What Are The Best PS1 Games For Today?

[marurun]

Really? I picked up Valkyrie Profile for $10 a couple years ago. Still haven't played it, thought.

[RadarScope1]

I'm with you on only playing through an FF game one time, Gamer. I'm the same way. I guess I tend to think of these lists as something that might be useful for people who've never played these consoles/generations before. Like someone younger than (I assume) most of us on the forum are? (I'm 28.) As in, which games still hold up well enough that they're worth a play through if you haven't played them before.

But if the question is, what games did you play back then that you would still play today, then no, the FF games and most other J-RPGs wouldn't make it in there. Oh well .... I think I am splitting hairs here.

marurn: Yep. $150. Looks like it's going for $50 or $60 on eBay, but sometimes more.

[shadobeni]

I realize this is an old post but I have to echo the recommendation for the Oddworld games. I've only played the first one but apparently the second one is even better in almost every way with similar story and similar gameplay that's much deeper and longer that grants Abe's more abilities and a save anywhere feature. I don't think I've ever played a game quite like it. Tight controls, lots of depth and secrets, amazing sound design (you can sometimes hear hidden mudokens which hint to you that there is a secret access in a particular screen) and excellent graphics both in game and in the cutscenes that still look great today. It's pretty hard at first because you have to throw out all your preconceived ideas of a 2d platformer since Abe cannot directly attack enemies but instead must sneak and use the environment to save mudokens and get past enemies. It's almost like a puzzle game at times but all the scenarios are linked together.

I think the Spyro games would probably hold up well today as far as exploratory 3d platformers go. I only played the first. It's long with excellent music and graphics for its time. It has wide open worlds with an excellent draw distance (no fog!) and an almost perfect camera. It also has some neat flying timed levels. It can get a bit dull towards as it's based on collecting enough items to progress but if you like that there's a good number of hidden areas that require some clever thinking and skills for the completist. Judging from review the two sequels are similar but they each improve on the previous with the 3rd one being the best with added variety of minigames and additional playable characters.

out of the final fantasy games...that is tough as I am the type of person to only really play an rpg one or twice if I want to get cool items/weapons I missed. I think final fantasy 9 has the best gameplay and is probably the last game that actually takes place in a fantasy setting. I think the in game graphics and cutscenes hold up pretty well today. I think it would be a game I would enjoy playing today.

I think Sled Storm is a game that could possibly hold up well today. It had a sequel on the ps2 but that was only 2 player whereas the original on ps1 was 4 player. It was nice combination of arcade snowmobiling with plenty of opportunity for airtime which allowed for the pulling off of a combination of neat tricks. Some courses had secret shortcuts and you could upgrade different parts on your snowmobile.

[BoringSupreez]

Panzer Front and Ace Combat 3.

[the7k]

As much as I love Darkstalkers - and I mean love, love, love it - I can't really recommend the PSX ports. You could come out cheaper buying the Saturn version of Vampire Savior w/ an Action Replay than you would just getting Darkstalkers 3, and Night Warriors on the Saturn basically contains everything Darkstalkers on the PSX has, with more characters and a better combo and super system.

Still, if you can find them for a good price for the PSX, then they are great games. However, much like the Marvel series, the PSX Darkstalkers games are usually sold for much more than their superior Saturn counterparts.

Anyway, breaking away from the obvious choices, I'd say the best PS1 Games For Today that I can remember are:
Breath of Fire III (One of the greatest RPGs on the PSX - the 2D Graphics keep it timeless)
Suikoden I & II (Again, great RPGs with timeless graphics)
Mega Man Legends I & II (Great gameplay variety, and the graphics are honestly pretty impressive)
Misadventures of Tron Bonne (See above)
Tail Concerto (See above again)
Future Cop: LAPD (Retro-gaming is always better with a friend, and this game has a wonderful co-op campaign as well as excellent RTS-style versus modes)
Unholy War (See above - kinda)
Devil Dice (It's like a poor man's Intelligent Qube)
Tekken 3 (Great 3D Fighting with lotsa extra content to keep you busy)
Soul Blade (Great weapon-based 3D Fighting)

Of course, I also strongly go with all of Square's efforts on the PSX, especially the Bushido Blade series, Tobal series, Einhander, Threads of Fate, Vangrant Story, Final Fantasy Tactics, Brave Fencer Musashi and Legend of Mana. Square really outdid themselves, and I'd love nothing more than for Square Enix to try to replicate the variety they had in the PSX era.

[Ack]

I would just like to take a moment and say that I agree with the7k about Breath of Fire III. Not only is it one of the best PSX RPGs, I'd say it's my favorite out of the entire BoF series, and one of my favorite RPGs in general. If any of you are given a chance to play it, do so. It's more than worth it. Sadly, my copy disappeared years ago, along with a couple of other games I had, such as Legend of Dragoon.

[MrPopo]

I would just like to take a moment and say that I agree with the7k about Breath of Fire III. Not only is it one of the best PSX RPGs, I'd say it's my favorite out of the entire BoF series, and one of my favorite RPGs in general. If any of you are given a chance to play it, do so. It's more than worth it. Sadly, my copy disappeared years ago, along with a couple of other games I had, such as Legend of Dragoon.

I have yet to try BoF III because Nina is a downgrade in sexiness compared to BoF II. Should I be ashamed of myself?

[Ack]

Yes, yes you should.

[MrPopo]

Yes, yes you should.

Can we at least agree that BoF II Nina is the sexiest?

[the7k]

I always preferred Katt over Nina in BOFII. As for the best Nina, I dunno. BOFII's is certainly prettier, but there is something more approachable about BOFIII's. I kinda like her tomboyish look in BOFIII's.

As for whether BOFII or BOFIII is the best in the series, I dunno. I liked the cast and Shamanism of BOFII, and I liked the transformations and skill customization of BOFIII.