15 Games That MUST Be On The PlayStation Classic

5. Syphon Filter

Ps1 Classic Feat
989 Studios

Poor Gabe Logan's timing was about as wonky as his run. 989's ambitious stealth-action banger Syphon Filter had the unfortunate honour of releasing just as Metal Gear Solid was forcing a rethink of review scoring scales - and as a game with a hopelessly similar premise, it surely couldn't withstand the competition.

The studio's dismal expectations were confounded, as Syphon Filter sneaked into the top of the charts, the public drawn in by its bombastic set-pieces, emergent AI and advanced graphics. The game's unexpected popularity prompted a hastily coded sequel - one which in the process of trying to impress the player, managed to lose track of its identity. The original may not have aged especially well - the motion capture has all the grace of a break-dancing giraffe - but it's an oft-forgotten gem of the PlayStation's golden era, and long overdue a revisit.

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.