10 PS1 Games That Still Look Good In 2018

The PS1 may be old, but it can still turn heads.

By Tanner Fox /

Originally released all the way back in December of 1994, Sony's PlayStation helped to usher in a bold new era of 3D gaming. Of course, though revolutionary at the time, most of the titles available on this relic of gaming history now seem underwhelming, to say the least.

Advertisement

An era in which 2D sides-scrollers were out and rough, polygonal 3D environments were in, it's easy to look back and question just what people were thinking at the time. Titles like Star Wars: Masters of Teras Kasi and Bubsy 3D may seem horrendously mediocre by today's standards, but that doesn't mean they're indicative of the system's overall quality.

It may seem difficult to believe, but some original PlayStation games hold up mighty well today. They may be clunky and jagged, but it is hard to deny the charm of some of these experiences. In a modern era infatuated with dull, uninspired mud-brown and gun-metal gray textures, it's refreshing to see just how vibrant and full-of-life these once-beloved games can be.

The original PlayStation didn't need to rely on gimmicky control schemes or 4K resolution to stand out either, and in most cases, it's amazing to see just how well the visuals of many PS1 classics hold up in 2018.

10. Tempest X3 (1996)

A PlayStation port of the Atari Jaguar's Tempest 2000, Tempest X3 evokes the sort of flashy, chaotic sensibilities of early arcade classics. It doesn't stand out because of its expertly-rendered models or over-the-top visual detail, but the game's bright colors and pseudo-Vectrex appeal make it memorable.

Advertisement

A nonstop assault on the senses, this title is about as colorful as they come, and it's so visually unique that, two decades after release, it's still being talked about. As an added bonus, the game's upbeat techno soundtrack is one of the most well-regarded of the era.

Many wannabe arcade games of this timeframe have fallen by the wayside, but Tempest X3 is still respected as a cult video game success story.

Outdone in the modern era only by twitch titles like Pac-man Championship Edition, games like Tempest X3 need to make a comeback. Today's HD resolution would turn this game into an unforgettable experience, and too many resources are currently being wasted on generating true-to-life looking dirt and mortar textures.

Advertisement