Have you ever had that one friend, or met someone in your life that you like despite the fact that they made an awful first impression? We can think of a bunch of PlayStation 1 games which have that problem too. Throughout the console’s lifespan, there have been plenty of titles that were deemed to be stinkers at the time of release, but have since blossomed into beloved titles thanks to multiple reasons. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of PS1 games with stock that’s only improved over time.
1. 007: Tomorrow Never Dies
How do you follow an FPS game that genuinely redefined single player and multiplayer gaming in the console space? The short answer is you don’t, which is unfortunate for the game 007: Tomorrow Never Dies, which had the unenviable task of being the next James Bond game after 007: Goldeneye for the N64. You know, the widely beloved and well-regarded shooter that became the poster child for a whole generation of local gaming? No matter how good 007: Tomorrow Never Dies turned out to be, it was never going to stand up in comparison to its predecessor, which led to the game receiving average at best review scores when it launched on the PS1 towards the end of 1999.
Despite the tepid reception, 007: Tomorrow Never Dies is still a pretty decent third person shooter/stealth hybrid, which is probably another reason why TND didn’t make too much of a name for itself when it launched. It’s kind of hard to compete in the third person stealth shooter genre when the PS1 already boasted such genre defining hits like Metal Gear Solid and Syphon Filter. Still, despite everything, the use of gadgets, clips from the movie and the inclusion of some fun set pieces, such as the opening level’s ski chase finale, help keep the action fresh from beginning to end.
2. Thrasher Presents Skate And Destroy
The problem with being the second one with doing something is twofold, as you lose a lot of your unique appeal while inevitably living in the shadow of what came before. When Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater first launched in 1999, it set a standard and a precedent for what 3D skateboarding games could accomplish, which was of course a problem for the team at Z-Axis, who were set to launch Thrasher Presents Skate And Destroy just a few months later. Z-Axis’ take on doing sick tricks on a plank of wood with wheels was a lot more realistic than THPS’ more arcadey approach, which allowed the game to review well, particularly with regards to the game’s technical capabilities, but Skate And Destroy failed to gain traction with the wider public.
Looking back though, Thrash Presents Skate And Destroy is a game miles ahead of its time, considering a lot of the formula and ideas showcased here would become a core part of the Skate series, one of the most beloved sports franchises of all time. Levels in Thrasher were all free roam, with players able to initiate their timed, two minute sessions at any point once they’ve found a great line or section to skate in, while the game pioneered ragdoll physics in order to make bails at least a little funnier. There was a vision for Thrasher Presents Skate And Destroy, and while you could make the case that the technology wasn’t quite there to execute the vision properly, the ideas behind Skate And Destroy have been proven good by what’s come afterwards.
3. Psychic Force
The PS1 was a breeding ground for some of the best fighting games out there. Tekken 3, Bushido Blade, Marvel Vs Capcom, Soul Edge, Street Fighter Alpha 3; the point is that fighting game fans were eating very good. With such a great selection of fighting games to choose from, it’s no surprise that a certain few games fell through the cracks, and while some of them definitely deserved to be forgotten (we’re once again asking you to forget that Star Wars: Masters Of Teras Kasi was a thing), games like Psychic Force were unfortunate victims of obscurity.
In a lot of ways, Psychic Force could be seen as a precursor to what would become the Dragon Ball Z Budokai games, as Psychic Force featured 3D characters that could move freely across the 2D plane. Fights took place inside giant cubes, with the gameplay revolving around smashing your opponent into the sides of the cube in order to deal any damage. While Psychic Force was able to spawn a sequel, along with an enhanced port of both games on the PS2, Psychic Force was considered a critical and commercial failure for Taito. It’s a shame, as even though Psychic Force isn’t the most complex fighting game ever made, it’s unique and innovative and still worth checking out, especially if you really can’t wait for that new Dragon Ball game, Sparking Zero.
4. TigerShark
Not to be confused with the fish, the film, the various comic book characters with the same name or whatever Sagat says when he throws out a fireball, TigerShark for the PS1 doesn’t even have anything to do with dragging humans under the water and tearing them apart with your teeth. Instead, it’s one of several games on the PS1 that let you pilot some kind of weird vehicle, with other notable inclusions being Slamscape and Forsaken. TigerShark’s main gimmick is that you control a submarine capable of properly operating while submerged and at the ocean’s surface, which was considered to be pretty revolutionary at the time.
