The very first video game console came out over thirty years ago, and it’s had a huge effect on gaming ever since. It marked a transition from older consoles like the SNES and Sega Genesis to the way we play games today.
If you want to understand why the original PlayStation was so huge in the late ’90s, just look at the games. Seriously, so many of them are still incredible today – absolute classics. I mean, games like Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Final Fantasy VII aren’t just good for their time, they still hold up amazingly well. Those games really show you what made the PS1 such a dominant force back then.
Crash Bandicoot Crashes Onto the Scene
Crash Bandicoot is a hugely influential 3D platforming game. While it doesn’t have the same depth or freedom as some later games, its straightforward but captivating gameplay was a major competitor to other popular titles when it first came out.
In this game, you play as Crash Bandicoot, a character created by the villainous Dr. Neo Cortex. Crash needs to stop Cortex’s other experiments and save his girlfriend, Tawna. Throughout the game, Crash can jump on or spin into special boxes to find helpful items like shields and apples. Collecting 100 apples will give him an extra life.
Despite its straightforward controls, this game is wonderfully chaotic. Players need to discover clever strategies to defeat bizarre bosses, like a kangaroo wearing a straitjacket. It was also designed to help launch and establish the new PlayStation console.
Gran Turismo Finally Brought Players a Real Racing Game
Before Gran Turismo, most console racing games, including popular titles like F-Zero, Super Mario Kart, Daytona USA, and Cruis’n USA, focused on fast-paced, arcade-style gameplay. Gran Turismo was different – it aimed for a truly realistic driving experience.
The game features a collection of more than 100 highly detailed and modern cars. It focuses heavily on realism – players need to obtain licenses as they improve their skills. During races, you’ll compete against other drivers, trying to pass them without crashing.
Even after thirty years, the game still feels great to play! While later Gran Turismo titles have much more realistic graphics and physics, the very first one for PlayStation was a stunning achievement – it really showed what the original console was capable of.
FF7 Began Final Fantasy’s 3D Era
This includes Cloud Strife, who used to be part of SOLDIER – an elite mercenary group employed by Shinra, a powerful but corrupt energy company in the game’s world. Now aligned with AVALANCHE, an ecoterrorist group, he and his allies fight against those threatening to destroy the planet.
The game features 3D characters moving through detailed, pre-rendered 2D environments. This creates a sense of freedom and allows players to explore and interact with the world as Cloud and his allies.
The game continues to use the fast-paced Active Time Battle system from earlier Final Fantasy titles, but now displays battles in a fully 3D environment. Everything feels incredibly grand and immersive – especially when combined with its engaging story – marking the beginning of the most successful period for the entire series.
Metal Gear Solid Has Aged Remarkably Well
Metal Gear Solid marked a return to the main Metal Gear story after Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, and it launched a highly successful new series within the franchise. The game follows Solid Snake, who is called out of retirement to prevent a rogue mercenary group called FOXHOUND – a group he used to be part of – from carrying out their plans.
Unlike earlier Metal Gear games, Metal Gear Solid really focuses on stealth. Players usually need to avoid being spotted by hiding behind objects or in shadows. If Snake is detected, he can still fight enemies using close combat.
Beyond the main character, Snake, Metal Gear Solid features a variety of memorable bosses, like Psycho Mantis, who can even read data from your memory card. These encounters enhance the game’s excitement and, along with later games in the series, deepen your understanding of the game’s complex world.
Resident Evil 2 Is an Action-Packed Zombie Game
I absolutely love how Resident Evil 2 lets you play through the story as two different characters! You’ve got Leon S. Kennedy, a rookie cop thrown into this nightmare all by himself, and then there’s Claire Redfield, who’s driven to find her brother amidst all the chaos in Raccoon City. Both their stories are so compelling and give you totally different perspectives on what’s happening.
Though the gameplay feels familiar to the original Resident Evil, this game includes several helpful improvements. Both characters, Leon and Claire, have the same skills, making it much easier to explore and fight enemies compared to the first game.
The game offers several clever features, like choices that lead to different outcomes and multiple ways to play through the story based on your decisions. These elements make Resident Evil 2 much more immersive and captivating than the original.
Silent Hill Is Quietly Terrifying to Play
As a huge fan, I always thought Silent Hill was where survival horror really hit its stride. It wasn’t just about escaping monsters in a spooky house anymore. This game threw you into an entire town filled with seriously creepy, supernatural stuff, and a dangerous cult trying to unleash those monsters on the world beyond Silent Hill. It was a game changer!
One thing that set Silent Hill apart from other survival horror games at the time was its camera angle. Instead of fixed views like those in Resident Evil and Alone in the Dark, Silent Hill used a third-person camera that followed the main character, Harry Mason. This made the game even scarier because players couldn’t see what dangers were ahead until they were right on top of them.
No survival horror game has been as influential as Silent Hill. Everything in the game—from the atmosphere to the monsters—supports the story of Harry Mason trying to save his daughter from a dangerous cult in the town of Silent Hill. This creates a truly immersive experience that keeps players hooked, even when they’re scared of what might be around the corner.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Is Still One of the Most Epic Games
The original PlayStation (PS1) is often remembered for its early 3D graphics. But Castlevania: Symphony of the Night stands out as a fantastic exception—it’s a sprawling, classic 2D Castlevania adventure that’s arguably better than almost any other game on the system.
In this game, you play as Alucard, who is trying to prevent his father Dracula from returning to life. It’s a Metroidvania style adventure, meaning there are many different ways to progress and explore. As you play, Alucard learns lots of cool abilities – like shooting projectiles – that help him on his quest.
Featuring impressive level design and a memorable soundtrack, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night delivers everything players loved about 2D games on the PlayStation. The gameplay feels great, and even challenging enemies are enjoyable to overcome.
2026-07-25 03:08