Table of Contents
- Final Fantasy VII: The RPG That Still Slaps
- Metal Gear Solid: Stealth, Sass, and Snake
- Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back—Jump, Spin, Repeat
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2: Kickflips & Nostalgia
- Resident Evil 2: Zombies, Panic, and Tank Controls
- PaRappa the Rapper: Before Guitar Hero Was Cool
- Suikoden II: The Sleeper Hit With a Cult Army
Intro
Okay, so 2025 is basically the year of PS1 nostalgia. Have you seen Pinterest lately? “PS1 games 2025” is blowing UP—like, 2900% more searches. Everybody wants to revisit old-school PlayStation magic. Let’s be honest, those chunky graphics? Kinda charming now. This is your quick-and-dirty guide (yep, SEO-approved for Google AND Pinterest, you’re welcome) to seven absolute legends from the PS1 era. Let’s crack open the vault and relive the good stuff. Game on.
Final Fantasy VII: The RPG That Still Slaps
Honestly, if you haven’t played FF7, what are you even doing? Cloud’s emo hair, Sephiroth’s one-winged nonsense, and a story that’ll have you low-key crying at 2am. GamesRadar says it’s one for the ages, and with over 10 million copies sold, I’d say they’re right. It’s got turn-based battles, wild plot twists, and, yes, THAT scene (you know the one). People are STILL talking about it on Pinterest, and you can play it on PS Plus Premium or just scoop up a copy on eBay if you’re feeling retro.
Why it rules:
- 40+ hours of melodrama, chocobos, and Materia grinding.
- You can grab it for like $20-$50.
- Wanna get hyped? SquareEnix.com’s got you covered.
Metal Gear Solid: Stealth, Sass, and Snake
Solid Snake. Cardboard boxes. Codec calls that last longer than my last relationship. Kojima basically redefined “cinematic gaming” before it was even a thing. The sneaking, the fourth-wall-breaking… it’s all genius! RetroGamingX is still raving on X, and even now, no one does espionage like this. Trust me, you’ll never look at a cardboard box the same way again.
Why it rules:
- Sneak around in cardboard, mess with guards, laugh at the bonkers plot.
- Copies float around $15-$40.
- Konami.com for the diehards.
Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back—Jump, Spin, Repeat
Crash is the ultimate chaos gremlin. The sequel’s where it really got good: tighter controls, better levels, and that warp room? Genius. DualShockers nerds out about the improvements, and retro fans are still making memes about Crash’s dance. It’s the perfect “just one more level” game—until you realize it’s 3am and you’ve missed work.
Why it rules:
- 25+ wild levels—jungles, sewers, snow, you name it.
- Cheap thrills: $10-$30.
- NaughtyDog.com if you want to worship at the altar.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2: Kickflips & Nostalgia
If you grew up thinking you could actually do a 900 spin in your driveway, you probably played this. The soundtrack slaps, the controls are perfect, and the custom park editor? Peak time-waster. ComicBasics is all about it. The vibes are immaculate, and you’ll STILL fall on your face trying to land that trick combo.
Why it rules:
- 13 pro skaters, 10+ insane parks, endless combos.
- Usually $15-$35, depending how crusty you like your discs.
- Activision.com has all the deets.
Resident Evil 2: Zombies, Panic, and Tank Controls
Alright, this one’s for the adrenaline junkies. Raccoon City is crawling with zombies, and you’ve got, like, three bullets and a green herb. Leon and Claire’s nightmare is a classic for a reason. Metacritic still shows crazy high scores, and the atmosphere? Spooky as ever. If you haven’t rage-quit over a puzzle, you haven’t lived.
Why it rules:
- Two campaigns, inventory headaches, and zombies that just won’t quit.
- $20-$50 depending on your luck.
- Capcom.com if you want to get real nerdy.
PaRappa the Rapper: Before Guitar Hero Was Cool
Kick, punch, it’s all in the mind! This was the OG rhythm game—quirky, weird, and way harder than it looks. IGN still bumps its soundtrack, and the art is pure ‘90s fever dream. If you love cult weirdness, this is it. Plus, rapping dogs? Iconic.
Why it rules:
- Rap battles with onions, moose, and chickens—seriously.
- Usually $15-$40 if you can find it.
- PlayStation.com for more nostalgia.
Suikoden II: The Sleeper Hit With a Cult Army
You want underrated? Here it is. Suikoden II has 108 recruitable characters (yes, really), a story that’ll punch you in the feels, and turn-based combat that never gets old. If you missed it back in the day, now’s your chance. It’s not just a game—it’s a right of passage.
Why it rules:
- Epic scale, tons of characters, and a plot that goes places.
- Harder to find, but worth every penny.
Outro
Look, the PS1 library is a goldmine, and these seven are just the tip of the iceberg. Whether you’re here for the nostalgia or just wanna see what the hype’s about, dust off that gray box (or fire up your emulator, I won’t tell) and dive in. One more time for the people in the back: PS1 classics hit different. Don’t sleep on ‘em.
