Greetings, fellow fans of PS1 games! If you’re feeling like booting up the classic console to play and rank its best offerings, you’re not alone. Lately, we’re on a retro roll ourselves, and for today, it’s all about Sony’s PlayStation 1. Ah, so many fond memories flood our minds whenever we talk about the PS1. Let’s not delay things further and see which games qualify for our top 10 favorite PS1 titles.
How We’ll Select Our Top 10 PS1 Games?
Before diving into our list, we feel it’s necessary to disclose our selection process for the top PS1 games list. We’re setting a limit to one game per franchise so other games can have a chance to have the spotlight. Other than that, here’s what we’re looking for in PlayStation 1 games to pick them for our list. If any game misses the mark, it won’t make the cut; if it does, its ranking won’t be higher.
- The PS1 games under consideration should have incredible detail aesthetically and uniqueness to them. We will not pick entries that, at the time of release, were chasing trends but rather those that set them.
- Lastly, the PS1 games must have original premise and narrative threads. They may have a dash of cheesiness and realism or be wacky and over-the-top but never bland and generic.
Which PS1 Games Are the Best?
Well, now that all the cards are on the table, we can begin our list. There are 10 slots to fill, so there’s a chance most of them will belong to popular PS1 games. However, we’re considerate of the hard work and effort of the devs, so we’ll try to include games that were underrated at the time. Well, time to see which games on the PlayStation 1 make it on our list. Here we go!
10. Twisted Metal – The Vehicular Combat Game on PS1 is Not Only Original But Highly Addictive
Kicking things off with a smash! Our first entry on the list of top PS1 games is Twisted Metal. The hardcore, edgy vibes of the name aptly suit the gameplay, as it’s all about chaotic vehicular combat. Players control one of the 12 available vehicles, each with its own quirky design and flaws. Mainly you’ll choose either heavy vehicles like trucks or relatively lighter ones like cars.
The goal in Twisted Metal is to ram and smash the opponent’s vehicles, rendering them obsolete. Players have modifications on the vehicles, like machine guns that fire infinite ammo but with a cool-down period. There are plenty of secondary weapons to mix up the mayhem variety. The campaign may feel short, but the multiplayer aspect makes Twisted Metal one of the most fun PS1 games ever.
The thematic setting involves a mysterious man known only as Calypso, who organizes the Twisted Metal tournament. Participants are drawn to the violent competition with the allure of wish fulfillment as the prize for the winner. It’s such an original gaming premise that we can’t help but feel fascinated and impressed by Twisted Metal.
9. Tekken 3 – The Definitive Fighting Game With Funky Vibes Requires Combo Precision to Master
Tekken 3 is a masterclass in how to allow the player base to learn its mechanics. The gameplay relies not on fancy all-screen encompassing attacks but on simple dodge and parry maneuvers. The skill-based precision system is highly responsive and can result in amazing comebacks and strategies. Tekken 3 rightfully deserves its place on the list of most memorable PS1 games of all time.
The colorful cast of Tekken 3 characters is what makes the PS1 game a delight to play. You have the debut of some of the fan-favorites in Tekken 3, including Jin Kazama and our main, the Capoeira master himself, Eddie Gordo. Don’t think Tekken 3 isn’t without its band of cheesiness and over-the-top flavor of cringe.
The characters may look serious, but there’s comical humor insertion when you least expect it, making the moments memorable and hilarious. If you like games that make you laugh, you’ll love our selection of the funniest games on PS4.
8. Dino Crisis – Capcom’s Terrifying Dinosaur-Themed Survival Game is Top-Tier
Capcom titles have always remained a crucial and integral part of the PS1 games library. With Dino Crisis, the upswing momentum of the survival games genre was astronomical. Players got to experience a new brand of scares, not of zombies or other supernatural forces, but with dinosaurs. With Mr. Shinji Mikami, the creator of Resident Evil, at the helm, Dino Crisis was in safe hands.
Players take on the role of Regina, an Intelligence Service operative sent to a remote island to recover a missing scientist. The twist is that her teammates and Regina herself find more than they bargained for when they encounter tyrannosaurs and velociraptors in pursuit of them. Dino Crisis causes players to panic as the dinosaurs are more terrifying and cunning.
