During its lifespan, the PlayStation seemed like a futuristic device. Its 3D graphics were new, and its hardware was more powerful than anything on the market.

You can look up the PS1’s game lineup and see many technical firsts. New advancements in graphics made level designs more complex. We also saw the beginning of open-world games and deeper stories than ever before.

With all these advancements, it was only a matter of time before developers mastered the new hardware and created masterful games. Here are 12 of the best PlayStation 1 games of all time.

Metal Gear Solid

Metal Gear Solid played out like a movie and was full of movie references. It was the turning point in games becoming more cinematic experiences.

It felt like the team had thought of every situation and outcome you could face. There are many unforgettable scenes and characters in the game.

Who could ever forget Psycho Mantis reading your memory card to tell you what games you’ve played? The game is a masterpiece of innovation that revolutionized action games for years.

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis

Nothing got your heart racing like opening a normal door you’ve passed through several times and seeing Nemesis running like a track star to snatch you up.

Raccoon City is eerie and infested with zombies and other bioweapons. The sound of the wind blowing and the shambling of zombies will make you hesitant to walk into the next shot.

Like most Resident Evil games, the replay value is very high. After completing a playthrough, you can access new game+ with new weapons, costumes, epilogue files, and The Mercenaries mode. It is a toss-up as to which Resident Evil from the PS1 takes this slot, but no love is stronger than your first.

Final Fantasy VII

This was the series’ first 3D entry in the franchise. It was one of the most detailed RPGs ever made during its release.

You had characters dealing with trauma, committing terrorist acts for the good of the planet but being framed for unspeakable acts, and a party member’s death that is still too painful to think about. While the story can be dark, let’s not forget all the humor in the game’s world.

While you can argue which Final Fantasy games had better stories, you can’t argue the game’s impact.

Related: Best AAA Games You Need To Play.

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Silent Hill

Silent Hill focused on fear of the unknown, unsettling environments, disturbing imagery, creating tension, and a sense of unease. Silent Hill’s abstract monsters, many of which symbolize the protagonist’s fears and guilt.

The game forces you to confront your fears and guilt in terrifying ways. On top of all this, you experience constant fog that makes you fear what is ahead while roaming the town.

While most survival horror games have a B-movie plot, Silent Hill chooses a mature story that will psychologically terrorize the player.

Vagrant Story

Yasumi Matsuno set out to make an RPG for Squaresoft that broke away from the identity of Final Fantasy. Vagrant Story feels like it belongs to many genres, but there are no genres at the same time. It doesn’t quite fit under any because it was made to be like nothing that came before it.

The cinematic cutscenes were animated to make the game feel and look like a movie. The dev team really tried to create something original. The combat system is a rich, tactical experience that stands apart from traditional RPGs. This is one of the few masterpieces on the PS1.

Parasite Eve

Here comes Squaresoft reminding you that they can make any genre of game an RPG. Parasite Eve has one of the most unforgettable opening sequences on the PlayStation.

Combat wasn’t the third-person aim and shoot you would see from the other survival horror games. Parasite Eve has a turn-based battle system where you can move your character freely to dodge attacks while the ATB gauge fills up. After all these years, you still see people clamoring for a remake.

Only time will tell if Square will give Parasite Eve the Final Fantasy VII treatment.

Tenchu: Stealth Assassins

Tenchu was one of the first games to use stealth as a core mechanic. Players were encouraged to use patience and strategy to make silent kills. The grappling hook allowed players to traverse vertical terrain, adding depth and freedom to exploration.

Its richly detailed levels, from shadowy castles to moonlit villages, combined with an atmospheric soundtrack, pulled us into its historical setting. With its blend of tactical gameplay, atmospheric world-building, and a legitimate ninja experience.

Tenchu not only evolved a genre by putting stealth in the forefront but also solidified itself as an unforgettable experience in the PlayStation library.

Mega Man X4

Mega Man X4 masterfully combined tight gameplay, incredible 2D visuals, and an emotionally charged story to create one of the best platformers ever.

The dual-character approach offered distinct gameplay experiences, encouraging multiple playthroughs. The visually diverse levels featured some of the best 2D art ever to grace the PS1. Mega Man X4 introduced anime-style cutscenes and voice acting (a novelty at the time) to help bring its story to life.

Mega Man X4 struck the perfect balance between challenge and accessibility. The multiple difficulty levels allowed casuals, newcomers, and veterans to enjoy the experience.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night initially didn’t sell well, but word of mouth and a cult following ensured its success. Its RPG elements and non-linear level design made it one of the big pioneers of Metroidvania.

The level design and art involved are some of the best in gaming. It still blows my mind that all this beauty was shoved into a PS1 game.

Dragon Quest VII

Dragon Quest VII‘s story was interesting because it involved piecing together the histories of lost civilizations using time travel.

The game’s class system allowed for deep character customization, while its turn-based combat retained the classic charm of the series. By placing fragments in a magical pedestal, the party is transported back to lost lands, which have mysteriously vanished from their world. In each time period, they help restore balance by defeating the evil forces.

Although the game was not as cutting-edge as its contemporaries, it was an amazing experience for hardcore RPG fans.

Tekken 3

Tekken 3 had the most fluid movements during combos gamers had ever seen. You had an entertaining cast of characters worldwide with different fighting styles and an amazing original soundtrack that was hard to top.

Gone are the days of being stuck on a 2D plane. Tekken 3 is bursting with content that will have you sitting down for months trying to get through it all.

The energy and vibe of Tekken 3 was something we had never seen before and really pushed the boundaries of 3D fighters.

PaRappa The Rapper

PaRappa The Rapper is often credited for spawning the rhythm game genre. What other game can you be a dog rapping with an onion karate master?

PaRappa goes on a journey of growth, and you rap your way through it. This has to be one of the most charming games out there.

The characters are fun and so different from any other game. The songs are so memorable that we’re still signing them nearly 28 years later. PaRappa was innovative and showed the PS1 had some of the most unique games in the industry.