The original PlayStation has one of the most diverse libraries in gaming history. you may find just about anything, from simulation racers to battle puzzlers andboomer shooters.
It was an experimental period for the games industry, and while many games tried and failed, others blew the doors off andexceeded every expectation.
If you’re after some games that dared to be different and are far better than they have any right to be, here are some of the best Sony’s humble gray box has to offer.
10Pepsi Man
More Than A Meme Game
Pepsi Manmay not be the best game on this list, but it’s a decent title with a simple gameplay loop thatdoesn’t overstay its welcome.
Pepsi Manis likeTemple Runbefore phone games really took off. You play asPepsi Manon a quest to deliver sugary sodas to those who need it most. It’s essentially an auto-runner set in a handful of levels, each with its own hazards and challenges.
The game is a little rough around the edges, withodd spikes in difficulty, which can lead to frustrating deaths. You’re also never told how to sprint, which is essential to finish the game (it’s forward + slide, you’re welcome!).
There are some unfair moments, but they are worth slogging through for some of the console’s most ridiculous,unforgettable cutscenes.
9Kensei: Sacred Fist
A Minnow Among Sharks
Kensei: Sacred Fist
Tekkendominated the 3D fighting game market on the PS1, and its reign was so oppressive that there was little point in competing.
Kensei: Sacred Fistis anadmirable attempt at breaking into the market, and while we never got a sequel, it’s a superb pallet cleanser. The character roster is decent, butKenseimakes the list for its unique approach to defense.
Players typically hold back to block. InKensei,blocking is a stance. Your character bobs and weaves around attacks instead of magically eating them, and the animations are surprisingly smooth.
Kenseiis ahidden gemin many ways, but remains anexcellent, underappreciated fighter. Fighting game fans lost their minds at how blocking looked in the upcomingVirtua Fightergameplay demonstration.Kenseiwas all over that two decades ago.
An Arcade Classic Gets A Makeover
Pongalready has a decent PS1 game with clever gimmicks to spice up the classic formula. But what if I told you thePongpaddle had astory-driven adventure gameof its own?
Breakouthas you play as Buster,the red paddle from Pong. His girlfriend, Daisy, is kidnapped by Batnix, an evil purple paddle, and he must travel across time itself to rescue her.
It sounds like something that should never have left the drawing board, butit’s seriously good fun. The level of variety is staggering. One moment, you’re knocking down a pyramid pong-style. The next, you’re playing sumo with a flock of angry ducks!
Breakoutmakes the list because the stars somehow aligned to make this mish-mash of ideas work.
7Pandemonium
And The Award For Ugliest Protagonists Goes To…
Pandemonium!
Everyone remembers legendary platformers likeCrash BandicootandRayman. The titles are household names, and theiconic main charactersare a big reason for that.
Pandemoniumdecided to throw that last part out of the window and put players in the shoes of anugly jester called Fargus. Alternatively,you could play as Nikki, a character so unmemorable that you’ll forget her name by the time you finish this list.
If you may look past the roster,Pandemoniumoffers some of thetightest 2.5D gameplayon the platform. The challenge is firm but fair, and the bizarre environments keep you on your toes until the end credits.
Against all odds,Pandemoniumproves you don’t necessarily need a standout main character to put on a show. We all love a good platformer, andPandemonium1 and 2 join the list ofabsolute must-plays in the genre.
6Bushido Blade
One Strike Is All It Takes
Bushido Blade
Fighting games come in all shapes and sizes, and the PS1 library is overflowing with them! The idea of killing your opponent with one hit may sound cool on paper, butthere’s a reason it hadn’t been done before.
Bushido Bladeis an exceptional fighting game, trading fists for blades and hammers. The series' unique gimmick isyou can kill instantlywith a well-placed attack. It shouldn’t work. If anything, it should feel cheap, yet somehow it feels oddly strategic and intuitive.
