10 PS1 Games That Still Feels Modern and Will Blow Your Mind

In the ’90s, Sony’s first PlayStation (PS1) revolutionized the gaming industry. It outperformed its main competitors, Nintendo and Sega, with such a significant lead that sales persisted even after the debut of the PlayStation 2. The key to the PS1’s success was not hidden; it boasted an overwhelming number of excellent first-party, second-party, and third-party games that were hard to keep track of.

Many PlayStation 1 games haven’t stood the test of time exceptionally well, but surprisingly, quite a few of its games remain relevant today. In fact, even after over three decades, numerous classic titles such as Gran Turismo and PaRappa the Rapper seem fresh enough to have been created only last week.

Release Date – Oct. 2, 2000

Developer and Publisher: Kuusou Kagaku and Agetech

RPG Maker, rather than being a video game itself, serves as a software platform enabling users to design their own role-playing games. Launched for computers in 1992, it has since proven instrumental for independent developers. Back in the era of the PlayStation 1, RPG Maker sought to provide similar functionality and empowered players with the ability to craft their own console-based games.

Although the PlayStation 1 version of RPG Maker isn’t as flexible as its computer counterparts, it’s remarkable that such a tool found its way onto a video game console. In essence, it can be likened to an early precursor to games like Super Mario Maker. However, the original RPG Maker offers users more freedom in crafting their own games compared to the former. Notably, later iterations of RPG Maker were utilized for creating games such as To the Moon and Yume Nikki.

Release Date – Oct. 20, 2000

Developer and Publisher: Argonaut Games and Fox Interactive

Inspired by the 1997 film title, “Alien Resurrection” is a survival horror game played from a first-person perspective. This game adheres to the movie’s storyline, where Ellen Ripley is resurrected approximately 200 years later due to advancements in cloning science. Unfortunately, her revival also triggers the rebirth of lethal aliens.

As a gamer, I can confidently say that Resurrection has stood the test of time when it comes to visuals. If it were released today, it would fit right in as a nostalgic throwback title, much like Mouthwashing. But what truly sets it apart is its innovative control scheme. Back then, it was groundbreaking to use one analog stick for character movement and another for camera control, helping to shape the gaming landscape we know today.

Release Date – Oct. 3, 1997

Developer and Publisher: Konami

Symphony of the Night” is an action role-playing game that made a significant impact on both the “Castlevania” series and the Metroidvania genre. The game’s protagonist is Alucard, who, accompanied by a few allies, sets out to infiltrate Dracula’s vast mansion with the mission of eliminating the fearsome creature that has terrorized the world for ages.

Back in the day, Symphony of the Night didn’t exactly set the world on fire when it first hit shelves, but boy, did it have a hidden potential! Over time, it turned into a silent sensation, carving out its niche and significantly influencing the gaming genre we all love. As a gamer, I can tell you that delving into Dracula’s sprawling castle is like uncovering buried treasure – there’s always something new to discover, secrets to unlock. It’s no wonder that so many modern games have followed in its footsteps; Symphony of the Night has truly stood the test of time.

Release Date – April 30, 1998

Developer and Publisher: Namco

Tekken 3 is a fighting game that forms part of the Tekken series, being its third installment. Similar to previous versions, it revolves around the King of Iron Fist Tournament. This tournament, occurring 20 years after the events of Tekken 2, is touted as the largest and most brutal one yet, with contestants facing even more challenging battles.

As a diehard fan, I’d say one reason Tekken 3 remains timeless is because it significantly polished its combat mechanics from earlier versions. It introduced tighter controls and smoother move execution, making it a joy to play. The fighters in Tekken 3 boast more diverse move sets compared to their predecessors, a trait that other fighting games, even those not part of the Tekken franchise, have adopted since then. If it were launched today, I believe it would still leave an indelible mark on the gaming community.

Release Date – Nov. 10, 1999

Developer and Publisher: DreamWorks Interactive and Electronic Arts

The “Medal of Honor” game stands out as a significant first-person shooter, with involvement from renowned filmmaker Steven Spielberg through his DreamWorks Interactive studio. This game is set in the late stages of World War II, a period marked by both the winding down and intensification of military operations. To be more precise, it unfolds during the final days of Nazi Germany, where the player’s mission is to contribute to the collapse of the regime.

