Best Licensed Games For PlayStation 1

As someone who grew up with the golden age of gaming, I can wholeheartedly say that these three games are absolute classics that have left a lasting impression on me and countless others. The Die Hard Trilogy took the action genre to new heights, allowing players to engage in thrilling shootouts and high-speed chases in iconic locations. Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue transported us into the vibrant world of Andy’s toys, offering a unique blend of platforming and combat that still holds up today. And let’s not forget the original Spider-Man for PlayStation One, which laid the foundation for the modern Spider-Man games we all know and love. It was a joy to swing through the city, taking down villains with web cartridges and unlocking new costumes.

As a devoted gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but reminisce about the original PlayStation console that sparked my love for video games. The collection of timeless titles it housed has left an indelible mark on gamers worldwide. Nostalgia certainly adds to our enduring affection for these classic games. Yet, some of those games still hold up today, offering the same thrill and excitement they did back then.

Despite the common view that licensed games may not be top-notch, many PlayStation 1 games with licenses can still hold their ground as beloved titles from the 90s and early 2000s. This list will highlight eight exceptional licensed games for the PlayStation 1, which were impressive in terms of gameplay, graphics (considering the era), and overall fun factor.

8 Bugs Bunny: Lost In Time

A Hopping Platformer With Looney Mechanics

Released 1999
Developed by Behaviour Interactive
Published by Infogrames
Platform game

To start off, one of the two games featuring Looney Tunes listed here is “Bugs Bunny: Lost In Time”. This game offers a robust platforming experience as you assume the role of the mischievous Bugs Bunny himself. After finding yourself in a temporal rift, your mission is to gather a specific quantity of golden carrots and clocks, enabling you to traverse five distinct time periods and bring our hero back home.

In my enthusiastic journey through this game, I discover that every phase holds a specific quantity of carrots or timepieces for me to gather. Once gathered, fresh realms unfold before me. Each epoch is symbolized by a hub, which can be reached via a time machine. The game offers a blend of combat and platforming, yet it’s the Looney Tunes-esque madness that truly sets it apart. For instance, Bugs Bunny can burrow underground to dodge adversaries or glide down from high platforms by using his ears like propellers.

7 Looney Tunes: Sheep Raider

Stealthy Sheep Theft Delivers Enjoyable, Classic Antics

In another delightful take on the classic Looney Tunes series, you’ll find “Looney Tunes: Sheep Raider,” a game that offers an intriguing blend of stealth and puzzle-solving elements. This time, players slip into the cunning persona of the red-nosed character, Ralph Wolf. The objective is to snatch sheep, but be warned, it’s not as simple as it sounds. The flock is under the vigilant gaze of Sam the Sheepdog, making your job a real challenge!

Characters must sneakily acquire sheep without tipping off Sam, and they can achieve this by purchasing diverse devices from ACME for the purpose. Different strategies for capturing sheep include enticing them with lettuce or employing sheep-attracting scents. Ralph may also conceal himself among bushes and move stealthily to avoid detection by Sam. As the game advances, Sam becomes increasingly swift, making sheep-napping progressively harder as the levels escalate.

The PlayStation 1 game, “Looney Tunes: Sheep Raider,” stands out as a timeless favorite due to its unique ability to turn stealth elements into an engaging and entertaining experience – something that many modern games struggle to achieve.

6 Ghost In The Shell

Written and Designed By The Original Manga Author

The Ghost in the Shell series has had its share of peaks and valleys throughout its history, but the 1997 PlayStation 1 game stands out as one of its greatest achievements. In fact, since the original manga author Masamune Shirow penned the story and provided the artwork for this game, it can be considered a faithful adaptation of the source material.

In this game, players maneuver a robotically designed fighting tank called Fuchikoma. This tank resembles a spider mechanistically and aesthetically, allowing it to cling to ceilings and scale walls. It’s equipped with guided missiles and dual machine guns for combat. Operating the Fuchikoma is enjoyable and was a standout feature in its time due to its innovative control system.

Regardless of criticisms about the game’s levels appearing similar, the exceptional design and control of the Fuchikoma character in Ghost In The Shell made it stand out as one of the top-rated PlayStation 1 games based on a license.

5 Alien Trilogy

The First Three Alien Movies In One Game

Over the course of time, there have been exceptional games featuring aliens, as well as those that fell short of expectations. Among them, the Alien Trilogy for PlayStation 1 stands out as one of the finest – a distinction it continues to hold even in the present day.

