If you grew up in the late ’90s, your first authentic gaming moment likely came from the PlayStation 1. The grey box was more than just a console; it was a time machine taking you to crazy worlds, memorable characters, and while our little brains could only process so many polygons in a video game at that time, more than likely, even those graphics thrilled us. The PS1 brought us a different kind of adventure, one we still haven't moved on from.
Even today, as games look more real than real life itself, many of the best PS1 games still have that special magic. Maybe it's music, maybe it’s nostalgia. Or simply pure joy derived from the experience of these games. Let's step back to the golden era of gaming and revisit the classics that helped make the PlayStation the king of the living room.
When talking about the PS1, it’s nearly impossible for anyone to leave out Final Fantasy VII. This game became a playable film long before story-driven games became popular. Cloud Strife and his spiky hair may look blocky today, but the feelings are every bit as real.
The journey of friendship, love, loss and saving the planet from a giant meteor hit hard, and when that moment happened (yes, Aerith’s death), millions cried into their memory card. This isn’t a game, it’s a cultural memory.
Before Metal Gear Solid, most of us believed that "sneaking" was just a thing you did to get food past your bedtime. But Solid Snake changed everything.
Hideo Kojima's greatest asset brought us amazing cinematic cut scenes, radio calls, and at one point, villains who could literally read your memory card (Psycho Mantis). More importantly, if video games were ever considered art, Metal Gear Solid made us play differently, while presenting larger ideas about what games could be.
When Sony needed a mascot to contend with Mario, Crash Bandicoot made his way onto the new PlayStation console. He was chaotic, comedic, and in a world of Nintendo, was somehow cooler than a plumber. The levels were tough, the physical comedy was flat-out slapstick, and the soundtrack is obsessed over, even by today's standards.
But Crash wasn't just a character in a game; he was the attitude of the PlayStation brand. Wild, weird, and a little messy, just like the 90's.
It is hard to imagine it now, but at that time, Resident Evil had gamers screaming for real. The mansion, the fixed camera angles, the line “You were almost a Jill sandwich”; it was terrifying and unintentionally hilarious.
But that feeling of pushing open a creaky door, without knowing whether or not a zombie was waiting, was revolutionary. Resident Evil didn't just create survival horror; it was survival horror.
Some games were fun. Some games were cool. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 was both. It turned what was once a niche sport into a worldwide obsession.
With its simple controls, amazing combos, and the best soundtrack that continues to live rent-free in our heads (thanks, Goldfinger), it made every player feel like a complete hero on four wheels. Even if you could not Ollie in real life, you could grind side rails on your PS1.
Before female action heroes were a trend, there was Lara Croft. Daring, intelligent, and with dual pistols, she wasn't just going through tombs; she was breaking ceilings.
Tomb Raider put puzzle-solving, platforming, and ancient mysteries in a way that felt like real exploration. The graphics might have been squarish, but the adventure was timeless.
If Final Fantasy VII offered the best storyline, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night provided the best gameplay loop.
Playing as Alucard, you explored a large castle filled with items, beasts, and haunting music that would be enough to stand next to any Hollywood soundtrack. It was action, but it was also artistry. This game was arguably the first game to establish the “Metroidvania” genre we still enjoy today.
Before Forza or Need for Speed took to the streets, Gran Turismo gave us realism that was unbelievable. Real cars, real handling, and real obsession.
You could spend hours tuning your Honda Civic to the last just to race it like a champion. For car enthusiasts, it was more than just a game; it was a dream garage on a disc.
While Crash Bandicoot was wild energy, Spyro was pure charm. The colorful worlds, the witty dialogue, and the satisfying fire-breathing made this little dragon simply a classic.
Spyro made exploration fun again; collecting gems, freeing dragons, and gliding through magical skies were like going into a bedtime story you didn’t want to end.
While Resident Evil was the jump scare king, Silent Hill was the nightmare king. The foggy streets, creepy sound design, and psychological horror, Silent Hill dug very deep inside our minds.
It wasn’t just about monsters; it was about what’s inside us. Silent Hill showed horror did not need gore to be terrifying; it just needed atmosphere.
Few fighting games hit as hard as Tekken 3. Fast, fluid, and with an array of fighters you could actually learn the moves of, Tekken 3 was a staple in multiplayer play.
Everyone had a favourite fighter. Jin, Hwoarang, Eddie Gordo, and every win made you feel like you really earned respect. It was not just about fighting; it was about bragging rights.
Ape Escape was the first PS1 game that required the DualShock controller, and it made it fun. You chased silly monkeys with some cool gadgets, causing trouble in wild but creative levels. It was smart and funny and showed how a new idea could create a game you would never forget.
Looking back, the PS1 wasn't a gaming console; it was a cultural shift. It made 3D gaming mainstream, it brought cinema into our living rooms, and it gave us gaming characters who became Legends.
Even today, when games look photo-real, there’s something about those old polygons that feels real. Maybe because they come from a time when the imagination did most of the heavy lifting.
The best PS1 games didn't just shape gaming; they also helped to shape us. They made us dream, made us laugh, made us cry, and sometimes made us throw the controller out of reach. And honestly, that's what good games do: they make us feel!
Some of the best PS1 games that are still worth playing are Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid, Crash Bandicoot, and Resident Evil for their timeless stories and gameplay.
PS1 games are loved for their creativity, nostalgia, and simple yet engaging mechanics that shaped modern gaming.
Yes. Many PS1 classics are also available digitally on the PlayStation Store or through PlayStation Plus Premium.
The PS1 revolutionized gaming with its 3D graphics, cinematic storytelling, and characters that later became gaming culture icons.
