing video games since I was a kid. My first console was the original PlayStation (the gray one) and I spent countless hours playing Crash Bandicoot series and Spyro series. My second console was the PS2 Fat, and I completed all of the GTA series 100%.

30 Best RPG Games For PlayStation 1 (Ranked)

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No one thought that the Super Nintendo RPG library could be topped in any way. But the PS1 proved everyone wrong, with a massive library of games that helped the genre flourish.

With the PlayStation, PRGs were able to shed that “niche” skin that was becoming too tight.

Featuring fast-paced action role-playing games, tactical titles, and traditional RPGs that twist the formula in clever ways, the original PlayStation role-playing library will not fail to monopolize your attention.

If you’re looking to re-live those days then have a peek at our top picks below.

30. Legend of Legaia

Release Date: October 29, 1998

Some games fit you like a well-worn glove. They do exactly what you expect them to do, but they do it well.

It’s not the story, characters, plot, or mechanics that make Legend of Legaia an enjoyable game.

It’s the amazing combat system that does away with the menu based interface, in favor of a system that allows players to unleash special attacks by combining two different attack types, almost like in a fighting game.

The many special attacks available are a true godsend. You’ll be spending a lot of time in combat, all while traversing the world to seek the Genesis Trees and save the world from a mysterious disease.

A lot of fun once you get into it.

29. Wild Arms

Release Date: December 20, 1996

The Old, Wild West. Outlaws. Revolvers. Treasure hunters. Magic. Castles. Dragons.

Wild Arms, in a nutshell.

Wild Arms features a charming setting that combines Old West aesthetics with European fantasy elements.

It creates a unique combination that is still unrivaled to this day.

While the story of the PS1 game ultimately turns into the usual good vs evil affair, the gameplay makes the whole experience memorable.

If features solid turn-based combat and Zelda-inspired dungeon exploration, complete with clever puzzles that will constantly push your knowledge of the mechanics further.

If you dig this title then definitely take a peek at our picks for the entire series. There’s a lotta gems in the Wild Arms franchise.

28. Parasite Eve

Release Date: March 29, 1998

A survival-horror-role-playing game? Now that’s a mouthful!

Combining typical RPG mechanics with the cinematic approach of horror games, Parasite Eve is among the most unique role-playing games ever released.

Following New York cop Aya Brea, players must unravel the happenings related to a very mysterious living being called Eve.

Eventually it seems we discover that it’s always humans that are the true dangers to themselves.

While the RPG setup is not particularly deep, the combat system and the great story make Parasite Eve a game worth playing. Just don’t play it in the dark, all alone. Eve may decide to pay a visit.

27. Arc the Lad Collection

Release Date: April 18, 2002

With Arc the Lad Collection, we are cheating the system.

But what are we to do when you have three great games so tightly intertwined?

Packing together the first three entries in the Arc the Lad series was a very clever move that highlighted one of the series’ best traits: continuity.

The somewhat generic tactical role-playing experience of the series is elevated by the great worldbuilding and character development, which starts relatively simple in Arc the Lad, then reaches incredible heights in its sequels.

Sure, the game may not look as good as other role-playing games on PlayStation 1.

But when you have so much quality on your hands, would you really complain?

26. Vandal Hearts

Release Date: October 25, 1996

Tactical RPGs don’t always need to be complicated to be enjoyable.

And Vandal Hearts clearly shows this to be true.

Vandal Hearts is a very straightforward tactical role-playing game that rides on the coattails of the Shining Force series.

Controlling a band of warriors lead by Ash, players have to take down a corrupt government and save a nation from disgrace in a simple turn-based tactical battle system.

While limited customization options and map design feel dated, the rock-paper-scissor system and fast-pace of Vandal Hearts is an engaging experience. Although it won’t exactly make you a tactical master.

25. Alundra

Release Date: April 11, 1997

What happens in our dreams, must stay in there. The subconscious can be a dangerous place.

For a very long time, Alundra has been considered as the poor man’s Legend of Zelda with its top-down view, detailed 2D graphics, focus on dungeon exploration, and puzzle-solving.

While apt, this comparison does not do justice to the game’s great puzzle and dungeon design.

