The original PlayStation revolutionized the gaming industry when it launched in 1994, ushering in the era of 3D graphics and CD-quality audio. Over its lifespan, the PS1 amassed an incredible library of groundbreaking titles that defined genres and pushed the boundaries of what games could be. Let’s take a nostalgic look back at 15 of the most influential PS1 games that left an indelible mark on gaming history.
15. PaRappa the Rapper
Release Date: December 6, 1996
Developer: NanaOn-Sha
PaRappa the Rapper pioneered the rhythm game genre years before Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution. Its quirky paper-thin art style, catchy tunes, and innovative call-and-response gameplay made it an instant cult classic. Players had to press buttons in time with the music to help PaRappa rap his way through various scenarios. While simple by today’s standards, it laid the groundwork for music games to come.
14. Ape Escape
Release Date: May 31, 1999
Developer: SCE Japan Studio
Ape Escape was the first game to require the DualShock controller, showcasing the potential of analog stick controls. Players used both sticks to control the protagonist and gadgets simultaneously as they chased mischievous monkeys through colorful 3D worlds. Its innovative controls and charming presentation made it a standout platformer that pushed the PS1 hardware.
13. Spyro the Dragon
Release Date: September 10, 1998
Developer: Insomniac Games
Spyro the Dragon proved the PS1 could handle large, open 3D environments when many were skeptical. The game featured sprawling levels filled with collectibles, enemies, and secret areas to discover. Spyro’s fluid controls and ability to glide made exploration a joy. Its success spawned a franchise and showed the potential of 3D platformers on the system.
12. Tomb Raider
Release Date: November 14, 1996
Developer: Core Design
Tomb Raider introduced gamers to iconic heroine Lara Croft and redefined action-adventure games. Its mix of platforming, puzzle-solving, and combat in fully 3D environments was revolutionary for its time. The game’s atmospheric tombs and ancient ruins created a sense of isolation and discovery that captivated players. Tomb Raider’s success made Lara Croft a gaming icon and multimedia franchise.
11. Tekken 3
Release Date: March 20, 1998
Developer: Namco
Tekken 3 refined 3D fighting games to near perfection. Its fluid animations, huge roster of unique fighters, and deep combat system made it the fighting game to beat on PS1. The addition of the sidestep mechanic added a new dimension to fights. Tekken 3’s popularity in arcades and homes cemented the series as a fighting game staple for decades to come.
10. Silent Hill
Release Date: January 31, 1999
Developer: Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo
Silent Hill redefined survival horror with its focus on psychological terror over jump scares. The game’s foreboding atmosphere, disturbing monster designs, and mind-bending story left a lasting impression on players. Its use of fog to mask technical limitations became an iconic part of its unsettling ambiance. Silent Hill proved horror games could be cerebral and deeply unsettling.
9. Gran Turismo
Release Date: December 23, 1997
Developer: Polyphony Digital
Gran Turismo raised the bar for racing simulations with its attention to detail and realism. The game featured hundreds of meticulously modeled cars with realistic handling. Its mix of arcade-style races and challenging license tests appealed to casual and hardcore racing fans alike. Gran Turismo’s success made it Sony’s bestselling PS1 game and spawned a long-running franchise.
8. Resident Evil
Release Date: March 22, 1996
Developer: Capcom
Resident Evil defined the survival horror genre with its perfect blend of scares, puzzles, and resource management. Players had to carefully conserve ammo and health items as they explored a zombie-infested mansion filled with fiendish traps and puzzles. Its fixed camera angles and tank controls added to the tension. Resident Evil’s success launched a multimedia franchise that continues to thrive today.
7. Crash Bandicoot
Release Date: September 9, 1996
Developer: Naughty Dog
Crash Bandicoot gave the PlayStation its unofficial mascot and showed the system could handle character platformers as well as Nintendo. Its colorful graphics, quirky humor, and challenging level design made it an instant hit. The game’s use of the system’s 3D capabilities, while maintaining tight, linear level design, created a unique take on the platforming genre.
6. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
Release Date: September 20, 2000
Developer: Neversoft
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 perfected the skateboarding genre with its addictive gameplay and punk rock soundtrack. Players could chain together massive combos across intricately designed levels, competing for high scores or just enjoying the freedom of movement. The game’s create-a-skater and park editor modes added endless replayability. THPS2’s cultural impact extended beyond gaming, influencing fashion and music.
5. Final Fantasy VII
Release Date: January 31, 1997
Developer: Square
Final Fantasy VII revolutionized JRPGs with its cinematic storytelling and unforgettable characters. Its blend of pre-rendered backgrounds and 3D character models created a unique visual style. The game’s epic story tackled mature themes rarely seen in games at the time. FFVII’s success made it a cultural touchstone and helped bring JRPGs to mainstream popularity in the West.
4. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Release Date: March 20, 1997
Developer: Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night reinvented the Castlevania series with its non-linear exploration and RPG elements. Players could explore a massive, interconnected castle, gaining new abilities to access previously unreachable areas. Its gorgeous 2D graphics and haunting soundtrack created an unforgettable atmosphere. Symphony of the Night’s influence on game design can still be felt in modern “Metroidvania” titles.
3. Metal Gear Solid
Release Date: September 3, 1998
Developer: Konami Computer Entertainment Japan
Metal Gear Solid elevated video game storytelling with its cinematic cutscenes and complex narrative. The game’s stealth-focused gameplay was revolutionary, emphasizing avoiding conflict over direct combat. MGS pushed the boundaries of the medium with fourth-wall-breaking moments and innovative uses of the PlayStation hardware. Its success launched a franchise known for its intricate plots and stealth action.
2. Resident Evil 2
Release Date: January 21, 1998
Developer: Capcom
Resident Evil 2 improved on its predecessor in every way, creating a horror masterpiece. The game expanded the scope to an entire zombie-infested city, with two intertwining campaigns that changed based on the player’s actions. RE2’s improved graphics, sound design, and pacing created a palpable sense of dread throughout. Its success solidified Resident Evil as the premier survival horror franchise.
1. Final Fantasy VII
Release Date: January 31, 1997
Developer: Square
Final Fantasy VII stands as the most influential PS1 game, reshaping expectations for what video games could achieve. Its cinematic cutscenes, emotional storytelling, and unforgettable characters left an indelible mark on the industry. FFVII’s success catapulted the Final Fantasy series and JRPGs in general to new heights of popularity worldwide. The game’s impact is still felt today, with remakes and spin-offs continuing to captivate players over two decades later.
These 15 games represent just a fraction of the PlayStation’s incredible library, but their influence on game design, storytelling, and the industry as a whole cannot be overstated. The PlayStation era was a time of immense creativity and innovation, laying the groundwork for many of the games we enjoy today.