Sony’s humble grey box is responsible for many beloved franchises you still play today. We could sing about the console’s most popular titles, but that’s not all thePS1is known for.
The PlayStation’s library is full of fantastic titles that slipped under the radar, many of which are still enjoyable today. Few consoles enjoy a selection as diverse as the PS1, and here’s a selection you simply don’t want to miss.
I’ve tried to keep the genre selection as widespread as possible. With this in mind, don’t get upset if I’ve missed your favorite underrated gems. In fact, why not sound off in the comments?
10Kingsley’s Adventure
Move Over, Croc
Key Information
3D Adventure
Release Date
October 1999
3D platformers are a dime a dozen on the PlayStation and vary wildly in quality.
Fortunately, there are plenty ofunsung heroesin the genre and one of the cutest isKingsley’s Adventure. As you probably guessed, you play as Kingsley, an orphaned fox whoaspires to become a “true knight.”
You visit several vibrant areas that look and feel entirely different during your journey. Kingsley has ashort sword and shield, and there’s even ranged combat with a crossbow. It’s a pretty game, and while movement isn’t as precise as something likeCrash Bandicoot, it gets the job done.
I’ve played a lot ofKingsley’s Adventure, and I have to mention thatthe camera is an absolute menace. It’s not an uncommon problem in the genre but is particularly egregious at times.
9Team Buddies
A Foul-Mouthed Action RTS
Osiris Studios
Action RTS
September 2000
Team Buddiesis a thrilling RTS where you play aspotty-mouthed beansthat look suspiciously likeFall Guys.
Team Buddiesisn’t a traditional RTS, but a non-strategic approach will absolutely get you killed.
The strategy element comes fromblocks scattered around the map, which you can take to your base. Depending on how you assemble said blocks, you can build weapons, vehicles, and even new teammates.
You don’t need to play nice, either. You can intercept blocks your opponents are ferrying around the maps, and nothing beats blowing their socks off with a tank they never saw you building.
Combat is a little janky, but I can comfortably recommendTeam Buddiesfor itsunique spin on the genreand ridiculous voice lines.
8T’ai Fu: Wrath of the Tiger
Tony The Tiger Has Competition!
Danger Close
3D Platformer
March 1999
T’ai Fu: Wrath of the Tigeris afun 3D brawlerwhere you play as a badass anthropomorphic tiger.
You play as the last surviving member of the once-flourishing Tiger Clan on aquest to defeat the Dragon Master. Gameplay in T’ai Fu is a satisfying blend of challenging platforming puzzles and demanding fisticuffs.
T’ai is an adept fighter, and fights are enjoyable thanks to the smooth combos and abilities you’ll learn through your journey. You’re always getting stronger andlearning new moves, which are great incentives to push through some particularly grueling stages.
Combat and platforming are sometimes a little messy, thanks to the 3D levels and camera. That said, it’s to be expected from the console, and it’s an enjoyable gameI rarely see anyone talk about.
7No One Can Stop Mr Domino
You’ve Never Seen A Puzzle Game Like This
January 1998
No One Can Stop Mr Dominois abizarre but brilliant puzzlerthat’s rather sadistic if you think about it for too long.
Each level plays a looping scene, like rooms in a townhouse. You must push several buttons in each stage by placing dominoes before them to topple on your next loop.
The sadistic part comes from what those buttons do. Each one triggers something in the scene, and many are innocent, like knocking a packet of noodles over.Others trigger wild eventslike blowing up a lady in a kitchen with a bomb in the oven!
No One Can Stop Mr Dominois addictive because you never know what’s coming next. The gameplay is smooth, and the saddest part is thatthere’s nothing else quite like it.
6Devil Dice
Almost Educational
The PlayStation library has an impressive amount of imaginative puzzle games.Some are ill-conceived, but that’s not the case with Devil Dice.
You play as an adorable fairy, sprite, creature that can move and manipulate dice in an arena. Your goal is topush dice together, so the numbers match, with more points awarded for higher numbers.
There’s anaddictive “chain” systemthat rewards combos, and you’ll need a firm grasp of the mechanics and how a dice is constructed if you want those high scores. Later on, dice are made from different materials, affecting how they move and respond to your actions.
