The first PlayStation was an instant success, boasting a ton of popular video games. Here are the greatest classics to grace this console.
The first Sony PlayStation console went on sale in 1995 in North America and changed the way the world played video games. While it had strong competition from the still-popular Nintendo 64 and the soon-to-die out Sega Saturn, the PlayStation was an instant success – breaking into an incredibly competitive industry.
Nintendo clearly dominated the market, and had pushed many smaller console developers to their breaking point, but Sony’s fresh take on gaming proved to be worthy competition. Today, most gamers can’t picture the gaming industry without PlayStation, and for good reason. Home to some of the most iconic and critically-acclaimed games ever made, it’s hard to believe that it all started with the PS1. Whether its nostalgia or true enjoyment that keeps players coming back, there’s no denying that the PS1 and its many excellent games were instrumental in making gaming what it is today. 13 Tomb Raider
The PS1 was home to the very first iteration of the now iconic video game character Lara Croft, and the game quickly secured its spot in the hall of fame. Coasting off the success of Indiana Jones and the treasure-hunting genre, Tomb Raider was an original and exciting game unlike anything else at the time.
The game was applauded for its creative approach, including an exciting and detailed world, as well as excellent graphics. It was able to balance all its genres well, combining puzzles with action and tension to create a truly entertaining introduction to the infamous archaeologist’s stories. 12 Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night
Castlevania has been around since 1986, getting its start on Nintendo’s Famicom, but in 1997, Konami helped it make the jump to Sony with Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Despite being something of a sleeper hit at the time, the game was highly-praised by critics and audiences alike – with many claiming it to be the best in the franchise.
The game was beloved for its huge map and detailed environments, which included many unique and exciting secrets that kept players coming back to explore. It was clear that this game was a labor of love. Gamers adored how exhilarating it was to play, and the multiple endings made it fun to replay. Now, most would consider this one of the PlayStation’s must-play titles. 11 Street Fighter Alpha 3
Street Fighter first debuted in 1987 and quickly became one of the most popular arcade fighting games ever made. Spring-boarding off this success, developers quickly set their sights on consoles and, in 1998, the beloved arcade game was re-created for the PlayStation under the name Street Fighter Alpha 3.
The game has 28 playable characters with three different fighting styles. Players loved the additional game modes and the updated mechanics, which added new dimensions to an already great experience. The speed and new graphics made it a must-have in the fighting game world – and quickly secured it a place on the PS1’s top games list. 10 Gran Turismo 2
While the PlayStation saw plenty of success with ports and multi-platform releases, to truly solidify its place in history, Sony knew it was essential to create some PS1-exclusive original titles. One answer to this was the immensely popular racing franchise Gran Turismo, two of which quickly became the PS1’s most popular original games.
Praised for its realism and expansive selection of cars, Gran Turismo 2 drew in both gamers and racing enthusiasts, creating a whole new audience for the PlayStation.
