The PlayStation first launched in 1994 and quickly became one of the best-selling game consoles ever. The original PS1 featured almost 8,000 games worldwide (around 1,300 in the US!), making it tough to pick just the best ones. To create our top ten list, we looked at reviews from critics at the time and combined that with sales figures. We also made sure to include the highest-rated game from each popular series to give you a definitive list of the ten best PS1 games.
10) Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
The first Resident Evil game came out on PlayStation in 1996, and two sequels followed by 1999. Many fans consider Resident Evil: Nemesis to be the strongest of the original PlayStation titles. It takes place at the same time as another game in the series and was developed alongside Resident Evil – Code: Veronica. While technically a spin-off focusing on Jill Valentine, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis is a thrilling survival horror game that was very popular on the PS1, selling approximately 3.6 million copies. A remake of the game, simply titled Resident Evil 3, was released in 2020.
9) Tomb Raider
The original Tomb Raider wasn’t just a success – it was a game-changer. The PlayStation version alone sold over 7 million copies, and that doesn’t even include later versions and updates. Since debuting in 1996, Lara Croft has become a true cultural icon, and the original game’s graphics were incredibly influential. While Lara’s appearance has become more realistic over time, players who experienced the first Tomb Raider still remember her classic look fondly.
8) Street Fighter Alpha 3
As a huge Street Fighter fan, I remember when Street Fighter Alpha 3 came out in 1998 – it was a massive hit in arcades and on consoles! What I loved was that it took the already awesome character list from Street Fighter Alpha 2 and let you choose from different fighting styles. They ditched the old “Manual” and “Auto” options and went with three “isms” instead. A-ism played like the first two Alpha games, X-ism felt like Super Street Fighter II Turbo, and V-ism was totally unique because it let you create your own combos. It sold about a million copies on the PlayStation, and it’s still one of the best fighting games ever made, in my opinion.
7) Vagrant Story
Many fans consider Vagrant Story to be a classic PlayStation 1 game deserving of a remake, but one hasn’t happened yet, meaning players still revisit the original from 2000. Developed by Square, the game is renowned for its compelling story, much like other titles from the studio. Vagrant Story stands out in the action RPG genre because it skips traditional elements like shops and character interactions, instead emphasizing puzzles, crafting weapons, strategic combat, and customizing equipment. Despite its devoted fanbase, the game only sold around 800,000 copies, which is surprisingly low.
6) Tekken 3
The original PlayStation was home to many great fighting games, and a few truly stood out. Tekken 3 was a huge hit, selling over 8 million copies. Set almost 20 years after Tekken 2, it featured a completely new roster of characters. It also added sidestepping – a move that’s now common in fighting games. Players enjoyed Tekken 3 because it faithfully recreated the arcade experience, offered tons of replay value, and introduced innovative features that helped shape the fighting game genre.
5) Chrono Cross
If you enjoyed Chrono Trigger on Super Nintendo, you likely also played its follow-up, Chrono Cross, when it was released for PlayStation in 1999. Developed by Square, this role-playing game boasts fantastic level design and a captivating story that’s both exciting and emotionally powerful. While staying true to the classic RPG style of the time, Chrono Cross also introduced some unique elements. The game was a commercial success on the PS1, selling over 1.5 million copies, and it received a re-release and remaster in 2022 as Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition.
4) Final Fantasy VII
When people think of the best RPGs Square made for the original PlayStation, Final Fantasy VII is often the first game that comes to mind. Originally planned for the Super Nintendo, development shifted to the Nintendo 64 before ultimately landing on the PS1. This allowed Square to use new technology like full-motion video and 3D models alongside pre-rendered 2D backgrounds. While the gameplay felt familiar to previous Final Fantasy games, Final Fantasy VII really pushed the RPG genre forward. It was a huge success, selling over 10 million copies on the PS1, and a recent remake has also proven incredibly popular.
3) Gran Turismo
Racing games aren’t as widely played now as they were in the late 90s and early 2000s, but the original PlayStation had some standout titles. The most famous of these is Gran Turismo, which grew into a huge franchise. It was a remarkably detailed game, taking the team at Polys Entertainment five years to develop. Upon its release, it was a massive hit, selling almost 11 million copies and becoming the best-selling game on the PS1. Players loved spending hours racing the game’s impressive collection of 140 cars across its 11 tracks.
2) Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
Tony Hawk’s popularity soared in the late 90s and early 2000s, and his video games were a huge success. The standout title from that era was Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2, originally released on PlayStation 1 and later on other consoles and PC. While it used the same graphics engine as the first game, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 offered significant improvements in gameplay and visuals. It’s a really enjoyable and addictive game with a fantastic soundtrack, offering a challenging but fair experience that kept players engaged for hours. The game sold over 5.3 million copies on the PS1 alone.
1) Metal Gear Solid
The Metal Gear series, created by Hideo Kojima, is a long-standing favorite, but it really took off with the release of Metal Gear Solid in 1998. This game breathed new life into the franchise and launched Kojima to stardom. Considered one of the best video games of all time, Metal Gear Solid was a huge leap forward from earlier games, taking full advantage of the PlayStation’s capabilities. With over 7 million copies sold and widespread praise from critics, it’s widely seen as the best game on the original PlayStation.
What’s your all-time favorite PlayStation 1 game? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!
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2026-01-03 16:15