The PlayStation tipped gaming into 3D and CD-ROM with a legendary library: Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil, Gran Turismo, Crash Bandicoot. This Top 100 gathers the best of the PS1, re-tested and re-ranked by RomWize, each title with its re-evaluated score, its versions, their rarity and their collector value.
"Hot Shots Golf 2 (Everybody's Golf 2 in Japan) is the finest series entry on PS1. Accessible and addictive arcade golf gameplay, endearing kawaii characters and satisfying progression. A perfect golf title for newcomers and genre connoisseurs alike on PS1."
"Driver 2 expands the formula with new cities, the ability to exit the vehicle and a more developed scenario. More ambitious than its predecessor despite some technical slowdowns. An excellent cinematic driving game that consolidates the franchise universe on PS1."
"Suikoden II is considered one of the greatest JRPGs ever created. Emotionally mature storytelling with a tragic friendship at the heart of the narrative, 108 recruitable characters, and Miki Higashino's splendid soundtrack. An absolute and timeless masterpiece, rare and highly sought after."
"Soul Edge (Soul Blade in the West) is the first entry in Namco's legendary weapon-based versus fighting series. Characters from around the world with distinct historical weapons, stance-based and weapon management gameplay. Founding an entire sub-genre, epic and technical. A foundational PS1 masterpiece."
"Monster Farm 2 considerably enriches its predecessor with more monster types, deeper tournament system and more content. CD generation remains brilliant. Considered the finest series entry by many, it's a niche title that well deserves its reputation."
"Street Fighter Collection gathers Super Street Fighter II Turbo and Street Fighter Alpha 2 Gold on PS1. Two excellent SF saga entries in one collection. Excellent value for versus fighting fans able to enjoy two Capcom classics in one box."
"Tactics Ogre Let Us Cling Together is one of the greatest tactical RPG masterpieces ever made. Mature political scenario of exceptional depth with heart-wrenching moral choices, perfect strategic turn-based combat system. Yasumi Matsuno's direction is masterful. An unmissable genre monument."
"G Darius is the majestic sequel in Taito's Darius series with 3D polygon bosses while preserving 2D horizontal gameplay. The enemy capture system to use as weapons is brilliant. A reference horizontal shmup on PS1, visually impressive for its era."
"Driver 2 expands the formula with new cities, the ability to exit the vehicle and a more developed scenario. More ambitious than its predecessor despite some technical slowdowns. An excellent cinematic driving game that consolidates the franchise universe on PS1."
"American version of the first Persona, with significant changes from the Japanese original (renamed characters, altered settings). Precursor to the SMT Persona series with its Persona fusion system and dark atmosphere in a contemporary high school. A foundational JRPG despite its localization imperfections."
"Alundra is one of the finest PS1 action-RPGs, deeply inspired by Zelda but with fiendishly difficult dream puzzles. The dark and mature story, likable characters and memorable soundtrack make it an unjustly overlooked masterpiece."
"Jumping Flash is a unique PS1 FPS platformer experience where Robbit the robot-rabbit leaps between platforms in colorful and naive worlds. The verticality sensation and first-person view create unprecedented gameplay. A foundational and cult PS1 title."
"Tomb Raider 2 considerably improves on its predecessor with more varied environments, new armed human enemies and increased detail. Lara Croft explores China, Venice and an underwater base. A franchise peak that surpasses the first entry in scope and quality."
"Soul Edge (Soul Blade in the West) is the first entry in Namco's legendary weapon-based versus fighting series. Characters from around the world with distinct historical weapons, stance-based and weapon management gameplay. Founding an entire sub-genre, epic and technical. A foundational PS1 masterpiece."
"Oddworld Abe's Exoddus is the direct and more generous sequel to Oddysee. Longer, richer in content and refined mechanics, with SoulStorm Brew as a key new element. As brilliant as its predecessor with more memorable levels. A PS1 puzzle platformer masterpiece."
"Need for Speed Porsche 2000 is a unique series entry entirely dedicated to Porsche models across the decades. More simulation-oriented than other NFS with polished driving physics. A reference title for Porsche enthusiasts and automotive simulation fans on PS1."
"World Soccer Jikkyou Winning Eleven 4 is the fourth entry in the Japanese series that would become PES. Refined and deep football simulation gameplay, updated teams and players. One of PS1's finest football simulation games, directly competing with FIFA."
"Lunar 2 Eternal Blue is considered even better than the first. Hiro and Lucia in an epic and emotional adventure with a sublime soundtrack. Working Designs delivers an exemplary localization enriched with additional content. One of the PS1 JRPG pinnacles, deep and memorable."
"RayCrisis is the prequel to Taito's legendary RayForce. Vertical shmup with striking visuals and a layered lock-on system. Demanding and satisfying gameplay with a unique melancholic atmosphere. An unjustly overlooked niche vertical shmup masterpiece on PS1."
"Valkyrie Profile is a Tri-Ace PS1 masterpiece. Valkyrie Lenneth collects souls of fallen warriors to prepare them for Ragnarok in dark Norse mythology. Spectacular side-scrolling combat system and unique Einherjar integration system. Epic Motoi Sakuraba soundtrack. An unparalleled JRPG."