As you’d expect from a game composed entirely of water levels during the relatively early phases of 3D game design, TigerShark received a smattering of bad to average reviews, though the main complaint at the time was aimed at the game’s difficulty, along with the lack of real gameplay variety across the game’s 10 missions. Still, the gameplay ideas shown in TigerShark haven’t really been explored in games since, beyond Subnautica anyway. While TigerShark is far from being described as the best game ever seen on the PS1, the reviews at the time do a disservice to this underrated whipper.
5. Chicken Run
We can all agree that Chicken Run is one of the best films ever made, yeah? Aardman is a wonderful animation company and we should worship the ground they walk on, even if it’s only because we think Feathers McGraw will get us if we don’t? Glad we’re all on the same page. Anyway, back during a time when movie tie-in games were more commonplace and the quality often ranged from poor to diabolical, there were a few gems that’d cut through the crap. We’ve already talked about 007: Tomorrow Never Dies, while Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear To The Rescue is a genuinely beloved 3D platformer, but not enough people talk about Chicken Run.
As a game, Chicken Run isn’t earning any points for originality, cribbing a lot of the formula of Metal Gear Solid and applying it to this funny and ridiculous Great Escape parody. Basically, you’ll be running around Tweedy’s Farm, searching for items and completing objectives while avoiding the Tweedy’s themselves, their vicious dog and searchlights. Admittedly, it’s one bandana and a Codec call away from turning into MGS, but the aesthetic and minigames here managed to keep players engaged and set Chicken Run apart. Reviews did skew more positive than other games on this list, but its unoriginality drew plenty of criticism, while some reviewers also lambasted Chicken Run’s controls. Fair comments, but again, who doesn’t want MGS but with chickens?
6. Felony 11-79
There’s something universal in the feeling of enjoyment that comes from blowing things up in video games. It’s just fun to cause carnage on a massive scale (rest in peace, Mercenaries) and many developers for the PS1 capitalized on this feeling with a variety of driving games about causing widespread mayhem. Carmageddon is the most famous example, but if you’re looking for something a bit more obscure, Felony 11-79 is worth checking out, even if it’s got the most bonkers story known to man. Basically, imagine Nathan Drake dug up an ancient coffin, but the only way to open it was by stealing some money, escaping the cops and buying some ancient keys. This forgotten National Treasure movie is a bit weird, won’t lie.
Also known as Runabout in Japan, Felony 11-79’s gameplay was actually widely beloved by reviewers at the time, with many enjoying the core concept and gameplay. What soured people on Felony 11-79 though is the perceived lack of replay value, as even though the game contained plenty of unlockable vehicles, there were few actual levels to play through, leaving some players to feel like they’d seen everything after just half an hour or so. Perhaps more strangely, some reviewers felt like the game could have done with some good old fashioned pedestrian murder, though it was probably those same reviewers who got bent out of shape when traditional media started perceiving video games as too violent.
7. T’ai Fu: Wrath of the Tiger
Imagine Kung Fu Panda, except way more violent and from the perspective of Tai Lung instead of Po, and you’ve got the basic idea of what T’ai Fu: Wrath of the Tiger is all about. It’s an even funnier comparison to think about when you consider that T’ai Fu was developed by DreamWorks Interactive, and Kung Fu Panda was produced by DreamWorks Animation. We’re not saying there’s some inspiration there, but we wouldn’t be surprised either. Look at this guy, and then look at this guy. Anyway, as the last surviving member of the Tiger Clan, the titular T’ai Fu swears revenge on the Dragon Master in an attempt to avenge those he’s lost. Along the way, you’ll learn a bunch of other kung fu styles too, such as Mantis, Monkey and Crane.
Reviews for T’ai Fu: Wrath of the Tiger ranged from stellar to stagnant, with the average settling at around mid at best. A lot of reviewers at the time went to the tried and tested line of “worth a rental”, just to let players know that it’s decent but not worth the asking price. The main criticisms include the fact that the game was considered too easy, along with the abilities that T’ai Fu earns during the game being a bit slow to unlock, with many considering the back half of the game to be more fun than the front half. Despite those criticisms, if you’re looking for a fun beat ‘em up, T’ai Fu: Wrath of the Tiger is definitely worth playing. If nothing else, it’s better than the actual Kung Fu Panda games. Anyone who’s played Showdown Of Legendary Legends is entitled to compensation, I say.