Some of them are set inside character’s dreams!

Take this along with light platforming elements, excellent combat, tight controls, and a story that will mercilessly tug at your heartstrings.

24. Legend of Mana

Release Date: July 15, 1999

Legend of Mana does a great many things right.

Especially not resting on the laurels of its legacy.

Legend of Mana brings every feature seen in its predecessors to a whole new level.

Graphics are gorgeous, with a hand-drawn 2D style that oozes charm; combat is as engaging as ever, fast and exciting, featuring multiple weapon types and unique special attacks.

Exploration mechanics are extremely innovative too. This allows you to create the world map and influence the elemental properties of each location.

One has to wonder, with such high quality, why Legend of Mana is not as praised as Secret of Mana.

The answer is simple: nostalgia.

23. Legend of Dragoon

Release Date: December 2, 1999

Color-coded heroes, obvious bad guys, and streamlined plot do have a certain allure.

Controlling Dart as he sets on a quest for revenge, in Legend of Dragoon you must lead a group of heroes with the power to turn into winged warriors that are clearly defined by colors.

Which somewhat dampens character development and story a bit.

But this game is revered for a reason: it’s fun to play.

While the turn-based battle system is the only feature that rises from the norm, Legend of Dragoon is still a somewhat enjoyable RPG, if you don’t have too high of expectations.

22. Dragon Quest VII

Release Date: August 26, 2000

It does not get more classic than in the Dragon Quest series, evem with a jump to 3D graphics.

Featuring one of the longest intros ever seen in a role-playing game, Dragon Quest VII is definitely a title that rewards dedication.

This is because many features open up after hours of play, like the robust job system.

The classic turn-based combat system with first-person camera view and the episodic feel of the story doesn’t make it a game for newcomers.

But if you’re willing to commit, you’ll find a more-than-satisfying game with a story that’s a little more in touch with the human heart than usual.

21. SaGa Frontier II

Release Date: April 1, 1999

In life, you never get your path handed down.

Like in the SaGa series, you have to forge your own yourself

In a very unexpected twist, however, SaGa Frontier II does away this concept.

Instead it presents a more linear adventure that results in a tighter experience all the way through.

More linear, however, doesn’t mean straightforward. As you’ll have to follow two different storylines that are not always presented in chronological order.

Same with the battle system: while the turn-based combat system has been made easier to understand, you still have to deal with some obscure mechanics for leveling, assigning battle roles, discover techs, and blowing out those devastating combo attacks.

20. Breath of Fire IV

Release Date: April 27, 2000

Traditions are important. And no one honors them as much as the Breath of Fire franchise.

Breath of Fire IV doesn’t reinvent the wheel. It doesn’t even try to do so.

Starring a young man Ryu who can turn into a dragon, players accompany the princess of Wyndia Nina on her journey to find her missing sister.

And what a journey it is!

Filled with colorful characters, including a living suit of armor, beautiful locations, and plenty of enemies to defeat.

All this wrapped into a classic turn-based battle system that lets you switch characters on the fly and combo special attacks together for massive damage.

A regular’s day work in the life of any hardcore RPG fan.

19. Tales of Destiny II

Release Date: September 11, 2001

Fighting games and role-playing games have absolutely nothing in common.

And yet a developer worked some magic to masterfully mash them together right here.

Tales of Destiny II, also known as Tales of Eternia, is a rather by-the-books JRPG at first glance.

But appearances are very deceiving here, as the game actually plays like a 2D fighting game during battles.

Controlling any of the playable characters in real-time, you can unleash up to six different special techniques that can be combined together to obliterate enemies.

With magic spells and special techniques flying all over the screen, every battle in Tales of Eternia turns into a feast for the eyes. And you’re not a mere spectator!

18. Grandia

Release Date: December 18, 1997

No other PlayStation 1 RPG manages to capture a true spirit of adventure as Grandia does.

What makes Grandia so memorable it’s the tone of the entire adventure.

It’s whimsical, it’s joyous, and it conveys a sense of excitement like no other game does.

With the world divided by a massive wall, you’re often left wondering about what lies on the other side. And once you do get there, all your expectations are truly surpassed.

