With a library of 7,000 video games, the PS1 left a huge mark on the gaming world. Originally released in Japan in 1994, it reached the rest of the world in 1995. The console marked a major shift from cartridges to CD-ROMs, which offered higher storage capacity while being a cheaper option. This enabled better video, audio, and gameplay mechanics.
The PS1 also saw the beginning and innovation of some of the most iconic franchises in gaming history, including Metal Gear Solid and Tomb Raider. Not every game in the original PlayStation’s library has held up, but titles like Final Fantasy VII and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night have aged perfectly and are masterpieces even by modern standards.
10 Spyro the Dragon Is Still Incredibly Charming
Spyro the Dragon is a vibrant 3D platformer from Insomniac Games that drops players into a whimsical world full of dragons, treasure, and mischievous enemies. Playing as Spyro, a small purple dragon, the goal is to glide, breathe fire, and charge through obstacles while exploring open, interconnected hub worlds filled with secrets, collectibles, and trapped dragons waiting to be rescued.
The game’s colorful visuals, catchy soundtrack, and tight controls made it an instant favorite among younger players and platformer fans. Even as a late ’90s title, Spyro the Dragon holds up surprisingly well. The level design is charming, the gameplay is smooth and accessible, and quick loading times keep things moving. While Spyro‘s graphics show their age, the game’s fluid animation and responsive controls give it a timeless feel that still makes it fun to pick up today.
9 Parasite Eve Is a Classic PS1 Horror Game
Parasite Eve is a cult classic ’90s game that deserved way more recognition than it got. Set in New York City during the holiday season, the story follows NYPD officer Aya Brea as she investigates a series of mysterious spontaneous combustions tied to a strange woman named Eve. It mixes real-time and turn-based combat along with cinematic cutscenes that make this survival horror game feel like a playable movie.
Though the pacing and menu systems can feel dated, Parasite Eve still stands out for its ambitious design and atmospheric storytelling. A haunting score and gritty tone keep the tension high, and its genre-blending approach sets it apart from both traditional horror games and standard RPGs of the era. For those open to slower, story-driven gameplay, Parasite Eve remains a distinct and rewarding experience even today.
8 Final Fantasy VII Is the High Point of the Franchise
Final Fantasy VII is often credited with popularizing the JRPG genre in the West and cementing the PlayStation as a major force in gaming. Widely considered the standout entry in the long-running series, it follows Cloud Strife, a mercenary pulled into a global struggle involving the Shinra Corporation. He joins forces with the eco-terrorist group AVALANCHE and eventually finds himself facing off against iconic antagonist Sephiroth.
Despite its dated visuals and mechanics, FFVII‘s story and characters stand out even against modern JRPGs. It helps that the original version has been re-released on multiple platforms with modern enhancements like faster battles and the option to skip random encounters. Even with the release of the Final Fantasy VII Remake, the PS1 original holds a unique charm and narrative depth that continues to resonate with longtime fans.
7 Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee Was a Weird PS1 Game
In Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee, players control Abe, a factory worker who discovers that the meat processing company he works for plans to turn his species into its next product. Blending puzzle-solving with platforming in a screen-by-screen format, the game challenges players to dodge traps and rescue fellow Mudokons.
Even though Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee‘s rigid movement and lack of mid-level checkpoints can feel punishing by today’s standards, the atmosphere and world-building have aged very well. Hand-drawn backgrounds and expressive animations give the game a timeless, stylized look that’s aged fairly well over time.
6 Silent Hill Defined Psychological Horror On the PS1
Silent Hill is one of the most atmospheric and psychologically intense survival horror games ever made. Rather than relying on gore and jump scares like many PS1 horror games did, it focused on psychological horror, surreal environments, and an oppressive soundtrack. Players take on the role of Harry Mason, searching for his missing daughter in a fog-covered town filled with twisted creatures and shifting realities.
While the tank controls and static camera angles in Silent Hill may feel dated, they reinforce the sense of vulnerability that defines the experience. Every movement and decision demands attention. The sound design remains deeply unsettling, and the cryptic narrative still holds power. For those drawn to slow-burning psychological horror, the original Silent Hill is a masterclass in mood and tension, and it’ll be hard for the upcoming remake to capture what made it so special.
5 Resident Evil 2 Raised the Bar for Survival Horror Games
If Silent Hill pushed psychological horror forward, Resident Evil 2 defined survival horror. Building on the foundation of its predecessor, the sequel expanded the formula with a larger scope, which included dual protagonists Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield. Set during a viral outbreak in Raccoon City, the game challenges players to survive encounters with grotesque creatures.
The fixed camera angles and pre-rendered backgrounds in Resident Evil 2 create a strong sense of cinematic tension, and while the dated control scheme may be a hurdle for modern players, the game still delivers suspense and excitement in spades. The 2019 remake is often seen as the definitive version for newcomers, but the original PS1 release remains a genre-defining title with lasting historical and gameplay significance.
Metal Gear Solid comes from one of the most influential minds in gaming, Hideo Kojima. It revolutionized the stealth-action genre and introduced cinematic storytelling on a scale rarely seen before. Players control Solid Snake, a special forces operative sent to stop a nuclear threat posed by the rogue FOXHOUND unit.
While the graphics and controls may feel dated by modern standards, Metal Gear Solid still offers a rich, thought-provoking experience. Its voice acting, narrative structure, and ambitious design set a new bar for interactive storytelling. Many staples of the stealth genre can still be traced back to this title.
3 Tomb Raider Introduced the Iconic Lara Croft
There would be no Nathan Drake without Lara Croft. Tomb Raider defined an era of adventure games, giving players the chance to backflip through ancient tombs as the now-iconic Lara Croft. Blending puzzle-solving, 3D platforming, and gunplay, the game takes place across sprawling, trap-filled environments packed with enemies and secrets. Tomb Raider ‘s focus on exploration and environmental storytelling helped set the standard for 3D adventure games in the early PlayStation era.
However, Tomb Raider’s tank-like controls and punishing jumps can be jarring for modern players and keep it from ranking any higher on this list. While it was groundbreaking at the time, the rigid movement and fixed camera angles now feel dated and can be tough to push through. Even so, the game’s mysterious atmosphere and clever level design still offer a strong nostalgic appeal.
2 Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater Defined Y2K Gaming
One of the most famous skateboarders of all time, Tony Hawk has had numerous licensed games, but it all started on the PS1. In Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, players choose from a roster of real-life skateboarders and perform tricks across compact skate parks, completing various objectives within a time limit.
THPS 1 was praised for its easy-to-learn, hard-to-master mechanics and iconic licensed soundtrack. Even today, the gameplay remains addictive and responsive. While the PS1 visuals are clearly dated, the core mechanics have aged remarkably well. The success of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 remake highlights just how strong the original foundation was, with much of the gameplay left virtually unchanged.
1 Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Is a PS1 Classic
Symphony of the Night marked a major turning point for the Castlevania series and proved to be its magnum opus. Shifting to a non-linear structure with RPG mechanics and item collection, the game put players in control of Alucard, Dracula’s son, as he explores a massive, interconnected castle packed with secrets, enemies, and powerful bosses. Its pixel art style, haunting soundtrack, and deep gameplay systems helped shape the Metroidvania subgenre.
The game has aged remarkably well, thanks to elegant level design, smooth controls, and a timeless visual style. Its depth and replayability remain impressive, even by today’s standards. Whether played on the original PS1, through digital re-releases, or in collections, Symphony of the Night stands as a near-perfect blend of action and exploration.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
- Released
- October 2, 1997
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence
- Developer(s)
- Konami
- Publisher(s)
- Konami
- Franchise
- Castlevania