Just as numerous first-person shooters from that time period played a significant part in shaping the control systems we now find familiar, Medal of Honor significantly influenced the control scheme now commonplace among modern shooters. This includes using one joystick to move and another to survey the environment, while a shoulder button or trigger is employed for aiming or shooting. The game’s controls remain intuitive and enjoyable even by today’s standards.

Release Date – Circa Feb. 1999

Developer and Publisher: Eidetic and Sony

Syphon Filter is a third-person shooting game created by Eidetic, who were well-known for their previous work on Bubsy 3D. This game was published by Sony, making it a title that Sony directly handled for the PlayStation 1. The story revolves around Gabriel Logan and Lian Xing, two top U.S. special agents assigned to disband a dangerous German terrorist organization with plans to release biological weapons.

In many ways, playing Syphon Filter is reminiscent of a classic Grand Theft Auto, making it feel modern despite its age. The game allows players to maneuver their character with one joystick while adjusting the camera with the other. Furthermore, Syphon Filter garnered acclaim for its seamless integration of stealth and action elements, a feature that’s now frequently found in games.

Release Date – Nov. 17, 1997

Developer and Publisher: NanaOn-Sha and Sony

Parappa the Rapper is a musical rhythm game created by NanaOn-Sha and released by Sony. The main character, PaRappa (a rapping dog), aspires to achieve two dreams: mastering music to better his life and winning over Sunny Funny, a sunflower maiden he admires. Throughout the game, PaRappa learns karate, gets his driver’s license, runs a market stall, bakes cakes, and even handles unexpected situations in a bathroom, all while keeping time with the music.

This game is undoubtedly inventive and entertaining, paving the way for future rhythm games. Its controls are intuitive and simple to grasp, requiring players only to choose whether they want to aid PaRappa in mastering his rapping skills. In essence, if PaRappa the Rapper were launched today as a fresh, offbeat rhythm game, it would continue to resonate due to its endearing quality and originality.

Release Date – Oct. 20, 1998

Developer and Publisher: Konami

In simpler terms, “Metal Gear Solid” is an action-adventure stealth game created and released by Konami as a follow-up to their earlier “Metal Gear” games. The protagonist, Solid Snake, who was the hero in previous installments, is brought back from retirement for a top-secret mission. FOXHOUND, the agency that Snake once served, has taken over a lethal nuclear weapon stockpile.

Concerned about this danger, Solid Snake needs to journey quite far to reach his objective. Unlike other missions though, he will have to depend greatly on stealth this time around, slipping past guards unnoticed and staying hidden. Even after almost three decades, the stealth elements in Metal Gear Solid still make it a potent game today, with Snake’s knack for blending into his surroundings remaining remarkable.

Release Date – Nov. 14, 2000

Developer and Publisher: Square

Final Fantasy IX is a role-playing video game and it serves as the ninth significant title in Square’s extended Final Fantasy series. The narrative unfolds within the world of Gaia, specifically on the Mist Continent, in the city of Alexandria. Here, an eclectic group of characters hailing from various species such as Vivi, Dagger, and Zidane encounter malevolent supernatural entities seeking to bring about chaos and destruction.

Without a doubt, Final Fantasy IX, initially launched on PlayStation, is often considered the peak of the series by many fans, and some even argue it’s the best game in the entire franchise. Remarkably, debates about its superiority have been ongoing for years. With its intricate narrative and comprehensive statistical mechanics, Final Fantasy IX could easily be a contemporary RPG release and still command attention as a significant role-playing game.

Release Date – May 12, 1998

Developer and Publisher: Polys and Sony

Gran Turismo is a groundbreaking racing simulation game that significantly reshaped the genre. It was designed to refine the concepts established by previous racing games, with a strong focus on realism. Players are encouraged to extensively modify their vehicles, either through cosmetic changes or internal upgrades to boost performance for racing purposes.

As soon as I got my hands on the original Gran Turismo back in the day, it instantly became clear that this game was in a league of its own compared to other racing games like Daytona USA and Cruis’n USA. What really sets it apart is the wealth of customization options and the remarkably realistic driving mechanics that still hold up well today. For a racing simulation game from the 90s, Gran Turismo has truly proven its longevity.

2025-04-28 05:25