With solid RPG gameplay that allows deep customization of every charming and well-developed character, this will keep you hooked.

It also offers a turn-based battle system with real-time elements, and great amount of extra content, and really just a fun experience through it all.

Grandia is an adventure that will stick with you for so long that no wall will ever stop your adventuring spirit.

17. Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete

Release Date: October 25, 1996

Coming of age stories probably reached their peak in 1992, making for great material for a great remake!

Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete, a remake of an older SEGA CD RPG, is as classic as it gets.

A young boy named Alex ventures out into the world together with his childhood friend Luna, meeting a charming cast of characters on the way.

And they end up having to take on a great evil to achieve legendary status as the new Dragonmaster (seems pretty typical RPG here).

The game does show its age with its clunky inventory system, and a progression that requires a bit of grinding. Not to mention a fairly slow turn-based battle system… so if you’re tight on time, you may not fully appreciate this one.

But if you let these small flaws stop you, you would be missing one of the most charming stories from a classic JRPG title.

16. Final Fantasy VIII

Release Date: February 11, 1999

Final Fantasy VIII is the first of the multiple entries in the series that you’ll find here.

But I’m not biased. It’s just that FF games are so good.

Final Fantasy VIII is definitely among the most controversial entries in the series, due to some gameplay design choices that make it rather easy to break the game’s challenge level.

Even with these issues, however, the game is still a great RPG.

Squall’s adventure is a memorable journey told through different timelines that address themes like duty, honor, and love.

It may not reach the levels of excellence of Final Fantasy VII and IX, but it’s still worthy of the Final Fantasy name. And absolutely worth playing if you haven’t yet.

And if you’ve got a newer PS console you can grab the remastered version to give that a try.

15. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment

Release Date: June 29, 2000

Calling your own number to summon the mysterious Joker sounds weird?

You ain’t seen nothing yet!

Maya Amano’s pursuit of the terrible Joker in Persona 2: Eternal Punishment is among the most memorable RPG experience on PlayStation 1.

Mostly thanks to the stylish way it’s presented, the deep characters, and the themes.

The game resounds with contemporary issues like information manipulation, it’ll keep you hooked.

Like most RPGs it has some great gameplay mechanics, like the ability to negotiate with demons in battle.

The slow turn-based battle system does feel dated, but everything else is on a whole other level. Making Persona 2: Eternal Punishment a much better game, in some regards, than the rest of the series.

14. Front Mission 3

Release Date: September 2, 1999

Controlling big, colorful mechs has been every kid’s dream for a long time.

Would it be the same with mechs that are more like tanks?

Front Mission 3 is a massive tactical role-playing game featuring an intricate, political-focused story set in the near future.

It’s complete with two branching storylines that will put you on either the side of the Oceania Cooperative Union, or the People’s Republic of Da Han Zhong.

No matter the faction you pick, you’ll be driving powerful mechs called Wanzers, and you’ll love it.

You can easily customize them with different parts and weaponry, and unleash hell on your enemies at every turn.

These mechs may not shoot missiles from their fingers or laser beams from their eyes. But they are still a force to be reckoned with.

13. Brave Fencer Musashi

Release Date: July 16, 1998

The legendary wandering samurai Miyamoto Musashi did not just kill 50 warriors in a single duel.

He also saved the Allucaneet Kingdom. Yes: all-you-can-eat.

Brave Fencer Musashi is a lighthearted action RPG that never fails to bring a smile to anyone’s face, especially hardcore fans.

With its colorful world, an excellent cast of characters, whimsical writing, a catchy soundtrack, and excellent gameplay mechanics, there’s a lot to love.

Having been summoned to the Allucaneet Kingdom from another world, Musashi must fight an army of baddies & massive bosses, all to steal their abilities to access more locations.

Along the way you’ll find secrets and steal even more abilities, creating a gameplay loop that feels incredibly addicting.

So much that you may wish you could have been the one to get summoned to the kingdom.

12. Chrono Cross

Release Date: November 18, 1999

Having an older brother who’s considered great at everything can be very disheartening, as Chrono Cross knows well.

