7 Best Fighting Games Only Available on the PS1, Ranked

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As a child of the 90s, I’ve grown up with the roar of digital combat echoing through my speakers, and the clash of pixelated fists shaking the very foundations of my living room. The PlayStation 1 was more than just a gaming console to me; it was a gateway to a world where dreams could be realized in the form of digital avatars, where I could test my mettle against the mightiest warriors from across the realms.

Sega’s Virtua Fighter pioneered a new path in gaming, even though its pixelated graphics may seem outdated today. It demonstrated that incorporating 3D characters into games could be an appealing concept. As stated by former Sony Computer Entertainment executive producer Shigeo Maruyama, this was a significant factor in their decision to develop the PlayStation as a device capable of handling 3D graphics.

Consequently, it quickly became the primary hub for 3D fighting games and gave birth to some timeless titles such as Tekken 2 and Bloody Roar. Many of its top-tier installments were either adapted or reissued for other platforms, either digitally or in collections. However, there are several standout releases that, at present, can only be experienced on the original PlayStation console.

7. Tobal No.1

Behind in Sales, But Ahead of its Time

  • Developer: DreamFactory.
  • Platform: PS1.
  • Release: October 1996.

In addition to being influenced by VF1, the PlayStation 1 marked the arrival of its first significant competitor in Tekken. Namco’s game was developed by former Sega AM-2 team members and specifically designed for the PlayStation 1. Essentially, their arcade board was a more memory-rich version of the PlayStation 1, and its port became the first game to sell over 1 million units on the console. However, after creating Tekken, designer Seiichi Ishi and his team departed to establish DreamFactory, where they produced distinctive fighting games for Squaresoft.

Title Number One was pioneering as it introduced seamless 60FPS combat gameplay in a brawling style. The characters were creatively designed by Akira Toriyama, known for his work on Dragon Ball. What sets it apart is its engaging RPG-inspired, dungeon exploration quest mode. Its standout feature was the grapple/counter mechanism, allowing characters to seize their opponents from various angles – sideways, behind, or even by intercepting an attack. After securing a hold, players could execute different attacks and throws with a simple command. This mechanic is common in today’s 3D fighters, but it was remarkably innovative when introduced in 1996.

6. Tobal 2

A Hidden Gem with a Titanic Roster

  • Developer: DreamFactory.
  • Platform: PS1.
  • Release: April 1997.

Man, I’ve got to say, Tobal No.1 didn’t quite hit the big time but it’s found a dedicated following thanks to its one-of-a-kind features. If it had taken off, Western gamers might have been able to get their hands on the sequel, Tobal 2. It kept the slick grapple/counter gameplay and even added an extra layer with each character having a special, unblockable fireball move you could use in a pinch.

The game reintroduced the Quest Mode, allowing players to seize its monsters for use within the primary game. Most of these creatures were essentially reskinned with identical abilities, but this was sufficient to provide over 200 playable characters, one of which being a Chocobo from Final Fantasy. This is intriguing since DreamFactory would later incorporate Final Fantasy VII’s Cloud, Tifa, and Sephiroth into Ehrgeiz: God Bless the Ring.

5. Marvel Vs Capcom (PS1)

Changing the Clash of Superheroes to Fit into Sony’s Gray Box

  • Developer: Capcom.
  • Platform: PS1.
  • Release: January 2000.

Let me clarify, aren’t we talking about Marvel Vs Capcom? This title has been adapted and re-launched across numerous platforms! Interestingly, it’s also included in the Marvel Vs Capcom Fighting Collection. The reason for its presence here is that the PlayStation 1 version of the game differs significantly from its arcade predecessor. In order to accommodate Sony’s hardware, it underwent numerous alterations and, in essence, became almost a new game on its own.

In this game, players can’t tag their partners during battles, but their partner functions as an assist character, along with the original assist characters provided in the game. You can use both infinitely, which could result in some powerful combos. Additionally, super moves can now be canceled into each other, amplifying their power. Players also have the option to play as Onslaught and use the Magnetic Shockwave, a move usually reserved for Mega Man’s finale. It might not be as good as the original, but it offers an unusual and enjoyable experience due to its surreal nature when compared to the original version.

4. Street Fighter EX+ Alpha

A Heavy, Polygonal Dose of Nostalgia

  • Developer: Arika.
  • Platform: PS1.
  • Release: October 1997.

