Sony PSX Recommended Games
From Underground Gamer
| PSX: PSX Fullset Project / Encyclopedia • Other Projects | |
| Redump.org Project | Bounties • MISS Lists |
| Unverified sets | Non-Redump.org • US (V.2) • PAL • Japan |
| Game Lists | All PSX Games • US • PAL • NTSC-Asia (Covers) • Recommended |
| Games by Letter | # A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
| Special Games | NTSC-Asia Exclusive • PAL Exclusive • Beta/Unreleased |
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Game Genre: Side-scroller/Action RPG
Number of Players: 1
Why you recommend this game: A direct sequel to the PC-Engine classic, Dracula X: Rondo of Blood - this game takes the Castlevania series in a whole new direction, opting for a very large, emergent environment similar to Metroid. Other changes to the series are prevalent in the fact that there is now an experience level system, equippable items, various spells, a shop, and multiple endings. Every 2D Castlevania game released after this follows the same Metroid-style formula rather than having stages, though many still consider this to be the best Castlevania created yet. This specific sub-genre is commonly referred to as "Castletroid". Some people say that the Saturn version was superior in terms of gameplay due to the fact that there are 3 playable characters as compared to only 2 for the Playstation version, but the Playstation version had unrivaled graphics.
One more thing that the PSX version has over the Saturn version is that the Saturn version had to load the map from the disc whenever it was viewed, which could be very frustrating when trying to figure out which warp room you had just jumped to.
Recommended By: NewGotham, Regoog, gr64, DGMpayne, Kamakazie, Zedkay, OmegaWarrior, MakkaraH, SiNMaterial, Dodonpach, Spoom, AlucardXXVII, Paru, Castilho, Thehound, Allanon131, MahnaMahna, psients, G1mpy, Spiegel,Glen77777, naoki1980, Wolfhunter, JQM
Chrono Cross
Game Genre: RPG
Number of Players: 1
Why you recommend this game: This game is an excellent sequel to Chrono Trigger, one of the best RPGs made ever. Building up on top of its predecessors qualities, Chrono Cross has innovative battle system, deep and complex plot, beautiful graphics, nice music, enormous amount of playable characters and very high replay value. A must-have for every RPG fan.
Recommended By: RainyShadow, MahnaMahna, Lover, Alphanumeric, xenos219, Allanon131, Wolfhunter, gr64, JQM, Dystopia
Exhumed (PAL)/Powerslave (NTSC)
Game Genre: FPS
Number of Players: 1
Why you recommend this game: Great action FPS, nice level design, nice range of weapons, great music and sound FX. The premise is a bit silly: Defeat alien menace with help of the spirits of ancient Egypt and their relics, but the action in the game makes you soon forget about that.
Recommended By: Fatcat, MahnaMahna
Fear Effect 2 - Retro Helix
Game Genre: Action, Adventure, Survival Horror
Number of Players: 1
Why you recommend this game: If you thought the first Fear Effect couldn't get any better then think again! Fear Effect 2 is a truly immersive story, combining action, puzzles and twists, told through Motion FX 3D (Mixture of Cel-shading and FMV backgrounds on your PSX) that seamlessly crosses from the in-game cinematic to 3D animated gameplay. It will keep you entertained right up until the end!
Recommended By: KPW , hfric, MahnaMahna (A VAST improvement over the original - even with the slightly dodgy lesbian sequences)
Final Fantasy Chronicles
Game Genre: RPG
Number of Players: 1
Why you recommend this game: A port of 2 great SNES classics.
The first, Chrono Trigger, is an RPG that most people love. Known for its excellent battle system, Chrono Trigger has multiple endings depending on when and how you defeat the final boss. This version of Chrono Trigger is essentially identical to the original SNES version, with the only major change being the addition of FMV anime cutscenes. Some users have complained about the lengthy load times present in the PSX version that didn't exist in the original SNES version. Nevertheless, this game is an excellent addition to any RPG fan's collection.
The second game in Final Fantasy Chronicles is Final Fantasy IV. Due to size constraints, the original North American SNES version of the then titled Final Fantasy II had much content removed in order to make room for an English Translation. The PSX version features the name Final Fantasy IV instead, and includes a longer retranslated version of the original script, as well as several elements not present in the original.
