20 PS1 Games BETTER Than Modern Games

20 PS1 Games BETTER Than Modern Games

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we are looking at the best of Sony in the 90s that could easily pass as Sony in the 2020s (maybe just with a fresh coat of paint). These are 20 PS1 Games BETTER Than Modern Games. Let’s have a look.

“Silent Bomber” (1999)

You don’t see as much top down gaming today as we did in the 90s and early 20s, but it’s a timeless style that doesn’t need too much fancy schmansy business to make it play great. Silent Bomber delivers a unique twist on the top-down action genre, holding up remarkably well thanks to its sharp, fast-paced mechanics. What sets it apart is its reliance on bombs and explosives instead of the usual gunfire or close-range combat. Whether played solo or with friends, the game feels like an adrenaline-fueled spin on Bomberman. It’s lesser known, but easy to jump into today.

“Intelligent Qube” (1997)

When I first tried this game when I was a kid, it played much like Minesweeper when I was a kid. I clicked around, died a lot, and enjoyed the lights and shapes. I’m ashamed to admit this, but I only learnt how to play both Intelligent Qube AND Minesweeper last year, and both gave me more enjoyment in 2024 than they did in 1997. ANYWAY! Focusing on Intelligent Qube, once you grasp the core mechanics, the game reveals itself as a clever and addictive puzzler with strong visuals and sound. It’s the perfect pick-up-and-play experience, as long as you’ve watched the video tutorial at LEAST once.

“Tekken 3” (1997)

You know a game is good by modern standards when people say the series peaked in 1997. The PS1 gem not only preserved everything that made the arcade original shine but also introduced hidden modes, bonus characters, and surprising depth that gave it incredible replay value compared to its peers. Even today, Tekken 3 holds up brilliantly. The gameplay offers range and response that is a perfect balance of simple and complicated to make it more enjoyable than most fighting games from this era.

“Rayman” (1995)

2D platforming ALSO lends itself to a timeless feel, meaning you can pick it up today and feel pretty goddamn good about the gameplay. Rayman is a prime example, and even has some very charming graphics. Beneath its charming visuals, though, lies a game known for its punishing difficulty, much like Cuphead. Unlike some modern difficult games, the challenge stems from its brilliantly designed levels, not poor controls. It’s a true gem that everyone should experience.

“Breath of Fire IV” (2000)

Capcom’s Breath of Fire series has never quite reached the same level of recognition as giants like Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be revisited TODAY. Breath of Fire IV, the second PlayStation installment, builds upon the foundation laid by Breath of Fire III while improving on its shortcomings. The result is a true classic, with a diverse cast of companions, brilliant new mechanics, and gameplay that feels like an indie, modern, top down JRPG.

“Monster RancherHunter 2” (1999)

Every time I mention Monster Rancher Hunter 2, everyone says “WHAT ABOUT MONSTER RANCHER HUNTER 1”. Monster Rancher Hunter 1 is great, blah blah blah, BUT we aren’t focusing on that. Monster Rancher 2 ramps things up by giving players an impressive amount of freedom. One of its standout features is the ingenious use of CDs to generate new monsters, a mechanic that cleverly made use of the PlayStation’s disc format. The game takes 1, ramps it up, and makes it feel like something that could drop today.

“Resident Evil 2” (1998)

The reason I KNOW this game is better than most modern games, is because I played it at the start of this year and couldn’t put it down. I fell in love with the remake, and thought “I wonder how the original felt?”, which is a recipe for disaster, yet somehow the PS1 classic overcame those heavy odds to emerge as one of my favourite games of all time. Now I know the remake brought it an instantly modern feel, BUT the remake may as well have been a different game with how remade it actually was. Resident Evil 2 on the PS1 holds true and timeless with its tank controls, pre-rendered backgrounds and fixed camera, making it play better than any of the indie fixed cam games that try so desperately to emulate its brilliance.

“Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus” (1998)

Honestly, we could have picked Abe’s Odyssey and it would have fit as well, but we’re going with Exoddus because it improves upon pretty much everything from the first game to create a timeless experience with incredibly fun puzzles, an improved communication system, and so much content it had to be spread across two discs. Its inventive puzzles and memorable story stood out as truly one of a kind. When it comes to PS1 titles that have aged gracefully, 2D games are often the safest bet.

“Tomba! 2: The Evil Swine Return” (1999)

Speaking of 2D sidescrollers, Tomba! stands out as one of the PlayStation’s most inventive side-scrolling platformers, but scrap straight 2D for 3D foreground and background layers and you’ve got an experience that looks pretty damn good. The sequel, Tomba! 2: The Evil Swine Return, doesn’t radically reinvent the formula and gameplay set by the first, but instead builds on it naturally. With fully 3D environments and new abilities for Tomba, the game feels like a thoughtful evolution of the original’s creativity and charm. Play it, trust us.

“Parasite Eve II” (1998)

Parasite Eve II has earned a devoted following over the years and remains a cult classic, especially for those who missed it when it first released. But cult classic doesn’t JUST mean it’s for a specific audience. It goddamn holds up, I’m telling you! For fans of survival horror, particularly Silent Hill enthusiasts, it’s ESSENTIAL playing. Developed by Square in 1999, the game embraces traditional horror mechanics that its predecessor lacked. With its signature tank controls and chilling atmosphere, Parasite Eve II continues to be a standout experience for new gamers even today.

