It’s always nice to look back at some of the best games that made you fall in love with Sony—even better if they’re the reason you became a gamer. Those who are loyal to the company should have gone through every console generation. And I’m sure the loyalists can agree that the first generation’s console gave them the experience that they deserved. Even those who’ve never owned it back then had no choice but listen to their friends that did as they went on and on about the experiences they’ve made. It came to the point where Nintendo would soon see that it was no longer the reigning king of video game production.
What I’m getting at is that Sony’s PlayStation One was so good that it changed the gaming industry forever.
And the reason as to why it was so good is because it had the games that would compel people to buy the system. If you had a PS1—or if you still have yours—then there are probably more than a handful of titles that you remember being really fun, exciting, or just plain wonderful. And even if you didn’t have one, modern technology has granted you the power to play what one would call the “relics” of Sony’s gaming library through the use of emulators.
We here at PlayStation Galaxy have come up with the top 10 games that you should have played back in the day. And if you haven’t tried them, then we urge you to give them a shot as they still hold up even by today’s standards.
The Crash Bandicoot Trilogy
We’ll be starting off with the remake that nobody thought would happen, but the one that everyone definitely deserved. Crash Bandicoot was undoubtedly one of the best platformers for the system. It came to the point where Crash, our orange bandicoot protagonist for all three games, became the unofficial mascot for the PS1.
Crash Bandicoot, Crash Bandicoot: Cortex Strikes Back, and Crash Bandicoot: Warped were all amazing 3D platformers. What’s even better is that each sequel improved over its predecessor in terms of mechanics, level design, animations and more. Although, I won’t lie that they were all fairly difficult—that much is proven with the N’Sane trilogy, especially the uncut levels. Even so, they were all fun and we implore you to take a look at the original.
Spyro the Dragon Trilogy
The first two items on our list might be pretty obvious as one has already been remade and the other is still awaiting its own. But there’s a reason that Sony went through the trouble in making them happen. Both Crash and Spyro were documented as the PlayStation One’s unofficial mascots due to them being very popular. Although Spyro may have lost out a bit to its rival, there’s no doubt that the Spyro games were all great platformers.
They can also be considered as one of the PS1’s best 3D platformers—right alongside the Crash trilogy of course. Spyro the Dragon, Spyro: Ripto’s Rage, and Spyro: Year of the Dragon are all considered as timeless PlayStation classics. You play as a tiny dragon that has to travel to different worlds, collect gems and artifacts, and beat whatever threat stands in your way. Much like the Crash trilogy, each sequel drastically made improvements over its predecessors. So if you want to play a collection that contains memorable characters and an amazing soundtrack, then go for all the Spyro adventures.
Note: I know that the first two on the list already counts as 6 games—seeing as how they’re both trilogies—but they’re just so good to the point where you can’t separate them. Also, you wouldn’t want the list to be full of just Crash and Spyro now would you?
Tekken 3
By far the best 3D fighting game for the system, Tekken 3 really outdid itself. It took everything that first and second Tekken had and cranked everything up. The game had a more than enough unique characters, stages which looked great (for the time), and the gameplay itself was fair.
The best part was that if you had a 2nd controller or if your friend brought his or hers, then going up against them on a one-on-one was almost always a great time.
And if you got sick of that? Then the game offers other modes you can try out as well. A good example would be the Beat em’ up minigame where you use characters in that exact type of genre. If you’re not into that? Then you can always play volleyball! But a deadlier version where you knock it hard enough to hurt your opponent!
The game is fun, but just remember that it can get technical. So if you’re into that, then you’ll definitely get the most out of what Tekken 3 has to offer.
Resident Evil PS1 Trilogy
Again, another trilogy, but these are all well worth it. All 3 are 3D third-person shooters and they’re all within a setting of what at first feels like a zombie apocalypse. Although there is one more Resident Evil game for the PS1—Resident Evil Survivor if we’re going to get specific— that’s something that most people would want to forget due to how horribly it was received.
The 3 popularized the third-person zombie shooter genre and they definitely live up to their names as the one of the best that have been ever made. The tank-like controls gave you that sense of dread as you know you won’t be able to react quickly enough when the zombies start trying to gnaw at your face. The atmosphere of these games are all so creepy and they match well with the tank controls as both of them combined will put you on edge the entire time.
Silent Hill
Yet another 3D third-person shooter, but this one goes beyond just zombies. The game itself is just “nightmare” personified as you’ll never know what kind of demonic creature would just pop out to get you.
Fun fact: The developers used the fog in this game to limit the draw distance, allowing for much smoother gameplay. They must not have known that the added effect that the fog brings made the atmosphere much scarier than intended.
Imagine that you’re on a drive towards an unknown town, and you’ve suddenly been whisked away into another dimension full of entities that could possibly kill you. That’s basically kind of how the story of Silent Hill started.
