So the PlayStation Vita has finally gotten PSone Classics support (it's only taken Sony, what like six months?) and we here at GameRevolution can't wait to take some of those good old titles with us on the go. As such, we've taken it upon ourselves to put together a handy little list of the top 10 PSone games that we think are the absolute must-buys for the Vita.
While Sony has yet to make the entire library of titles available for the handheld, we went ahead and included all of our favorites, even if they don't happen to be available right now. Now that they've finally issued the PSone update, the rest of the titles can't be far off anyway, at least I hope.
So here they are, in a very specific and deliberate order.
10. Silent Hill
Konami's foray into the survival horror genre gave birth to one of the PlayStation's finest titles. While the Resident Evil games pack a fair amount of scares, they don't achieve the same unnerving psychological horror that is found in Silent Hill. Criticize the game's visuals all you want, but deep down inside you know that the super limited draw distance only served to enhance the experience.
There aren't too many 2D side-scrolling puzzlers quite like Oddworld, and Abe's Oddysee is the best of the bunch. With some truly clever level design and ingenious puzzles that will have you scratching your head in bewilderment, there's plenty here for the gamer who likes to use their noggin every once in a while. Let's also not forget how loaded this title is with clever humor and charm. I don't particularly go for these types of games, but Abe's Oddysee had me hooked for hours on end.
While some of Square's earlier RPGs are considered by many to be the best the series has to offer, the PlayStation entries are nothing to scoff at by any means. Final Fantasy IX told a unique and gripping tale that served as a drastic—but much needed—departure from the more over-the-top futuristic prior entries. FFIX told a much more traditional, Medieval-flavored story, which was a total win in my book.
7. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
There is no doubt that Soul Reaver is one of the original PlayStation's finest 3D action titles. It had a great story, fantastic voice acting (which was unparalleled at the time), and plenty of variety which helped keep the experience fresh and engaging from beginning to end. Plus, the ability to swap between realms to solve various puzzles was awesome. Whether you've never played this game or did years ago when it first launched, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver is totally worth the time and money.
Many herald Final Fantasy VII as one of the greatest role-playing games of all time, and understandably so, as this iconic title paved the way for future 3D RPGs. Until this point, the Final Fantasy franchise was bound by 2D sprites and the technical limitations that came with early hardware. FFVII took the genre in a bold new direction and served up a compelling story with some of the most beloved characters in gaming. This is one role-playing staple that needs to be played by every gamer. Download it—you won't be sorry.
While the first Resident Evil title was undoubtedly an achievement by the folks at Capcom, the studio really hit their stride with the sequel. With just the right balance of action, tension, and scares, Resident Evil 2 will go down in history as one of the greatest survival horror games of all time. And while it may not hold up quite as well from a visual or sound design standpoint, it's still an amazing experience that is worth re-exploring some fifteen years later.
While the Final Fantasy titles steal all of the RPG spotlight on the PlayStation, there is another Square-developed title in this genre that absolutely demands your attention. That's right, I'm talking about Vagrant Story. Hardcore gamers will simply eat up the game's deep weapon customization system and challenging enemy encounters. The title also stands out from the crowd for its unique emphasis on puzzle-solving and refreshing art style.
Disagree with me all you want, but Final Fantasy VIII is the best the FF series had to offer on the original PlayStation. With a cast of diverse and intriguing characters, a compelling story, and some of the most memorable and epic moments I've ever experienced in an RPG, I can't recommend FFVIII enough. Remember Squall's gunblade? Totally ridiculous, but at the same time, so very, very awesome.
2. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
While most developers were set on creating 3D games during this era, Konami decided to keep things simple and stick with Castlevania's classic 2D style, and boy, are we glad they did. Symphony of the Night is quite possibly the best 2D side-scroller of all time and easily the best Castlevania title to date. The game's massive world and emphasis on exploration was unparalleled at the time, and one of the many reasons why this game is an absolute must-play. If for whatever reason you never played this cult-classic, you owe it to yourself to check this one out. And well, if you are already familiar with this title, there's a good chance you already have it downloaded.
In my mind there's no arguing this one. Metal Gear Solid is the greatest PlayStation title ever. Period. End of story. At a time when storytelling in games was in a state of transition, MGS raised the bar with its fantastic writing, voice acting, and complex story full of twists and turns. Famed developer Hideo Kojima really made a name for himself with this title and introduced some of the most innovative gameplay surprises we've ever seen. I'll never forget having to check the back of the CD case to figure out Meryl's frequency.
Agree with our picks? Awesome! Disagree with our choices? Too bad! Just kidding, we totally want to hear what you believe is worthy of a mention, so be sure to sound off in the comments below with your top 10.
