The originalPlayStationforever changed the industry. Sony swung into the gaming sphere like a wrecking ball and dominated the generation. They smartly utilized the CD format instead of cartridges and rallied tons of third-party support for a massive library of stellar titles.
While many of the iconic games for the console have since been ported to other platforms, there still remains a handful that have never left thePlayStationshores. It would be a glorious day if the games below ever see a re-release or remaster. They deserve to be preserved for years to come. As time goes by, it is only going to get harder to find the console and a copy of the game.
While games likeParasite EveandXenogearsfeel like perfect contenders for this list, they were released on PS3 as PS1 classics. Though they have yet to get a PS4 and 5 version, players can still buy them and play them on the older console.
Brave Fencer Musashihas a lot of mechanics ahead of its time. The game world follows a day-and-night cycle the titular character grows tired and needs to sleep to regain energy. The game also features voice acting, which was still a novelty for an RPG.
Square was the the king of turn-based RPGson the PlayStation, butBrave Fencer Musashiproved that the developer could stretch its wings a little bit and try something more out of left field. The graphics were impressive for the time and while they have aged considerably, they retain a timeless charm.
6Legend Of Legaia
A Cult JRPG With Beautiful Graphics In Combat
Other than its unique combat system where players input a series of inputs to unleash a combo instead of a single attack,Legend of Legaiaalso sets itself apart from other JRPGs on the PS1 with the mysterious mist that covers the world and makes monsters uncontrollably powerful.The 3D models in combatare also particularly detailed for the console.
Though the towns and dungeons are separated by a world map,Legend of Legaiadoes not have a lot of side quests and its story stays focused. All the same, it does a great job at depicting the differences between regions as Vahn and the two other party members, Noa and Gala, traverse it in their quest to destroy the mist generators.
ThoughGran Turismoonly gets better and better with each entry, there is still something sad about the fact thatGran Turismo 2will likely never be re-released. It would be fascinating to back to what was once a cutting-edge racing sim and see how the series has evolved.
There would most likely be lot of licensing issues to work through if the game was to be re-released, considering thegame uses real cars.It would be interesting to see if younger gamers could appreciate how graphically impressiveGran Turismo 2was when it first came out.
It was still a novelty touse a celebrity in a video gamein the late 1990s. This helpsApocalypsestand out among the crowded PS1 library today. Bruce Willis lent his likeness and voice to the main character, though the dialogue is limited.
The gameplay is a simple mix of shooting and platforming, with the player shooting in whichever direction they press the face button or move the analog stick.Apocalypsewas developed by Neversoft and the same engine would eventually go into powering theTony Hawk’s Pro Skatergames.
Though the gameplay is radically different, one can see some DNA from this game inTony Hawk’s Pro Skater, including the use of real people as character models and the inclusion of licensed music.
Before developer Insomniac charmed a generation with the childish angst ofSpyro the Dragon, they made a little-known science fiction first-person shooter calledDisruptor. Not only is it exclusive to the original PlayStation, but it is also one of theearlier first-person shooters released for the console.
The game takes advantage of its sci-fi aesthetic by giving players several power-ups in addition to futuristic weaponry. Despite solid reviews, the game did not make a splash in sales. Fortunately, the developer moved on to more financially successful series likeSpyroandRatchet and Clank.
2Alundra 2
A 3D Action-Adventure Cult Classic
Alundrahas theclassic top-down 2D perspectivetypical of many 1990s action RPGs. The sequel goes full 3D while still staying true to the classic gameplay. Players can now control the camera. While the first game was re-released on the PS3 as a PS1 classic, the sequel is curiously stuck on Sony’s debut console.
It does not have quite the same loyal fanbase, but it is still a great addition to the PS1 library. The game fully takes advantage of the technological leap, with cutscenes that utilize interesting camera movements and even voice acting.
Tenchu: Silent Assassinambitious 3D levels and stealth gameplay are more impressive when one learns that it was thedebut game from the studio. Each level is a sandbox players need to sneak through using a limited amount of supplies. Multiple versions of each level exist to further increase the tension and encourage multiple playthroughs.
The closest comparison would beMetal Gear Solid, butTenchueven has camera control and the main character is more mobile than Solid Snake. The North American release added features such as a level editor, which also made its way into the sequel.
