The PlayStation 5’s collection of PS1 emulations weren’t great at launch. But after receiving more games and some important changes, it’s now one of the best ways to revisit the PS1’s greatest hits.
PS1 Emulation Is Finally Good on the PS5
When Sony first launched the PlayStation classics collection—which contains official PS1 emulations for the PS4 and PS5—many players noticed that some of these emulated games ran at lower frame rates than their original PS1 versions.
The downgraded performance was a result of certain emulations being based on the PAL-region versions of their respective games, which ran at a 50 Hzrefresh raterather than the standard 60 Hz used in NTSC regions. This difference caused the PAL versions of most PS1 games to suffer from lower frame rates, visual bugs, and overall worse performance than their NTSC counterparts.
The drawbacks of PAL versions aren’t severe enough to make a game downright unplayable, and the performance difference is unnoticeable in some games. However, the omission of NTSC versions meant players would get a better experience onthe original hardwareorunofficial emulators.
10Resident Evil: Director’s Cut
There’s a good reason why the originalResident Evilis often considered the grandfather ofsurvival-horror games. While it wasn’t the first of its kind,Resident Evilset the standard for the rest of the survival-horror genre with its emphasis on resource management, atmospheric exploration, and terrifying encounters with nightmarish creatures. Even the game’s more dated elements, like its fixed cameras andcumbersome tank controls, add to the tension of trying to slip past shambling zombies and mutated dogs.
The version available on the PlayStation Store isResident Evil: Director’s Cut, which adds new game modes, quality-of-life features, and a few other surprises, but otherwise retains everything fans loved about the original release. If you’ve never played aResident Evilgame or are looking to revisit the early entries,Director’s Cutmarks a fantastic starting point for the series. While the 2001 remake is arguably the better game, it’s also substantially tougher and features numerous changes that you’ll appreciate more after playing the PS1 original.
9Dino Crisis
Dino Crisisis another survival-horror classic from the creators ofResident Evil, but it hasn’t received the attention it deserves. Much likeResident Evil, the game revolves around exploring a creepy facility, solving abstract puzzles to progress, and using your limited resources to fend off foes.
What setsDino Crisisapart from other PS1-era horror games is its titular antagonists. Unlike the undead enemies ofResident Evil, the velociraptors and pteranodons ofDino Crisisare fast and ferocious, giving you only a few seconds to react to their attacks. Combat inDino Crisisis much more intense than its contemporaries, and the game places a heavier focus on action rather than quiet exploration. That doesn’t stopDino Crisisfrom being absolutely terrifying, as you’ll also need to contend with a limited supply of ammo and healing items, which makes every encounter and missed shot feel absolutely panic-inducing.
8Ape Escape
The PS1 was home to many of the best 3D platformers ever made, andApe Escapestands out as one of the console’s greatest.Ape Escapefollows Spike, a young boy tasked with capturing an army of evil, time-traveling monkeys—not apes, despite what the title may lead you to believe. Throughout the game, you’ll use a small selection of gadgets to traverse open-ended areas and capture over 200 monkeys scattered across the different levels.
Along with its entertainingly bizarre premise and silly sense of humor,Ape Escapemanages to feel refreshingly different from other 3D platformers. Capturing each monkey requires that you figure out the best way to reach them without being seen, as they will run away or attack if you’re spotted. Some monkeys can only be reached by platforming to high areas, while others require you to use environmental obstacles to block their escape.Ape Escapeconstantly finds new ways to shake up its simple formula with fun gimmicks and entertaining boss fights.
7Twisted Metal 2
Twisted Metalhelped kickstart the vehicular combat genre, yet it’s still one of the genre’s best games, with only its sequels surpassing it in quality. The originalTwisted Metalnearly perfected the concept of a heavily-armed demolition derby, wherein players battle with weaponized vehicles to be the last one standing. Beyond being addictively fun,Twisted Metalwas also notable for its iconic characters and apocalyptic story.
The first twoTwisted Metalgames are featured in the PlayStation Classics collection, and while both games still hold up,Twisted Metal 2is often considered to be the pinnacle of the series. The sequel improves upon the original’s explosive vehicular combat in just about every way, expanding the roster with new vehicles and adding more stages based on real-world locales.Twisted Metal 2also introduces aco-op mode, allowing you to play through the campaign with a friend.
Apart from these additions,Twisted Metal 2doesn’t change much from the first game, instead focusing on refining the series' formula and keeping the carnage that fans loved from the original.
6Syphon Filter
Most third-person shooters from the 90sdidn’t age well, butSyphon Filteris one of the rare exceptions.Syphon Filterdelivers a thrilling blend of fast-paced shooting and simple-yet-satisfying stealth—both of which are helped by the game’s impressively unpredictable AI. The exciting gameplay is upheld by a campaign with plenty of mission variety and a sizable selection of weapons, though you may get through some areas by relying solely on the taser.Syphon Filteralso delivers an engaging spy-thriller story, with a plot centered around terrorist organizations, government conspiracies, and a heap of dramatic twists and turns.
