The 1990s saw more than its fare share of console releases, many of which were colossal failures like the Philips CD-i, Atari Jaguar, and the 3DO. However, one company managed to knock it out of the park with their debut effort. The company in question was Sony, and their classic home entertainment system was the PlayStation. The now landmark system succeeded where many didn't, through a combination of solid hardware, an affordable price tag, great marketing, and a stellar lineup of games that only got bigger with each year into its lifespan.
The PlayStation produced dozens of all time classics whose influences are still being felt today. The introduction of 3D graphics presented new possibilities for developers to push the medium forward in unexpected ways. To make it on this list, a game doesn't have to be an exclusive, but must be deeply associated with the console. There will only be one game from any given series, so many entries can be representative of their franchise's presence on the PlayStation.
10 Aged Perfectly: Resident Evil
By using two-dimensional environments, Resident Evil was able to give players some of the best looking polygonal character models to ever grace consoles at the time. They don't look as good today, but the scares from this groundbreaking survival horror game didn't come exclusively from the graphics.
It's the limited saves, lack of resources, small health, and atmospheric tension that still make it one of the scariest titles ever made. While some bemoan tank controls, it's this control scheme that has helped it remain just as playable today as it was twenty three years ago.
9 Aged Poorly: Spyro The Dragon
Pulling off a fully 3D platformer on the PlayStation was a truly impressive feat. Playing Spyro the Dragon today is still a blast, but it's easy to see how technical limitations influenced the level design.
The maps aren't as sprawling as they are in memory. On top of that, controlling the camera with the shoulder buttons is clunky compared to using the right analog stick. Thankfully, Toys For Bob's remaster of the PS1 trilogy brought much needed quality of life improvements to the purple dragon's adventure.
8 Aged Perfectly: Metal Gear Solid
The PS1's hardware inspired Hideo Kojima to bring his dormant Metal Gear series into the next generation. The result was a revolution in game design.
Snake's mission on Shadow Moses Island is used as a window to introduce players to the slightly futuristic, off kilter universe in which the series is set. Even with the additions to core game play in the sequels, MGS's controls don't feel outdated in the slightest.
7 Aged Poorly: Tomb Raider
Lara Croft has been a gaming icon since her 1996 debut. The exploration and puzzle solving in one of the first fully 3D titles grabbed players' attention.
Today, the controls take a lot of getting used to, and may be impossible for some who are accustomed to modern gaming conveniences. Thankfully, there are contemporary Tomb Raider titles that play better.
6 Aged Perfectly: Castlevania:Symphony Of The Night
Castlevania was already a classic series when the PS1 rolled around. Symphony of the Night kept the core gameplay, but greatly expanded upon it with a focus on exploration and the inclusion of RPG elements.
It plays tighter than its older siblings, and has better graphics, thanks to the PS1's graphical capability. The side scrolling gameplay has only helped it stand the test of time.
5 Aged Poorly: Twisted Metal
Twisted Metal established Sony's reputation for exclusives that didn't fit the family friendly mold of other companies' mascots.
The grimy car combat game made the young console stand out from the pack, and appealed to the rebel attitude that permeated 90's youth culture. Unfortunately, the series is barely playable by modern standards, with driving controls that go against everything modern conventions teach gamers.
4 Aged Perfectly: Crash Bandicoot 2
The first Crash Bandicoot has some roughness around the edges, but its two sequels play smooth as butter. For proof of this, look no further than the 2017 remake of the PS1 trilogy.
The modern take on these classics keeps the game play nigh identical to the decades old originals - save for an arguably worse jump - only throwing on a new coat of paint to the visuals.
3 Aged Poorly: PaRappa The Rapper
Some PS1 games were truly far out. This rhythm game's art and characters were unlike anything seen in the medium before. The aesthetic are still as charming as ever, but the gameplay itself lacks substance and replayability.
The game was remastered in 2017, and can be plowed through in a couple of hours, assuming the audio is synced correctly. If it isn't, good luck finding the rhythm.
2 Aged Perfectly: Final Fantasy VII
There's a reason the Final Fantasy VII remake is taking such a radically different approach to the game - the classic in its original form cannot be improved upon.
After the remaster introduced quality of life improvements like a the ability to speed up battles, Cloud and friends' adventure is pure bliss from start to finish. While the remake is fast approaching, it is more than worth it to experience the original masterpiece.
1 Aged Poorly: Syphon Filter
Syphon Filter felt like a summer action movie packed onto a PS1 disc back in 1999. Action adventure games have come along way since then, and Gabe Logan's heyday has long since passed.
The auto aim mechanic feels archaic, and the stealth segments are enraging. There's no sign of the series' return, so Syphon Filter may permanently remain a barely playable relic of the past.