Ozone's LAN Party and Online Gaming
Home  Rules  How to Prepare  What to Bring  Games We Play  Counter-Strike Tips  Map Packs  Sign Up  Game Reviews  Pictures

Sony PlayStation 1

Updated 1/13/12

Sony's Playstation 1 (PS1) was part of the fifth generation of consoles. It was Sony's first console. Sony somehow saw the writing on the wall to know that 3D graphics and CD media were the wave of the future. In comparison, Sega Saturn's 3D capability was tacked-on as an afterthought, and N64 still used cartridges which had low capacity and high expense. As a result, PS1 dominated the 5th generation. 102.49 million were sold over 11 years. It was the first console to reach the 100 million mark.

PS1 has an interesting history. Nintendo had experimented with using floppy disks for the NES, but found that they were not durable, and were easy to pirate. They were interested in using CDs with the SNES because they overcome the limitations of floppies, and have large capacities as well. Nintendo contracted with Sony to make a CD peripheral for SNES, originally called SNES-CD. The SNES uses the SPC-700 sound processor from Sony, so they already had a working relationship. In the process, Sony began developing their own game console, which they called "Play Station", that could play SNES cartridges and SNES-CDs. Nintendo got word of this, and at the 1989 Consumer Electronics Show where the SNES-CD was supposed to be announced, Nintendo instead announced their partnership with Philips to create the device. Lots of court battles took place. Ultimately, Sony removed the SNES compatibility from their device and called it the PlayStation. And Nintendo's deal with Philips didn't work out, either. Philips ended up making their peripheral into CD-i, and Nintendo gave Philips the rights to make games using Nintendo characters, all of which were awful. Sony definitely ended up with the better deal.

The 3D graphics of PS1 now look very outdated, mostly due to the lack of filtering and perspective correction, but they were pretty cool at the time. Using an emulator, you can increase the resolution, add texture filtering, add anti-aliasing, and increase the color depth. It makes the games look much better. But since the textures were intended for a 256x224 resolution, things like text still look very blocky, and there isn't much you can do about it.

Specifications
CPU: MIPS R3000A-compatible (R3051) 32bit RISC chip, 33.8688 MHz, 30 MIPS
System RAM: 2MB
Video RAM: 1MB
Sound RAM: 512K
CD Buffer: 32K
OS ROM: 512K
Resolution: 256x224 to 640x480 pixels, 32-bit color (16.8 million colors), but usually 256x224 in 15-bit color (32,768 colors)
3D Performance: 360,000 million Polygons per Second
Graphics Performance: 1x1 to 256x256 sprites, up to 16-bit color, each with individual scaling, rotation, warping, transparency, priority, only limit to number of sprites is memory size; multiple simultaneous backgrounds, only limited by memory size
Sound: 24 hardware 16-bit 44.1KHz ADPCM channels, digital effects (envelope, looping, reverb)
Media: 2x CD (300K/s)
Interface: 2 controllers, two 128K memory cards, parallel port (earlier models only), serial port
Price: Originally $299.99, $99.99 by the end of production (PSOne)

Air Combat
Genre: combat flight sim
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
3 out of 4 stars

Combat flight sim. First of the series.


Alundra
Genre: action RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Comic Mischief, Mild Animated Violence
4 out of 4 stars

Plays like an updated Legend of Zelda. 2D isometric perspective. Very challenging gameplay.


Alundra 2
Genre: action RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Mild Animated Violence
3 out of 4 stars

Unlike the first, this one is in 3D, and its not nearly as good.


Ape Escape
Genre: 3D platformer
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Mild Animated Violence
4 out of 4 stars

Catch all the monkeys. Innovative control scheme using the left analog stick for movement and the right analog stick to control your weapon.


Blaster Master: Blasting Again
Genre: action adventure
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
2 out of 4 stars

The classic game didn't translate well to 3D. It fails to capture what made the NES game so good. But the Genesis and Game Boy Color Blaster Master games had the same problem.


Blue's Big Musical
Genre: adventure
Players: 1
ESRB: EC
3 out of 4 stars

Help Blue put together a big musical. It's not as accessible as the PC games, mostly due to the controls.


Bomberman Fantasy Race
Genre: racing - third person
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E for Mild Animated Violence
3 out of 4 stars

Race Bomberman characters riding on various animals in Mario Kart style.


