So this past weekend I was feeling nostalgic and I got out my old Playstation. That's right, I still have the old grey one and I bought it together with my cousin when it got released in Europe...and it's still working today ( a few more years and it will be 20 years old)!!!
It's still my number one console (together with the SNES). When PS2 arrived, my gaming days were already behind me and I only played on that one briefly. I did play on PC for a few more years (the regular games, Quake 3 ArenA, Counter-Strike, Unreal Tournament ). But I haven't played any games seriously at all in about the last 5 years or so. I'm completely out of touch and needless to say, Playstation One was were most of my fondest gaming memories are at.
I went through the old game Box (some games didn't work any more (scratches...) but I managed to compile a list of games that were essential for me. Thought I'd share and hope some of you old gamers could recommend me some titles I missed back in the day (barely had internet back then, so I'm sure I missed a few). Thinking I might nick a few of ebay this week. Here's my list !
Metal Gear Solid
Probably the best action title ever on PSOne. I liked Syphon Filter and Tenchu: Stealth Assasins as well. What MGS lacks in story lines, it makes up in gaming fun.
Final Fantasy VII
I think it could be the best game in its genre ever, my experience of it was quite emotional. I gave the ones after on PS2 a shot, but they never clicked with me. There was some limited competition in this category from Vagrant Story (which had an incredible interface later used a lot in PS2 games and even today!). And Also, Chrono Cross which is also one of the best PSone games.
Wipeout XL
Well there were three wipeouts and they all rocked, but I'll choose this one as best arcade racer. It was one of the first to incorporate fighting and power-ups whilst racing. More hoovercrafts, more tracks and more rave music on the soundtrack
is what makes me choose XL over the first one. Those special effects in that game must have inspired some Dubstep producers haha. Destruction Derby 2 comes close as well, also with a good soundtrack!! Tomb Raider II
Well, both TR 1, 2 and 3 are ace (the others are shit!), but I say 2 was the best in terms of story-line and atmosphere and also, in difficulty. The first and third one were too easy and this one was quite a challenge for me. Soul Reaver is another game in this category that was pretty awesome. But nothing touches Lara for me as far as adventure/puzzle go.
Resident Evil II
Again, all of the three first RE games were rock solid. But II just takes the cake: two story-lines. The best monsters and scariest moments...Nemesis was good because it had several potential endings but both 1 and 2 had better stories and were still original. Silent Hill will be many people's favourite here probably, I still don't agree (less creepiness but more action in RE).
Gran Turismo 2
Good racing simulators were so rare on PSOne. Formula 1 games sucked, Nascar sucked, hell even Colin McRae didn't get good until 2006. So this one was by far the best without any competition.
Oddworld : Abe's Odyssey
My favourite platform game. Funny, difficult, adult, great interface and graphics. I don't like platform games but this one was just awesome. Crash Bandicoot 3 and also, the less known Skullmonkeys were the only real competition.
So those are the ones I took out from under the dust. Any other games I need to fetch of ebay that I've forgotten about or didn't buy when they came out? Any other old PSone heads here?
