10 Best Selling Games on the PS1

Sony made a huge splash when it entered the video game world with the PlayStation. This console was a game-changer, offering a wide range of popular and highly-regarded games. Many iconic game series began on the PlayStation, and some are still thriving today, even after first appearing on Sony’s original system in 1995. We’ve reviewed the PlayStation’s history and looked at the sales figures for its most successful games – and the results are remarkable. Here are the 10 best-selling PlayStation games of all time, listed from lowest to highest sales.

10) Crash Bandicoot

PlayStation doesn’t have one consistent mascot; instead, each system has featured its own. The original PlayStation’s mascot was Crash Bandicoot, the star of one of its best-selling games. Released in 1996, this 3D platformer was a major success, offering a fresh and dynamic gameplay experience with both forward and side-scrolling views. Players loved it, and it spawned a whole franchise. The game has since been updated, and throughout PlayStation’s history, Crash Bandicoot remained a key face for the system, selling over 6.8 million copies.

9) Metal Gear Solid

In 1998, Hideo Kojima released Metal Gear Solid, a game widely considered a classic. Building on his previous two titles, he transformed the series with a stunning 3D stealth-action experience, essentially defining the modern stealth genre. While Kojima has since left Konami, and many believe this has negatively impacted the Metal Gear series, Metal Gear Solid was a massive success, selling over 7 million copies and becoming a key reason for players to purchase the original PlayStation.

8) Crash Bandicoot: Warped

Released in 1998 for PlayStation, Crash Bandicoot: Warped is the third game in the popular Crash Bandicoot series. It continues the story right after Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back, building on the previous game with improved graphics, sound, and gameplay. Critics loved it and it helped keep the series going, selling over 7.1 million copies worldwide. Interestingly, a direct sequel didn’t appear for over two decades, with Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time finally releasing in 2020 – a title that playfully acknowledges the long wait.

7) Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back

Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back is the second game in the popular Crash Bandicoot series and remains the best-selling title on the PlayStation. Building on the original, it refined many aspects of the gameplay, making it a significant improvement, though the first game is still highly enjoyable. Critics widely praised the game’s enhanced graphics, music, and controls, all of which greatly increased the fun. Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back achieved impressive sales numbers, selling over 7.58 million copies on the PlayStation.

6) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Movie tie-in games are often quickly made and low quality, but sometimes one surprises everyone and is actually good. The 2001 PlayStation game Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is a prime example. It closely follows the movie’s story, with contributions from author J.K. Rowling and the filmmakers themselves, which really boosted its quality. In the end, the fact that it was based on a movie didn’t matter – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is simply a fun, well-crafted game, selling over 8 million copies on PlayStation.

5) Tekken 3

Similar to other games in the Tekken series, Tekken 3 first launched in arcades before being released on home consoles. It became a huge success on PlayStation a year later. The game takes place 19 years after Tekken 2, introducing a new group of characters alongside some returning favorites. The PlayStation version included extra features and game modes. Tekken 3 was a massive commercial success, selling over 8.3 million copies on PlayStation alone, and was later released on several other platforms, including the PlayStation 2.

4) Final Fantasy VIII

Though often overshadowed by Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VIII was a huge success on the PlayStation. It broke from tradition by using fully-proportioned, realistic character models – a feature that would become standard in later games. Building on the advancements of Final Fantasy VII, it continued to use pre-rendered backgrounds and 3D graphics. The game is known for its compelling story and its strangely humorous, sometimes awkward dialogue. Final Fantasy VIII sold exceptionally well, with 9,463,715 copies purchased for the PlayStation.

3) Gran Turismo 2

The PlayStation was known for its excellent racing games, and Gran Turismo 2 was a huge hit. This game, part of a popular series, offered a realistic simulation where players had to earn a license, buy cars, and win races to collect trophies. With nearly 650 vehicles and 27 tracks, it had an impressive amount of content for its time. Gran Turismo 2 received praise from both gamers and critics for its performance, handling, and graphics, selling over 9.5 million copies on the PlayStation – though it wasn’t the best-selling racing game on the console.

2) Final Fantasy VII

Released in 1997, Final Fantasy VII revolutionized the Final Fantasy series. It was a major leap forward in terms of graphics and sound, moving the franchise from older 16-bit visuals to a new era of 3D and pre-rendered environments. The game is also known for its captivating and complex story. Many fans consider Final Fantasy VII to be a perfect game and one of the best ever created, which explains why Square Enix invested so much effort and resources into remaking it decades later. Upon its original release on PlayStation, it became a massive commercial success, selling over 10.8 million copies – second only to one other game at the time.

1) Gran Turismo

First released in 1997 for PlayStation, the Gran Turismo series is still popular today. Development began two years before the original game launched, with a strong focus on realism. It boasted over 140 cars and smooth 60 frames-per-second timed trials – a technical achievement for its time. With a fantastic soundtrack, Gran Turismo revolutionized the racing game genre and influenced how future titles were made. It’s also the best-selling PlayStation game, selling over 10.86 million copies during the console’s lifespan.

2026-05-10 16:18