Castlevania: Symphony of the Night isn't just one of the greatest Playstation games, it is one of the greatest games of all time. It hasn't lost any luster with age, in fact, it is just as fun today as it was in 1997.
There is possibly nothing more difficult than following up Chrono Trigger. And while Chrono Cross didn't quite hit the highs of its predecessor, it is still a damn fine RPG. Come in with measured expectations and you'll find a lot to like!
While all three of the Crash Bandicoot games held up pretty well, Crash Bandicoot: Warped leaps out as the best of them. Naughty Dog improved their winning formula with every sequel, and created one of the most beloved platformers the third time around.
Crash wasn't just good at running and jumping! As evidenced in Crash Team Racing he could also kart race with the best of them. CTR is still a blast to play with friends, and some would argue that not even Mario has had a better kart outing.
A good fighting game will always be fun, and such is the case with Capcom's Darkstalkers 3. The PlayStation version of this classic title featured three additional fighters not found in the arcade version of the game. There are few better ways to spend an afternoon than with B.B. Hood and the gang.
When Final Fantasy entered the genre of tactical role-playing games, they entered with a bang. Final Fantasy Tactics might be the greatest tactical RPG ever made, and is appropriately held in high regard. If you love video games then you owe yourself to play Square Enix's gem.
This might not be the Final Fantasy game you were expecting, but Final Fantasy VIII has stood the test of time better than most RPGs of the time period. Featuring top-notch cinematics and a great story that spans four discs, Final Fantasy VIII is one of the most interesting entries in the series. It is certainly worth checking out, as its chances of ever being remade are slim to none.
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile is an example of quality over quantity. While it isn't a very long game, Namco's platformer offers up a ton of fun as long as it lasts. If you are looking for a cute world to explore then you might want to take a trip back to Phantomile as it is still magical in 2015.
While the best days of the Blue Bomber may have been on Nintendo consoles, he still had some stellar outings on PlayStation. Perhaps the best of the bunch was Mega Man X4. The ability to play as either X or Zero was amazing at the time, and the tight platforming is just as fun today as it was in 1997.
Metal Gear Solid is just as relevant today as it was in 1998. The gameplay, which was promoted as stealth espionage action, engaged players, while the story of Solid Snake was told through great cutscenes. Metal Gear Solid brought video games to a new level of cinematic storytelling, and continues to influence games to this day.
There is a reason why PaRappa the Rapper continues to be associated with the PlayStation brand despite not receiving a new entry in quite some time. That reason is that the original game was so revolutionary to the music genre, and is still more difficult than the majority of rhythm games released today! It is still a blast to train with Master Onion, and to get your driver's license from Instructor Mooselini.
Resident Evil 2 is one of the greatest survival horror games ever made. Hideki Kamiya's masterpiece managed to somehow outdo the original. If you can't wait for the upcoming remake, then you can still have a blast by playing the PlayStation version of RE2.
Obviously the king of fighters (oh wait, that is another series!) had to make the list. Street Fighter Alpha 3 is the final game in the Alpha series, and is also the best. Capcom's port practically brought the arcade to your home.
If you've never played Suikoden II then you probably have a good excuse as it is one of the rarest games for the PlayStation. Despite critical acclaim, only a few copies of this stellar RPG were printed! Thankfully, this PlayStation classic is now available on the PlayStation Store so anyone can now enjoy it for a reasonable price.
In 1996 Capcom put out one of the best puzzle games ever made. They also showed the ability to make fun of themselves by naming it Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo. Capcom had good reason to be confident as this tile swapping puzzle game quickly became a beloved classic.
The fact that Tekken 3 ran on a PlayStation was a technical marvel. Namco's fighting game was a visual showpiece for the system, and still plays great. For many fighting fans, Tekken 3 was the peak of the series.
The Evil Pigs just won't let Tomba alone! Tomba! 2: The Evil Swine Return was exactly what fans of the original game wanted. Gameplay was refined, and the game looked considerably better than the previous entry. This is a game that platformer fans will absolutely adore.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 was the perfect step forward for the series that launched an entire trend of extreme sports games for the next decade. Adding in the ability to manual fundamentally changed the game, and THPS2 is one of the most beloved games in the series.
