When the PlayStation arrived in North America in 1995, it changed what people expected from games. CDs allowed bigger worlds, voice acting and full-motion video, and Sony marketed the console to teenagers and adults as well as kids. The result was a library that defined the late 90s.
Quick answer
The best PS1 games include Final Fantasy VII (1997), Metal Gear Solid (1998), Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (1997), Resident Evil 2 (1998), Gran Turismo (1998), Crash Bandicoot (1996), Spyro the Dragon (1998), Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (1999), Tekken 3 (1998) and Silent Hill (1999).
The ranking
| # | Game | Year (NA) | Why it's great |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Final Fantasy VII | 1997 | Cinematic RPG that took the genre mainstream |
| 2 | Metal Gear Solid | 1998 | Defined stealth games |
| 3 | Castlevania: Symphony of the Night | 1997 | Exploration-heavy masterpiece |
| 4 | Resident Evil 2 | 1998 | Survival horror at its peak |
| 5 | Gran Turismo | 1998 | Realistic driving sim |
| 6 | Crash Bandicoot | 1996 | The PlayStation's unofficial mascot |
| 7 | Spyro the Dragon | 1998 | Colorful 3D platforming |
| 8 | Tony Hawk's Pro Skater | 1999 | Combos and a punk soundtrack |
| 9 | Tekken 3 | 1998 | Fluid 3D fighting |
| 10 | Silent Hill | 1999 | Psychological horror |
| 11 | Crash Bandicoot: Warped | 1998 | The best Crash |
| 12 | Final Fantasy Tactics | 1998 | Deep strategy RPG |
| 13 | Resident Evil | 1996 | Started survival horror |
| 14 | Crash Team Racing | 1999 | Kart racing contender |
| 15 | Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage! | 1999 | Bigger Spyro adventure |
| 16 | Final Fantasy VIII | 1999 | Stylish sequel |
| 17 | Twisted Metal 2 | 1996 | Car combat chaos |
| 18 | PaRappa the Rapper | 1997 | Early rhythm game |
| 19 | Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee | 1997 | Puzzle platformer |
| 20 | Wipeout XL | 1996 | Futuristic racing with electronic music |
| 21 | Syphon Filter | 1999 | Action-spy shooter |
| 22 | Suikoden II | 1999 | Beloved RPG |
| 23 | MediEvil | 1998 | Spooky action adventure |
| 24 | Ape Escape | 1999 | Designed around analog sticks |
| 25 | Medal of Honor | 1999 | Console shooter |
| 26 | Driver | 1999 | Car chase action |
| 27 | Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver | 1999 | Gothic adventure |
| 28 | Xenogears | 1998 | Ambitious sci-fi RPG |
| 29 | Jet Moto | 1996 | Hoverbike racing |
| 30 | Hot Shots Golf | 1998 | Arcade golf |
Why the PlayStation won the late 90s
CD games
More storage for bigger games, music and cutscenes, and cheaper to make than cartridges.
Third-party support
Many developers moved to PlayStation, bringing big franchises.
Older audience
Marketing targeted teens and adults, making gaming cool.
Huge library
Thousands of games across every genre.
Memory cards and demo discs
PlayStation games saved to memory cards, small plug-in devices with limited space. Running out of blocks was a common frustration, and friends borrowed cards to share saves. Demo discs, often bundled with magazines or consoles, let kids sample dozens of games before buying.
Fun fact: The original PlayStation became the first home console to sell more than 100 million units over its lifetime.
Conclusion
The best PS1 games defined late-90s gaming, from cinematic RPGs to stealth and horror. Compare with the rival console in best N64 games, and see the full lineup of 90s video game consoles.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best PS1 game?
Final Fantasy VII and Metal Gear Solid are often ranked as the best PS1 games, followed by Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Resident Evil 2 and Gran Turismo.
When did the PlayStation come out?
The original PlayStation launched in Japan in December 1994 and in North America in September 1995.
What was the best-selling PS1 game?
Gran Turismo is among the best-selling games on the original PlayStation.
Who was the PlayStation mascot?
The PlayStation never had an official mascot, but Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon were widely seen as its unofficial faces.
What were memory cards?
PS1 games saved progress on removable memory cards, which kids traded and borrowed.
How can I play PS1 games today?
Original hardware, later PlayStation consoles that supported PS1 discs, or official classic game collections where available.
Sources and further reading
Dates and facts were checked against these references. Release dates can vary by region; we use North American dates unless noted. Spotted an error? Tell us.