I learned that opposite sides of a die always add up to seven, thanks toDevil Dice, and the title takes the concept as far as it can go.
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5Bust a Groove
Shout Out To The EZ Mouse
Metro Corporation
I’m a big fan ofrhythm games, and the PS1 has someabsolute bangersin the genre. I’m sure most people reading this list have probably heard aboutParappa the Rapper, but what aboutBust a Groove?
Metro Corporation’sBust a Grooveis a rhythm game where you must “outdance” your opponents andkeep yourself in the spotlight. You do this by punching in commands in time with the music, and you pull off more stylish moves with more complicated inputs.
you may alsosabotage your opponentswith special moves, which ensures the camera and the crowds focus on you instead of your struggling opposition.
It’s a cool concept, and the music selection includes some excellent tunes.
4Lifeforce Tenka
An Ambitious Take On Horror FPS
Sci-fi FPS
First-person shooters were in an experimental phase on the PlayStation, and mostdevelopers hadn’t switched to dual stick movement, which is commonplace today.
If you’re a Sci-Fi horror fan who can overlook the janky controls, you may find a lot to love inLifeforce Tenka, also known asCodename Tenkain the US.
You play as Joseph D. Tenka, tasked with taking down a genetically mutated armycreated by the powerful Trojan Incorporated. Even with the primitive graphics, mangled enemies are creepy as they rush you down dimly lit corridors.
The most unique part ofLifeforce Tenkais your weapon selection. You use the same gun throughout the entire game, butit has modular functions. These modes include rapid-fire bullets and even laser beams!Lifeforce Tenkasometimes feels a little muddled, but it’s an enjoyable retro boomer shooter with impressive visuals for the platform.
3Kensei: Sacred Fist
The School Of Hard Knocks
November 1998
The PlayStation library is full of fighting games with plenty of stinkers to avoid. Fortunately, there are somediamonds in the rough, and you don’t need to stick to the usual suspects to have a great time.
Kensei: Sacred Fistis an excellent fighting game with a diverse cast. Each character has a unique style, andbattles are grounded in reality. The part I adore about Kensei is how blocking works. Instead of simply holding back to magically guard everything, blocking is a stance.
You duck and weave around attacks while defending, and it’s a refreshing change from the monotonous thudding impacts in other fighting games. Movesets are creative, and there’s even astrange unlockable racing minigameif you play long enough.
Kenseilacks the polish you expect from heavy hitters likeTekken 3, but it’s a serviceable fighter genre fans should check out.
2Racing Lagoon
The Street Racing RPG You Never Heard Of
Racing RPG
I feel a little cheeky puttingRacing Lagoonon the list, as it wasstrictly a Japanese titleon PS1. That said, it’s a fantastic racing game with a deep story and can even be played in English nowadays if you look hard enough. Oh, did I mention it wasmade by Square?!
Now, I’ve piqued your interest;Racing Lagoonis a story-driven racing game where you play as Sho, a novice enamored with street racing. The story is unintentionally funny, thanks to a poetic writing style that simply doesn’t work.
Still,racing is fun and challenging, and the allure of new parts to improve your ride is a great incentive to seeRacing Lagoonthrough until the end.
Racing Lagoonisn’t a perfect racing game, butCar-PGs are a rare breed, and this one is worth your time.
Wexcellent!
Shiny Entertainment
2.5D Platformer
September 1998
Shiny Entertainment is most well-known forEarthworm Jim, aweird and wonderful2D platformer that even has its own cartoon series.
The creators ofEarthworm Jimare also responsible forWild 9, aslick 2.5D platformeron the PlayStation. You play as Wex on his adventure to rescue his friends from the evil Karn.
Wild 9has everything you’d expect from a solid title in the genre. Controls are tight and responsive, with asprinkling of light puzzle-solvingthroughout.
The part that really stands out is Wex’s unique “Rig,” a laser beam that grabs items and enemies. You’renot expected to play nicewith the Rig, and many obstacles require you to dispatch enemies in grizzly ways. It’s sadistic, but some early barriers require you to drop enemies into meat grinders while they scream at you not to do it.
It’s as foul as it sounds, butto be expectedfrom the team that brought you a game where you have a bungee-jumping competition against a blob of snot.
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