What PlayStation games come to mind when you see this image?
It’s a question that many of you will have pondered at some point or another, and we’re here to give you the answer. From a series that deserves a revival to a game that changed lives, we’re going to take a look back at some of the best PlayStation games.
Whether it’s a PlayStation exclusive or one of the best PC games that made its way onto Sony’s first console, we’re going to relive the nostalgia of these classic PlayStation games. We’ll be covering everything from the PlayStation games you grew up with, to the ones that defined an era. So, take a look at the image below, and prepare to be taken back to the days of the original PlayStation.
These are the PlayStation games that came to mind when we saw this image:
No, it’s not a remake, and yes, it’s been a while, but the original PlayStation icon still deserves a special mention. Crash Bandicoot may not have had the best of starts on PlayStation, but it quickly became a classic, and a staple of the system’s early days. From the first game’s sense of adventure and fun, to the technical leaps of the sequels that made it such a fun series to follow.
There were a lot of good fighting games on PlayStation, but Tekken 3 is the one that left the biggest impression on us. The introduction of Tekken 3’s ‘rage’ meter in its fights was a welcome addition, and it’s still a fighting game that we return to even now.
Final Fantasy 7 is, without a doubt, the PlayStation game that changed lives. Whether you were a young kid playing it for the first time, or an adult experiencing the game for the first time again, Final Fantasy 7 was a masterpiece that changed how we thought about RPGs forever.
Metal Gear Solid was a defining moment in PlayStation history. While there had been other games that offered a similar degree of storytelling and narrative, Metal Gear Solid took things to the next level. Hideo Kojima’s vision is still being paid homage to today, and while many of the Metal Gear Solid games after this one have been hit and miss, this one was a hit, and still a masterclass in storytelling.
While it’s true that the Driver games haven’t had the best reception over the years, we still think the first one is a real gem. It’s a game that doesn’t get enough credit for its realism and the way it makes you feel like a passenger behind the wheel. And, it has a lot of great one-liners. The best thing about Driver is that it’s a game that still holds up today, unlike many of the other games on this list.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater is the soundtrack of a generation. The entire game was a lesson in authenticity, and a reminder of simpler times in gaming when game soundtracks were still played on CD in cars. The Pro Skater series has been something of a missed opportunity on the current generation of consoles, but we’d love to see a return to form on the PlayStation 5.
Resident Evil is a series that more than earns its place on this list, and we’ll get to that later. But the first game in the series is one of those experiences that you can’t forget; one that terrified you, thrilled you, and left you feeling like you’d lived through something special.
Compared to the other games on this list, Spyro might seem a little childish, but that’s exactly why we love it. Compared to the more sophisticated games of the time, Spyro was a game that was all about fun, and the Year of the Dragon entry in the series is the one that really stands out for us. It’s a game that really reminds us of our childhood, and at the same time, is a great example of how the series has evolved over time.
The lack of microtransactions and buggy launches in the past
There are a lot of great games on this list, but there are also a fair few games that came out that we wish we could forget. Games that have aged poorly, or games that were simply a missed opportunity. It’s true that games on the PlayStation didn’t have the same level of funding or development time as they do now, but there’s no excuse for games that should have been great, but ended up being unplayable.
A series that is more than a little guilty of changing with the times, the original Tomb Raider changed the way we thought about female protagonists in video games. It was a beautiful yet challenging game that made you feel like Lara Croft was a real person. And of course, how could we forget the iconic pointy boobs?
A series that has enjoyed something of a resurgence over the past few years, Twisted Metal is a unique and beloved series. Each entry in the series has its own identity, while still feeling like part of the same family. The series deserves a new entry on the PlayStation 5, and we can’t wait to see what Sony and Black Dahlia have in store for it.
No car game on PlayStation has stood the test of time quite like Gran Turismo 2. While Gran Turismo Sport has a place in our hearts as well, the second game in the series still holds up as the best, and is one that earns its place on this list.
