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The start of PlayStation’s family of systems began with the PlayStation 1. Many of the games that we love today are either squeals or remakes of some of our beloved favorites from the system. Some of the rarest games in the world are also for the PlayStation 1. Let’s take a look at the ten rarest Playstation games that are worth their weight in gold.
The Adventures of Lomax (1996) – $100
Fans of Lemmings would definitely know The Adventures of Lomax. Lomax, the titular character, is a lemming knight who needs to traverse across three worlds. While the game itself is nothing special, developer Psygnosis is something of a legend in the industry. They’re also the developers behind the popular Wipeout and Formula One series. Shortly after the release of The Adventures of Lomax, the company was bought out by Sony and much of the staff was made redundant. As a result, one of their final games received a price hike for the collectors out there.
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile (1997) – $230
Klonia: Door to Phantomile is the first game in the Klonoa series. On release, the game was considered to be a sleeper hit. It was intended to be an adaptation of the Spriggan manga, but licensing and other issues forced the developers to work on an original game instead. That same year, Namco won Best Character at the Japan Game Awards and was also called Platform Game of the Year for 1998 by videogames.com. Over the years, the title has slowly risen in price as more fans have decided to just keep their copies out of circulation.
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure (1998) – $300
Released in 1998, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a fighting game that bears resemblance to other well-known titles of its era, including Street Fighter III. Despite its similarities, the game faced tough competition from the likes of Tekken, Mortal Kombat, and Street Fighter, resulting in limited success. Consequently, the PS1 version of the game has become one of the rarest finds in today’s gaming landscape.
Revelations: Persona (1995) – $305
The very first game in the Persona series was actually nowhere near as popular as the series is now. Revelations: Persona is much darker and isn’t very much like what players have come to know of the games. For players who are bigger fans of the Shin Megami Series, which is the game that this one is a spin-off from, then chances are you’ll enjoy it. However, the rising popularity of the games after the third one was released caused fans to want this in their collection, regardless of price.
The Misadventures of Tron Bonne (2000) – $325
The Misadventures of Tron Bonne brought a fresh dimension to the Mega Man Legends saga. This prelude centers on Tron, a pivotal member of the Bonne family, a core element in the Legends game protagonists. Tron Bonne’s game focuses on a blend of puzzle-solving and third-person shooter action, featuring the progression of various Servbots in her employ. Although the game saw a release, its primary purpose was to generate anticipation for Mega Man Legends 2. Fast forward through the decades, and this title remains absent from digital platforms, making it a staple in collections.
Syphon Filter 3 – Pre-9/11 American Flag Variant (2001) – $350
Syphon Filter 3, originally set for release on September 21, 2001, featured cover art depicting a US flag over exploding government buildings. However, due to recent events at the time, the initial shipments were recalled to replace the artwork, resulting in a delayed launch in November. The American Flag variants, with the modified cover, were never officially intended for sale. While most shipments were returned during the recall, some copies may have ended up in the hands of retailers’ staff or slipped through the cracks, reaching consumers. You might as well lock it up in a safe if you ever get your hands on one.
Suikoden II (1999) – $750
Released by Konami in 1999, Suikoden II entrusts players with the role of an orphaned protagonist leading an army against the kingdom of their upbringing. Featuring turn-based combat, the game encompasses both small, squad-based skirmishes and large-scale, full-army battles. The tactical elements resonate with Final Fantasy enthusiasts, albeit on a grander scale. Suikoden 2 had a limited print run by Konami to gauge its market reception. As a result, you might want to take a look at whether or not you have a copy just collecting dust.
Valkyrie Profile (2000) – $1,000
Developer tri-ACE is popular for both the Valkyria Profile series and the Star Ocean series. Both their first installments will have a hefty price tag on them if found. Even though it had great reception in Japan, it saw few sales outside. It’s ancient Norse themes have made its way to two sequels and a prequel. On some lists, it’s considered to be one of the greatest games of all time. Considering that, it isn’t just a rare PS1 game so much as it is a rare game overall.
LSD Dream Emulator (1998) – $1,500
This obscure, psychedelic game takes players on a first-person exploration of surreal dreamscapes. Each interaction with objects leads to a different dream, from whimsical landscapes to nightmarish caverns. The goal is to navigate without descending into haunting nightmares. The best part is that these dreams are all depicted with rudimentary 3D graphics. Inspired by the developer’s dream diary, the game’s title suggests a connection to psychedelic experiences. After its discovery by the let’s-play universe, it became one of the rarest Playstation games.
Elemental Gearbolt Assassin Case (1998) – $2,000
Working Designs, an American publisher, introduced an English-language adaptation of the Japanese light gun shooter, Elemental Gearbolt in 1998. To fuel excitement for the game, they orchestrated contests at gaming conventions. Winners were given a special edition of the game, enclosed in a briefcase, featuring the game itself, a red memory card, and a GunCon light gun adorned in gold. Interestingly, an even more elusive variant exists; certain cases initially included a gold-plated memory card. However, after the release, developers opted to go with the red card instead. It’s currently one of the rarest Playstation games you can find.