Unlike most horror games where they rely on jump scares, this one uses the entire environment itself to give you that feeling of anxiety that just won’t go away. It’s one of the best horror games on the PS1 and you should definitely check it out if you aren’t too scared to play it.
Metal Gear Solid
This happens to be Hideo Kojima’s greatest contribution to video game history. It’s an action 3rd person shooter where you play as a secret operative to uncover and remove one of the world’s greatest threats. Although the plot sounds simple, don’t be fooled as there are so many complex twist s that it’s convoluted. But even so, everyone loves the game.
The reason? Because the gameplay is fun, the characters are likable, and the story in itself is interesting—even though it can be a pain to follow.
Also, it’s one of those games where you don’t just throw yourself into the fire and hope to kill everyone with guns blazing. No, it’s one where the main focus is stealth. Killing enemies in the sneakiest way possible often gives better rewards, so it’s a game that forces you to think outside the box (or in one, you can go either way).
I’m pretty sure that every one of you has heard the name “Solid Snake” by this point. So if you want to see what he was like and how he played from the 1st Sony Console Generation, then go for Metal Gear Solid.
Megaman X 3, 4, and 5
I know you’re all getting tired of seeing 3 games in one slot of a top 10 list, but it would be a crime not to mention any that deserve credit—especially if they’re that good. Although it’s unfortunate that the first two X games aren’t on the PS1, we were still lucky to be able to play at least 3, 4, and 5. The reason as to why I won’t count 6? Well, that’s because it had too many problems such as unfair enemy placement and horrible level design.
As for the others, each of them has their own unique quirks and they all brought a good amount of fun to the table. They’re 2D platforming shooters and they all bring a much speedier vibe as opposed to the Megaman Classic titles. All 3 games have you play as X as you try to stop the world from being taken over by rogue androids called Mavericks. It’s not the story that’s going to keep you hooked, it’s more on the gameplay itself. There are always going to be 8 bosses, and you’ll need to take down all of them before heading towards the final stage. It’s a reused formula, but Capcom seems to make it work almost every time. All the bosses are unique, they all give you cool new weapons, and the stages are pretty well made.
Try out the Revitalized Blue Bomber’s games if you want to know why a lot of people know and love X.
Twisted Metal 4
While the majority would use cars for racing, this game right here uses them for deathmatches. Twisted Metal is a vehicular combat video game where your main objective is as simple as it gets: obliterate every single drive by any means necessary.
It doesn’t matter what you use. You can crash into them, shoot them with missiles, fire heavy weaponry, you name it! It was one of the most original game concepts that came out during the time and you can bet that it was a lot of fun. This is especially true if you had friends to play with as you can watch as either they turn your car into smithereens or you do the exact same to theirs.
Take note that this game is insanely violent so parents better keep it away from their kids—not that it stopped me and I turned out great.
So if you want vehicular carnage, then this is the game is the way to go.
Final Fantasy 7
Out of all the Final Fantasy games, this one is the most beloved by all Sony fans. And there’s a very good reason for that.
The 7th game in the franchise undoubtedly has one of the best stories, as well as the most shocking twists that gamers of the past have ever faced. I won’t go into the story as doing so will take up too much time, but it is one of the more interesting ones. Every character from our protagonist Cloud to the loving companion Aerith all have their own unique personalities. It’s one of those RPG’s that took the world by storm as it had memorable characters, amazing fighting sequences, and a great story to go along with it all.
The game is fair (at most points), yet gives you the challenge you need to tell you that nothing is going to hold your hand all the way until the end of the game. The battle mechanics are simple, yet provide you with everything that you need to come up with different strategies. If you need to check out an amazing RPG, then play Final Fantasy 7.
Suikoden 2
If you’re not into the whole Final Fantasy schtick, then it’s best that you check out this title. Suikoden 2 is by far one of the most beautiful 2D JRPG’s that has ever hit the system. Everything from the character sprites to the battle animations was well crafted and they still look cool even by today’s standards.
Much like Final Fantasy 7, I won’t be able to talk about the story as it would take too long and I don’t want to waste your time. All you have to know is that it’s one full of heartfelt moments, betrayals, and surprises. Basically, the story is incredible and you should definitely play the game just for that.
Also, it’s one of those games where the roster list for your party members goes well beyond that of any standard RPG. Where others would only have around 5 or 6, this one has around more than 30! Not that you can use all of them at once, you can only carry around 6. But the thought of being able to choose from a huge list is staggering.
Almost everything about it is absolutely stunning and I implore you to give this game a chance. Although it’s long, it will be worth your time.
And there you have it, 10 (or at least 10 numbers on the list) of the greatest PlayStation One games that you definitely should play or should have played.