Summary
Theoriginal PlayStationwas not only the first console to bring 3D games to the mainstream, but also to make them the mainstream. Still, being a trailblazer, it often trailed by being the first of its generation to feel dated, and many of the PlayStation 1’s games really haven’t aged that well, especially when compared to the Nintendo 64’s catalog.
That said, there are a bunch of PS1 video games that anyone of any age can try out today to get completely floored. Let’s look atthe PlayStation 1 games that have aged the best.
Nothing did more for the PlayStation than the vast and well-thought-out game worlds of its games, and there’s no better example of that than the originalTomb Raider.While it’s true that its tank controls might feel janky for newer players at first, it will only take them some time getting used to their beauty, like an American trying to drive stick.
The originalTomb Raiderremains riveting, fun, interesting, and, surprisingly, just as scary as a great horror game in its later parts. This game has always had it all and will never stop having it. The remasters are great, but one of the best things about them is that they also give players the chance to play the game just as it was upon release, and it’s still awesome.
The originalSilent Hilljust looks strange nowadays. Its character models, enemy designs, and the town’s overall visuals are just eerier than they’ve ever been—and that works wonders for it. The game doesn’t look bad, by any means, just odd—like a Polaroid photo of someone using an iPad.
TheoriginalSilent Hillwas one of the best-looking games of its era, so now, instead of looking bad, it just looks unwelcoming in a way that actually helps its atmosphere and immersion. It also features a fully 3D environment, meaning that the overall gameplay still feels way more modern than any other survival horror title of its time.
Before venturing any further, it’s important to note thatCrash Bandicoot 4is good.Why is it good? It’s the post-Crash3game that best captures the spirit and the gameplay of the original trilogy.
Crash Bandicoot 3: Warpedis a fantastic title because it improves upon the already great platforming sections of the previous games and even adds a bunch of game modes, all of them highly enjoyable and well-thought-out. It’s a shame this series all but mostly dead for a very long time, but it’s great to see that many developers and players still understand just how funCrash Bandicoot: Warpedremains.
Silent Bomberis likely the least-known title on this list. That was probably due to poor marketing, as this is not only one of the action games that holds up the best, but also one of the most impressive titles at the time of its release.
Bomberman,this was not.Silent Bomberwas all about high-octane action where the main character ran and dashed through various environments to place bombs on various mech-like enemies to detonate them and blow the players' minds later.
There’s a reason why all skateboarding games lost a lot of steam even before the 2010s, and that’s because, well, they came very close to perfection right there on the PS1. Sure, the original version ofTony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3for the PS2is even more amazing than the PS1’s, but the old(er) tech counterpart is no slouch either.
The gameplay remains fluid and fun with a wide assortment of fantastic maps, and its soundtrack remains as legendary as any game’s OST ever. A wild selection of skaters and a bevvy of over-the-top challenges on each map made this one of the best sports games of its era. There’s a reason why the series is getting a slew of remakes in the modern era.
If the originalTomb Raidercemented 3D exploration and puzzle-solving games as one of the most popular genres of its time, thenLegacy of Kain: Soul Reaverperfected it. Though the tank controls of the originalTomb Raidertitles remain endearing,Soul Reaverjust does movement much better, as it does everything else.
Soul Reaveralso ensured it would age like wine by featuring spectacular writing and voice acting—an absolute rarity at that time.The remasters of the originaltwo games are great, but there’s nothing really wrong with diving into the PS1 version, either.
Vagrant Storyisn’t just an original game—it’s an original game that pulled off every single revolutionary step it took. The fantastic proximity-based combat mechanics, where players choose which nearby limb of the opponent to hit, remain modern, which is likely why players can see something so similar in the newest games in theFalloutseries.
Vagrant Storyboasts some of the best graphics in the history of the PlayStation era, both in a technological and artistic sense. Sadly, the game ended up not selling as well as anything with the words “Final” or “Fantasy"in its title, so it never got the sequel it so deserved.
At first, it might seem strange to have a 2D game inaugurating the podium, but most PS1 fans are well aware of this game’s prowess.Castlevania: Symphony Of The Nightmade excellent use of the PlayStation 1’s capabilities to bring players theCastlevaniagame with the best graphics, animation, soundtrack, and even fluidity.
Even nearly 30 years later,Castlevania: Symphony Of The Nightremains the best game in the series for many, and is pretty damn fine to play even in its original format. As a progenitor of the Metroidvania genre, it still stands as one of the genre’s best, which is impressive when considering the decades of innovation it directly inspired.
Upon release, famous review outlets complained aboutAlien Resurrection’s"bizarre” control scheme, which required players to move around with their left analog stick and aim with their right one. Little did they know that this would become the prevailing schematic norm in console FPS games to come, at least as of this writing.
Moreover,Alien Resurrectionis a damn good shooter, and a really challenging one. It’s very different from the more recentAlien: Isolation,with its focus on gameplay over stealth, but players really shouldn’t go in expecting an easy fight against the Xenomorphs. Games based on movies tend to suck—especially when they’re based on bad movies to begin with—butAlien Resurrectionachieved an absolute miracle by becoming a great game based on a terrible movie.
Whether or notMetal Gear Solidis the best PlayStation 1 game ever made is up for debate, but most know it’s thegreatestPlayStation game ever made. It not only introduced a bunch of new gameplay elements that remain popular in many massive hits, but it still makes them work.
Sneaking in games has evolved ever since the originalMetal Gear Solidcame out, but the original 3D version is still fun, as are the game’s bosses. The story and characters remain fantastic and are definitely the most solid in the series. Anyone looking to get into theMGSseries should use this as their entry point, and not the GameCube’sTwin Snakesremake.