The gameplay is complex, requiring players to avoid encounters rather than shoot down every dinosaur they come across. The ammo is scarce, as are the medical supplies. The narrative unfolds quite magnificently, and there are multiple endings depending on the player’s choices for Regina. Dino Crisis is definitely worthy of its place on the list of top-tier survival games on the PS1.
7. Tenchu 2: Birth Of The Stealth Assassins – Our Favorite PlayStation 1 Stealth Game With Ninjas
For our next game on the list of excellent PS1 games, we have Tenchu 2: Birth Of The Stealth Assassins. The game is a stealth title that revolves around 3 shinobi, or ninjas, as they’re popularly known. Players take on the role of three ninjas, Rikimaru, Tatsumaru, and Ayame, as they navigate the perilous enemy strongholds. The story intertwines beautifully with mind-bending plot twists.
Tenchu 2: Birth Of The Stealth Assassins, as the name implies, is primarily about the protagonists silently eliminating their enemies. The game’s complexity and replayability is its most defining trait. Players can also use the level editor to create variations of each stage to add new ways to approach missions. It’s why Tenchu 2: Birth Of The Stealth Assassins is on our list of the best PS1 games.
Players must use the shadows, climb rooftops, sneak past patrols, and strike at the opportune time to remain hidden. There are various tools and weapons that help in achieving these tasks, like shurikens and smoke bombs. The performance ranks higher if a ninja remains unseen throughout the mission and kills creatively. For more similar titles, check out our top PS4 stealth games.
6. MediEvil – The Action Adventure Title is Comical in Tone and Highly Enjoyable Gameplay-wise
From the tragic themes of Tenchu, we dive into the hilarity and absurdness of MediEvil. It’s one of the most fun and highly addictive PS1 games ever. The players fill in the shoes of the fallen knight Ser Daniel Fortesque, a disgrace of the order as he fell before fighting a single battle. Anyway, he gets revived as a one-eyed zombie with a chance to redeem himself against the evil sorcerer Zarok.
The gameplay involves maneuvering Daniel and fighting hordes of other hostile undead. Along the way, he collects weapons and upgrades and attains new armor to ready himself for Zarok. The game’s humor is bound to leave players in fits of giggles.
The combat involves using Daniel’s sword, crossbow, and even his own arm as a club and boomerang! MediEvil is undoubtedly one of the most fun and entertaining games on the PS1. For more games set in the dark ages but with a range of tones, we point you toward our top medieval-themed games on PS4.
5. Spyro The Dragon – Insomniac Games Creativity on PlayStation 1 Era on Full Display
Spyro: The Dragon is the first of many collaborations between Sony and Insomniac Games to develop PS1 titles. The first game in the Spyro series is one of the most fun-filled and wonderful games on the original PlayStation. Players take control of Spyro as the youngling dragon runs around, charges at enemies, breathes embers, and glides to traverse the world around him.
Spyro: The Dragon is an absolute delight to play, as Spyro’s charming and inquisitive personality feels endearing. He goes on a quest to rescue all the elder dragons that are stuck inside crystals. Spyro collects gems and defeats boss enemies to complete a world level, after which he can proceed to the next one. The gorgeous environments are breathtaking, and the music is mesmerizing.
Spyro: The Dragon, for us, is the ultimate platform game on the PS1 with a lot of heart in its story. If you’re into the genre, check out our favorite platformers for games with a similar vibe.
4. Resident Evil 2 – The Survival Horror Game Which Kicked Off The Genre’s Renaissance
Moving on to the next entry on our list of top PS1 games, we have another Capcom title, Resident Evil 2. While the first entry may have kicked off the genre into the mainstream, it’s Resident Evil 2 that defines how survival horror games should be. The game focuses on new fan favorites, Leon Keneddy during his rookie years and Clair Redfield, another green but resourceful young lady.
The players are in for a ride with Resident Evil 2. There are more scares and unnerving encounters here than in the last game. Also, Resident Evil 2 is famous for its branching narrative paths. So yeah, there’s loads of replay value to find alternative endings. The gameplay formula is more or less the same as its predecessor but with some welcome improvements.
