10 PS1 Games That Completely Messed With Your Mind

In retrospect, the era of the original PlayStation was a more experimental time for home console gaming, with developers able to turn a high profit margin on relatively inexpensive projects without the need for, or technology to support, an online service or microtransactions. This is most starkly reflected in the nearly 8,000 titles released for the console, with this number shrinking to just a little over 1,000 by the end of the PS3's time.

With quantities like this, we were always bound to find examples of the shocking and confusing, as well as game makers who wanted to subvert expectations and / or generally freak out some squares. Fortunately, the gaming world did not disappoint, leading to some unforgettable experiences for better or worse. Whether this be in their concept, their execution or through notable moments of the unexpected, these games were built on the back of their ability to leave their player dumbfounded.

From avant-garde art projects, to trans-dimensional monsters, to drum 'n' bass dolphins, in this list of disconcerting discs, we examine 10 PS1 games that completely messed with your mind.

Any list on video games that mess with your mind would be incomplete without reference to the Metal Gear series and Hideo Kojima's PS1 creation, Metal Gear Solid. Solid Snake's mission to foil FOXHOUND along with the game's stealth mechanics and interface are iconic, making this one of the essential PlayStation games. Alongside this however, there were no shortage of weird moments.

The highlight has to be the first encounter with FOXHOUND member Psycho Mantis, who claims to be able to read the player's mind. Mantis then proceeds to demonstrate his abilities by messing with the player in a few different ways. He can engage with a DualShock PS1 controller, turn the screen black, and even pry into an attached memory card, referencing the player's saved games along with some basic analysis of their gaming preferences.

The game existed before the ubiquity of the internet, meaning most first-time players were caught unawares by the developer's manipulation of the PS1 technology. Befuddling players would go onto be a staple of the series, with everything from fake glitches to open fourth wall breaks recurring throughout later games.