Most fighting game fans know that the PlayStation 1 was a monumental console for the genre - after all, it effectively introduced some of the games and franchises that would grow into giants of the modern fighting game scene. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, pretty much all PS1 fighting games now have dated graphics, but the gameplay found in some remains enjoyable to this day.
With landmark hits such as Tekken, Mortal Kombat, and Street Fighter having equally-amazing entries for the now-dated console, just which fighting games still hold up to the standards and expectations of modern technical gameplay, visuals, and fast-paced fighting?
Updated July 8, 2022 by Rhenn Taguiam: While today’s fighting games such as King Of Fighters 15 and Guilty Gear Strive provide just as much fast-paced excitement as other games in their franchise, sometimes even the oldest fighting games offer the most excitement with both their primitive and innovative mechanics. Some more iconic PS1 fighting games involve using psychic powers, fighting with dinosaurs, or even transforming into werecreatures.
15 Psychic Force
It’s one thing for a fighting game to feature characters with immense abilities, but another thing entirely for a game to highlight these abilities by having players fight in extremely interactive environments. Unlike other fighting games, Psychic Force is a 1995 3D fighter that combines the elements of typical fighting games with its slate of characters with psychic abilities.
In Psychic Force, fights take place in open cubic spaces where characters float in the air. This “space” is bordered by force fields, wherein characters take damage whenever they’re subjected to wall attacks. There are also interesting mechanics such as a Psycho Gauge that powers up special attacks, Evasion Barriers that defend against wall attacks, and quick-move Dashes. Although not as fast-paced as Ark System titles such as Guilty Gear, the potential of Psychic Force and its floating-based mechanics make it just as exciting and timeless.
14 Warpath: Jurassic Park
There are two things that make Warpath: Jurassic Park quite a timeless masterpiece - fighting dinosaurs. This is probably one of the very few games that deviate from the traditional “person versus person” dynamic of fighting games and instead allow players to control unique creatures. In this context, it’s dinosaurs from the hit Jurassic Park series, and the game remains quite a wild ride for those who want a stress-free fighting game.
At its core, Warpath allows players to choose from eight dinosaurs, each with their own unique fighting style based on their overall build. Not only that, but arenas in the game have destructible objects that can cause damage, providing an extra layer of strategies for players who think this game will just have them button-mash against others.
13 Tobal 2
Perhaps one of the most intense fighting games out there, Tobal 2 is the more intense and fast-paced sequel to Tobal No. 1. Although this game was released back in 1997, it was re-released in 2007 due to critical acclaim. Not only that, but Tobal 2 is extremely impressive for being the fighting game with the largest roster of characters, with a whopping total of 200 characters to use.
This feature is on top of the plethora of combat options players could look into. Arenas are completely explorable provided players fight their opponents, wherein dynamic blocking and grappling mechanics make full use of the game’s environments. Not only that, the game has additional modes such as an RPG-esque Quest Mode that adds a story element to the already-massive game.
12 Bloody Roar
It’s one thing for fighting games to feature unique characters or intense creature-to-creature combat. However, it’s another awesome thing entirely to see characters transform into half-human, half-creature hybrids to turn the tide of battle. In the story, warriors called “zoanthropes” fight the Tylon Corporation in order to ensure they don’t get to use zoanthropes as mind-controlled weapons.
While Bloody Roar plays like a typical fighting game, its transformation component is meshed in pretty well with the rest of the game. Players need to fill up Beast Indicators before being able to transform, with each transformation giving players extra attacks, a heavier weight, and more dynamic combat options until their Beast Indicator is fully depleted. It’s the transformation mechanic that makes Bloody Roar quite an enjoyable title, even with the existence of more fast-paced fighting games.
11 Real Bout Fatal Fury Special
At first glance, Real Bout Fatal Fury seems like a classic Fatal Fury title with its 2D sprites overlaid on painted backgrounds. However, this sequel to the Real Bout Fatal Fury boasts improved graphics and a return to form with its two-plane system. As such, while Real Bout Fatal Fury Special does feature its staple Fatal Fury characters, the game also lets players “destroy” a battlefield’s barrier to take the fight into a new area.