These days, it’s more likely that people are acquainted with Street Fighter EX+ Alpha than its arcade predecessors, EX and EX+. This is especially true in terms of audio, as the arcade tunes seem underdeveloped when compared to their remixes on the PlayStation 1. Additionally, they lack ‘Precious Heart’, a lively saxophone theme that’s well-known among fighting game enthusiasts, often associated with the end of Maximillian Dood’s YouTube videos.

This particular tune, reminiscent of an anime from the ’90s and set in a school environment, was specifically crafted for Sakura – one of the fresh faces at the port alongside Dhalsim. In addition to these new characters, the game introduced a unique feature called the combo trial mode where players had to successfully complete various challenge sequences of combos. This innovative mechanic, though the game may have appeared blocky even in 1997, has left a significant impact on the Street Fighter series, with its reappearance in games like Street Fighter 4 and beyond. In essence, despite its somewhat primitive appearance, EX+A holds more clout than one might initially assume.

3. Street Fighter EX2 Plus

A Double Dose of EX Action

  • Developer: Arika.
  • Platform: PS1.
  • Release: May 2000.

As a gamer, I find EX+A a bit challenging to play today, but with practice, it’s manageable. However, playing Street Fighter in slow motion isn’t really appealing. But, the Street Fighter EX2 Plus made things smoother by enhancing the control sensitivity and adding Excels. With a press of two buttons, players can utilize a third of their super gauge to chain any attack together until it runs out. Otherwise, they can save all three super gauge chunks to execute a Meteo Combo, an extremely powerful (and sometimes quite bizarre) super move that can swiftly deplete the opponent’s health bar.

The revised version, titled EX2 Plus, reintroduced the combo trials, along with pivotal characters like Bison, Darun, and others who were absent in the arcade original. Notably, it also features exclusive secret characters such as Hayate, the swordsman. Despite its merits, EX2 Plus is generally considered less enjoyable to play than EX+A due to factors like fewer endings, the absence of Sakura (a fan favorite), and less captivating music. This could be why it’s not as fondly remembered as its predecessor.

2. Soul Blade

How the Stage of History Was Set Up

  • Developer: Namco.
  • Platforms: Arcade, PS1.
  • Release: January 1997.

Many individuals initially became involved with the SoulCalibur franchise by playing the initial game on the Dreamcast, which allowed them to move around the stage in 8 directions and knock opponents out of the ring using Ivy Valentine and her whip sword. However, it’s important to note that while it carries the name SoulCalibur, this game isn’t actually the first in the series. Namco’s saga of swords and souls actually started with Soul Edge, also known as Soul Blade.

Back in the day, I dived into the world of Soulcalibur for the first time with Soul Blade. This game set the tone for the entire series, introducing signature elements like the immersive Story Mode for Edge Master, the QTE-infused endings (reappearing in SoulCalibur 3), and iconic characters such as Siegfried, Sophitia, and Taki. It’s quite a twist that the game’s main antagonist from Soul Calibur 1, Nightmare, can be unlocked in this game, donning red armor and going by the name Siegfried! (Can you believe it?!)

1. Tekken 3

The King of PS1 Fighters Remains Stuck on Its Throne

Without a doubt, Tekken 3 stands out as the superior fighting game on PlayStation 1. While some gamers may lean towards the versions of Street Fighter Alpha or Dead or Alive (possibly due to their perceived superiority on Sega Saturn), it’s Tekken 3 that has held up best over time. It boasts the most intuitive controls, captivating cinematics, and some of the genre’s most memorable characters such as Jin Kazama, Hwoarang, Ling Xiaoyu, and more. Interestingly, unlike its predecessors Tekken 1 and 2, Tekken 3 has not been remastered or re-released to date.

In a nutshell, Tekken 3 doesn’t have a standalone release title outside of its original platform. Its arcade version was showcased in Tekken 5, and its PAL (Players in Europe and Australia) version was included on the PlayStation Classic. The reason for this could be that it introduced the series’ first guest character, Gon, who was exclusive to the PS1 version. This dinosaur, along with certain cinematics and additional modes, wasn’t available in other versions. Unless Bandai-Namco decides to bring back Gon or finds a way to remove him from the game (which might be challenging given it was released 27 years ago), Tekken 3 is likely to remain confined to the PlayStation 1.

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2024-12-22 22:07