8. Jersey Devil
Researching and writing this has really highlighted the idea that some things are considered bad just by virtue of the fact they’re not something else. While it’s far from Jersey Devil’s only problem, this PS1 platformer had tight competition when it launched in 1997/98, as by the time that Jersey Devil had launched, the PS1 had already been blessed with games like Gex, Croc and, most importantly, Bubsy 3D. Sorry, we meant the first two Crash Bandicoot games. Meanwhile, another platforming genre mascot in Spyro was set to launch a few months after Jersey Devil, and Nintendo had already made magic on the N64 with Super Mario 64, leaving this platforming game about a really specific urban legend out to dry.
Critics also weren’t kind to Jersey Devil, citing a frustrating camera in particular as one of the biggest bugbears, but those who stuck with Jersey Devil found a game filled with a cartoonish charm. Taking a Halloween meets Looney Tunes approach to the design, you control the Jersey Devil itself (who looks more like a bat here) as they try to stop the evil Dr. Knarf from releasing an army of mutant vegetables to take over the world, somehow. It’s silly, broken but ultimately fun, and led developers MegaToon to create an actual Looney Tunes game in Bugs Bunny: Lost In Time thanks to a partnership with Infogrames. Nowadays, you might know MegaToon as the people behind Dead By Daylight, since they rebranded later on to become known as Behaviour Interactive.
Jersey Devil in DBD, when? Make it happen, cowards.
9. Apocalypse
When you’ve got one of the biggest box office stars of the time in Bruce Willis adorned on the game’s cover, you’re going to attract some attention, and that’s certainly what Apocalypse did when it launched on the PS1 in November of 1998. Not only was Bruce Willis’ face on the cover, but John McClane himself also provided his voice and motion capture performance for the character of Trey Kincaid, which has to rank among the most stupidly masculine names ever committed to video games. Because Activision invested millions of dollars into Bruce Willis’ involvement in Apocalypse, many were expecting Apocalypse to be some kind of world changer, but the results weren’t quite that.
Reviews for the final game were considered average at best, and while no one outright hated the game, it wasn’t the world beater you’d expect with Bruce Willis front and center. Despite the lackluster reception though, looking back on a game like Apocalypse proves it to be a silly but enjoyable twin-stick shooter, a genre that was only really in its infancy during the PS1 lifecycle. Remember: twin-analog Dualshock controllers had only been released for the PS1 about a year before the release of Apocalypse, so a game like Apocalypse was really at the forefront of a new kind of player experience. Or, if nothing else, it was a silly game that decided to make the President of the United States one of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and we love our silly games here.
10. Robo Pit
History has proved that video games about robots you can build fighting each other are pretty cool, so it’s a shame that Robo Pit from developers Altron wasn’t reviewed too well when it first launched on the PS1 in 1996. Reviews from the time were particular critical of the fact that the game’s single player offerings were rather sparse, boiling down to a series of 100 fights with other robots, and the graphics weren’t to everyone’s taste, but it’s what Robo Pit does with its customization and multiplayer that earned Robo Pit some praise. Even then though, that praise came with caveats, such as the fact that the PlayStation Link Cable wasn’t supported, even though the Link Cable was ultimately an expensive and largely forgotten piece of kit that required two TVs, two PS1s and in most cases, two copies of the game you want to play.
90s gaming: so nice you had to do everything twice for no reason.
Robo Pit’s core premise is as simple as it gets, as it allows you to customize the different body parts and weapons of a robot before duking it out with other robots, with the player receiving new weapons if they win. In a masterstroke move though, players were able to save their best robots to their memory card and utilize them in multiplayer, so people could take their memory card around to their friend’s house to pit their best robots against each other. These days, you’ll just boot up Armored Core VI and laser sword each other online, but back in 1996, Robo Pit was the prototype for something more. Altron did release a sequel as well, which added more RPG elements, but for our money, the simplicity of the first Robo Pit showcases the creativity of PS1 games at their very best.
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