The PlayStation 1 (PS1) first launched in Japan in 1994, and came to North America in 1995. It was replaced by the PlayStation 2 in 2000, which many consider to be the end of the PS1’s prime, though games were still being made for it. This made sense because the PS2 could also play PS1 games – a clever feature that helped with its appeal.
1994 was a pivotal year for the PlayStation, marking Sony’s entry into the console market. However, it didn’t immediately resonate with players in the West. So, looking beyond 1994, what were the PlayStation’s strongest years in regions outside of Japan? What new games, features, or accessories made it a console people *had* to own? This ranking will focus on the PlayStation’s impact, particularly in North America, based on the quality and growth of its game library.
6. 1995
The Launch Year In North America
When the PlayStation 1 first launched in North America, it didn’t have a ton of instantly classic games. However, several titles released at that time did become the foundation for popular franchises. Games like *Rayman*, *Twisted Metal*, and *Tekken* grew into major series not just on PlayStation, but on other consoles as well. *Gex* was another platformer that gained a dedicated following, similar to *Rayman*.
Several popular games were released in Japan years before Western audiences could play them, including *Suikoden* and *Beyond the Beyond*. Perhaps the most notable of these delayed releases was *Arc the Lad*. The original game came out in Japan in 1995, but the three main *Arc the Lad* games for PlayStation weren’t released in North America until 2002 as part of *Arc the Lad Collection*. Overall, it was exciting to see Sony join the console market and launch some fantastic new game series.
5. 2000
The PS1 Gets A Redesign
Like in 1995, the year 2000 marked a significant hardware update for the PlayStation. Sony released the PSOne, a smaller and more affordable version of the original PS1. A year later, they added the official PSOne LCD Screen, creating a self-contained console. While not as portable as the later PSP, many fans enjoyed using it as a portable system at home or while traveling.
The PlayStation 1 became even more appealing thanks to falling prices, and there was a large library of affordable games to choose from. While 2000 was near the end of the console’s lifespan, it still saw the release of many excellent games, including both sequels and new titles. Notable examples include *Vagrant Story*, *Mega Man Legends 2*, *Spyro: Year of the Dragon*, and *Final Fantasy 9*.
4. 1996
Playing With Friends
When the PlayStation 1 launched in North America in 1995, players could enjoy multiplayer games like *Tekken*, but initially only with two players because of the console’s limitations. In 1996, Sony addressed this with the Multitap accessory, allowing more than two players to join in. Over the years, several popular games took advantage of the Multitap, including *Crash Team Racing, Hot Shots Golf, NBA Jam Tournament Edition,* and *Twisted Metal 3*.
Man, 1996 was HUGE for new game series! I remember being blown away by the first *Tomb Raider*, *Resident Evil*, and *Crash Bandicoot* – those games really set the standard. *Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain*, *Jet Moto*, and even *Revelations: Persona* all popped up that year too, which was awesome. And if you were gaming in Japan, you got lucky with titles like *Mega Man 8*, *Vandal Hearts*, and *Wild Arms* a little earlier – we had to wait until ’97 for those here!
3. 1999
A Diverse List Of New Series
PlayStation fans loved the Multitap, but in 1999, Japanese players got something special: the PocketStation. This little device, about the size of a Tamagotchi, worked with games like *Final Fantasy 8*, which came out the same year. It wasn’t a groundbreaking product, which likely explains why it stayed exclusive to Japan. Meanwhile, Sony and other game companies were busy creating sequels and building popular game series in 1999.
1999 was a diverse year for gaming. Titles like *Ape Escape*, *Medal of Honor*, *Syphon Filter*, *Silent Hill*, and *Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater* each offered players unique experiences, ranging from action and adventure to sports. Several Japanese role-playing games, including *Chrono Cross*, *The Legend of Dragoon*, *Valkyrie Profile*, *Parasite Eve 2*, and *Legend of Mana*, were released in Japan in 1999, but didn’t arrive in Western markets until the following year. A particularly unusual game from that year, initially exclusive to Japan, was *Pepsiman*, which surprisingly featured mostly English text.
2. 1998
Stealth Reborn
1998 was a fantastic year for stealth games on the PlayStation, with two titles leading the way. *Metal Gear Solid* revitalized the series after its origins on the NES and truly changed stealth games and storytelling on the PS1. The other standout was *Tenchu: Stealth Assassins*. While its story wasn’t as strong, *Tenchu* offered a grittier and more rewarding stealth experience, letting players enjoy the thrill of hunting from the shadows as a ninja.
Games like *Parasite Eve*, *Xenogears*, and *Brave Fencer Musashi* helped launch exciting new series from Squaresoft during the original PlayStation’s popularity. Alongside these, *Spyro the Dragon* and *MediEvil* also debuted on the PS1, joining successful sequels such as *Crash Bandicoot: Warped* and *Resident Evil 2*. While 1997 was an exceptionally strong year for gaming, 1998 still delivered a fantastic lineup of titles.
1. 1997
Perhaps The Most Important Year Of All Time
1997 was a fantastic year for the PlayStation 1, offering something for every gamer. Sony released two innovative controllers: the Dual Analog and then the DualShock (which launched in Japan before coming to North America in 1998). Games like *Ape Escape* and *Resident Evil: Director’s Cut – Dual Shock Version* really showcased the DualShock’s capabilities. That same year, Sony also began their popular “Greatest Hits” line of discounted games, a program that continued all the way through the PlayStation 4 era.
1997 was a fantastic year for gaming. *Castlevania: Symphony of the Night* really established the Metroidvania style of game, while *Gran Turismo* became a leading racing series. *Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee* was a unique and charming platform puzzle game. However, *Final Fantasy 7* stood out as a truly groundbreaking release, reinventing the franchise with its improved gameplay, compelling story, and impressive graphics. And let’s not forget *Grand Theft Auto*, which first appeared on PC and PlayStation in Europe in 1997, and then in North America in 1998.
Read More
- All Vendors Location in Silksong
- PS Plus Monthly Games for October 2025 Wish List
- Top 8 UFC 5 Perks Every Fighter Should Use
- The Unwritten Rules of Dying Light: The Beast Explained
- All Weavenest Door Locations in Silksong
- How To Complete Foundations EVO & Open Transfer Market In FC 26
- Silver Rate Forecast
- All 8 Stone Sigil Locations for EXPcalibur in Dying Light: The Beast
- Jujutsu Kaisen: Gege Confirms Yuji Itadori’s New Role in JJK Modulo
- Unveiling the Hidden Powers of One Piece’s God Fruits
2025-09-26 10:36