There’s also anunwritten honor codethat you must obey if you want to reach the true ending of the of the campaign. It sounds complicated, but you’re golden as long as you don’t hit your opponent in the back or while they are spouting exposition.
The pacing of combat inBushido Bladedemands patience, and it’s hugely satisfying when things go your way. The formulawill never replace traditional fighting games, but the title proves it can co-exist.
10 Best PS1 Disney Licenced Games
Great games based on the Disney classics.
5No One Can Stop Mr Domino
Off The Tabletop And Into The Real World
No One Can Stop Mr. Domino
My favorite thing about the PS1 era is that developers weren’t afraid to try new things and innovate. It’s a stark contrast from the safe number chasing we get nowadays, and this title may beone of the strangest conceptson the console.
No One Can Stop Mr Dominois a bizarrepuzzle/adventure gamewhere you play as a sentient domino who must activate switches on a circuit, domino rally style.
Thoseswitches trigger weird events, like blowing up people in kitchens, making you question if you’re really the hero in this story! The craziest part is that the game works and provides an addictive, skill-based gameplay loop.
No One Can Atop Mr Dominoisone-of-a-kindand a shining example of a wonderful mix of ideas making an unforgettable finished game.
Not Your Average Space Shooter
Key Information
Space Shooter
Release Date
April 1998
Space shootersneed to innovate and go above and beyond to stand out. Fortunately, that’s precisely whatG-Dariusdoes.
G-Dariusis part of Taito’sDariusseries, known for itsiconic aquatic-themed boss battles. The series makes a fantastic transition to the PlayStation with 15 stages, each with multiple routes that slightly alter the boss waiting for you at the end.
Players are also givenexceptional ways to customize the gameplay, including at least eight difficulty modes.
On that note, the campaign has five endings and a ‘capture’ system where you can enlist enemy units for help. This well-polished title has animpressive amount of content, and it is a must-play for shmup fans.
3Rayman 2: The Great Escape
Embracing The Third Dimension
Rayman 2: The Great Escape
Raymanis a belovedhard-as-nails 2D platformerwith gorgeous graphics, whimsical worlds, and creative boss battles. Ubisoft had nailed the formula, so imagine the surprise when it was announced thatRayman 2would be in 3D.
Many games tried and failed in transitioning to 3D in the PS1 era. Even the mightyMega Man. Fortunately,Rayman 2manages torecapture the original’s magic, andRaymanis a joy to control in 3D space.
There’s plenty of variance in the environments, and traditional platforming is broken up with activities like wake surfing.Rayman 2even adds somelight puzzle solving, fully using the 3D environments.
It was a bold move to swap from a perspective players already loved, butRaymanwill go down in gaming history as a protagonist who could do it all.
Don’t Let The Hairdo Fool You
The PlayStation library is overflowing with platformers, and for everydiamond in the rough, there’s another that’s a complete waste of money.
Tomba, orTombi, as it’s also known, is a brilliant anddeceptively deep 2.5D platformer. There’s a generous helping of puzzle-solving and quests. There are evenmetroidvaniaand RPG mechanics.
You play as the game’s namesake on a quest to defeat a group of evil pigs.Cutscenes are beautifully animated, and the game’s art style is sublime.
BothTombagames are underrated andcommand ridiculous pricesif you want the physical discs. Still, they are worth your time if you can get your hands on them.
1Die Hard Trilogy
A Movie Tie-In On A Grand Scale
Movie tie-in games are a mixed bag, and a single game covering three legendary action movies is a ridiculous proposition. At least, it should be.
Die Hard Trilogyis an exceptional title offering a completelyunique experience for each movie.Die Hardis a 3D adventure game,Die Harderis a lightgun game, andDie Hardwith a Vengeance is played entirely behind the wheel.
The crazy part is thatall the games are good!None of them are groundbreaking, butDie Harder, in particular, offers a great reason to dust off your G-Con 45. The driving game is compatible with a steering wheel, and it’s hard not to appreciate the value for money.