Recommended By: gr64, KrazyA1pha, Kamakazie, OmegaWarrior, hfric, SiNMaterial, G1mpy, Dodonpach, Paru, Thehound, CiticenB, RainyShadow, MahnaMahna, Lover, Burnin, Allanon131, Masterflow, Wolfhunter, ShiryuX, JQM
Final Fantasy IX
Game Genre: Turn Based RPG
Number of Players: 1
Why you recommend this game: Much more light hearted than the other 2, FFIX returns to the fantasy roots of the series. Features a straightforward story (for a change lol), great graphics, a beautiful score and tons of side quests. FFIX is a fantastic game that must be played.
Recommended By: Zedkay, SiNMaterial, prateek51, Castilho, gr64, Allanon131, Fragmaster24, MahnaMahna, Lover, ashmountains, xenos219, MetalSnake, Masterflow, Wolfhunter, hanman, Harvarde, JQM, Alas86, Dystopia
Final Fantasy VII
Game Genre: RPG
Number of Players: 1
Why you recommend this game: This game, at the time of it's release, was the most expensive game produced by Squaresoft. It is also one of the games that convinced a multitude of people to purchase a Playstation. Offering a host of mini-games, plenty of weapons and armor, and allowing Materia (similar to Magicite from FF6) to be equipped on said weapons and armor, it's one of the deepest Final Fantasy games created. This was also the first Final Fantasy games released for a Sony system. The game was originally considered for Nintendos N64, but was transferred to Sony's system after Nintendo decided upon a cartridge format for it's new system as opposed to a CD based medium. It ended up being a huge success for both Sony and Squaresoft.
Recommended By: fatcat, Ninjagowoo, thelostchild, KrazyA1pha, Soki, gr64, Zedkay, MakkaraH , hfric, Impala, SiNMaterial, idk379, buck, Dodonpach, prateek51, Castilho, Allanon131, Fragmaster24, MahnaMahna, hagane, Jakke, Alphanumeric, Spiegel, Wazzal, naoki1980, xenos219, MetalSnake, Pon, SeaPanther15, Burnin, Masterflow, Deltantor, Wolfhunter, JQM, Alas86, Dystopia
Final Fantasy VIII
Game Genre: RPG
Number of Players: 1
Why you recommend this game: Many consider FFVII to be the best of the series, I heartily disagree and implore anyone who has yet to play this to really give it a chance. Boasting some of, if not THE, best visuals of the 32bit era, this Squaresoft masterpiece packs more gameplay and more engrossing fun into one game, than any other before it. Spanning across 4 CD's, this game is nothing short of an epic. Love, War, Betrayal, Happiness and Sadness - it's a marvellous game, truly worthy of the Final Fantasy title. Simply must be played!
Recommended By: SiNMaterial, Zedkay, prateek51, Paru, Castilho, gr64, CiticenB, psients, hagane, Jakke, Alphanumeric, naoki1980, MetalSnake, Pon, Masterflow, Burnin,Adderall, Wolfhunter, ShinSolidus, JQM, Alas86, Dystopia
Gran Turismo
Game Genre: Racing
Number of Players: 1-2
Why you recommend this game: There's a reason this was the best selling game for the Playstation: It ROCKS! Gran Turismo had some of the most realistic driving physics of its day, outstanding graphics, 178 cars, more than 14 tracks, a smashing soundtrack, and an almost unlimited amount of car tuning and customization. What more is there to ask for in a racing game? Players can choose from both Arcade and Simulation driving modes to suit their personal preferences.
Recommended By: Lover, Jakke, Severenth, MahnaMahna, darkNiGHT, JQM, Dystopia
Grandia
Game Genre: Turn Based RPG
Number of Players: 1
Why you recommend this game: Also on the Saturn (Japan only), Grandia is a big game with a great story, plenty of humour, great voice acting & some impressive effects. The battle system is regarded as one of the best around. One of the most genuinely hilarious RPG's ever created, with witty dialog, and brilliant cutscenes.
Recommended By: Zedkay, MakkaraH , hfric, SiNMaterial, Castilho, Thehound, MahnaMahna, Alphanumeric, Wolfhunter, JQM, SpaceNinja88
Koudelka
Game Genre: RPG
Number of Players: 1
Why you recommend this game: This game is hard to describe, because its a mix of Resident Evil with Final Fantasy, plus its highly addictive gameplay pulls you deeper and deeper if you like a good horror story.