Brave Fencer Musashi
Genre: action RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
3 out of 4 stars

Fun, but the main character has a potty mouth.


Breath of Fire 3
Genre: RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Mild Animated Violence, Suggestive Themes
3 out of 4 stars

This was a fun RPG with a good story, but the isometric perspective made it difficult to get around in the game. I found my character stuck on things a lot.


Bust-A-Move 99
Genre: action puzzle
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
4 out of 4 stars

Classic Bust-A-Move fun. AKA Puzzle Bobble 3.


Chrono Cross
Genre: RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Animated Violence, Mild Language
3 out of 4 stars

Sequel to the amazing Chrono Trigger. Follows the story line of Radical Dreamers, a Japanese-only, text-based sequel to Chrono Trigger on the SNES.


Chrono Trigger
Genre: RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes
4 out of 4 stars

The classic ported from SNES. Part of Final Fantasy Chronicles.


Crash Bandicoot
Genre: 3D platformer
Players: 1
ESRB: E
3 out of 4 stars

3D on-rails platformer.


Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back
Genre: 3D platformer
Players: 1
ESRB: E
3 out of 4 stars

3D on-rails platformer.


Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped
Genre: 3D platformer
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Mild Animated Violence
4 out of 4 stars

3D on-rails platformer. The last and best of the bunch on PS1.


Crash Bash
Genre: party
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E for Comic Mischief
3 out of 4 stars

Minigames. Good for parties. Not as good as Mario Party, though.


Crash Team Racing
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E for Mild Animated Violence
4 out of 4 stars

Fun racing in Mario Kart style with Crash characters. The gameplay is not as cheap as the Mario Kart games. It also includes a fun single-player adventure game where you have to complete various objectives. This makes it superior to the Mario Kart games in my opinion.


Croc: Legend of the Gobbos
Genre: 3D platformer
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Mild Animated Violence
2 out of 4 stars

Early 3D platformer. Terrible controls. I was never able to get very far into it because the controls made it too difficult.


Dance Dance Revolution
Genre: rhythm
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
4 out of 4 stars

The original dance/rhythm game. Requires a dance pad. Good work out. Fun with two players.


Dance Dance Revolution Disney Mix
Genre: rhythm
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
3 out of 4 stars

Requires a dance pad. Has Disney characters and music, but lacks some features of the original.


Driver
Genre: racing action
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Mild Language
4 out of 4 stars

Race around city streets to complete objectives. Fairly difficult. You have to master some crazy moves with your car before you can even get started, which may keep some people from playing the game.


Driver 2
Genre: racing action
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Animated Violence
2 out of 4 stars

Bigger scale than Driver, but suffers slowdown that kills gameplay. It is fun until you get to a particular level where the graphics slow down to a slideshow, making it impossible to beat the game. I'm surprised they shipped the game with this fatal flaw.


Final Fantasy 5
Genre: RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Comic Mischief, Mild Animated Violence
4 out of 4 stars

Ported from SNES. Part of Final Fantasy Anthology.


Final Fantasy Origins (I & II)
Genre: RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Violence
4 out of 4 stars

This is an updated version of Final Fantasy I and II. It has updated graphics, sound, music, and includes new CG animations. They also eliminated a lot of the annoying menu commands by using a generic action button to do most things, and they included a run button. Cool! I definitely recommend this over the original NES versions.


Final Fantasy VII
Genre: RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Comic Mischief, Mild Animated Violence, Mild Language
4 out of 4 stars

First 3D Final Fantasy game. Outstanding storyline, music and characters, and great gameplay. I hope this game gets the remake it deserves one day. With higher-resolution graphics, an orchestral score, and a better English translation, this game would definitely sell well today. The English translation is sometimes quite bad. "This guy are sick!"


Final Fantasy VIII
Genre: RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Animated Violence, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes
4 out of 4 stars

More realistic character models in this one. Another awesome Final Fantasy game. The angst-filled, moody lead character hurts the game a bit, though. It also has an awkward magic system, in that the only way to get magic is to draw it from enemies, which you'll spend a LOT of time doing. But it's still a good game.


Final Fantasy IX
Genre: RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Animated Violence, Mild Language
4 out of 4 stars

Feels like the SNES-era FF games. Better than FF8. Last FF game on the PS1. Awesome graphics, music and storyline.


