One of the great tragedies in video game development is theinability to continue a beloved seriesorrevitalize a fan favoritewith the care and attention it deserves. An excellent example is Team Ninja’s dedication to the Ninja Gaiden franchise even decades after its humble beginnings on the NES.
Throughout the lifespan of the PlayStation 1,1300 gameswere released in North America. Unfortunately, not all the games released on the PlayStation 1 saw a lifespan beyond that console generation. Here are the 5 best video game series that never left the original PlayStation.
5. Future Cop LAPD
Released in the United States on June 14, 2025, as asequel to the Strike series, Future Cop LAPD is a more than competentthird-person action isometric shooter. Published by Electronic Arts and developed under EA’s Redwood Shores Studios, Future Cop transformed you into apilotof theX1-Alpha crime-fighting police mechain 2098 Los Angeles, California.
During gameplay, you could transform your mecha into aspeedy hovering police pursuit vehicleor a more slower yet more powerfulbi-pedal robot. Transforming into the more robust mecha allowed you totake on large tanksandstationary turrets. Pilots completedvarious missions around real-life Los Angelesenvironmentssuch as LAX, Long Beach, and Venice Beach. To combat themutantandcrime-ridden streetsof LA, pilots of the X1-Alpha were equipped withmachine guns, rockets, and homing missiles.
Theenemiesin Future Cop LAPD ranged fromon-foot thugscarrying rocket launchers to aggressivelynimble tanksandattack helicopters. The absurdly fun and fast-paced missions consisted ofclearing enemy strongholds, rescuinghostages, and destroying enemy encampments, all with flashy explosions andimpressive 3D animations.
While certainly more than competent as an action title, what set Future Cop LAPD apart from the rest was itsPrecinct mode. Cited as one of the earliestMOBAs,Precinct modepitted two X1-Alpha pilots against each other in a battle mode where the objective was todestroyandoccupytheenemy base. Each player spawned on opposite ends of the map and began building up resources to attack the enemy’s base. Pilots could usedefensive vehiclesand items as well asdeploy a swarm of deadly aircraftto overwhelm the opposition.
4. Little Big Adventure
Released in October of 1994,Little Big Adventurewas a commercial success outside of the United States with over 500,000 units sold by 1999. In Little Big Adventure, you play as Twinsen, thechosen hero of planet Twinsun, to save your world and girlfriend Zoe from theevil Dr. FunFrock. Dr. FunFrock aims toenslave all the sentient specieswho populate Twinsun, and it is up to Twinsen to save the day andfulfill your prophecies.
Little Big Adventure allows you tofree-roamaround the vibrant and2D environmentsto explore the various locations and islands on Twinsun. Twinsen engages indialogue with NPCsin the world and mustsolve puzzlesand defeat enemies to advance the story. you’re able to choose betweenfour different behavior stylesfor Twinsen. These behaviors includedDiscreet, Normal, Sporty/Athletic, or Aggressive, and depending on which one you chose, Twinsen’s physical actions would change. For example, if Twinsen needs to move an object in the environment, the player would switch the behavior mode to Sporty to allow Twinsen to jump or run. For defensive purposes, you could switch to behavior mode Aggressive to attack and defeat enemies.
Little Big Adventure is number 4 on this list because the game is so muchgreater than the sum of its parts. A fun and engagingfantastical narrativewithmemorable characters, charming art style,whimsical music, and unique gameplay make Little Big Adventure a series that isripe for a revival.
Originally Developed by Shiny Entertainment and ported from the PC to the PlayStation by Neversoft,MDKhit the scene in 1997 and immediately received positivepraise for its humor, gameplay, and level design.
From destroying enemies whilesliding on a metal surfboarddown an abandoned mining tunnel, tomachine gun strafingone-eyed alien slug monsters inlarge outdoor arenas, MDK felt like a non-stop screen-shaking action-packed roller-coaster ride where no two levels play the same.
You play asKurt Hectic, abadass janitorthat is hesitant to save the world from an alien race whose aim is to strip the Earth of all its natural resources. Kurt has anarsenal of weaponsandgadgetsthat complement the run-and-gun gameplay. Along the way, you will encounterrudimentary puzzlesto break up the intense twitch shooting gameplay.MDK’s levelsall had the added benefit of beingdesigned by a different level artist, so no two environments are exactly alike.
MDK was developed during a time whenFirst Person ShootersweredominatingthePC gaming market. Porting MDK to the PlayStation console allowedmore players to join in on the fun with a controller. You can use a mini-nuke to destroy enemy turrets, strafe around murder-vehicles twice your size, and drop from orbit at terminal speeds–dodging enemies and collecting power-ups–all in the same five minutes. MDK is a game that proves you don’t need to follow the status quo to become an instant classic, one indesperate needof asequel.
2. Parasite Eve
Resident Evilmade a huge impact on the gaming industry in 1996–not only by redefining thesurvival-horrorgenre, but also by paving the way fordozens of clonestrying to capture the same post-launch fervor. While many games tried to be Resident Evil derivatives, some added more than just ink ribbons to the tank-controlled survival horror experience.
EnterParasite Eve, released on July 27, 2025 and developed by Square. Parasite Eve is anaction role-playing gamewith a linear story praised by critics for itsbeautiful cinematic sequencesandstriking graphics.
In Parasite Eve, you take control of the player-characterAya Brea, a New York City rookie police officer who attempts to thwart the antagonist Eve fromdestroying humanitythrough internal combustion. Gameplay consisted of exploring New York Cityevacuated streets,underground train tunnels, and tightly designedinterior areas. Real-time combat allowed the player to move around and attack or heal as needed. With a mashup ofResident Evil movementandFinal Fantasy-like gameplayandattack menus, Parasite Eve became aninstant cult classic. While fans of the game received a sequel in 2000,Parasite Eve II, it would be the last installment in the series.
Square’s first M-rated video gamewas intended as a sequel to the novel, Parasite Eve, written by Hideaki Sena and which sold almost 2 million copies worldwide by February 2004. Additionally, themusicof Parasite Eve wascomposed by Yoko Shimomura, and it has ascended far beyond its video game roots. Fans and music lovers equally enjoyed and praised the game’s music years after its release.
1. Um Jammer Lammy
Developed byNanaOn-Shaand published by Sony Computer Entertainment, Um Jammer Lammy released in 1999. ThisPaRapper The Rapper spinoff Rhythm gamegained immediatepositive praisefrom critics worldwide. You play as Lammy, a shyleft-handed guitar-wielding lambwho happens to be the leader of arock bandcalledMilkCan. Your mission is to unit the members of your band and make it to your rock concert.
Um Jammer Lammy’s gameplay is almost identical to PaRapper The Rapper in that it is atiming-based rhythm gamewhere the goal is topress buttonscorresponding to the on-screen symbolsin tune with the music track. Your performance is based on how well you time your button presses and how well you performed on your freestyle. Free-styling occurs at specific times throughout the level, and how well you freestyle will determine what rank you achieve.
With awackyand oftenconvoluted story,vibrant art style, and a soundtrack dripping withcharm and flair, Um Jammer Lammy makes number one on this list because of its message. Lammy is theperfect conduitfor you to be yourself,enjoy the things you love, and–above all–be confidentin the person you are.
With itscharming cast of characterslike Chop Cop Master Onion and the anthropomorphic members of the MilkCan band, Um Jammer Lammy is the best video game series that never left the PlayStation 1. The world is ready for a sequel to theconfidence boosting,guitar slaying,timid little lamb.
