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While plenty of people would rate games according to how popular or rare they are, I wanted to change things up. Instead, I wanted to write a list that consisted of PS1 games that reinvented gaming as we know it; games that have received critically acclaimed remakes and are incomparable to anything released since. The list is in no particular order, but all of these PS1 games have stood the test of time and have all contributed to gaming history as a whole.
10. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater
In an era where sports games primarily involved balls of some sort, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater still managed to rise to the top. This game paved the way for so many memorable skateboarding video games that otherwise wouldn’t have been as popular. This is also the game that put Neversoft on the map as a reputable sports game developer when they had never created one before. In 2020, Vicarious Visions took on the opportunity to remake the first and second Pro Skater games for modern consoles, which went on to become the fastest-selling entry in the entire franchise.
9. Metal Gear Solid
You can’t think about the best PS1 games of all time without thinking about Metal Gear Solid. Although it isn’t the first in the Metal Gear franchise, there’s no doubt that it’s the game that put it on the map as one of the greatest of all time. Never before had a game been released that took espionage to the level that Metal Gear Solid did, while also being silly and unique. As a result of its popularity, Hideo Kojima became recognized as a figurehead in the gaming industry who later went on to develop Death Stranding. Without Metal Gear Solid, we probably wouldn’t have the upcoming horror game, OD, to look forward to.
8. Gran Turismo
If you didn’t already know, Gran Turismo was one of the best PS1 games of all time during the console’s lifetime at 10.5 million units. The game reinvented arcade and simulation gameplay, paving the way for what we have come to expect from modern racing games. It was also one of the first racing games to prioritize graphics and appeal to those who were interested in cars on a level higher than just driving them. Gran Turismo is now a well-respected and leading name in video game driving peripherals and industry sponsorships. In 2023, a film titled Gran Turismo, based on a true story regarding the game series was released, earning it a Best Adaptation accolade at The Game Awards.
7. PaRappa the Rapper
Modern-day rhythm games released on home consoles have a lot to thank PaRappa the Rapper for. It featured the iconic PaRappa the Rapper as he rapped his way through different stages to win Sunny Funny’s affection. Many industry professionals agree that PaRappa the Rapper is the first true rhythm game, making it even more interesting that it’s considered one of the best. Interestingly, Sony released a port for the PSP in 2006 and re-released a HD version of the first title on modern consoles in 2017, which were both very well-received by fans.
6. Tomb Raider
The first Tomb Raider game started a legacy in gaming that can still be felt to this day. Lara Croft has donned many faces, with two of those being Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander, and will only be taking on more. Every generation of gaming has felt a Tomb Raider wave that has only been met with positive reception by fans and newcomers alike. Plenty of other franchises have been inspired by the Tomb Raider franchise including Uncharted that have each managed to make their own contributions to gaming.
5. Spider-Man
I personally remember playing this game on the Nintendo 64 and then being floored with how much better it was on the PS1. Neversoft developed the first game which led into three sequels developed by Torus Games and Vicarious Visions. I believe that were it not for this game, we wouldn’t have the Marvel’s Spider-Man games that have helped put superheroes on the gaming map in a positive light. Now, when we hear about an upcoming or potential Spider-Man game, we almost instantly know that we are in for an incredible game.
4. Final Fantasy VII
I feel like I don’t really need to speak on why Final Fantasy VII is on this list. This installment in the ever-popular Final Fantasy series was revolutionary to what games were capable of when it came to sound design and storytelling at the time. The game’s legacy has resulted in several spin-off games and now, a complete remake spanning several game releases. When the original was released, developers had to compete with everything that Square Enix had spearheaded. Now, developers are still trying to keep up with the game in the launches of Remake and Rebirth.
3. Resident Evil 2
The first Resident Evil made waves in the gaming world, but the second is where the fun really lies. Resident Evil paved the way for zombie survival horror in video games and the second installment managed to improve on everything from the gameplay to the sound design to the overall scare factor. Its producer, Shinji Mikami, went on to define gaming with the release of the third and fourth Resident Evil installments before going on to establish Tango Gameworks. Its story is also widely considered by many, including myself, to be one of the greatest told in the era of PS1 games.
2. Silent Hill
Everyone knows about the Silent Hill series; even those who have never played any of the games. Developed by the now-defunct Team Silent, Silent Hill defined survival horror and environmental storytelling. As opposed to having a protagonist who had abilities, the first Silent Hill introduced players to a character who was not supernatural or powerful in any way. Much of the gameplay focused on trying to get away from enemies and solving puzzles which became a concept that games nowadays tend to get compared to. Its legacy also contributed to several films and novels that are considered popular installments to horror history. Many gaming historians consider it to be the best PS1 game of all time.
1. Time Crisis
Time Crisis is incredibly popular in the arcade setting and is revered by PS1 collectors as well. The game utilizes the infamous light gun and allows up to two players to play in jump-in-jump-out gunplay. If you had a second remote or a pedal from a racing wheel peripheral, you could take advantage of the arcade elements that allowed you to duck behind different environmental objects. Its release didn’t necessarily impact the PlayStation scene, but you can’t enter an arcade without seeing some Time Crisis installment nowadays. It’s become increasingly popular and the concept has inspired many games including House of the Dead.
