10+ Best PS1 Games of All Time: Original PlayStation Greats

The Sony PlayStation celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2024, and there’s a lot to be in awe of. What started as an add-on to the Super Nintendo in 1988 turned into a storming success for the gaming market, overtaking well-established titans like Nintendo and SEGA. Given its history, picking just 10 of the best PS1 games is no easy feat.

For the 32-bit console era, the PlayStation didn’t just achieve that; it dominated, with sales of over 100 million worldwide and spawning countless iconic franchises, some of which are still going on today. The console also helped spur the concept of analog controls and rumble, something that SEGA and Nintendo had also been doing in the mid-90s.

Ultimately, it’s the games that defined the console’s legacy, resulting in some of the best-looking and best-selling entries for the PlayStation during its lifetime. With this in mind, Techopedia presents the 10 best PS1 games of all time.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. Best PS1 Games of All Time
3. 8. R4: Ridge Racer Type 4
4. 7. Wipeout 2097
5. 6. Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back
6. 5. Tekken 3
7. 4. Resident Evil 2
8. 3. Tomb Raider
9. 2. Final Fantasy VII
10. 1. Metal Gear Solid
11. The Bottom Line
12. FAQs
13. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. Best PS1 Games of All Time
3. 8. R4: Ridge Racer Type 4
Show Full Guide
4. 7. Wipeout 2097
5. 6. Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back
6. 5. Tekken 3
7. 4. Resident Evil 2
8. 3. Tomb Raider
9. 2. Final Fantasy VII
10. 1. Metal Gear Solid
11. The Bottom Line
12. FAQs
13. References

Best PS1 Games of All Time

10. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2

Sometimes, controls can make or break a game, but for Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2, it was the defining attribute that made the game work so well. Released in 2000, this skateboarding classic lets players take control of the title character, Tony Hawk, and nine other characters and three secret ones, which included Spider-Man.

In a time limit, you had to meet certain objectives, such as collecting letters, a secret tape, and much more, all whilst you would be pressing a bunch of button combinations to earn a high score. Combined with the level editor mode, Tony Hawk’s 2 is a showcase of how it redefined what a 3D sports game could achieve on a home console. It’s easily one of the best PS1 sports games to get released.

9. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Although Super Metroid on the Super Nintendo in 1994 introduced the ‘Metroidvania’ genre of exploring vast areas and collecting items, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night arguably perfected it in 1997 on the Sony PlayStation by mixing in some RPG elements like HP (Hit Points) and MP (Magic Points).

After years of the series being an action-based platformer, Symphony of the Night surprised many fans with what it introduced to the series, with a huge nonlinear castle to explore, filled with many items and weapons, all while allowing players to build up Alucard’s abilities.

Its CD-quality audio, featuring a fantastic soundtrack and voice-acting, only made the game even better. Combined with a few surprises along the way, Symphony of the Night redefined a series and supercharged the ‘Metroidvania’ genre, making the title easily rank among the best PS1 RPGs.

8. R4: Ridge Racer Type 4

The original Ridge Racer showcased how well a 3D arcade racer could translate to a home console in 1994, but Ridge Racer Type 4 marked the high point of the series. Released in 1998, it brought everything together, such as stunning graphics, improved gameplay, and a fantastic soundtrack, composed by a team that included Kohta Takahashi — whose work included the iconic track, ‘Urban Fragments‘, that played in the FMV intro which set expectations high perfectly.

The game featured a Grand Prix mode, allowing players to choose racing teams with varying difficulties that affected vehicle handling and speed. With multiple modes, unlockable cars, and even an exclusive Jog-Con controller to better control a car’s handling, Type 4 delivered everything you expected from a follow-up, finishing in first place among the best racing games on PS1.

7. Wipeout 2097

Yes, it’s another PS1 racing game, but Wipeout 2097 stands out for very different reasons. While the first game was a PlayStation launch title, the sequel offered a UK music-scene-based soundtrack that pushed the boundaries of what game music was capable of, featuring artists like The Chemical Brothers and The Prodigy.

Because of this crossover, it arguably helped broaden gaming’s appeal to those who previously dismissed the platform as just for kids. With thrilling tracks, futuristic vehicles, and weapons, all with a near-realistic sense of speed, Wipeout 2097 was one of the defining moments of the 32-bit era and a cornerstone of the PlayStation’s history.

6. Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back

Although Crash Bandicoot became one of the PlayStation mascots, Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back built on what made the first game work so well, many of which still influence some games today. Released in 1997, the game introduced five hub worlds, allowing players to take on levels in any order to collect the crystals and gems scattered throughout.

Everything felt refined here, with improved graphics, a smoother framerate, enhanced moves for Crash, and cut-scenes that could have easily been reformatted into a CGI cartoon for its time. The game’s replayability made it stand out, making Crash 2 a worthy substitute for Sonic when SEGA was still struggling with how to bring the blue blur to a 3D era. It’s easily one of the best PS1 platformers ever.