Interestingly enough, the lack of a serious story and the focus on the “real bout” makes Real Bout Fatal Fury Special a straightforward yet equally-fun game to play. Unlike some other fighting games, where characters have ridiculous abilities, the more grounded nature of Fatal Fury’s supernatural elements makes this fighting game feel more technical.
10 Darkstalkers 3
By sheer aesthetics alone, the Darkstalkers series and its Gothic take on the fighting game genre is a fitting classic worthy of replaying. Of its games, Darkstalkers 3 is perhaps one of the more comprehensive takes on the franchise’s potential. This time around, a Makai nobleman named Jedah Dohma has created Majigen, a pocket dimension where he seeks to bring in souls for his new world’s nourishment.
Unique to the game is the “Dark Force System,” which provides players with a special gauge that gives them the opportunity to perform powered-up attacks when full. Moreover, there’s a special “Shadow” mode where players can proceed to the next fight using the defeated fighter, adding a new layer of challenge for players.
9 The King Of Fighters 2000
Game publisher SNK was in a bit of a tight spot during the development of King Of Fighters 2000, having just filed for bankruptcy at the time. This resulted in some bugs and glitches that remained with the game following its release, as well as a new take on backgrounds and graphics that left fans a bit divided. However, most fighting game fans do agree that SNK’s improvements to the characters and the fighting system made The King of Fighters 2000 one of the best games in the franchise.
The game expands on KOF 99’s “Striker Match” format, where the new “Active Striker” lets players summon a Striker member to help them in any situation. Players can either manually choose their Striker member or use “Another Striker,” a character from other KOF and SNK games to be used exclusively as a Striker. These new options really compliment the tag-team nature of The King of Fighters 2000, adding a lot of layers of strategy to fights.
8 Soul Edge
Fans of the Soulcalibur franchise will likely remember that all of its characters are chasing one of two powerful blades: the eponymous Soulcalibur of light, and the Soul Edge of darkness. The latter lends its name to the first official entry in the franchise, Soul Edge. Similar to the original Soulcalibur in plot, Soul Edge pits warriors against each other as they attempt to get their hands on the titular blade. Acquiring the sword is said to provide infinite power - a power that some seek for themselves, and others want only to destroy.
Gameplay-wise, Soul Edge bears a lot of similarities with the Tekken series, with one or two key differences. Characters have combos but also have a few slow unblockables and some “Critical Edge” attacks that need a high combo string. What’s more interesting is the game’s Active Block and Weapon Gauge system, as blocking will slowly deplete its meter and eventually destroy the equipped weapon. These nuanced mechanics certainly make Soul Edge a fun game to play even today.
7 Mortal Kombat 4
Of all of the classic Mortal Kombat titles, it’s perhaps Mortal Kombat 4 that made the most history due to it being the series' first foray into the third dimension. Moreover, it’s Mortal Kombat 4 that actually introduced the idea of using objects and weapons aside from various martial arts styles in the game. Story-wise, the game features the Dark Elder God Shinnok and his attack against those who imprisoned him in the Netherrealm.
Granted, by virtue of it being one of the first 3D titles for the PS1, Mortal Kombat 4 didn’t have the best graphics, nor the smoothest gameplay. However, the game does try to preserve the fast-paced combat of its 2D predecessors, enabling players to capitalize on speed and quick attacks to obliterate opponents quickly - something that today’s more “fluid” fighting games don’t always offer.
6 Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash Of Superheroes
What better way to celebrate the wacky nature of Marvel vs. Capcom than with the game that started it all - Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash Of Superheroes? While it’s the first to bear the Marvel Vs. Capcom title, it’s technically the third title in terms of production, following X-Men vs. Street Fighter and Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter.
The tag-team game lets players swap their chosen characters in combat. To add to the craziness, the new Variable Cross technique allows them to use both characters to attack at once. Considering how its sequels essentially maintained the core gimmicks of this iteration, it’s safe to say that those who still have access to a PS1 could grab Clash of Superheroes today and still have fun with its mechanics.