Best Modern Games To Play If You Miss The PS1

Summary

Pixel-based indie games that resemble old consoles like the NES and PS1 are gaining popularity.
Fans crave nostalgic releases like Shovel Knight, Ball x Pit, Aether Singularity, and more.
Indie games are crafting titles with PS1 aesthetics, from horror (Crow Country) to platformers (Frogun).

Instead of fretting over inflated budgets to maintain state-of-the-art visuals in line with next-gen graphics, independent game creators have discovered an innovative approach. They’re focusing on designing games that evoke nostalgia for older consoles such as the NES, SNES, and PS1. It appears that if a game is captivating, its graphic quality doesn’t need to be top-notch.

Fans seem to be yearning for retro-style releases akin to Shovel Knight, as demonstrated by their response. While there are more indie pixel games than polygonal ones, PlayStation 1 enthusiasts can rest assured. Titles such as Ball x Pit and Aether Singularity are on the horizon, along with numerous other games that emulate the classic look of PS1 games, appearing across various genres.

Crow Country

A Theme Park Of Death

In the gaming world, I’ve stumbled upon this chilling masterpiece known as Crow Country. Its visual aesthetic bears a striking resemblance to Final Fantasy 7’s iconic polygonal charm. However, unlike traditional RPGs, Crow Country is an indie horror title offering a top-down perspective. It comes equipped with the essential elements of inventory management and intriguing puzzles that keep you hooked.

Investigators assume the role of Mara, a detective, who journeys to an eerie, deserted park to uncover what transpired there. During this exploration, players will encounter puzzling evidence, engage in conversations with disturbed non-player characters, and confront mutant enemies as they delve deeper into the mystery. This intriguing indie horror game has been highly acclaimed for quite some time.

Frogun

A Sticky Platformer

The game titled “Frogun” is reminiscent of the top-down platformer style seen in “Mega Man Legends,” particularly its use of cel-shading on the PlayStation 1. The name itself is self-explanatory as the player wields a frog-like gun, which can be used to latch onto surfaces like a grappling hook, move boxes to solve puzzles, or propel players into enemies.

This weapon offers great adaptability in use, becoming manageable from the very start, and it’s often ranked among the greatest of all time. Its stages are creatively designed and quite compact, reminiscent of levels found in Super Mario 3D Land for the 3DS system.

Nightmare Kart

An Unofficial Bloodborne Spinoff

Enthusiasts of PlayStation are clamoring for either a remake or new installment of the game Bloodborne, resulting in numerous fan-made creations from the indie community. One such project is Nightmare Kart, a free-to-play game available on Steam that can also be enjoyed on a Steam Deck.

This game is a spin-off of the classic Mario Kart, featuring distinct characters and tracks, but with a darker, gothic atmosphere. It’s primarily aimed at fans of Bloodborne, though kart racing enthusiasts might also find it interesting. Given that it’s free, there’s no reason not to give it a try!

Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit In Wonder Labyrinth

An Homage To The Great

The video game titled “Wonder Labyrinth: Deedlit’s Journey in Lodoss War” draws inspiration from a long-standing Japanese light novel series, featuring various adaptations throughout the years. This Metroidvania-style game strongly resembles “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night,” capturing its essence with similar character models and leveling-up systems. As players progress, they will unlock new abilities that open up new paths in the game, creating an engaging and straightforward gameplay experience.

The development team, known as Team Ladybug, has created other notable Metroidvania games such as Blade Chimera and Touhou Luna Nights. However, among their works, Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth seems to resemble a PlayStation 1 game the most.

Say No! More

Motivated Office Workers

As a gamer, I’d describe “Say No! More” as an utterly hilarious game that takes after the visual style of characters from the Mega Man Legends series, specifically Frogun. In this game, you step into the shoes of a mindless office drone who says yes to everything, but things take a turn when you find a motivational tape that helps you learn the power of saying no!

The tape functioned excessively effectively, as saying “No!” was comparable to discharging a weapon in other games. “Say No! More” isn’t the most intricate third-person “shooter,” but it genuinely manages to be amusing, which can be challenging for an indie game.

Sorry We’re Closed

Persona Meets Resident Evil

Another chilling game to consider is ‘Sorry We’re Closed,’ which boasts an art style and atmosphere reminiscent of ‘Persona.’ The gameplay involves exploring a compact urban landscape as the character Michelle, while also venturing into subterranean locales akin to a subway system.

Through a mystical pact with a demon, Michelle gains the ability to traverse different realities within dungeons, uncovering hidden information such as the vulnerabilities of adversaries. The game offers players two strategies: ranged attacks against enemies or engaging them in close combat using an axe. Initially, the pace is leisurely, but the game’s unique style is captivating enough to keep you engaged until the end.

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun

An Old-School Shooter

There appears to be an endless stream of Warhammer games, making it challenging to stay current, but Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun certainly stands out. This game is a first-person shooter that employs sprite-like models for enemies, much like the original DOOM did. Interestingly enough, DOOM also received a PlayStation 1 port.

The game Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun stands out as an exceptional entry within the Warhammer series, but it also shines brightly in the broader first-person shooter genre. It offers a thrilling experience, delivering fun with every pixelated splatter of virtual blood. Furthermore, the game doesn’t bog you down with complex narratives, while its weapon variety is impressively diverse.

Yellow Taxi Goes Vroom

Platforming In A Car?

Developer: Panik Arcade
Publisher: Those Awesome Guys
Released: April 9, 2024
Platform: PC

The yellow taxi resembles the style of Frogun, and it too belongs to the genre of platformers. However, unlike traditional characters, players control a wind-up taxi. This unique twist introduces challenges in platforming, as the players not only navigate but also have to manage speed boosts to clear certain jumps successfully.

The phrase “Yellow Taxi Goes Vroom” undeniably carries a steep learning curve, which might initially seem challenging. However, its distinctive worth within the broader independent community is incontrovertible.

2025-09-02 05:38