While certainly not iconic as Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross is an excellent role-playing game that does not deserve to be as underappreciated as it is.

Sure, the excessive amount of characters resulted in most of them not being developed properly.

But the main cast is memorable. It’s got a great soundtrack. And the story expands the universe introduced in Chrono Trigger in some very interesting ways, all without falling into the usual trappings of inconsistent time traveling.

With a unique growth system and experimental turn-based combat, Chrono Cross has every right to be considered as a worthy successor to Chrono Trigger. It’s worth a playthrough no matter what some may say.

11. Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together

Release Date: October 6, 1995

2D graphics and simple character design bring simple role-playing games to your mind? Oh, how wrong you are.

Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together tackles some the most mature themes ever seen in a tactical role-playing game.

And it develops them in the best possible way: if you have to deal with warring kingdoms that use ethnic cleansing as an excuse, you have no choice but to do things right.

And if this wasn’t enough, you’ll be forced to make some morally grey choices throughout the course of the game.

These choices not only influence the story moving forward, but they also challenge your convictions. This is the gaming equivalent of a real page-turner.

Coupled with a challenging tactical RPG experience, Tactics Ogre: LUCT is definitely suited for those who want a game that puts it all on the line.

10. Vagrant Story

Release Date: February 10, 2000

A badass one-man army. A magical city.

Conspirators posing as the saviors of the world.

One of the most engaging RPGs ever released.

Vagrant Story almost feels like a Metal Gear Solid game with a fantasy setting.

We meet Riskbreaker Ashley who has to infiltrate the abandoned city of Leá Monde alone, armed only with his wits and his saber. The city is the haven of dragons, undead, and a plethora of dangerous creatures that you have to fight in a highly strategic way.

And with the combat system this will become second nature. You can even stop time to target specific body parts!

Vagrant Story is not exactly an accessible game. But if you’re not afraid to learn complicated mechanics, you should pick your magical Grimoire and head straight to Leá Monde this instant.

9. Star Ocean: The Second Story

Release Date: July 30, 1998

RPGs are not always all about complicated battle systems.

Sometimes they’re all about mashing buttons and bashing enemies.

Star Ocean: The Second Story moved the series forward considerably with more outer space travel and underdeveloped planets action.

Not to mention an improved battle system where characters are controlled in real-time to unleash special attacks and spells. And the unique Private Action system, which allows players to complete side quests centered on specific party members. These side-quests almost feel like a staple in the game.

With two different main stories, and a huge number of possible endings, Star Ocean: The Second Story is as great playthrough and one of the best in the entire series. Definitely the best on the PS1.

8. Breath of Fire III

Release Date: September 11, 1997

Everyone loves dragons. So everyone should love Breath of Fire III as well.

The jump to 3D graphics did wonders for Breath of Fire III, allowing developers to enrich a fairly standard JRPG with a massively detailed world.

The setting feels so populated by a colorful cast of characters and NPCs, it’s really a fun treat to explore.

Controlling Ryu, a young boy who can turn into a dragon, you’ll experience a charming coming of age story with the world at stake.

You’ll laugh and cry with him and his friends. You’l be amazed by the boundless world.

You’lll splice Genes to create the perfect dragon form and I’d say you will most definitely rage as you burn down your enemies in turn-based combat.

Intense. That’s what Breath of Fire III is.

7. Valkyrie Profile

Release Date: December 22, 1999

Odin may be the Allfather, but he still needs someone to do his dirty work for him.

Valkyrie Profile breaks up the linear progression seen in most games in favor of a more open-ended system. And it works great.

Controlling the Chooser of the Slain Lenneth, players explore a big world in search of valiant souls to train, and then send to Valhalla. All so they can fight in the incoming Ragnarok.

Training these warriors means battling enemies in a peculiar battle system that assigns each character to one of the face buttons, each to unleash attacks that can be combined together too.

It takes a bit of getting used to but it’s pretty fun.

Failure, however, is always around the corner. And if you fail to please the Allfather, you will be punished. No slacking is allowed when in service of the gods.

6. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Release Date: March 20, 1997

What is a man? A miserable pile of secrets.

