After a falling out with Nintendo, Sony decided to embark into the console gaming landscape on its own two feet, and the company's first attempt was nothing short of spectacular. The PlayStation is one of the most successful video game consoles of all time, serving as a bridge to the more mature side of gaming.
From amazing platformers to scintillating stealth games, there's no denying the library of the PS1 was truly immense. In fact, there are some games that are just so brilliant that fans simply can't miss out on them. Some people argue that the games on this console have aged pretty poorly from a graphical standpoint, but the following titles beg to differ.
Updated on April 7, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: Most people assume that the original PlayStation is too rudimentary when it comes to its graphics, making it hard for players to enjoy most of the games on this console when the visuals can be hard to look past. This couldn't be further from the truth, with some of the games on the PlayStation being extremely visually engaging to this day. A combination of strong visual design, graphics that have aged like a fine wine, and strong artistic flair help these games stand out as the best of the bunch in terms of visuals alone.
15 Rayman
The 2D Art Style Looks Colorful And Charming Even Now
Rayman
- Released
- September 1, 1995
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft, Digital Eclipse, Ludimedia
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS1, Sega Saturn, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Game Boy Color, Atari Jaguar, Mobile
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
It's a shame that Ubisoft hasn't given its due regard to the Rayman franchise for quite some time. The platforming series features a charming character and was at the peak of its powers in its heyday when players couldn't get enough of the platforming goodness present in this amazing title.
The first Rayman game served as a strong introduction to the series and its gameplay, offering a level of challenge that made it both infuriating and satisfying at the same time. Thankfully, the charming visual presentation ensured that players couldn't get too frustrated after failing to circumvent a challenge over and over again.
14 Chrono Cross
Square Enix's Impressive 3D Models And FMVs Still Look Pretty Decent
Chrono Cross
A sequel to Chrono Trigger was both slated for success and doomed to suffer from endless comparisons with a video game that many people consider to be one of the greatest RPGs of all time. For what it's worth, Chrono Cross manages to make itself distinct with a massive cast of characters and a unique time-bending adventure that doesn't try to emulate what made its predecessor successful.
It helps that the visuals of this game look incredible, making it worth checking out for any fan of great JRPGs. Players shouldn't expect a game that lives up to the legacy of Chrono Trigger, but a fun game in its own right where the quality of the game is enhanced by glorious artwork and graphics that look great even now.
13 Fear Effect
Cel-Shading Always Ages Well, And Fear Effect Is A Great Example Of The Same
Fear Effect
- Released
- February 24, 2000
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 2
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure, Survival Horror
Fear Effect is one of the most underrated video games around, and it's a shame that more people don't talk about this unique game. In an action-adventure game where death awaits the player at every corner, it's imperative that players try to avoid death at all costs as they control a charismatic heroine.
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While it may not have the realism of today's platforms, the PlayStation 1 had truly chilling and genuinely scary games.
Cel-shaded games always seem like they age better than titles that try to emulate realistic visuals, and Fear Effect is a great example of the same. The quirky writing and memorable cast of characters further enhance this game's quality, making it worth checking out for any fan of unique action titles.
12 Final Fantasy 9
A Homage To The Classic Games Of The Genre With An Art Style To Match
Final Fantasy 9
After the futuristic nature of both Final Fantasy 7 and 8, most people were glad to see that Final Fantasy 9 harkened back to the series' roots in terms of both gameplay and visuals. Sure, there are some aspects of the title that don't feel as epic as its predecessors, but Final Fantasy 9's deceptive simplicity hides an emotional and heartwarming tale conveyed by some of the franchise's greatest characters.
The focus on more cartoonish visuals means that the game has definitely aged better than Final Fantasy 7 and arguably looks better than Final Fantasy 8 for some players. The game's art design is just one of the many things this title gets right, and players will be more than pleased by what's on offer in this Final Fantasy entry.
11 Soul Edge
Revolutionary Graphics For The Time That Still Look Great
- Released: December 1995
- Developer: Project Soul
- Platforms: Arcade and PlayStation 1
Soulcalibur is one of the most popular 3D fighting games of all time, known primarily for its tight, satisfying controls and excellent graphics. The first title in this series needed to hit the ground running for players to be invested in this series, and Soul Edge certainly didn't disappoint.
The game's impressive visuals were one of its biggest talking points that can still be appreciated to this day. Sure, players can point out as many low polygons and low texture resolutions as they want, but it's how every visual element is carefully combined in Soul Edge that makes it so satisfying to look at.
10 PaRappa The Rapper
The Cut-Out Visual Concept Helps The Game Age Like A Fine Wine
PaRappa the Rapper
Not all games on the PlayStation 1 needed to be genre-defining epics that pushed the system to its very limit. Some of them could be fairly muted experiences with solid presentation and a great core gameplay loop.
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Such was the case with PaRappa the Rapper, a rhythm game that was devilishly hard despite looking like a welcome experience. Players who got the hang of this title could witness a great story with a unique art style that turned the title into a cult classic.
9 Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night
The 2D Spritework And Background Art Is Off The Charts
- Released
- October 2, 1997
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence
- Developer(s)
- Konami
- Publisher(s)
- Konami
- Franchise
- Castlevania
WHERE TO PLAY
Castlevania is one of the most legendary gaming franchises of all time, but it took a while to attain such a legacy. Mainly, it was the launch of Symphony of the Night that led to the series becoming incredibly popular.
Symphony of the Night introduced many elements that most people associate with the Metroidvania genre. Getting new powerups to reach new stages of the map is a blast, with the slow and satisfying sense of progression being accompanied by a gorgeous 2D art style that was able to breathe new life into each and every part of Dracula's castle.
8 Final Fantasy 8
The Gorgeous CG Cutscenes, Impressive 3D Models, And Summon Animations Still Hold Up
Final Fantasy 8
- Released
- February 11, 1999
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Final Fantasy 8 is easily one of the most visually striking games on the PlayStation. Even now, the animation for all the Guardian Forces in the game is truly awe-inspiring.
The character models might look slightly dated nowadays, but there was a time when seeing real-life character models in both battles and the overworld was absolutely mind-blowing. The game might have its fair share of critics, but most people agree that everything from the gorgeous animated cutscenes to the pre-rendered backgrounds looks beautiful to this day.
7 Silent Hill
The Oppressive Fog And Haunting Atmosphere Make The Visuals Stand Out More
Silent Hill
Silent Hill is one of the most legendary horror games ever made. It was the first time that most people were exposed to the idea of psychological horror in gaming, with the game's thick and oppressive atmosphere being downright chilling.
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Silent Hill still looks beautiful, even if obvious graphical imperfections might be all too apparent now. Regardless, it's a testament to the visual design of this game that players have to think twice before entering a room or going to a different corner of the town.
6 Parasite Eve
A Short, Sweet RPG With Excellent Visuals That Look Great Even Now
Parasite Eve
Parasite Eve is another great Square Enix RPG that is highly underrated. The focus on body horror and a hybrid of both turn-based and real-time combat was welcomed by the fanbase.
The title might be short, but Parasite Eve isn't defined by its length. Rather, it's the amazing art style and unique story that has turned this title into an underrated masterpiece that deserves way more attention than it gets.