40. WipEout (PS1)
Up to PS5 (come on, Sony), there's been a new WipEout game of some kind on every new console, and it's easy to understand why. The original is a legendary launch title for PS1, pushing the edgy image Sony was going for with this futuristic but gritty combat racer. Hard as nails but very satisfying once you learn its quirks, WipEout's floaty, anti-grav action would be refined to a real sheen over the years, but much of its success can be traced all the way back to the start, where the music and presentation are still iconic.
39. Tekken 2 (PS1)
Tekken 2 represented an immediate and gigantic step forward for the franchise, building and improving upon everything that the original game brought to the table. This incredibly popular sequel was responsible for introducing an entirely new audience to fighting games, and although there's no question that the series' early era peaked with Tekken 3, Tekken 2 remains a pivotal moment in the genre's — and Namco's — history.
38. Medal of Honor (PS1)
It’s perhaps difficult to recall, in this era of Call of Duty, that back in 1999, first-person shooters were predominantly the domain of PC players. Of course, games like DOOM had enjoyed successful conversions on PS1, but Medal Of Honor felt like a wholly original experience. Produced by legendary director Stephen Spielberg, this played like an interactive movie, with its cinematic portrayal of World War 2 leading to universal critical acclaim.
37. Resident Evil (PS1)
Where it all started, the original Resident Evil will remain a bonafide classic for eternity. As one of the first survival horror games, its popularity helped birth a new genre that's only gotten better and better ever since — both in its own seminal instalments and original games from other developers. The Spencer Mansion is still one of the most iconic settings in gaming, and while its gameplay certainly feels dated by this point, what Capcom was going for remains obvious. The survival horror formula has been done better in the decades since, but the first Resident Evil will forever remain relevant, and a true classic of the industry.
36. Twisted Metal 2 (PS1)
Bigger, better, more bad ass. That was the mantra for Twisted Metal 2, which took everything that was successful about its predecessor, and really amped it up. The game features some of the most iconic maps in the series, like Paris, with its shootouts in and around the Eiffel Tower, and Hong Kong, with its ridiculously detailed urban streets.
35. Tomb Raider (PS1)
PS1 gaming doesn’t get much more memorable or iconic than Tomb Raider, arguably one of the most famous games ever made. The legendary 3D platformer introduced the world to heroine Lara Croft, and also a level of cinematic gameplay never seen before. With its stunning, sprawling environments and tough as nails puzzle platforming gameplay, it’s one of the most important titles of all time.
34. Final Fantasy VIII (PS1)
How did Squaresoft follow up the immense success of Final Fantasy VII? Why, it did something completely different, of course. Final Fantasy VIII is one of the series' most experimental mainline instalments, replacing traditional levelling mechanics with the complex, but ultimately quite rewarding, Junction system. Said system still divides opinion, but there's no doubt that it helps Final Fantasy VIII establish a unique identity. What's more, the futuristic setting, premise, and characters of VIII ensure that it's still a strikingly memorable entry in a series filled with memorable entries. It's also a game that redefined the word "whatever" for an entire generation.
33. Wild Arms (PS1)
Whenever the topic of classic 90s JRPGs comes up, Wild Arms should always be mentioned. A quintessential PS1 title, it's a fairly straightforward adventure in terms of structure — traditional to a fault, at times — but overall, it's a timeless formula. Fusing fantastical story elements with Wild West aesthetics, Wild Arms is quite unique in its overall tone, and although its storytelling is direct, it's well paced and strings you along on a memorable adventure.
32. Resident Evil: Director's Cut (PS1)
One of the most iconic PS1 games of all time, Resident Evil: Director’s Cut may feel clunky and cumbersome by modern standards, but the Spencer Mansion’s pre-rendered backdrops remain as atmospheric and engaging as ever. With some truly genius puzzles and heart-pounding encounters, the only slight against this stone-cold classic is that it was surpassed by its 2002 Nintendo GameCube remake, which has since been ported to various other platforms, including the PS4.
31. Dino Crisis (PS1)
In the aftermath of Resident Evil’s runaway success, iconic game designer Shinji Mikami revisited many of the same concepts for the “panic horror” Dino Crisis, a title which replaced the undead for prehistoric creatures. With its real-time environments, advanced artificial intelligence, and original concept, it remains one of the best-loved games on the PS1 today.
Comments 42
I have so many question to people who voted for the games. "Parasite Eve II" in the top and THPS2 is higher than ff7
I can't believe the original GTA and GTA London haven't made the cut
There are some gems there that I'd forgotten about. I'll need to get in eBay soon.
Just goes to show how many great games the PS1 had. So many of these titles are iconic not just for PlayStation, but for gaming as a whole.
@saffeqwe it's literally a 0.1 difference in score. THPS2 obviously doesn't have the scope and depth of ff7 but it's a skateboarding game. It is a flawless execution of a skateboarding game though. The soundtrack, levels, modes and general gameplay are all fantastic.
I was more surprised to see wipeout 3 crack the top 5
FF7 being lower than 3 is criminal. But these lists are always subjective. MGS, FF7, SotN are top 3. Pick your favorite in my opinion. That's the holy trinity of PS1.
Anyone else never passed the opening of driver?
Strong list. I'd rearrange a few things, but wouldn't we all. Glad to see Final Fantasy Tactics made the Top 10.