What is a vampire? The main character of one of the best games ever made.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is a masterful mix of platform, adventure, and role-playing game that defies every classification under the sun.

Controlling Count Dracula’s son Alucard, players explore a huge castle to stop a ritual that could bring the count back to life. Probably to deliver some very corny lines about humans before feeding on them.

With tight controls, great platforming, a huge variety of weapons, and epic boss battles, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is rightly considered one of the best video games ever made.

And certainly one of the best RPGs of the PS1 era.

5. Suikoden II

Release Date: December 17, 1998

The original Suikoden isn’t exactly a groundbreaking game.

But its fundamentals were so solid that just a few tweaks resulted in this masterpiece.

Suikoden II plays a lot like its predecessor. You once again control a young revolutionary and his army to defeat a tyrannical empire that has threatened peace. But it’s the execution that makes all the difference.

The world’s scope is incredible. The 108 Stars of Destiny are no longer just glorified castle butlers.

Plus the turn-based combat has been further refined so it feels a lot better than previous games.

And the main trio’s relationship is so well developed that it’s impossible to hold back tears just seeing how the war impacted their once simple lives.

When Suikoden II hits, it hits hard.

4. Final Fantasy IX

Release Date: July 7, 2000

The Final Fantasy series is like a river.

It flows, but it always returns to the sea whence it came.

Doing away with the steampunk setting seen in the seventh and eight entries, Final Fantasy IX goes back to the roots of the franchise with a beautiful medieval setting full of character

It offers a story that masterfully blends humor and drama, and keeps you hooked to the very end.

It’s really got a charming and well-developed main cast too, and a more straightforward customization system.

Despite the radical change in tone, FF9 is still an epic journey that no self-respecting RPG fan should skip. Lest the Tantalus Theater Troupe sets their eyes on their riches and their princesses.

3. Final Fantasy Tactics

Release Date: June 20, 1997

One of the best Final Fantasy game ever is not a numbered main entry, but a spin-off.

That’ll teach you for discounting them as minor games!

Following the estranged nobleman Ramza Beoulve, players get to uncover a conspiracy that’s set to change the political landscape of Ivalice and the nature of the world itself.

If you’re not really into all these machinations, you can use them as an excuse to indulge into the great tactical turn-based battle system and the amazing Job System.

Seriously, this game is all about the playability.

Jobs grant so many customization possibilities that creating the perfect unit will suck you into a void, which you’ll emerge only tens of hours later, broadsword in hand and Black Mage hat on your head.

2. Xenogears

Release Date: February 11, 1998

Pondering the essence of the world has never been as engaging as in Xenogears.

It has been 22 years since the game’s release. And no other RPG has since managed to get close to it in terms of story complexity.

Heavily inspired by the works Friederich Nietzsche, Carl Jung, and many other philosophers, Fei’s journey in the world outside of Lahan turns not just into a journey to preserve civilization & a journey into the deepest recesses of the mind.

It’s here that we realize some things are better left untouched.

The excellent story, coupled with a great world and character design, offers a lot. It has a very interesting take on turn-based combat that gives players a more hands-on approach too.

And the soundtrack that will melt your ears with delight. Classic JRPG music the whole way.

It makes Xenogears one of the best, and definitely the deepest, Japanese role-playing games ever released.

1. Final Fantasy VII

Release Date: January 31, 1997

Final Fantasy VII is a game that stood the test of time so well, that even its modern remake cannot put a dent in its reputation.

Final Fantasy VII is not just the best Japanese role-playing game ever released on PlayStation 1.

But arguably one of the best video games ever created.

The story, which follows mercenary Cloud Strife and his companions as they embark on a journey to save the planet, is as deep as the Pacific. It deals with themes like politics & the meaning of life and death, none of which is hindered by the extremely dry English localization.

The playable cast is memorable and well developed, and I challenge anyone who has played the game to say they did not shed a tear witnessing a particular event. You know the one.

FF7’s excellent battle system grants a lot of customization options, just what you’d expect from a top-tier JRPG.

And this feels like just the icing on a very delicious cake that every fan of role-playing games should eat till they’re full, and then ask for seconds.