ThePS1is a legendary games console with aphenomenal library of gamesany retro gamer would delightfully sift through.
The issue is that if you’re not a retro gamer, you’ll find that some titles on the console look dated. Many games can also ‘feel’ bad to play if you’re used to yourmodern comfortson PC or PS5.
10 Amazing PS2 Games That Have Aged Like Milk
The PS2 generation was full of certified bangers, but some of them have aged better than others.
With this in mind, let’s take a look atsome PS1 gamesthat have survived the test of time and remaina joy to playeven two decades later.
10Ridge Racer Type 4
A Namco Classic
R4: Ridge Racer Type 4
The racing genre has madecolossal stridesover the last 20 years, with many relics of the past feeling gross to pilots nowadays.
Ridge Racer Type 4is a welcome exception, crammed full of enough content that’sstill worth playing today.
There’s a fun story mode where you become the star racer for multiple different teams. Even if you’re not interested in the mini-campaigns, there are plenty of tracks and courses to try.
Best of all, the cars handle well.Drifting feels refinedcompared toRage Racer, and there’s agreat sense of speed.RR4is arguably one of thebest racers on the PS1and is well worth checking out even if you’re not usually a racing fan.
9Final Fantasy 9
A Turn-Based Masterpiece
Final Fantasy 9
Any of theFinal Fantasygames on the PS1 could have made the list. We’re going withFF9as it’s theprettiest of the bunchand offers a gorgeous, high-fantasy world.
FF9is a brilliant turn-based RPG with a gripping story, lovable characters, andcutscenes that still hold up. The genre is timeless, andFF9is as polished as it gets on the system.
Zidane is a superb lead, and Vivi is a wonderful traditional Black Mage. Like the other games, FF9 comes on three disks, so you know it will take many hours to conquer.
The game itself does have a fewminor drawbacks. There’s a reasonFFXIVhas Triple Triad instead of Tetra Master, for example. Still, it remains atop-tier RPGand likely will for decades to come.
8Metal Gear Solid
Shadow Moses Still Holds Up
Metal Gear Solid
The jump betweenMetal Gear Solidand thePS2 sequelscannot be understated. However, the originalstill plays like a dream, and Kojima’s approach to storytelling is as captivating as ever.
I actually played throughMGS1again recently, and while it lacks in the graphics department, you’re able to easily tell what is going on.
Many creative ideas, like having to look at a screenshot on the game box, still haven’t been toppled, and the title isoverflowing with easter eggs.
The controls are snappy and responsive, and it’s still impressive how many lines of dialogue you can rifle through on the Codec.Shadow Moses remains a superb backdrop, and Liquid Snake isa great antagonist, even if it looks like he ran into a bandfacer.
7Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus
Better Than The Remake
Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus
2D games are easy picks for PS1 games that have aged well.The style is timeless, and this entry is still arguably the bestOddworldgame.
Oddworld: Abes Exoddusbuilt upon its predecessor,Oddworld: Abes Oddysee, in every way. The game boasts a much grander story, afleshed-out speech system, and was so big it was housed on two disks.
The puzzles and story are creative, and there’s nothing else quite on the market. The original got a faithful remake withOddworld New n' Tasty.
Sadly, I don’t know what posessed the team when they madeSoulstorm, as it’s amassive departurefrom what made the original so beloved.
6Crash Bandicoot 2
A Pure Crash Experience
Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back
The PS1Crash Bandicootgames areiconic classicswith some ofthe best levelsin the genre.Crash 2expands upon the original in every way, proudly earning itself a place on the list.
Crash Bandicoot 2: The Wrath of Cortexboasts agraphical upgradefrom its predecessor. Crash also hasmore moves in his repertoire, which have become long-standing staples of his kit ever since.
Stage designs are excellent and the warp room system we know and love made its first appearance here.
The title makes the list overCrash 3because some of the vehicle stages in Warped do feel a bitrough and unnecessarynowadays. Besides the Jet Pack levels,Crash 2doesn’t have this issue, with wonderfully refined 3D platforming that’s exemplary even today.
10 PS1 Games Better Than They Have Any Right To Be
Surprisingly great PS1 games you don’t want to miss.
5Worms World Party
The Best Console Worms Game
Worms World Party
Any hardcore Worms player will tell you the series peaked withArmageddon. Theyears have been kind, and it’s available on the PS1, so why am I recommendingWorms World Party?
Worms World Partywould likely be a DLCtoArmageddonif released nowadays. Everything you love aboutArmageddonis here, including theincredible armory of weapons.
The game also boasts somefantastic optional modifiersto spice up gameplay. You can change anything, from the damage of specific weapon types to the gravity. Consoles don’t have mods, and this is the best way tocircumvent that limitation.
4Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
What Is A Man?
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
TheCastlevaniagames are iconic, withmost revered as classicson their respective platforms.
Symphony of the Nightis no different, offering intenseMetroidvania-stylegameplay long before the genre had that moniker.
The controls remain remarkably tight, andprogression feels excellentas you get stronger and work towards new abilities.The map is full of secrets, andSOTNis so well-assembled that it would receive high praise even if it were released today.
Some of the voice acting is so cheesy it’ll make your room smell, but that’s part of the charm.
Fortunately,Symphony of the Nightis readily available on digital storefronts as the physical edition has becomea coveted item for any PS1 collector.
A False Sense Of Security
Raymanis a beautifully rich and vibrant2D platformerwith a timeless art style. It’s alsoinfamously difficult.
Don’t be fooled by the pretty visuals becausethe originalRaymanis tough-as-nails. Fortunately, the difficulty comes from the expertly crafted levels, asRaymancontrols like a dream.
Your platforming skills will be tested from the moment you step foot in the Pink Plant Woods. There’s even ahidden area made of sweets and candyif you’re strong enough to get there.
I adoreRayman 2, but the3D controls are a little unwieldycompared to the original, which has aged like a fine wine.
2Street Fighter Alpha 3
Triumph Or Die!
Street Fighter Alpha 3
TheStreet Fighterseries dabbled in 3D graphics on the PS1 with theEx Plus Alphagames. I enjoy them, butthe characters do look quite blockynowadays.
If that’s a sticking point, why not tryStreet Fighter Alpha 3instead?Alpha 3trades the third dimension forvibrant 2D spritesinstead and is immediately appealing to look at.
The roster isfull of all of your favorites, and there are plenty of fighters you may not have seen before, like Cody fromFinal Fight.
The brutal difficulty is to be expected, but this isa deep fighting gameand remains a hard-hitting 2D brawler.
1Tombi / Tomba
An Underrated Fusion Of Genres
Tomba, orTombias it’s also known,offers players a delightful mixof puzzle platforming, RPG tropes, and Metroidvania elements long before the genre even had a name.
You play asTombaon his quest to retrieve his grandfather’s bracelet froma gang of evil pigs. Our plucky pink-haired hero has an unconventional kit, and you’ll need your brains and brawn to beat challenging enemies and decipher puzzles.
Most of the gameplay is in 2D, with a few2.5D elementssprinkled on top.
There’splenty of backtrackinginTomba, with many areas inaccessible until you complete objectives later on. Cutscenes are presented in a beautiful anime style, andthere’s even a sequel, which is more linear but not to a detriment.