@Dan-The-Van Do you mean the carpark test? It was notoriously tough for those that didn't play driving games before and they didn't do a good job of onboarding players about HOW to do it. But it was a brilliant game behind that. Not sure how that pain point got past testing to be honest. But perhaps it was because you were driving a van
@saffeqwe It's reader voted so you can submit your own scores if you disagree!
@themightyant yes the carpark test. Alas it was my pre-van days i was but a nipper. Never did get to see any past that carpark.
Too much Wipeout.
Wipeout 2097 was always my personal fave too. Wipeout 3 was a very good game, but I dunno, it was a bit like Return of the Jedi trying to live up to the Empire Strikes Back.
Better soundtrack, better hud, a more striking visual tone. It just had that edge for me.
Ape Escape, Driver, and Spyro are WAY TO LOW!
No Einhander (Shmup genre always ignored)
No Devil Dice or Kurushi
And finally no bloody Pepsi Man (outrage)
Having played Tekken 2 on PSN recently I have to say that Tekken 3 is easily the superior game.
Tekken 2 is super effing hard even on Normal mode. I am almost certain the computer must be reading your inputs and you can lose your whole health bar to a single kick. You spend so long on the floor after getting hit too.
No Suikoden 2 is wild.
Not sure if I liked having the FF/CT re-releases here. While FF4 and FF6 are amazing games. Not something I associate with PS1.
Wouldn't mind editing some of these best of lists down. Obviously some of the best PS2 games re-released on PS3 make them some of the best PS3 games. No double dipping.
Happy to see Parasite Eve on this list. However I'm surprised Vagrant Story didn't make the cut.
1-Mgs
2-Tekken 3
3-CTR
4-Parasite eve 2
5-Twisted Metal 2
6-Dino Crisis 2
7-Rival School
8-Soul Reaver
9-Marvel Vs Capcom
10-Sheep Raider
@ShogunRok hey I noticed Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus has an 84 game rating but its not on the list, in fact the game doesnt even have a cover in its push square page.
1. Resident Evil 2
2. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
3. Twisted Metal 2
4. Metal Gear Solid
5. Tekken 3
6. Resident Evil
7. Ridge Racer
8. Silent Hill
9. Gran Turismo
10. Syphon Filter
@LordOfTurnips Thanks for pointing this out, we'll take a look!
@LordOfTurnips Ah, it's because it only has 27 ratings right now. Games need 35 to make this list (purely to try and balance what actually makes the cut).
We'll still have to fix up the game page though, so thanks for saying something!
@Gamer83 that's more like it 👍
Id throw Bushido Blade in there somewhere. Maybe in my personal top 20.
Everyone play Koudelka. That's all I have to add.
Man this article takes me back to Christmas 1995 when i got a Playstation from Santa.
So close! Ah well Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is still my favourite ps1 game. Funny that a 2D game would be so high considering how big 3D gaming was being pushed back then.
I'm here to plead to everyone.
Please go rate Oddworld Abe's Exoddus. Game is a masterpiece, it deserves to be om this list
Castlevania SotN is as close to perfection as any game could ever come
A really informative and nostalgic read. Reminds me of a time when games were an escape from reality (sometimes using subtle, inspired allegory for stories and world-building) and not packed with the on-the-nose, agenda-laden narratives we often have to hack through to get to a game these days. I would love to see some of the earlier Final Fantasy titles redone in the Octopath style.
No Blasto? This list is now invalid. In all seriousness, Castlevania: Symphony of The Night and Metal Gear Solid being 2 and 1 is accurate in my opinion. Countless hours were lost to those two masterpieces.
I have to say I really don't understand what people see in Dino Crisis.
I never played it originally, but I am old enough that I was in my teens when the PS1 came out. I played it last month when it came out on PS+ and even trying to do my best to judge it from a historical perspective (which I admit is more easily said than done), I just don't think it's a good game. I can only assume that people's feelings about it were tied into lingering zeitgeist around Jurassic Park.
I agree with the 1 and 2 picks. I've replayed Metal Gear Solid recently and can still appreciate it even from a modern perspective. Simply having camera relative controls instead of character relative controls (aka "tank controls") goes a long way towards making it feel modern.
The notable absence from this list for me is Colony Wars. They made a space "sim" feel and play well on a digital gamepad, that is quite the feat.
My choice:
1. Dance Dance Revolution 3rd Mix & other DDR games
2. Final Fantasy 8
3. Final Fantasy 9
4. Punky Skunk
5. Magical Drop 3
6. Disney Magical Tetris
7. Harvest Moon Back to Nature
8. Bishi Bashi Special 2
9. Monster Rancher 2
10. Hello Kitty Cube Frenzy
Am I blind or did i miss Xenogears?
It’s hard to take this list seriously when there’s no Overblood in it
Weird that Syphon Filter is nowhere to be found. That was a pretty defining series for the PS1.
Dino Crisis is better than Resident Evil!? Outrage. I wish a T-virus on all those who voted like that lol.
Reader voted huh. I guess folks forgot about another sequel that was an improvement on the original in every way - Destruction Derby 2! Otherwise, a great list for an amazing generation!
The Castlevania Requiem collection with Symphony of the Night and Rondo of Blood is currently on sale for £3.19. You owe it to yourself to give it a go at that price if you've never played it.
MGS and SOTN well deserved. Xenogears guys! Did you forget about it, maybe I ……. ah I have to check.
I quickly skipped to #1. The list is correct.
I'm surprised and more than a little disappointed that Vagrant Story wasn't listed.
Definitely one of the best ever PS1 games IMHO.
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