Final Fantasy Tactics
Genre: strategy RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: T Animated Violence, Mild Language
4 out of 4 stars

Strategy RPG with Final Fantasy elements. Deep and confusing storyline (bad translation?). Lengthy game. I never could beat it.


Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko
Genre: 3D platformer
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Comic Mischief, Suggestive Themes
2 out of 4 stars

Fun game that is ruined by sexual innuendo and potty mouth.


Gran Turismo
Genre: racing - third person
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
3 out of 4 stars

In-depth racing simulator. Not my cup of tea. Nice graphics, though.


Grandia
Genre: RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Mild Animated Violence, Comic Mischief
3 out of 4 stars

Fun beginning to Grandia series. 2D isometric graphics. Not as serious as the later games.


Jet Moto
Genre: racing - third person
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
3 out of 4 stars

Race futuristic hoverbikes over land and water. Nice surfer rock music.


Jumping Flash
Genre: 3D platformer
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Mild Animated Violence
3 out of 4 stars

Early 3D platformer with a first-person perspective and an almost dizzying sense of height.


Jumping Flash 2
Genre: 3D platformer
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Mild Animated Violence
3 out of 4 stars

Sequel to the original, and is almost identical, but with new levels.


Klonoa: Door to Phantomile
Genre: 2D platformer
Players: 1
ESRB: E
4 out of 4 stars

This is a 2D platformer with 3D graphics. Outstanding gameplay. Extremely rare. I have only played a downloaded ISO of the game.


Legend of Legaia
Genre: RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
3 out of 4 stars

This game plays a lot like Final Fantasy VII, but not as good.


Legend of Mana
Genre: action RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Mild Animated Violence, Suggestive Themes
3 out of 4 stars

Sequel to the SNES Secret of Mana. Similar gameplay, but you build the world as you go along, which makes it feel very unique. Only 1 player, though, compared to 3 co-op players on SNES. Sad.


Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete
Genre: RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Animated Violence, Suggestive Themes
3 out of 4 stars

Traditional 2D RPG. Ported from Sega CD. It contains too much bad language.


Lunar 2: Eternal Blue
Genre: RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Animated Violence, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes
3 out of 4 stars

Same gameplay as original with new story line. Ported from Sega CD. More bad language.


Mega Man 8
Genre: 2D platformer
Players: 1
ESRB: E
3 out of 4 stars

2D Platformer starring Mega Man. Same gameplay as earlier games.


Mega Man Legends
Genre: action RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
3 out of 4 stars

Mega Man in a 3D action RPG. Plays like a third-person shooter. Great storyline and unique gameplay.


Mega Man Legends 2
Genre: action RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
3 out of 4 stars

Very similar to the first. Takes place after the original.


Mega Man X4
Genre: 2D platformer
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Animated Blood, Animated Violence
3 out of 4 stars

2D Platformer starring Mega Man. Same gameplay as earlier games.


Mega Man X6
Genre: 2D platformer
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Violence
3 out of 4 stars

2D Platformer starring Mega Man. Same gameplay as earlier games.


Metal Gear Solid
Genre: action adventure
Players: 1
ESRB: M for Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence, Mature Sexual Themes
4 out of 4 stars

The first MGS game, and easily the best. Deep storyline. Challenging stealth action played in a third-person perspective.


Metal Slug X
Genre: 2D platformer
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Animated Violence
3 out of 4 stars

The classic game ported from Neo-Geo. Plays like an updated Contra.


Mr. Driller
Genre: action puzzle
Players: 1
ESRB: E
3 out of 4 stars

Drill down to the bottom while avoiding falling blocks from above.


Norse by Norsewest
Genre: action adventure platformer puzzle
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Mild Animated Violence, Comic Mischief
3 out of 4 stars

Sequel to The Lost Vikings. Each of your three vikings has his own unique abilities, and this sequel adds three new characters with additional abilities. You have to use their abilities cooperatively to make your way through the levels.


Pac-Man World
Genre: 3D platformer
Players: 1
ESRB: E
3 out of 4 stars

Pac-Man themed 3D platformer.


Parappa The Rapper
Genre: rhythm
Players: 1
ESRB: E
4 out of 4 stars

Press buttons in rhythm to the music. Great hip-hop music and unique graphics.


Parasite Eve
Genre: RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: M for Animated Violence, Mature Sexual Themes
3 out of 4 stars

Survival horror RPG.


