Best PS1 Games

10. Resident Evil 2 (PS1)

Widely considered the best of Capcom's efforts on the PS1, it was Resident Evil 2 that built on the foundations of the original survival horror experience to deliver an absolute classic. With two campaigns from the perspectives of Leon and Claire at the helm, their journies through Raccoon City document the best of the best in terms of pure survival horror. Some of its fixed camera angles remain iconic to this day, and the focus on tense gameplay ensured every playthrough was a test. If the original Resident Evil put the survival horror genre on the map, then Resident Evil 2 was its proper coming-out party.

9. WipEout 2097 (PS1)

While much of the groundwork was laid down by its predecessor, WipEout 2097 is a much improved sequel. Set several decades after the original, the game's improved controls, visuals, and gameplay features mark it as an early highlight of the series. It also doubled down on the weapons system, with the ability to eliminate opponents from the race, turning it into a full-on combat racer. It's an absolute classic, and a true icon of the PS1 era.

8. Final Fantasy Tactics (PS1)

Ask most people about Final Fantasy, and they probably won't even mention the excellent Final Fantasy Tactics. But among more hardcore enthusiasts, Tactics is often name dropped as one of the greatest strategy RPGs ever made. Superbly worked and brilliantly well realised, Tactics is a PS1 masterpiece.

7. Final Fantasy IX (PS1)

Many a Final Fantasy fan would tell you that Square's series peaked with Final Fantasy IX. An indisputable PlayStation classic, it first released as an utterly outstanding swansong for Sony's first console. A masterfully crafted world is inhabited by excellent characters, and it's all placed alongside more traditional RPG mechanics, refined to near perfection. With superb story pacing that whisks you from one gripping scenario to the next, it's still incredibly hard to fault Final Fantasy IX.

6. Tekken 3 (PS1)

A fighting game that defined an entire generation, Tekken 3 was a technical marvel upon its release in 1997. It was a sequel that blew its predecessors out of the water completely, delivering a truly 3D brawler that set new standards for the genre. Iconic characters, an excellent soundtrack, and outstanding visuals made Tekken 3 a go-to title for those who wished to demonstrate the power of PlayStation to friends and family.

5. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (PS1)

The original was a breakthrough hit, but Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 amped things up. While the gameplay was improved generally, it was the addition of the manual that really made a difference. Pulling off this trick allowed you to keep combos going for far longer, increasing the risk but dramatically enhancing the reward. On top of that was a whole new roster of stages to skate through, which have since become iconic, as well as a new level editor that let you build your very own skate parks. The excellent soundtrack is the cherry on top.

4. Gran Turismo 2 (PS1)

After the outrageous success of Gran Turismo, creator Polyphony Digital expanded on its efforts with a vastly expanded sequel, Gran Turismo 2. While many elements of the release remained the same, save for some small improvements to the physics system, the overall experience was enhanced by the vast number of cars and tracks available. The game went on to sell almost 10 million copies, and cemented the sensational series as a PlayStation great which has retained its worldwide appeal to this day.

3. Final Fantasy VII (PS1)

The game that made Final Fantasy the juggernaut property that it is today, Final Fantasy VII is still the most popular and most revered instalment in Square's series. Now, let's be real for a just a minute: there are parts of Final Fantasy VII that have not aged well. The visuals are all over the place and the controls are wonky, but it's a classic RPG that's still fit to burst with charm and quality. Its battle and materia systems are timeless, and its cast of characters is outstanding. There's a reason why Square Enix is still milking Final Fantasy VII, decades after its original release.

2. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PS1)

Castlevania was at something of a crossroads in 1997. The advent of 32-bit consoles like the PlayStation and Saturn had introduced a new era of 3D visuals, and many of gaming's biggest franchises were shedding their 2D origins and embracing the world of three dimensions. When Konami revealed that its first 32-bit Castlevania title would still be 2D in nature, there was some degree of apathy in certain parts of the gaming world – but Symphony of the Night proved such doubters wrong. It's unquestionably one of the best video games of all time, skillfully mixing traditional Castlevania gameplay with the exploration and gear-gating of Super Metroid (hence the term 'Metroidvania') whilst adding in hundreds of items to collect and an RPG-style levelling system.

The scope of Symphony of the Night is truly staggering, even by modern standards; fully uncovering every inch of Dracula's castle is an undertaking that will consume weeks of your life. The presentation is arguably Konami's 2D zenith; superbly-animated sprites and beautiful backdrops abound, while the music also represents some of the finest audio in the Castlevania canon. While programmer Koji Igarashi – who would later become series producer – iterated on the 'Metroidvania' concept with his GBA and DS outings, none of them really overtake Symphony of the Night in terms of brilliance. That's why we consider it to be the best Castlevania game of all time.

A Japan-exclusive Saturn port was released in 1998 which added in new levels and the ability to play as Maria, but it is also saddled with longer loading times and weaker visuals overall. Castlevania Requiem on the PS4 bundles the game with Dracula X: Rondo of Blood, and Symphony of the Night was also included on the earlier PSP collection, Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles. Finally, it's worth noting that we nearly got a port for Tiger's ill-fated Game.com handheld, which was cancelled before launch and recently rediscovered.

1. Metal Gear Solid (PS1)

Metal Gear Solid isn't just one of the greatest games of all time; it's also one of the most important. Not only did it pave the way for an elite-tier franchise in Metal Gear Solid, but it also proved cinematic storytelling could work in the video game medium. Helmed by Hideo Kojima, the PS1 release blended gameplay and cutscenes unlike anything else before it, paving the way for the sort of narrative-focused experiences of the modern age. Without Metal Gear Solid, you don't get the likes of The Last of Us or God of War — at least in the form they take today.

Even without its influence and implications for the industry as a whole, though, Metal Gear Solid stands the test of time as an all-time great. The stealth-focused gameplay, excellent cast of unforgettable characters, and gripping cinematics come together to form an outstanding story game — even by today's standards. Metal Gear Solid is the best PS1 game around, and indeed still one of the best ever made.