Most Underrated PS1 Games – Investment Policy

Summary

Games can be re-evaluated over time, leading to overlooked classics like Wild 9.
Tomb Raider Chronicles and Omega Boost offer unique gameplay experiences worth revisiting.
Alien Resurrection revolutionized console FPS controls and is still one of the best Alien games.

Over time, some games that were initially panned by critics and players alike can eventually be seen as classics or enjoyable titles. This transformation often happens with older games, such as those from the original PlayStation era, where it becomes challenging to objectively reassess numerous titles due to their age and cultural significance.

Let’s explore some underappreciated video games from console history. Our journey begins with titles offering exceptional gameplay that may have flown under the radar, and concludes with a game that was initially ridiculed but later proved instrumental in shaping modern first-person shooter (FPS) controls for consoles.

Wild 9

A Fantastic 2.5D sidescroller

“Wild 9” is a game from Shiny, a once-thriving studio renowned for creating some of the most uniquely innovative games ever made. Regrettably, Shiny’s later projects like ‘Enter The Matrix’ and ‘The Matrix: Path Of Neo’ didn’t fare well, but they were also responsible for hits such as ‘MDK’, ‘Messiah’, and ‘Sacrifice’.

Among its most impressive and least successful releases, Shiny Entertainment also developed “Wild 9,” a remarkable 2.5D side-scrolling game featuring a protagonist who could manipulate matter using his sci-fi arm. This unique ability allowed him to eliminate enemies in progressively gorier and more entertaining ways.

Tomb Raider Chronicles

Still Deserving Of Some Love

Although this Tomb Raider: Chronicles installment may not have been the most innovative entry among the initial PlayStation series, it remains an engaging and enjoyable game to play. The main issue with Chronicles, which likely led to its lower ratings, is its lack of novelty. However, the levels within the game offer several intriguing additions that make it worth playing.

An additional issue was that it didn’t fully resolve a storyline initiated in the prior game, however, it’s important to acknowledge that the narratives in these games are relatively new factors influencing purchases. Perhaps Chronicles should not have been priced at full value initially, but fortunately, players can now enjoy it at a more reasonable cost.

Omega Boost

Some Of The Most Fun Mech Action On The PS1

In Omega Boost, the team behind the Gran Turismo series, Polyphony Digital, introduced a mechanized game distinct from FromSoftware’s Armored Core series. Unlike the open-world exploration in Armored Core, Omega Boost offered a more guided gameplay experience, although it still delivered stunning stages that showcased the PS1’s capabilities to their full potential.

Unfortunately, the game titled “Omega Boost” was exceptionally challenging and featured an unusual campaign progression system that didn’t include a save function. In this game, players had just one opportunity to save the future, or it would be “game over.” This daring strategy unfortunately didn’t lead to extraordinary sales, but “Omega Boost” continues to serve as an impressive demonstration of Sony’s earliest console’s graphics and gameplay capabilities.

Evil Zone

A Wildly Original Fighter

Evil Zone didn’t perform as well as Tekken 3 because it offers a unique fighting experience that leans heavily on anime elements, including a super sentai-style character who can summon lasers from the sky to destroy opponents.

In comparison to its competitors, the controls of “Evil Zone” can feel somewhat cumbersome, but its unique blend of close-quarters combat with projectile battles within a 3D arena sets it apart as an intriguing exploration of potential directions for fighting games. Unlike any other fighting game out there, “Evil Zone” offers a distinctive gaming experience, and that’s not necessarily a negative thing.

007: Tomorrow Never Dies

It’s Not Goldeneye, But

Let’s tackle the obvious comparison straight away: while Tomorrow Never Dies may not reach the heights of Goldeneye 007, whether referring to the game or film, it doesn’t mean we should overlook the merits of Tomorrow Never Dies. After all, it has its own charm and value.

The game, developed by another company, didn’t anticipate that “GoldenEye” would achieve such immense popularity. Instead of the addictive first-person shooter (FPS) experience, “Tomorrow Never Dies” offers diverse gameplay sections, employing unique and exciting mechanics. This sets it apart from its predecessors in the “007” series, making it a distinctive yet valuable addition.

T’ai Fu: Wrath Of The Tiger

A Great Brawler

Among all these games I’ve come across, there’s none that leaves me more puzzled about its lack of fame than T’ai Fu. This side-scroller is packed with excitement, offering gamers the chance to string together an awesome series of combos to take down opponents, way before the days of Sifu.

If you loved the intense vibe of “Sifu” and are curious about how that game might have evolved over the years, then you ought to definitely try out “T’ai Fu: Wrath Of The Tiger”.

Akuji The Heartless

Great For Fans Of Soul Reaver

Akuji: The Heartless” – an underrated 3D action-adventure game, this one! Set in a storyline inspired by Haitian folklore, Akujii offers a wealth of intriguing lore alongside intense, challenging combat.

“Akuji: The Heartless”, an overlooked 3D action-adventure game, is based on a fictionalized take on Haitian mythology. With its deep backstory and tough gameplay, it’s as rich in brutal difficulty as it is in captivating lore.

Back in the day, I was part of an intriguing action-adventure title called “Akuji,” developed by Crystal Dynamics before they dove into “Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver.” Although it didn’t quite match the brilliance of their later work, “Akuji The Heartless” was overlooked and underrated in my opinion. It deserved far more recognition than it received. If you’re up for a PS1 challenge on par with the infamous “Dark Souls,” this game is definitely worth checking out!

Alien Resurrection

Still One Of The Best Alien Games

Upon its launch, “Alien Resurrection” – encompassing both the film and the video game – was heavily criticized by reviewers and devotees of the franchise. Interestingly, though, the game ultimately served as an eye-opener for players regarding what first-person shooter games on consoles should ideally emulate.

This game pioneered the use of analog sticks in a manner that’s standard across games today, and it also stands out as an impressive and chilling installment in the Alien game series. Interestingly, while many people may not have had the chance to play them, at the time of its release, Alien Resurrection was comparable in quality to how well-regarded Alien: Isolation is today.

2025-08-02 13:35