In addition to the originalSyphon Filter, the PlayStation Classics collection allows you to emulateSyphon Filter 2andSyphon Filter 3. If you enjoy stealth-action series likeMetal Gear SolidandSplinter Cell, don’t miss out on thisseries.
5Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee
Oddworld: Abe’s Oddyseetells the story of Abe, a member of an enslaved alien species known as the Mudokons, as he attempts to escape from a dangerous meat-processing factory while saving his fellow captives.Abe’s Oddyseeis a “cinematic platformer,” similar to PC classics likeAnother WorldandPrince of Persia. As is common for the genre, your movement is slow and grounded—contrasting the fast and floaty controls of traditional 2D platformers—which contributes to the game’s punishing difficulty.
ThroughoutAbe’s Oddysee,you’ll be jumping over precarious hazards, sneaking past enemies, and solving puzzles—sometimes dealing with all three at the same time. Despite its tough design,Abe’s Oddyseeis a rewarding experience full of clever puzzles and imaginatively bizarre visuals.
Abe’s Oddyseereceived a remake in 2014 titledOddworld: New ‘N’ Tasty, which is also available on the PlayStation store. Unlike theResident Evilremake,New ‘N’ Tastyis almost functionally identical to the original game. While some fans prefer the PS1 version’s darker visuals, both versions serve as fantastic introductions to theOddworldseries.
4Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain
Blood Omen: Legacy of Kainhas largely been overshadowed by its sequels, but the first game is an excellent—and severely underrated—action roleplaying game. Placing you in the role of Kain, a vengeful vampire with an arsenal of magical powers,Blood Omenallows you to roam a non-linear world wherein you hunt bosses, explore dungeons, and acquire abilities for combat and accessing new areas.
Blood Omenalso does a fantastic job of immersing you in its world. The land of Nosgoth feels like a real place with dozens of unique locales separated by forests and small villages. The NPCs in these areas don’t just serve as set dressing, as Kain can consume their blood to restore his health or speak with them by disguising himself as a human.
As you progress throughBlood Omen’s story, you’ll learn even more about the history of Nosgoth and its inhabitants. If you can get pastBlood Omen’sstiff combat and awkward controls, you’ll find one of the most enjoyable and immersive role-playing games on the PS1.
3R4: Ridge Racer Type 4
TheRidge Racerseries has always set itself apart from other racing games with a driving model that combines the blistering speed of arcade racers likeNeed for Speedwith the precise controls ofsimcade racing gameslikeGran Turismo.
If that doesn’t already sound like a challenge,Ridge Racerups the ante with an emphasis on skillful drifting over pure speed, placing a myriad of sharp turns and tight corners on nearly every track.Ridge Racerhas a steep learning curve compared to other arcade racing series, but it reveals itself to be one of the PS1’s most exhilarating racing games once you understand its unique design.
R4: Ridge Racer Type 4is often regarded as the best game in the franchise, offering a wide selection of challenging courses, over 300 cars, and an unforgettable original soundtrack that includes pulse-pounding electronica and upbeat jazz. Races are spread across multiple game modes, including standard racing game staples like time attack and Grand Prix modes, as well as multiple full-length story campaigns.R4offers a breadth of content along with one of the most polished racing experiences on the PS1, making it a must-play classic for any fan of arcade racing games.
2The Legend of Dragoon
The Legend of Dragoonis a divisive game among JRPG fans, but it has gathered a cult-following since its release. The game features a creative twist onturn-based combatwith its “addition” mechanic, which allows each character to initiate powerful combo attacks by successfully completing a series ofquick-time events. As characters level up, they’ll unlock longer combos that can deal more damage, but also leave them vulnerable to enemy counter-attacks. However, pulling off these lengthy combos requires extremely precise timing, giving every battle an extra source of challenge.
Outside of combat,The Legend of Dragoonis still an eye-catching experience with its detailed environments and iconic character designs. The story itself is nothing particularly unique, but it’s carried by the game’s likable cast and in-depth world-building.The Legend of Dragoonis a flawed gem, and likely won’t change your mind if you don’t already enjoy turn-based JRPGs, but its strengths make it an underrated highlight of the PS1’s library.
1Wild Arms
WhereasThe Legend of Dragoonwas a flawed gem for avid JRPG fans,Wild Armsis a tightly designed experience that anyone can enjoy. Set in a magical re-imagining of the Wild West,Wild Armsboasts a straightforward yet entertaining story and a challenging turn-based battle system with more depth than it initially lets on. WhileWild Armsdoesn’t attempt to revolutionize the genre, it’s unconventional setting and consistently enjoyable combat make for one of the most tightly designed JRPGs in the PS1’s library.
Wild Arms 2is also available in the PlayStation Classics collection, and it improves on just about every aspect of the first game. Combat has been expanded with a larger cast and new abilities, the Western setting is better realized with detailed environments, and the sequel tells a more ambitious story with a much darker tone. You also don’t need to play the firstWild Armsto understand the plot ofWild Arms 2, though both games are equally worthy of your time.
The games on this list make up only a small portion of the PlayStation Classics collection, and there are plenty of fantastic games that I wasn’t able to include. If you own a PS4 or PS5, do yourself a favor and take some time to revisit some of the PS1 classics.
