Summary
- Some PS1 games haven't aged well but others remain immersive experiences.
- PaRappa the Rapper, Vagrant Story, and Final Fantasy 9 are standout games with unique qualities.
- Symphony of the Night and Final Fantasy Tactics are genre-defining PS1 titles that still captivate players.
The original PlayStation stands tall as one of the best consoles that marked the amazing debut and meteoric rise of Sony in the gaming industry. Its focus on 3D graphics and cutting-edge tech (at the time) means that a lot of games may not look and feel that great to play in the modern era.
However, this sentiment doesn't extend to every video game on the PS1, with some having aged like fine wine. If players manage to get these games running, then they'll have a great time immersive themselves in amazing worlds with unique gameplay loops.
8 PaRappa The Rapper
A Tough Yet Charming Rhythm Game That Is Still Fun To Play
PaRappa the Rapper is one of the most well-known rhythm games of all time, with this character turning into a mascot during the early days of the PS1. The catchy songs and memorable visuals are so catchy that most fans forget just how punishing this title's difficulty is.
The rhythm gameplay is no joke, with the title demanding perfect timing from players. A few milliseconds are all it takes for players to fail a stage, forcing them to restart and hope that things will work out for them this time.
7 Wipeout 2097
An Excellent Futuristic Racer That More Fans Need To Check Out
- Developer(s)
- Psygnosis
- Genre(s)
- Racing
- Platform(s)
- Windows, PlayStation (Original), Sega Saturn
It's a shame that there aren't too many futuristic high-speed racers on the market right now. The high-octane gameplay and blindingly fast speeds that players could reach in games like Wipeout 2097 made them amazing video games for players to sink their teeth into.
This title is one of the very best in the Wipeout series and is still a blast to play. Hopefully, Sony will dedicate some resources to reviving this series and let players enjoy the same adrenaline rush they felt in Wipeout 2097.
6 Vagrant Story
The Amazing Localization And Unique Combat Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Vagrant Story is one of the most underrated PS1 JRPGs, coming at the tail end of the console's lifespan. As a result, many people overlooked a unique RPG with an epic story, excellent translation, and a unique gameplay loop.
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Fans who thought Parasite Eve was too easy will get a kick out of Vagrant Story's combat system. Positioning and targeting enemy weaknesses is a must, with this title fleshing out the world of Ivalice that would become a major focus for Square in the coming years.
5 Parasite Eve
To This Day, The Body Horror Of This Game Will Send Chills Down A Player's Spine
Players who want to check out a JRPG set in relatively modern times with a focus on body horror will love what Parasite Eve brings to the table. This title is unlike any other role-playing game made by SquareSoft and lets players take on the role of police detective Aya Brea.
This femme fatale plays a central role in a surprisingly short yet memorable story where she must stop Eve from purging all of mankind in her quest for the ultimate being. The visuals in this game are grotesque, so players should think twice about playing this JRPG if they have a queasy stomach.
4 Final Fantasy Tactics
The Tough Tactical Gameplay And Riveting Story Made This Spinoff Surprisingly Engaging
Final Fantasy Tactics
- Released
- June 20, 1997
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square
- Genre(s)
- Tactical, RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation (Original)
Final Fantasy Tactics is one of the best spin-off games ever made. No one expected this title to be so riveting, but this game was bound to be a magical experience given that the director of the underrated Tactics Ogre spearheaded this title's development.
The game features everything from tough tactical gameplay to a riveting story where Ramza and his allies fight for their nation. Given the infamous difficulty spikes in this title, fans are recommended to make multiple saves if they don't want to soft-lock themselves.
3 Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back
The Best Crash Bandicoot Game In The Eyes Of Many That Is Still Fun To Play
Out of all the Crash Bandicoot games, most people consider the second to be the best one of the lot. Cortex Strikes Back is a fun game where players can play around with Crash's expanded moveset across a litany of creative levels.
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The iconic Naughty Dog chase sequences are back and better than ever, while each stage has many creative things going for it. Warped is also a great sequel, but Cortex Strikes Back felt fresh back in the day and is still a blast to play through.
2 Final Fantasy 9
The Unique Art Style And Excellent Localization Have Helped This Fan Favorite Stand The Test Of Time
Final Fantasy 9 is considered by many to be the best game in the series, in no small part because of its combination of new and old elements in the series. The charming script and timeless visuals have helped it age notably better than the two games that came before it.
Even now, the endearing and emotional moments of this game will strike a chord with players. Final Fantasy 9 may have some issues, but players who checked this title out were treated to one of the most memorable video games ever made that will turn into a core memory in no time.
1 Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night
A Genre-Defining Title That Was Bound To Age Gracefully
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence
- Developer(s)
- Konami
- Genre(s)
- Metroidvania, Action RPG
It took some serious stones for Konami to take a gamble with a 2D game on a console dominated by 3D experiences. However, this turned out to be a blessing in disguise, with the incredible gameplay and RPG elements of Symphony of the Night turning it into a revolutionary title that coined the name of a whole new genre, along with Super Metroid.
Alucard's adventures as he becomes stronger and tries to hunt down Dracula are a blast. The lack of clunky movement and an ever-present sense of progression help Symphony of the Night stand out as one of the best PS1 games of all time.
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