Every PS1 Launch Title, Ranked

The original PlayStation launched in Japan in 1994 and the US in 1995. What originally started as a CD-ROM peripheral for the SNES became its own industry-defining piece of hardware.

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It was part of the 32-bit era, where competition was rife, and the name-brand recognition Sony had in the home console market was low. Because of that, Sony had to fight hard to convince third-party video game developers to lend their support. They didn’t have the likes of Naughty Dog or Santa Monica Studio fighting in their corner. But that didn’t stop them from releasing a few bangers… and a few duds.

12

Street Fighter: The Movie

Not to Be Confused With the Movie, Street Fighter

Street Fighter: The Movie is, confusingly, the name of the video game adaptation of the film Street Fighter. And much like the movie, it was one big stinker among the PS1’s launch titles. What made it even worse was that it came from one of the greatest fighting game franchises of all time. Calling it a disappointment would be an understatement.

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The game suffered from a painfully low framerate, atrocious voice acting, and sprites that barely resembled their film counterparts. And yet, despite the negative reviews, it was a commercial hit for Capcom. Apparently, players weren’t jaded by movie tie-ins just yet.

11

Power Serve 3D Tennis

Impressive Graphics, Not So Impressive Game

The third and by far the most forgettable sports title in the PS1’s launch lineup was Power Serve 3D Tennis. While its visuals earned some praise—some even calling it a glorified tech demo— that’s where the backhanded compliments ended. Critics grabbed their rackets and ultimately took aim with its baffling camera angles, sluggish gameplay, and frustrating controls.

Tennis fans would have to wait a few more years before their appetites were truly satisfied with Actua Tennis in 1998 and Anna Kournikova’s Smash Court Tennis in 1999.

10

Kileak: The DNA Imperative

Not Great, Not Terrible

The PS1’s first first-person shooter was Kileak: The DNA Imperative. If gamers have never heard of this title, we can’t blame them. This game has long been buried underneath the prestige of other best-sellers such as Medal of Honor, Duke Nukem: Total Meltdown, and the Doom PC port.

Kileak wasn’t exactly a bad game, it just wasn’t exactly good either. Critics and fans alike found fault in its lackluster copy/paste levels and uninspired gameplay. They gave it a death knell with these two words: “kinda boring”. Ouch.

9

Total Eclipse Turbo

It Was Not Turbo Time

Out of the two flight simulators to be released at the PS1’s launch, Total Eclipse Turbo lost that dogfight. Despite its more interesting out-of-this-world sci-fi setting where players took on the ‘90s go-to villains, aliens, it failed to outmaneuver Air Combat.

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Critics were unimpressed that this port of a year-old 3DO game had nothing new to add to the experience. While the visuals were impressive and the gameplay was solid, the game was seen as one of the weaker titles to be released alongside the PS1.

8

Zero Divide

Robotic Beats and Beatdowns

Zero Divide is a 3D fighting game that lets players pilot rock ‘em sock ‘em robots in a far-flung future. For its time, it was a pretty novel experience, featuring battles in non-walled arenas where fighters could strategically hang off the edge.

It’s also teeming full of top-notch robot designs, making full use of the PS1’s 32-bit hardware. It also had impressively smooth animations, solid mechanics, and a synth-laden soundtrack ripped straight from a ‘90s rave. Although, mastering the game’s moves was something best suited to more patient players.

7

The Raiden Project

A Worthy Arcade Translation

Taking two hit arcade games (Raiden and Raiden II) and packaging them into one, The Raiden Project is a fine take on the scroll shooter genre. It even included a “Horizontal Mode” that let players experience it just like in the arcade. All they had to do was turn their monitor on its side, a move that wasn’t exactly TV-friendly in the ‘90s.

Despite the risk of screen damage, the game was praised for faithfully translating the arcade experience to the PS1. Raiden II, in particular, was lauded for its engaging gameplay and thrilling two-player co-op.

6

Air Combat

Namco Aced the Flight Sim Genre

Before it became Ace Combat, the series first took flight under the more apt but far less catchy name, Air Combat. This groundbreaking combat flight simulator was based on the wildly popular arcade game of the same name, carrying much of that high-octane gameplay over to the console version. Namco delivered another launch classic packed with addictive action, cinematic cutscenes, and sound barrier-shattering effects.

These key ingredients helped it soar above the PS1’s other launch-day flight sim, Total Eclipse Turbo. And as we all know, it went on to spawn a legendary franchise that’s still flying high today.

5

ESPN Extreme Games

Punch and Kick Your Way to Victory

The ‘90s was a decade that put the X in extreme, and no other game on this list embodies that more than ESPN Extreme Games. It even got a later rerelease with the beyond-parody name: 1Xtreme. This PS1 launch title lets players skateboard, rollerblade, street luge, and mountain bike as well as punch and kick each other in the least sportsmanlike way possible.

To remind everyone that this was an ESPN-licensed game, ex-anchor and sideline reporter Suzy Kolber would pop up to critique players’ performances whether they liked it or not. Reviews were mild to positive, but that didn’t stop it from becoming one of the platform’s best-selling titles.

4

NBA Jam Tournament Edition

The Best of the 3 Launch Sports Titles

Released

March 4, 1994

ESRB

E For Everyone

Before NBA 2K alley-ooped the market, the NBA Jam series was every baller’s go-to. Its fast-paced, run-n-gun gameplay made it the ultimate way to experience the NBA at the height of its golden age.

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For the PS1 launch lineup, NBA Jam Tournament Edition took the arcade sensation to home consoles. Unfortunately, Michael Jordan was noticeably absent, at his own request—though Midway did provide him with a private version that included him on the roster. If nothing else, the game gifted basketball fans one of the most iconic catchphrases in sports gaming history—Boomshakalaka!

3

Battle Arena Toshinden

Nearly Devoured Sega’s Saturn

Battle Arena Toshinden

Released

September 1, 1995

ESRB

e

The PS1’s best fighter at launch was none other than Battle Arena Toshinden. Originally billed as the “Saturn killer,” Sony had high hopes that it would outclass Sega’s hugely popular Virtua Fighter. That plan didn’t quite pan out, especially since the game was ported to the rival console less than a year later.

That didn’t stop Toshinden from being a massive hit for PlayStation, selling out in its first week. Beyond its commercial success, it won over critics with its colorful cast, dynamic camera, intricate stage design, and for being one of the first games to truly bring fighters into the 3D realm.

2

Rayman

The Beginning of a Legendary Platforming Franchise

Released

September 1, 1995

ESRB

e

Before it became the behemoth it is today with over 45 games under its belt, Rayman had a not-so-humble beginning as the PS1’s first great platformer. While it wasn’t a PlayStation exclusive (also launching on the Atari Jaguar), the PS1 version was widely considered the best way to play, helping the console stand tall against the likes of Nintendo and Sega.

Here was a mascot that could go toe-to-toe with Mario and Sonic. Some players even call Rayman the “Dark Souls” of PS1 launch titles. We won’t go that far—it’s a tired cliché—so instead let’s say it was the “Dark Souls 2” of PS1 launch titles!

1

Ridge Racer

Deservedly In Poll Position

Ridge Racer

Systems

Released

November 30, 1993

ESRB

E for Everyone

The PlayStation 1’s best launch game wasn’t even made for it – it was made for Namco’s arcade machines. But to call it a port would be a disservice, as Namco had to rebuild this acclaimed racer from the ground up to work on this newfangled thing called a CD-ROM.

Modern players might scoff at its description of being “the most realistic driving game ever” but that is what we had to work with in the ‘90s. And at the time, it was the closest armchair-bound gamers could get to burning rubber.

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