“The Legend of Dragoon” (1999)

Guess who LOVES The Legend of Dragoon? This guy. The Legend of Dragoon still holds up today thanks to fantastic turn-based combat, and a good amount of cinematic flair. Its “Additions” combat system, which rewards timing and precision, keeps the turn-based combat engaging, a mechanic that can be seen today in games like Clair Obscure: Expedition 33. The story isn’t anything to write home about - it’s FILLED with 90s JRPG tropes - but visually, the pre-rendered backgrounds and detailed character models retain a nostalgic charm that makes it feel (godammit, how many times am I gonna say this word?) timeless.

“Ape Escape” (1999)

At first glance, Ape Escape might seem like a goofy platformer about mischievous monkeys. Yet it represents a milestone for the original PlayStation as the first game to require the DualShock controller, fully embracing the twin-stick controls it introduced. Earlier PlayStation adventure and platform games were enjoyable, but often felt outdated. Ape Escape modernized the genre with these innovations, creating gameplay that still feels fresh today. Its clever design and precise controls allow it to stand alongside timeless classics like Super Mario 64, proving that even a game about monkeys can be a landmark in gaming history.

“Crash Team Racing” (1999)

Truly, HONESTLY, SERIOUSLY, is there a better Kart Racing game on the PS1?? I’ll wait. Sure, the PlayStation had plenty of “realistic” racers with fancy graphics and detailed physics, but I’m not interested in earning in-game cash to upgrade a virtual car or worrying about bumps affecting performance. I just want a cartoon character in a go-kart, fun handling, and chaotic power-ups to fling at my opponents. Basically, I want Mario Kart 64 on my PS1, and much like Mario Kart 64, this can give more enjoyment than any co-op game today.

“Metal Gear Solid” (1998)

This is gonna be a tough sell, but hear me out. There are a LOT of video game gameplay amenities that you won’t find in this PS1 classic, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. The leap from Metal Gear Solid to its PS2 sequels is massive, yet the original still feels fantastic to play, even if some of the gameplay feels like puzzle solving. Kojima’s storytelling remains as gripping as ever. I recently replayed MGS1, and while its graphics show their age, the action and narrative are perfectly clear. Shadow Moses provides a memorable setting and Liquid Snake stands out as an epic and ageless villain. Like a classic Bond film, or a camp Batman baddy.

“Chrono Cross” (1999)

Chrono Cross stands as one of Square’s most ambitious and unique PS1 RPGs, a remarkable feat given the company’s history (they’re the ones behind Final Fantasy if that isn’t well known). With a massive, charming cast, likable protagonists, and a quirky sense of humor, the game exudes a distinct personality. Its gameplay produces a timeless JRPG experience that fans of the tied-in SNES title Chrono Trigger shouldn’t miss.

“Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2” (2000)

There hasn’t been a decent new skating game for a good number of years, which is why it feels almost refreshing to go back to the classic Tony Hawk’s titles. Just as Metal Gear Solid defined top-tier PS1 gaming, the Tony Hawk series set a gold standard for sports gaming. Specifically x-sports. Any entry on the original PlayStation is solid, but I’m highlighting Pro Skater 2 because the gameplay still feels tight, the soundtrack remains iconic, and even if your trick execution isn’t solid you can get a whole HELL of a lot out of it.

“Suikoden II” (1998)

The PlayStation is packed with JRPGs, which is why it’s even more impressive when one stands out, and for non-Final Fantasy JRPGs that can be fan favourites by today's standard, look no further than Suikoden II. The Suikoden series stands out thanks to its massive cast with over 100 recruitable characters, and more than 40 available in battle. This gives players remarkable freedom and allows Suikoden II to play out differently depending on which characters are chosen. It’s a new level of immersion that hasn’t REALLY been replicated since.

“Final Fantasy IX” (2000)

Really, there isn’t a Final Fantasy entry on the PS1 you couldn’t pick up today and enjoy. All of them will give you a dope story, challenging gameplay and hours of content, but one that feels particularly fleshed out in Final Fantasy IX. VII and VIII get lots of love, but this partly reflects how IX is often underrated, despite being a top-tier installment featuring arguably some of the best mechanics in Final Fantasy. OH, also VI is great. Wait, has this whole entry just been about every PS1 Final Fantasy game? Oops.

“Castlevania: Symphony of the Night” (1997)

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is the only original PlayStation entry, yet it has become the franchise’s crowning achievement and one of the most enjoyable games on the system. Taking place after Rondo of Blood, Alucard assumes Richter Belmont’s role to battle Dracula and his monstrous minions. The game stands out with its memorable soundtrack and imaginative level design, while also reintroducing RPG elements that make it feel incredibly modern.

“Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back” (1997)

The PS1 Crash Bandicoot games are iconic classics and it’s genuinely hard to choose a favourite, but there is no better entry for dope collectibles and iconic levels than the 2nd entry. The game brings a visual upgrade from the first, expands Crash’s move set, which has remained a staple ever since, and introduces the beloved warp room system. Its level designs are top-notch, offering refined 3D platforming that holds up even today. Obviously the third entry is also iconic, but there’s a reason the 2nd was the most played in the 2017 remake.