If any reader is feeling a strange change in the wind or a trembling in the earth, don't be alarmed. It is not an omen of the apocalypse, but next-gen fever taking its hold on the planet. What makes this transition so odd is how little information both Microsoft and Sony have so far given to the public. Past console releases hyped up fans for years with teases before launch day, but the PS5 and Xbox Series X are about eight months out and we barely know anything about either of them.
One thing heavily speculated, however, is the backward compatibility. If the PlayStation 5's use of it is as simple as putting in a disc from a previous console, then the ten PlayStation One games below are ones we cannot wait to pop into our consoles on launch day. A few obvious ones are missing, but that's because they are already playable on the PS4 either as a re-release of full fledged remake.
10 Ape Escape
This 3D adventure platformer stood out from the pack by making dual analog sticks mandatory. Considering the controllers later release on the console, not every PlayStation owner could play it. Fortunately, that's not a problem these days, and Spike's adventure capturing all the apes can be enjoyed by anyone if the game is playable on the PS5. It also comes packed in with some surprisingly fun mini games one unlocks later in the story.
9 Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together
In an age where most RPGs dealt with fantastic themes and settings, Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together presented a more grounded fantasy story centered around political strife rather than magic. while spells are a part of the combat, they have no place in the story. The player's choices factoring into the narrative and the many potential dark turns have made this title age like fine wine. Assuming no re-release comes out anytime soon, here's hoping we can pop the disc into our PS5 and revel in the darkly tragic tale once more.
8 Chrono Cross
The sequel to Chrono Trigger isn't as fondly remembered, but it is still legendary among Japanese RPG aficionados. With forty-five playable characters, it present one of the biggest rosters of a turn-based RPG. Despite the series' status, a sequel never materialized in the years since Chrono Cross. Perhaps renewed interest from PS5 backward compatibility could get the ball rolling on another entry. Give the world-changing stakes in each game, the possibilities for continuation are endless.
7 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater
Once one of the most popular video game franchises out there, the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series has since fallen from grace due to the changing markets and the declining quality of its sequels. It also doesn't look like Activision is interested in a revival, so the only hope of playing this series on new hardware is backward compatibility. What makes the idea of popping in an old disc so enticing is the ability to listen to the soundtrack once again without a publisher having to go through the pesky process of re-licensing the songs.
6 Medal Of Honor
As one of the few great first-person shooters on the PS1, Medal of Honor has a special place in the hearts of numerous Sony fans. The reboot last decade has since muddied its legacy, but what better way to remind people of its greatness than by playing the classics on modern consoles?
If there was someway to adjust the controls to add dual analog support, that would make playing it again all the more exciting to play again. This title is not for the faint of heart, however, as the later levels become extremely difficult.
5 Klonoa: Door To Phantomile
The adorable character from Namco got a proper sequel on the PlayStation 2 and several Game Boy Advance games, but has been out of the spotlight for some time. The first title holds up excellently due to its simplicity and surprising challenge. Experiencing it again on newer consoles would be a delight, especially because straightforward platformers are fewer in the modern gaming landscape. Unfortunately, physical copies are tough to find, so hopefully the version on the PSN store would work.
4 Spider-Man
While Insomniac's recent Spider-Man is a masterpiece by all accounts, it was far from the first highly-praised adventure from the friendly neighborhood super hero. Spider-Man on the PS1 was a simple, yet addictive brawler which perfectly captured the more zany side of the comic books. It was a fan's dream at the time, featuring numerous villains, supporting characters, and plenty of bonus goodies to collect. It lacks the nuance and exploration of the newer title, but one shouldn't expect such things from an over twenty year old title anyway.
3 Metal Gear Solid
Often considered one of the best games of all time, Metal Gear Solid revolutionized storytelling in video games with its masterfully crafted cinematics and high caliber voice acting. Despite all the sequels and turns the narrative took later on, the 1998 title still stands as a masterpiece, containing several iconic gaming moments like the boss fight with Psycho Mantis.
Fans of stealth or action games owe it to themselves to beat one of the most influential titles in the genre. While Metal Gear Solid 2 may be a better game, Metal Gear Solid took the series into the third dimension and established a foundation the rest of the series would follow.
2 Final Fantasy Tactics
The turn-based strategy spin-off often ranks higher than most of the mainline Final Fantasy entries due to its addictive progression system and compelling story. The replay value comes from one's desire to master the systems. First play throughs are often wrought with hardship as players struggle to understand which combination of jobs works best. Once one grasps the concepts, they can develop an unstoppable party stampeding through the toughest bouts with ease. If a full-fledged remake never becomes a reality, fans would at least appreciate the ability to play the old PS1 version on new consoles.
1 Legend Of Legaia
A lesser know PS1 title, Legend of Legaia uses a unique battle system only utilized by its PS2 sequel. Instead of a single attack, players input a combination of punches and kicks for their turn, sometimes pulling off special moves for bonus damage. The story is about a world covered in a dangerous Mist which makes monsters super powerful and cuts off communication between towns. The protagonist ventures out to destroy the facilities making the Mist, and meets up with three more heroes along the way. Twenty years after its release, and its unique charm and gameplay have not grown old. It also has supremely gorgeous graphics for the console, especially during battle.