In this game, the storyline is inspired by the events of the first three Alien films, placing you in the shoes of Ellen Ripley. Over the course of the game’s thirty stages, elements from the Alien universe make an appearance, such as the terrifying aliens, chestbursters, and face huggers. Additionally, weapons and gear reminiscent of those used in the movies, like the signature pulse rifle, are incorporated into gameplay.

Besides garnering acclaim for its accurate portrayal of the eerie film ambiance and immersive shooting mechanics, Alien Trilogy was distinguished by its use of groundbreaking motion capture technology. This technological leap was particularly significant for its time, elevating it not just as one of the top-tier licensed PlayStation 1 games, but also as a game that left a lasting impact on the evolution of motion capture in gaming history.

4 Hercules

2D Side-Scrolling Mythological Adventure

Back in the day, Disney produced a bunch of fantastic video games for the PlayStation 1, based on their timeless movies. One of the standout titles from that era is the game called Hercules, which offers an exciting mix of action, platforming, and side-scrolling visuals using two-dimensional graphics.

Although the game is mostly 2D, similar to the Disney NES games, it takes things to the next level with a 32-bit style. This style acts as a bridge of sorts between the previous generation of Disney gaming and the current one (for the time), giving it a unique nature.

This game boasts exceptional graphics, employing hand-drawn animations to craft sprites that blend seamlessly with their environments. The game isn’t confined by conventions; although most stages are side-scrolling, it occasionally switches to a third-person view for boss fights and special events.

Despite a few detractors finding the gameplay shallow, it’s clear that the PlayStation 1 game “Hercules” significantly influenced the development of subsequent Disney video games.

3 Die Hard Trilogy

Three Game Genres In One

Just as the Alien Trilogy did, the Die Hard Trilogy transformed its three films into one video game. However, unlike the Alien Trilogy, each movie in the Die Hard Trilogy game was adapted into a distinct genre, resulting in a varied and captivating action title for the PlayStation 1.

In the trilogy of video games based on the Die Hard series, each title takes a different gameplay approach:

The Die Hard Trilogy not only garnered both critical acclaim and financial success, but each installment was exceptionally enjoyable and meticulously crafted. It’s clear that the Die Hard Trilogy is an outstanding example of a licensed game, still proving to be entertaining when played in the present day.

2 Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear To The Rescue!

3D Platforming With Fun Combat

In contrast to Hercules, which blended 2D aesthetics with some 3D features, Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue was an entirely 3D game. Unlike many earlier Disney titles, this game offered players a greater degree of freedom in their gameplay.

In this game, players assume the character of Buzz Lightyear, following a storyline inspired by the movie “Toy Story 2”. The adventure begins when Woody gets kidnapped, and it’s on Buzz and the other toys from Andy’s collection to save him. Players will traverse through various environments such as Andy’s home, the surrounding neighborhood, and Al’s Toy Barn. A key gameplay mechanic involves using Buzz’s wings for double jumps, while combat with enemies is handled using his wrist laser and spin attack. His laser can be aimed, causing a change in camera perspective to a first-person view.

Boasting enjoyable and creative gameplay, Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue stood out as an exceptional Disney title and among the top-tier licensed games for the PlayStation 1.

1 Spider-Man

A Swinging Adventure With Familiar Mechanics

There’s no argument about it: The initial Spider-Man game for PlayStation One was groundbreaking, and without it, we may not have experienced the critically praised Marvel’s Spider-Man from Insomniac Games in 2018.

In the PlayStation 1’s Spider-Man game, players take on the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man, who finds himself trying to prove his innocence after being framed by a look-alike. Navigation through the game environment is achieved by swinging using webs, scaling walls and ceilings, and quickly moving to specific locations. In fights, Spidey relies on a limited supply of web projectiles to ensnare foes. Additionally, he engages in engaging hand-to-hand combat sequences.

In this game, you’ll encounter several famous Spidey foes like Venom, Doctor Octopus, and Rhino, just to mention a few. As you advance, the legendary Stan Lee provides narration, which adds a nice touch. Additionally, as you play, you can unlock various costumes for Spider-Man, some of which offer special abilities, while others are purely for style.

This PlayStation 1 game shares many mechanics with contemporary Spider-Man video games, including web-slinging, costume options, and combat. The development of modern Spider-Man games would likely not have been feasible without the designs laid out in games like this one.

Back in the day, playing Spider-Man on my trusty ol’ PlayStation 1 was an absolute blast! The mechanics were spot-on and the graphics, believe it or not, were crystal clear for a PS1 – talk about pushing the limits! This game was a significant milestone that shaped the superhero video game genre as we know it today. It’s legendary on its own merits, and it holds the title of the best licensed PlayStation 1 game in my book.

2024-09-03 08:34