Even if the gameplay didn't hold up any (thankfully it does), Wipeout XL would absolutely be worth playing for its soundtrack alone. Featuring artists such as the The Chemical Brothers, and The Prodigy, Wipeout XL has one of the best soundtracks of all time. Oh, and the futuristic racing is still super fun to play!
When Sony released the PlayStation in 1994, the gaming industry was transitioning from the era of 2D games to the thrilling new realm of 3D graphics. There was a notable focus on creating and promoting games with 3D environments, particularly in North America. However, revisiting some of the early 3D games may not be as enjoyable as anticipated; for every Super Mario 64, there seemed to be 10 Bubsy 3Ds.
Fortunately, there were daring developers who opted to leverage the new technology to craft impressive 2D games that have stood the test of time, unlike certain 3D counterparts that aged like a piece of wet lettuce. To highlight the excellence of these 2D games during that era, we've compiled a list of the best 2D games on the PlayStation 1.
Even though it came out in the first year of the PlayStation, the game's pictures and sounds have aged well, much better than those clunky early 3D titles. While some parts of the game can be pretty tough, it's proof that 2D games were still cool on the PS1.
Capcom churned out a bunch of 2D fighters on the PS1 since that's what they were known for in the arcades. Among them, Street Fighter Alpha 3 stood out as the champ in making the leap to the console.
Even though it didn't have all the glitz of the Marvel crossover fighters, Street Fighter Alpha 3 makes up for it with tight controls, intricate fighting techniques, and a well-stocked roster. Toss in the cool "World Tour" mode where you can power up your fighter while globetrotting, and you've got yourself the top 2D fighter on the PS1.
Even today, folks are still into the KOF games. Despite the new Street Fighters with fancy graphics hitting the scene, many stick to the classics. It's all about that nostalgic vibe and the art style that keeps us hooked, not to mention our beloved characters from the series. It's like a trip down memory lane with a bunch of kick-butt fighters. Good times, right?
Sadly, a series that didn't go beyond the PlayStation is Tomba! Created by the seasoned Capcom developer Tokuro Fujiwara, Tomba! mixes things up with 3D models but stays mostly in a 2D world, blending in some RPG bits with platforming adventure.
it might give newcomers a run for their money (a Fujiwara trademark, seen in games like Ghosts 'N Goblins), but it's a blast overall. Plus, its easygoing, cartoony humor is a refreshing change from the grittier PS1 exclusives.
For those who've been with Mortal Kombat since the beginning, Mortal Kombat Trilogy marks the end of Midway's classic, blood-soaked brawler era before it hit a rough patch with less impressive later entries.
Exclusive to Japan and Europe, Rapid Reload, or Gunners Heaven, is a run-and-gun game with a touch of beat 'em up, much like Treasure's Gunstar Heroes. Set in the universe of the Wild Arms series, it rocks a steampunk style that's all about the Wild West vibe.
Back when Rapid Reload came out, it caught some flak for resembling Gunstar Heroes too closely. But, if you can put aside comparisons with one of Treasure's early gems, you'll discover a fantastic run-and-gun loaded with wild action.
Alundra owes its presence in North America to the fantastic team at Working Designs. Without them, we might have missed out on gems like Elemental Gearbolt, Popful Mail, and the Lunar series. Working Designs had a knack for introducing games to North America that wouldn't usually make it here.
Ralph, once a grown man, found himself transformed into a young boy by the mischievous demon Valgo, who had kidnapped Ralph's lady love. Armed with nothing but a sword, Ralph embarks on a platforming adventure, slicing through challenges along the way. However, when the game shifts gears into a tournament fighter, Ralph undergoes a remarkable transformation back into a full-grown man, showcasing moves reminiscent of Street Fighter. It's a unique twist that adds an extra layer of excitement to Ralph's quest.
Heart of Darkness joins the ranks of cinematic platformers like Prince of Persia, Out of this World, and Blackthorn. In this genre, you'll find stiff controls combined with highly animated character movements, creating a cinematic gaming experience. It's a style that often challenges players with limited guidance, purposefully quirky controls, and a fair share of trial and error.
The heart of Heart of Darkness lies in the story of a young boy genius named Andy, who embarks on a quest to rescue his kidnapped dog from shadow-like specters. As Andy ventures through diverse environments, he must solve puzzles while navigating the dangers of wildlife and environmental hazards. It's a journey that blends challenge and narrative, offering players a unique cinematic platformer experience.
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