PlayStation 1 Games That Hold Up Somewhat Even In 2024 Graphically

The first PlayStation, otherwise known as PSX, is probably one of history’s greatest consoles, coming in at a cool #6 on the list of the best-selling video game consoles of all time. Now despite the system making landfall about three decades ago (that’s a long time), it surprisingly has games that still manage to hold their own in the visuals department to a certain extent, even to this day. 

This piece, therefore, is centered on titles that excel visually and were way ahead of their time back in the day in that respect. In my opinion, getting hit with a dose of nostalgia is something that you can never go wrong with, especially when you’ve spent most of your childhood on a console as iconic as the PS2.

That’s why I suggest going through the article and learning about these titles ahead. Who knows? Perhaps, you’ll be enough enticed to fire up that dusty PS1 sitting in your attic somewhere. 

These PSX Titles Were Ahead Of Their Time Back In The Day 

Since the forthcoming entries have been derived from personal experience, make sure to comment down below and spark a discussion in case I miss a few good titles that you think deserve to be on the list. 

1. Syphon Filter (Series)

Starting off this list is one of PlayStation’s greatest hits, the Syphon Filter franchise with its terrific gunplay and stealth action, not to mention the admirable visuals that kept players hooked and enticed. You can play the entire Syphon Filter series on your PlayStation 5 as well, thanks to the “Classics” catalog of the platform’s PS+ membership.

Those who have been around in the gaming scene since the late 1990s/early 2000s will probably put Syphon Filter when asked about their top 10 games of all time, because, yes, that’s the type of IP we’re dealing with here. 

2. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Many would see to it that Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is the only true answer when the question comes down to the best-looking PS1 games that manage to hold up graphically even in today’s day and age. Konami’s well-grounded action RPG boasts fantastic gameplay, amazing art direction, and great level design, all of which make gamers across the world keep coming back to it for more and more.

3. Metal Gear Solid 

Coming across as one of the few games that defined the PlayStation 1 as a console, there’s no doubt about Metal Gear Solid’s sheer eminence even if one sits down to fire up the game on the good ‘ol PSX in 2024. The game feels a decade ahead of its time and genuinely comes close to offering a AAA-grade feel when you’re playing it from start to end. 

Not a lot of other games are capable enough of boasting that type of feat, I’ll tell you. 

4. Tekken 3

Tekken 3 was a straight-up killer back in the day, and a serial addiction of millions of gamers around the world. Having played the game growing up, I can vouch that this arcade fighter was the epitome of fun during its golden years, being released in 1997.

There’s no doubt that the Tekken franchise by Katsuhiro Harada has expanded its horizons exponentially since the time of the title’s release, the OGs remember where it all started, and the legacy here is owed to Tekken 3. 

5. Final Fantasy 9

Everyone who picked up Final Fantasy 9 for the first time on their PlayStation in the early 2000s all thought of one thing: “This is it. Graphics in video games aren’t going to get any better than this.” It’s sensational how good-looking this JRPG was on the PSX, and still is if you decide to give it a shot, not to mention the title’s top-tier quality in the combat department as well. 

You should pay special attention to the incredible cutscenes in Final Fantasy 9, and observe how advanced were they for a game that came out in 2000. 

6. Legacy Of Kain: Soul Reaver

Last but not least, we have at our disposal one of the finest games of the PS1 era that not only performed great graphically but was (and still is) an absolute delight to play and sink countless hours into. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver is an action-adventure hack-and-slash title, consisting of a strong focus on exploration within the horrors of Nosgoth. 

Fans and followers have been begging for Legacy of Kain to return for a while now, but no official confirmations or commitments have been made so far. Let’s hope things change down the road.