Down Memory Lane Again
Remember that feeling of rushing home after school to grab a hold of that gray controller and jump into a whole new world? A PS1 was a lot more than a gaming console. It was our gateway to worlds we never knew existed. So, if you want to relive those moments, here are 20 PS1 games that have left a lasting mark in our hearts.
1. Final Fantasy VII
Cloud's spiky hair and that heartbreaking moment we all know about (no spoilers!) defined a generation of RPG lovers. Square's masterpiece showed us that games could make us cry, laugh, and feel things we never expected from those blocky polygons.
Carter McKendry from New York, NY, United States on Wikimedia
2. Gran Turismo
Who knew reading car specs and tweaking suspension settings could be so addictive, even for beginners? Gran Turismo wasn’t merely about racing. It was our first taste of being virtual mechanics and professional drivers. The game kept us up way past bedtime.
3. Metal Gear Solid
In this game, we used to sneak past guards as our hearts pounded. Those codec calls that got too real and Psycho Mantis that read our memory cards—Kojima's stealth masterpiece messed with our minds in ways no game had done before.
Chris Favero from USA on Wikimedia
4. Crash Bandicoot
Nobody can forget this one. That crazy animal had us spinning through crates and dodging rolling boulders while our parents wondered why we were yelling at the TV. The pure joy of finally beating that one impossible level? Yes, you know which one!
5. Street Fighter Alpha 3
Whenever we played Street Fighter Alpha 3, custom combos and multiple fighting styles turned button mashers into technical wizards. The satisfaction of landing a perfect Alpha Counter or pulling off Dramatic Battle mode with friends created memories that still make us smile.
Street Fighter Alpha 3 - Cody (Arcade / 1998) 4K 60FPS by Retro Fighters
6. Spyro The Dragon
Spyro the Dragon was all about charging through sheep and gliding between platforms. The game’s scenes simply never got old. This purple dragon's attitude and those gorgeous worlds taught us that mascot platformers could have serious personalities and depth.
Spyro The Dragon - Full Game 120% Walkthrough (Reignited Trilogy) by ProsafiaGaming
7. Tekken 3
It was a ritual more than a game. Button mashing with friends turned into legitimate combo mastery. Whether you were a Jin main or lived for Eddie's capoeira moves, this fighter had us canceling plans only to perfect that one juggle combo.
8. Silent Hill
In Silent Hill, the fog was not just hiding technical limitations. That hazy stuff was hiding our worst nightmares, too. Plus, that radio static still gives us chills, and we'll never look at rusty metal the same way after wandering those cursed streets.
RyC - Behind The Lens from San Francisco, United States of America on Wikimedia
9. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater
What was special about Tony Hawk's Pro Skater? Landing that perfect combo while Goldfinger's "Superman" blasted through our TV speakers. It felt like pure magic. We all thought we could skateboard after playing this, even if we'd never touched a real board.
10. Twisted Metal
You could say that Sweet Tooth's ice cream truck of doom turned suburban warfare into an art form. The dark humor and explosive gameplay proved that sometimes the best therapy was blowing up your friends' vehicles with clown missiles, wasn’t it?
11. PaRappa The Rapper
Who knew following a rapping dog's rhythm could be so challenging yet addictive? Honestly, those Kick-punch-blocking through hip-hop battles with Chop Chop Master Onion taught us that even the weirdest games could become our most cherished memories if they’re made right.
Parappa The Rapper - Episode 7 Bourgeoisie 4K by The Ghost Gaming
12. Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee
You and every die-hard gamer would agree that the first "Hello" (follow me) changed platform gaming forever. Saving our fellow Mudokons while avoiding meat grinders and trigger-happy Sligs showed us that dark humor and social commentary could work beautifully in video games.
Oddworld Abe's Odyssee New 'n' Tasty! -- Launch Trailer | PS4 by PlayStation
13. Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped
Time-traveling through medieval castles, racing on a tiger, and jet-skiing past pirates—you know, Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped wasn't just Crash's best adventure; it was gaming perfection at that time. Every level brought something new that made us forget about homework entirely.
14. Resident Evil
Those tank controls and fixed camera angles made the horror more intense. As we walked into the mansion for the first time, we had no idea we'd still be having nightmares about zombie dogs decades later. Resident Evil was something that new gamers never forgot.
Cozinhando Fantasias on Wikimedia
15. Gran Turismo 2
Right when we thought we'd mastered racing games, along came twice the cars and tracks to obsess over. Gran Turismo 2 was something else. Collecting over 600 vehicles became a lifestyle, and those endurance races tested not only skill but dedication, too.
16. Final Fantasy VIII
Triple Triad became more addicting than the main story, and “Drawing Magic” tested our patience. But watching Squall evolve from a moody teenager to a legendary hero made every grinding session worth it whenever we played Final Fantasy VIII.
17. Chrono Cross
Remember this one? The tropical paradise of El Nido and that haunting soundtrack transported every player to another world—one we truly loved. With 45 playable characters and multiple dimensions to explore, Chrono Cross proved lightning could strike twice after Trigger.
greyloch from Washington, DC, area, U.S.A. on Wikimedia
18. Suikoden II
In Suikoden II, building our own castle and recruiting 108 Stars of Destiny felt like creating a living, breathing world. The betrayals and friendships hit harder in this one than in any game before. It made us care about every character's fate.
Suikoden II ... (PS1) Gameplay by 10min Gameplay
19. Bushido Blade
With those one-hit kills and no health bars, Bushido Blade revolutionized fighting games. There was this tension of circling your opponent, knowing any strike could end it all. It created duels that felt more authentic than any button-mashing fighter.
Bushido Blade Gameplay Story Mode (PlayStation) by mfa rec
20. Medal Of Honor
Lastly, let’s recall the Medal of Honor. Storming the beaches of Normandy from our living rooms while that orchestral score swelled in the background gave us chills. The game was more than just another shooter. It was our first taste of playable history.
Medal of Honor (2010) - PC Gameplay 4k 2160p / Win 10 by FirstPlays HD