Parasite Eve 2
Genre: survival horror
Players: 1
ESRB: M for Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence
3 out of 4 stars

Compared to the first, it is less RPG, more survival horror.


R4: Ridge Racer Type 4
Genre: racing - third person
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E
4 out of 4 stars

Last and best Ridge Racer game on PS1.


RayStorm
Genre: vert shmup
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
3 out of 4 stars

Vertical shoot-em-up. 2-player co-op.


Return Fire
Genre: action
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E for Animated Blood, Animated Violence
4 out of 4 stars

Control military vehicles playing capture the flag in an above-view perspective. Sequel to the Amiga game Firepower.


Rockman X3
Genre: 2D platformer
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
3 out of 4 stars

Called Mega Man X3 in US.


Saga Frontier
Genre: RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Mild Language
2 out of 4 stars

Interesting 2D isometric RPG gameplay, but boring storyline. It was too dull for me. After waking up (seriously), I shut it off and never tried it again.


Speed Punks
Genre: racing - third person
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E for Mild Animated Violence, Mild Language
3 out of 4 stars

Mario Kart style racing with obnoxious brat kids.


Spyro the Dragon
Genre: 3D platformer
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Comic Mischief
4 out of 4 stars

First of the amazing Spyro series. Outstanding in every way. The goal is to find a certain number of items in a 3D platforming stage to open up the exit.


Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage
Genre: 3D platformer
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Mild Animated Violence
4 out of 4 stars

Each Spyro on PS1 gets better than the one before it. This game introduces some new playable characters. Great game.


Spyro 3: Year of the Dragon
Genre: 3D platformer
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Comic Mischief
4 out of 4 stars

The last Spyro on PS1, and best Spyro on any machine. Also the last one by Insomniac Games.


Star Ocean: The Second Story
Genre: RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Animated Violence, Mild Language
3 out of 4 stars

Fun 2D RPG with nice graphics, music and storyline. It can be played from two different perspectives (the main boy and girl in the game), and it has multiple endings depending on your relationship with the various characters you add to your party.


Strider
Genre: 2D platformer
Players: 1
ESRB: N/A
3 out of 4 stars

Good arcade port.


Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo
Genre: action puzzle
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Mild Violence
4 out of 4 stars

Incredible puzzle game. Very rare. The characters come from the Capcom games Street Fighter II and Darkstalkers. The name is poking fun at the naming convention for the Street Fighter series. There was only one Puzzle Fighter game ever made.


Syphon Filter
Genre: action adventure
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Animated Blood, Animated Violence
3 out of 4 stars

Like MGS but with more action and less stealth.


Syphon Filter 2
Genre: action adventure
Players: 1
ESRB: M for Animated Blood, Animated Violence
3 out of 4 stars

Continuation of the first. Gameplay is the same.


Syphon Filter 3
Genre: action adventure
Players: 1
ESRB: M for Blood, Violence
3 out of 4 stars

Last of the series on PS1. Less linear than the first two. The story is completed in this game.


Tekken 3
Genre: 3D fighting
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Animated Violence
3 out of 4 stars

Last and best of the Tekken series on PS1.


Twisted Metal
Genre: vehicle combat
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: T for Animated Violence
3 out of 4 stars

Drive vehicles with mounted weapons in large arenas and deathmatch.


Twisted Metal 3
Genre: vehicle combat
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: T for Animated Violence
2 out of 4 stars

Not nearly as good as the original.


Um Jammer Lammy
Genre: rhythm
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Comic Mischief
4 out of 4 stars

Sort-of sequel to Parappa, this time with rock instead of rap music. The difficulty is higher.


Warhawk
Genre: space combat flight sim
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
3 out of 4 stars

Futuristic combat flight sim with cheezy FMV cutscenes, but fun gameplay.


Wild ARMs
Genre: RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
3 out of 4 stars

Fun 2D isometric RPG with a futuristic wild west feel. Good music and storyline.


Woody Woodpecker Racing
Genre: racing - third person
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E for Mild Animated Violence
2 out of 4 stars

Mario Kart style racing with Woody Woodpecker characters. Difficult.


Worms Armageddon
Genre: action strategy
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
4 out of 4 stars

Awesome strategy gameplay featuring worms with zany weapons. The low resolution of the PS1 makes it somewhat hard to play.