The Best RPG From Every Year Of The PS1’s Life

The original PlayStation launched Sony into the world of gaming, becoming known for its impressive collection of classic role-playing games. Sony took a risk by creating its own console after a failed collaboration with Nintendo, a decision that dramatically reshaped the gaming industry. This move introduced a major new competitor – one that continues to thrive almost thirty years later. The PS1 was revolutionary, and its release led many game publishers to begin working with Sony.

SquareSoft had a strong relationship with Nintendo until Sony entered the market. Role-playing games, or RPGs, became incredibly popular on the PlayStation 1, largely thanks to SquareSoft, though many other developers also helped build the console’s reputation. Initially, RPGs weren’t released widely in Western countries, so the dates we’ll focus on are primarily Japanese release dates. Let’s explore the history of RPGs on the PS1, from its launch in Japan in 1994 through 2002.

Okay, so when we’re talking about when a game first came out, I’m going to go by the very first release date, no matter if it was in Japan, here in North America, or over in Europe. That way, we all know exactly what we’re talking about and avoid any confusion!

9. 1994: King’s Field

Start Of Something Special

FromSoftware’s first game was King’s Field, but it was initially only released in Japan. Western players first encountered the series with King’s Field 2 in 1996, which was simply titled King’s Field outside of Japan. This means many people who believe they’ve played the original King’s Field have actually played the second game in the series.

Okay, so if you’re used to FromSoftware games, you already know they don’t really tell you what to do, and King’s Field is no different. It throws you into this crazy, winding dungeon with monsters and loot everywhere, and honestly, you’re pretty fragile. It wasn’t the best RPG back in ’94, but there wasn’t much competition, and it had a really cool, unique vibe. What’s cool is seeing where a lot of FromSoftware’s signature style started – the world-building is surprisingly strong. Honestly, nowadays it’s mostly interesting to play if you want to see the roots of everything they’d do later on.

8. 1995: Suikoden

Ambitious Character Roster

Though often eclipsed by its follow-ups, the original Suikoden was a remarkable game and could be considered the first truly excellent RPG on the PlayStation. Visually, it resembled a more detailed SNES title, so it wasn’t groundbreaking for its time, especially when it reached Western audiences in 1996. However, its fundamental turn-based gameplay offered a fresh experience for RPG fans.

At its heart, Suikoden is a game about collecting a huge group of over 100 allies. You’d use some in battles and others to manage your headquarters, and it remains a standout title for the original PlayStation. What really set it apart was the sheer number of characters you could recruit, letting you build a team of six from a massive roster. The game’s turn-based combat system also felt like a great improvement over previous games.

Other Great 1995 PS1 RPGs

Arc the Lad – While rough around the edges, G-Craft’s game was a respectable entry in the tactical RPG subgenre that told a great story for the era.
King’s Field 2 – Improves on the original in most ways, although it is still hard-as-nails and fairly obtuse.

7. 1996: Wild Arms

Classic Take On 3D Turn-Based Combat

Wild Arms blended the worlds of fantasy RPGs, such as Final Fantasy, with the feel of Western adventure games like Sunset Riders. The game featured a sprawling desert landscape with a minimalist background, and its characters were designed as adorable, small figures – a stylistic choice that surprisingly contrasted with the story’s often serious themes.

While later games in the series got even better, the original Wild Arms still holds up. It was an early example of 3D battles, and its combat system remains fun and engaging even today.

Other Great 1996 PS1 RPGs

Arc the Lad II – Builds expertly on its predecessor to craft an adventure that is better in nearly every way.
Revelations: Persona – Although not a great entry-point into the series, the original Persona showcased Atlus’ talent for strong writing and addictive but challenging combat.
Vandal Hearts – Very grounded strategic combat, mixed with an OK story.

6. 1997: Final Fantasy 7

The Definitive PS1 JRPG

1997 was a fantastic year for role-playing games on the PlayStation, but Final Fantasy 7 stands out as the best. It’s the game most people think of when they remember PS1 JRPGs, and it’s still considered one of the greatest in the genre. While Final Fantasy 6 was also incredible, FF7’s move to fully 3D graphics felt like a fresh start, and it paired that with a story that was both grand in scope and deeply personal. The classic turn-based combat remains enjoyable and holds up remarkably well even today.

Final Fantasy VII wasn’t just a game; it was a groundbreaking experience with a compelling story, impressive visuals for its time, a memorable soundtrack, and a unique character-building system. Its lasting popularity is no surprise, especially considering how easy it was to pick up and play.

Other Great 1997 PS1 RPGs

Breath of Fire 3 – Capcom’s underrated JRPG series produced mostly great games. While the second entry was superior, the 1997 release was nevertheless very good.
Final Fantasy Tactics – Honestly, an argument could be made that Tactics was the best Final Fantasy game of 1997; however, FF7 is just too iconic and influential to pass up. Nevertheless, this spin-off has aged well and is still among the franchise’s crowning achievements.
Tactics Ogre – This one is a bit of a cheat, as Tactics Ogre launched on the Super Famicom in 1996. However, the PS1 port came out in 1997.
Tales of Destiny – The real-time combat has aged worse than its turn-based peers, but the story is still pretty good.