5. Tekken 3

It’s hard to believe that a game as seminal as Tekken 3 debuted in arcades in November 1996 — almost two years before it came out on the PlayStation. But even in its arcade days, it was clear this was a special game.

A huge step up from what came before in the Tekken series, Tekken 3 took the 3D fighting genre to the next level with a juggle system, more intricate combos, throws, and unique characters. By the time it launched on the PlayStation in 1998, there were exclusive characters, a Streets of Rage style mode called Tekken Force, and, of course, the iconic Tekken Ball Mode.

Tekken 3 was the game that left others like Virtua Fighter in the dust, forcing developers to rethink what the genre could be like on home console hardware. Without question, it’s among the best fighting games on PS1, and that’s saying something, given how many the system was home to.

4. Resident Evil 2

Resident Evil 2 has the unique aspect of being the second version of the sequel to the hugely successful original. The first attempt was almost complete in early 1997 before the team at CAPCOM decided that it didn’t meet its standards, so they started from scratch. The result was a sequel that built on what was established before in every way and then some.

Players took on the roles of Leon Kennedy or Claire Redfield, exploring the eerie Police Station of Raccoon City, solving puzzles, collecting weapons and items, and finding out the secrets of the Umbrella Corporation. The game also introduced second scenarios for both characters, offering alternative routes and the debut of the relentless Mr. X, an antagonist that would later become iconic in the game’s remake, released in 2019.

Resident Evil 2 set the benchmark for claustrophobic and paranoid survival horror as well as how it introduced the concept of replayability that could be used in the series. While any of the original trilogy could have featured here, it’s the first sequel that takes pole position as the best PS1 horror game.

3. Tomb Raider

While Wipeout 2097 bridged the gap for casual gamers in the PlayStation’s early lifecycle, Tomb Raider arguably opened the doors of gaming to women. Not only was Tomb Raider a revolutionary 3D game, but it also featured a female protagonist called Lara Croft, a rarity at the time.

Created by Core Design in Derby, England, players explored 10 huge levels, racing against others like the ever-appearing Pierre to collect the Scion, the game’s MacGuffin. The music, composed by Nathan McCree, was also one of the game’s defining attributes, with tracks like the T-Rex elevating the gameplay moments up another notch. Tomb Raider spawned a franchise that’s still going today, with a new film currently in development.

For more on the series, we’ve also rounded up the best Tomb Raider levels, how to play the Tomb Raider games in order, and written about why Angel of Darkness needs another chance. We are fans of the franchise here at Techopedia, and the first game triumphantly ranks as one of the best PS1 action games.

2. Final Fantasy VII

Since its debut in 1986, Final Fantasy had been a 2D, top-down pixel game, so once Square announced a new entry for the PlayStation, fans were worried about the transition to 3D. Of course, those fears were unfounded, as Final Fantasy VII went on to be regarded as one of the best PS1 games ever made. See how it compares against the best JRPGs.

Featuring amazingly 3D-rendered backgrounds, incredible animations during battles — especially when Summons are used for the magical monsters, and a fantastic soundtrack composed by Nobuo Uematsu, the game set the bar for the series from then on. With a storyline that’s still talked about today, Final Fantasy VII set new standards for how an RPG could work for a 3D console, resulting in an unforgettable experience for many players.

1. Metal Gear Solid

While Tomb Raider and Final Fantasy VII demonstrated how a story could be told through their respective genres, Metal Gear Solid went to another level in storytelling for games while also redefining the concept of boss battles.

You take control of Solid Snake and must infiltrate the Shadow Moses facility in Alaska to confront the Sons of Big Boss, led by Liquid Snake. But all is not as it seems, with many plot twists and a crucial choice to make halfway through the game that decides one of two possible endings.

Metal Gear Solid redefined narrative storytelling in video games, challenging players to think outside the box to solve puzzles and bosses, such as the iconic Psycho Mantis. With the fantastic voice-acting, led by David Hayter, and the music, the game serves as a masterclass in how a story can be told whilst taking advantage of the PlayStation through innovative and engaging ways. It’s our pick for the best PS1 game of all time. For more on the series, you can read up on the Metal Gear Solid timeline and everything we know about Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater.

The Bottom Line

These 10 games barely scratch the surface of the seismic impact PlayStation 1 had on gaming. Each of these highlights how the console bridged the gap between the 2D era of the SNES and SEGA Genesis and the 3D possibilities the PS1 had unlocked for aspiring developers.

From the stunning T-Rex fight in Tomb Raider to the fantastic cinematic experience of Metal Gear Solid, the PlayStation was a defining moment for gaming and for a new audience. As we celebrate its 30th anniversary, it’s important to remember the legacy it left behind — a platform that made games as fun to play as they were to watch and hear.

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