Edit by Zedkay: Technically, the game is a prequel to the Shadow Hearts series of games on the PS2.
Recommended By: Hfric, Castilho, MahnaMahna
Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete
Game Genre: RPG
Number of Players: 1
Why you recommend this game: This game was originally released on Segas ill-fated Sega CD system, one of the best games available for the unit. It's re-release for PSX was heralded in a limited edition featuring the game, a CD-based soundtrack, and a leather-bound users manual and game guide. One of the classic RPG's of the era, it made many leaps, allowing party members to be computer controlled and a compelling storyline that competes with major movie releases. A fun game for all ages. Great story, many fmv cut scenes, cool soundtrack. Loaded with pop culture references and laugh out loud dialogue.
Recommended By: SpiderDave, Paru, Thehound, Allanon131, MahnaMahna
Metal Gear Solid
Game Genre: Action/Stealth
Number of Players: 1
Why you recommend this game: A great action game that features an immersive story, lengthy cut-scenes, full voice acting, and a ton of gaming elements including puzzles and gripping boss fights. Sequel to the MSX/NES game Metal Gear, but you can (should, if you haven't) jump right in with this game. If you've got a PlayStation (or even a GameCube) there's no good reason not to try this brilliant game.
Recommended By: MOTHERfan
Parappa The Rapper
Game Genre: Rhythm/Music
Number of Players: 1
Why you recommend this game: It's like handheld DDR, with some great catchy songs that are sure to give you a case of ear worm. It is a very addicting game, and can be surprisingly difficult.
Recommended By: darkslide, MahnaMahna (Chop Chop Master Onion is the best game character EVER. He should get his own game), Jakke, Alphanumeric, MetalSnake, Adderall, Wolfhunter
Parasite Eve
Game Genre: Survivor Horror
Why you recommend this game: A very underrated survivor horror game with some RPG like elements in the gameplay too. Interesting storyline, decent characters, perfect movies and overall fun game. Only downside is no voice acting, text speech only. Made by the same folks who did the Final Fantasy series.
Recommended By: JQM, Lost Hero, Dystopia
Poy Poy 2
Game Genre: Action
Number of Players: 1 to 4
Why you recommend this game: It is a nice coffee break game or to play with your younger cousins. In this game you play against 3 other players (computer or friends) in a battlefield where everything can be thrown on your opponents, even your opponents. Good laugh on multiplayer.
Recommended By: Meião
Rakugaki Showtime
Game Genre: Action
Number of Players: 1 or 2
Why you recommend this game: A lot like Poy Poy, but in this one you have a whole bunch of super powers and each character has its own melee attacks. Rakugaki Showtime has a very unique art direction, with characters comprising of pencilled-in sketches on cardboard cutouts.
Recommended By: Meião, Wazzal, MahnaMahna
Suikoden (Genso Suikoden)
Game Genre: RPG
Number of Players: 1
Why you recommend this game: Suikoden, by Konami, is a great RPG that sadly does not get the attention it deserves, and is a game no RPG fan should ignore.
While, unfortunatly, the plot is somewhat marred by a dodgy translation, it still beats most hands down. It borrows heavily from a popular Chinese book, Shui Hu Zhuan (Outlaws of the Marsh), and as such the plot deals with themes of politics, corruption, and revolution. In addition, there is the force that holds the world together - the 27 True Runes.
The game itself however is everything and RPG needs to be, and more. No fewer than three 'battle' systems are present, with the standard 'party' battle scenes, the tense 1 on 1 duels, and the epic army battles. And above all this are the '108 stars' - the 108 characters in the game that you recruit and then make use of either in your army, party, or just around your castle. Each fighting character can be customised to some degree by the application of a 'rune' - in a sense the magic system of the series, though it is not limited to just magic.
Reasons for loving it? Quite simply, it is a joy to play. A good, complex, dramatic plot, along with the challenge of recruiting all of the stars (For which reason I recommend playing without any guides), makes this a game I still play through regularly to this day.
Recommended By: Pon, MahnaMahna, Allanon131
Suikoden II (Genso Suikoden II)
Game Genre: RPG
Number of Players: 1
Why you recommend this game: Suikoden II is quite simply my favourite game ever released on the PSX. Why?
