30. 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.

29. Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage! (PS1)

Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage! builds on the success of the original with a bigger emphasis on storytelling, an expanded cast, and new abilities for the diminutive dragon. It all added up to a more appealing sequel, taking the core strengths of the first game and adding much more to sink your teeth into. Adding fan favourites like Elora the Faun and Hunter the Cheetah (as well as the diabolical Moneybags), this is an important spot in the series.

28. 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.

27. 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.

26. Tomb Raider II (PS1)

Lara Croft was at the peak of her powers when Tomb Raider 2 released in 1997, and PlayStation knew it. The platform holder negotiated console exclusivity for the sequel with publisher Eidos, resulting in the cancellation of a SEGA Saturn version. While production was completed in under eight months, the game went on to become one of the PS1’s greatest, taking Lara to Tibet, Venice, and the Great Wall of China. It sold almost seven million copies, and remains one of the most revered entries in the long-running series today.

25. Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped (PS1)

Some would argue that the classic Crash Bandicoot formula had pretty much run its course with the second game, but Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped actually brought a lot of new ideas to the series. In terms of gameplay variety, it's easily the most ambitious instalment in the original trilogy, providing Crash with a bunch of new platforming mechanics and pushing loads of crazy concepts in terms of level design. An incredibly slick, big budget sequel that still holds up.

24. Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back (PS1)

Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back is a sequel that really solidified the property's tone and identity, instilling the cheeky protagonist with a certain kind of 90s attitude. Platforming mechanics were both expanded and refined, while the level design became more intricate and rewarding. There's a clear confidence to Crash Bandicoot 2, which would allow the title to stand out in what was a crowded PS1 genre.

23. Final Fantasy VI (PS1)

A true, unmistakable classic, Final Fantasy VI set the bar for the series going forward. It was, of course, followed by the staggering success of Final Fantasy VII, but even today, VI remains an example of Final Fantasy at its absolute best. Its characters are still brilliant, its storytelling is still masterful, and from a gameplay perspective, there's so much to admire. While VI isn't as strongly associated with PlayStation as its successors, it'll always demand respect.

22. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (PS1)

Another game synonymous with PS1 is Tony Hawk's Pro Skater — a smash hit that really raised the bar for arcadey sports titles. It featured short run times through diverse levels, each filled with collectibles, objectives, and secrets. And you replay these stages over and over, not just to complete everything, but because the core gameplay is excellent. Chasing high scores by pulling off the best combos you could manage never got old, and the top tier soundtrack certainly didn't hurt either. Its sequels outshine it, but the first game retains legendary status.

21. Ridge Racer Type 4 (PS1)

The Ridge Racer series is pretty consistent in quality, but many would argue the pinnacle is Ridge Racer Type 4. This incredibly stylish arcade racer remains a beloved classic today, thanks to its satisfying drifting, engaging career mode, and gorgeous presentation. It has obviously been surpassed technically speaking, but R4 remains an icon among racing games.