5. 1998: Parasite Eve

Arguably The Greatest Horror RPG Of All Time

I still think Parasite Eve is one of the most original JRPGs out there, and it really showed how creative Squaresoft was back then. It’s set in New York City, and it took what made Resident Evil scary – the horror and puzzles – then mixed in RPG stuff. Instead of swords and spells, you mostly used guns, but there was this cool magic-like system too. You play as Aya Brea, a detective who has to figure out what’s causing all these monsters to suddenly appear in the city.

The combination of horror and RPG elements surprisingly works very well, and it’s surprising more game developers haven’t explored it. Classic PS1 RPGs, in particular, create a uniquely immersive and unsettling experience with their atmospheric environments, difficult battles, and stories that really showcase the capabilities of the original PlayStation.

Other Great 1998 PS1 RPGs

Brave Fencer Musashi – Good visuals, endearing sense of adventure, and good real-time combat.
Jade Cocoon: Story of the Tamamayu – Fun blend of JRPG tradition and creature-taming.
Star Ocean: The Second Story – Still regarded as a high-point in tri-Ace’s series, The Second Story was an important release in the action JRPG genre.
Suikoden 2 – Improves upon its predecessor in nearly every way. In a vacuum, this could be seen as superior to Parasite Eve; however, doubling down on the franchise seemed unnecessary.
Xenogears – An ambitious project that pushed the genre forward in a big way, with great storytelling and a novel twist on turn-based combat.

4. 1999: Front Mission 3

Tactical Masterclass

Front Mission 3 was the first game in the series to be released in Western countries, appearing a year after its release in Japan in 2000. The series started on the Super Nintendo and generally featured similar stories of nations at war. However, instead of traditional soldiers, the conflicts in these games took place with pilots fighting in giant robots called Wanzers, set in a futuristic world.

Front Mission 3 was a strategy RPG where players could heavily customize their giant robots, called Wanzers. Though it wasn’t a mainstream hit, the game holds up remarkably well today, and many fans consider it even better than some of the more popular and celebrated RPGs on the PlayStation 1.

Other Great 1999 PS1 RPGs

Chrono Cross – While overshadowed by its predecessor, Chrono Trigger, Square’s follow-up was nevertheless great in its own right. (Chrono Trigger also received a PS1 port in 1999)
Grandia – Fantastic battle system, and decent everything else. Grandia 2 is much better, but the first game was still impressive.
The Legend of Dragoon – Visually, Japan Studio’s game pushed the PS1 to its limit. The gameplay and story are both fine but not necessarily amazing.

3. 2000: Final Fantasy 9

Arguably, The Best Final Fantasy PS1 Game

Final Fantasy 9 launched at the same time in Japan and North America. It was a return to the series’ roots, emphasizing crystals and magic rather than advanced technology, which felt like a welcome change after the unique, but well-received, Final Fantasy 8. While staying true to classic Final Fantasy elements, FF9 also created a vibrant and detailed world filled with interesting characters and beautiful environments.

Final Fantasy IX is a truly memorable adventure, full of charm and imagination, and it surpasses both Final Fantasy VII and VIII in these qualities. When compared to other classic Final Fantasy games, it’s as good as any, including the beloved Final Fantasy VI.

Other Great 2000 PS1 RPGs

Breath of Fire 4 – This is the best BOF game on the PS1 and one of Capcom’s greatest JRPGs.
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment – Like its predecessor, this entry has aged peculiarly and is difficult to recommend, particularly the PS1 version. Nevertheless, it is dark and intense.
Vagrant Story – Action JRPG masterclass that is comfortably among the genre’s best efforts on the PS1, and it would have taken the top spot in most other years.

2. 2001: Darkstone

A Decent Diablo-Like Hack And Slash RPG

By 2001, it was becoming difficult to find new RPGs for the original PlayStation, particularly outside of Japan. The standout release that year was Final Fantasy Chronicles, which included both Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy 4. Both games are excellent, and many consider Chrono Trigger to be one of the best Japanese role-playing games ever made.

Let’s take a look at a slightly obscure game from the end of the PlayStation 1’s life. Originally released on PC in 1999, Darkstone came to the PS1 in 2001. It’s a straightforward but still enjoyable dungeon-crawling adventure, similar to Diablo. Despite the PS1’s limited capabilities, the game manages to display a lot of characters on screen at once. While it’s not a must-play today, Darkstone was a good time when it came out.

1. 2002: Final Fantasy Origins

A Great Compilation Of A Few Classic JRPGs

Released in Japan in 2002 and in the West in 2003, Final Fantasy Origins brought the original two Final Fantasy games to the PlayStation 2. Remarkably, this came three years after the console’s launch. Unlike Final Fantasy Chronicles, this wasn’t just a simple re-release; the games received updated graphics to make them more modern and accessible.

This marked the first time Western audiences encountered this situation, as Final Fantasy II wasn’t originally released in North America in 1988 for the NES. Instead, the game known as Final Fantasy II in North America was actually Final Fantasy IV, and the naming inconsistencies didn’t end there.

Other 2002 PS1 RPGs

Digimon World 3 – Just to mention a new PS1 RPG that came out in 2002. Digimon World 3 is a solid-enough turn-based RPG, although you need to be a die-hard fan to enjoy this.

2025-12-29 18:37