Well, it takes the concept of the first game, and then expands upon it greatly. The deep plot, the absorbing gameplay, the stunning music, the complex characters, and yes, the gorgeous 2D graphics, are all top-notch.
Changes from it's prequel include a new 'Army Battle' which is in many ways similar to tactics-style games, a far better translation (though still not perfect), a far larger game, a multitude of sidequests and mini-games, and a reworking of the rune system - to allow for three rune 'slots' as well as a slot on each character's weapon. While the original was a great game in it's own right, these changes do contribute to Suikoden 2's superiority, making it a much better game, and it feels more polished because of them.
My reasons for loving it are the same as the original game - it's plot is deep, dramatic, and complex, and the challenge of recruiting all the characters is also still absorbing. But, with this sequel, you can really start to build a picture of the Suikoden world; it's history, it's politics, it's desires, and it's fears - and it is a picture which expands further and further to this day with each new release in the series. Few other game series provide such depth and richness.
Recommended By: Pon, MahnaMahna, sabija, Allanon131
Tekken 3
Game Genre: Fighting
Number of Players: 1 or 2
Why you recommend this game: Tekken 3 is really the height of fighting games for the Playstation (3d fighting that is). The game has it all. Great characters, perfect controls, excellent graphics, a ton of unlockable extras. Tekken 3 is where Namco got everything right. They basically took this game, put a new coat of paint on it, added new characters and had Tekken 5. Really, this is one of my favorite fighting games, and one of my favorite games of all time. For anyone interested in the genre, this is a great place to begin.
Recommended By: Alphanumeric, MetalSnake, Wolfhunter, ShinSolidus, Alas86, deksar
Threads of Fate (a.k.a. Dewprism)
Game Genre: Action RPG
Number of Players: 1
Why you recommend this game: Threads of Fate has a great story and atmosphere. This is one I couldn't put down until I had finished both sides of the story.
Recommended By: ReKleSS, Soki, Allanon131, CiticenB, MahnaMahna
Tomb Raider
Game Genre: Platform/adventure
Number of Players: 1
Why you recommend this game: Lara Croft's first outing; an excellent blend of 3D platform action, puzzle solving and gun toting mayhem.
Recommended by: Fatcat, MahnaMahna, MetalSnake, GMaster, Wolfhunter
Warzone 2100
Game Genre: RTS/Post-Apocalypse
Number of Players: 1
Why you recommend this game: Warzone 2100 offers an interesting take on unit creation. Instead of only being able to pick from a select few, predetermined unites, with little or no custimization abilities, Warzone allows the user to design units and deploy them as needed. With many different weapons, engines, armor, vehicle body types, and movement types, the amount of customization is almost limitless!
Recommended By: SeaPanther15, MahnaMahna, alien3456
Wipeout 2097 (PAL) / Wipeout XL (NTSC)
Game Genre: Racing
Number of Players: 1-2
Why you recommend this game: Wipeout 2097 is, in my opinion, the best Wipeout ever produced, and one of the best games released on the playstation. Featuring blinding speed, brilliant graphics, pixel perfect handling, a stunning sound track and hugely entertaining weapons, this game took the best of the original wipeout and fused it with cleverly designed tracks and intelligent AI. This game is a must have for any racing fan, and is worth a look even if you arn't.
Recommended By: Stux, Fatcat, sny, Fragmaster24, MahnaMahna, psients, Lover, Jakke, alphanumeric, MetalSnake, alien3456, Wolfhunter
Xenogears
Game Genre: RPG
Number of Players: 1
Why you recommend this game: Created by the same team at Square who made Chrono Trigger, Xenogears is an amazing game that touches on many religious topics in its involving storyline. The storyline is commonly seen as a cross between works such as Star Wars and Neon Genesis Evangelion, with heavy doses of Judeo-Christian ideas and Norse mythology. Not to be overlooked, the battlesystem is also very unique, and will likely keep you drawn to the game in-between story elements. In conclusion, it is my opinion that any serious RPGer should at least try this game out, and most probably already have.
Recommended By: KrazyA1pha, Soki, gr64, Zedkay , hfric, Castilho, MahnaMahna, alphanumeric, naoki1980, xenos219, Pon, Veszerin, JQM, Dystopia
