8 PS1 Classics That Aged Badly – Investment Policy

Can you believe the original PlayStation is turning thirty in North America in 2025? It first came out in ’95, a bit after it launched in Japan, and honestly, nobody expected Sony to shake up the console world like they did. They totally proved the doubters wrong! What’s really cool is how many PS1 games are still fun to play today. I’ve been revisiting classics like Final Fantasy 7, Resident Evil 2, and even PaRappa the Rapper – they’ve either been ported to new systems or remastered, so they still hold up!

Some PlayStation 1 games require the original disc to even start, and even then, they might not be enjoyable. Clunky controls or confusing gameplay in these titles don’t really showcase the console’s strengths.

Alone In The Dark: One-Eyed Jack’s Revenge

Important, But A Tough Horror Game

Back in 1996, PlayStation owners were getting into survival horror thanks to games like Resident Evil, which, while a little rough around the edges by today’s standards, was still a great game. Alone in the Dark: One-Eyed Jack’s Revenge was a re-release of the 1993 game Alone in the Dark 2, specifically for North American PlayStation players. However, it didn’t quite measure up to Resident Evil back then, and it still doesn’t today.

Even on modern hardware like the PS5, playing this original PlayStation game feels clunky. The controls are unresponsive, the menus are confusing, and the game doesn’t offer much guidance. However, it does stand out for letting you use powerful Tommy Guns to fight zombies from the very beginning – something you don’t see in many games.

Beyond The Beyond

Golden Age Origins

Developer: Camelot Software Planning
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Platform: PS1
Released: September 11, 1996 (NA)

Camelot Software Planning, known for creating the Shining series on Sega and later the Golden Sun series for Nintendo, developed Beyond the Beyond. The game features large character sprites and lively battle effects that are reminiscent of Golden Sun and still look impressive for a PlayStation 1 title in 2025.

Interestingly, the unique combat system in Beyond the Beyond actually came before Super Mario RPG. However, the game as a whole is hard to enjoy. The story isn’t very engaging, you’ll face tough enemies frequently right from the beginning, and it doesn’t compare favorably to other great role-playing games on the PlayStation 1. Plus, it’s very difficult to play today unless you have the original game disc or use emulation.

Blasto

God Bless Phil Hartman

Developed by Sony Interactive Studios America, Blasto was a notable action platformer when it launched in 1998. It remains a PlayStation 1 exclusive and is difficult to play officially today. Despite being a first-party Sony title, the game didn’t receive great reviews at the time due to clunky platforming and inaccurate aiming – issues that are even more noticeable now.

The best thing about the game, then and now, is its main character. Phil Hartman, famous for his work on Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons, voiced Blasto, and his performance brought a lot of personality to the game that still shines through. Sadly, this was one of Hartman’s final roles, as he passed away just a month after the game was released.

Disruptor

Insomniac’s Debut

Released in 1996 only for the PlayStation 1, Disruptor was the very first game created by Insomniac Games. While it was a unique title, the studio would achieve even greater success with the original Spyro game in 1998. Disruptor was a first-person shooter set in the future, featuring unusual weapons and psychic abilities – players could even shock enemies with electricity!

Many early console shooters tried their best, but after Halo: Combat Evolved revolutionized the genre in 2001, older games felt outdated. Disruptor isn’t the worst shooter on the PlayStation 1 – it had some interesting abilities and relatively open levels – but clunky controls and inconsistent shooting prevent it from being a truly memorable classic.

Medal Of Honor

Will Fighting Nazi’s Ever Get Old?

The Medal of Honor series started in 1999 as a game only available on PlayStation. While it doesn’t feel as polished today, it was a significant improvement over Disruptor. EA invested heavily in making a compelling World War II game, and that effort launched a very successful franchise.

The game faithfully recreates the feel of the original, but even those who remember it fondly will likely stop playing after a short time. It’s not a matter of accessibility – the game is available to play now. Rather, the original PlayStation’s limited controls simply weren’t well-suited for first-person shooters, and Medal of Honor is negatively affected by these limitations.

Syphon Filter

Cool Taser, Bro

Released in 1999, Syphon Filter was Sony’s attempt to create a game similar to Metal Gear Solid. Players take on the roles of special agents tasked with preventing a dangerous virus from spreading. While fundamentally a spy game, it doesn’t quite deliver on the promise of impressive gadgets or smooth stealth gameplay.

The game can be surprisingly difficult, and strict rules often lead to repeated attempts. Sneaking around isn’t very well done, but shooting enemies is enjoyable thanks to the forgiving auto-aim. The Air Taser is particularly satisfying to use. Later Syphon Filter games, especially those on the PSP, are stronger, but this original title is worth a look if you’re interested and have a PS5.

Tomb Raider

Indi-Anna Jones

Although Tomb Raider initially launched in Europe on the Sega Saturn in 1996, PlayStation fans in North America didn’t have to wait long to play it. Lara Croft quickly became a gaming icon of the 90s, and the idea of an action-packed adventure starring a strong female character, similar to Indiana Jones, was a stroke of genius. Both the game and its heroine looked incredibly advanced for their time. However, players needed to be dedicated, as the game’s controls were quite challenging and took some getting used to.

Old Resident Evil games used clunky controls, but that was okay because you didn’t need precise movement. However, in a game like Tomb Raider, those same controls made jumping difficult and frustrating. Tank controls just don’t work well for platforming. Luckily, there are now much better ways to play Tomb Raider, such as Tomb Raider: Anniversary, and even a full remake called Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis coming in 2026.

Twisted Metal

Cheesy Chaos

Released in 1995 soon after the PlayStation launched in North America, Twisted Metal quickly became a popular game. It featured a variety of drivers all competing to win wishes from a strange figure named Calypso. At its heart, the game was a demolition derby where players could equip their cars with weapons like missile launchers and machine guns.

While the driving and shooting in the original Twisted Metal are playable – and certainly not the worst of its time – it doesn’t have the over-the-top personality and excitement that the later games became known for. It is compatible with the PS5, but we wouldn’t strongly recommend revisiting it.

2026-01-05 06:07