Overall, the central antagonist in Resident Evil 2, Tyrant/Mr. X is the show-stealer. If you’re into the horror genre, here’s our list of the top PS3 horror games of all time. On the PS1, though, Resident Evil 2 is the best survival horror game ever.
3. Marvel Vs. Capcom: Clash Of Superheroes – The Crossover Wish-Fulfillment Fantasy Fighting Game is Timeless
For the most dream-come-true games on PS1, it’s not even close. Marvel Vs. Capcom: Clash Of Superheroes is the undisputed winner. Anyway, in Marvel Vs. Capcom: Clash Of Superheroes, the two primary gameplay modes are 2 on 2 tag battle and arcade mode. Players battle by picking from pairings of iconic characters from Marvel and Capcom, pitting them against one another.
The possibilities are endless, whether it’s Strider vs. Spiderman, Wolverine vs. Ryu, or War Machine vs. Mega Man. Each character has signature attacks and flashy supers that deliver massive damage.
Players can call in assists from their partner character, and then there are secret characters to unlock if the conditions are met. The point is, Marvel Vs. Capcom: Clash Of Superheroes is one of the most delightful PS1 games ever. For more games with Marvel magic, check our out tier-list of the best 3-star characters in Marvel Puzzle Quest.
2. Spiderman – One of the Most Groundbreaking PS1 Games Of All Time Still Holds Up
We’re going with Neversoft’s Spiderman for our runner-up choice on the list of top PS1 games. This is a game that’s made by true fans of the Spiderman character and mythos. The colorful shading, aesthetic, easter eggs and references, and gameplay style all pay homage to the Spiderman comics. The plot is the icing on the cake, making it one of the best Spiderman stories ever.
Players can freely web-swing, target enemies, or a specific point on a wall to zip toward. Spidey can even crawl on walls and ceilings to scope out enemies. The combat involves a variety of moves, from punches, kicks, throws, and even mounting enemies and pummeling them. The game is a ton of fun to play on the PS1, with plenty of memorable boss fights with comic-accurate depictions.
For web-based moves, Spidey can web-up his fists for extra damage, create a web dome shield, and shoot an impact web ball to knock enemies out and yank them around. There are tons of extra costumes and comic covers to unlock throughout the game. For us, Spiderman is the most upbeat PS1 game that has amazing gameplay. Check out our PS3 Spiderman game rankings for more Spidey content.
1. Legacy Of Kain: Blood Omen – The Best PS1 Game Of All Time
To cap things off on our list of the greatest PS1 games ever, we’re going with Legacy Of Kain: Blood Omen. The darkest and most bloody game on the PlayStation 1, Legacy Of Kain: Blood Omen is also the best one. Taking dark fantasy inspirations, it’s gothic aesthetic and soundtrack are sublime. The Shakespearean dialogue and voice acting are top-notch and will pull players into the story.
Players are thrust into the role of Kain, the protagonist who was a nobleman that is killed by heretics. Upon the offer for revenge, Kain accepts without hesitation. He returns to life as a vampire, exacting his vengeance. However, after that, he’s left with no purpose other than finding a cure for his undead existence. This is where Kain learns of the conspiracy against him and goes after the culprits.
Legacy Of Kain: Blood Omen’s gameplay may feel dated by today’s standards, but its retro style perfectly suits the time of other PS1 games. Kain has access to shape-shifting, magical shield barriers, attack spells, and even weapons with different functions. Drinking the blood of enemies replenishes his health and increases it overall. The game eclipses all other vampire games handily.
Final Thoughts On the Best PS1 Games
Well, that’s another gaming list concludes. We hope it helps you pick a few top-tier PS1 games you probably missed back in the day. Yes, we know we’re missing plenty of other fan-favorite games. You can rant and vent in the comments below and mention which of your favorites deserve a spot on today’s list. Also, please tell us why, don’t just list names, and be done with your comments.
Anyway, let us know your thoughts on the games on our list. How many of them have you played before? How would you rate them? We’re always awaiting our reader’s responses. For more PS1 gaming goodness, we point you toward our list of top PS1 JRPGS. Anyway, that’s it for today; we hope you all stay safe; take care, everyone, and until next time, happy gaming!
