Top PS1 Platform Games You’ve Probably Never Played!

Summary

PS1 holds lesser-known platform gems like T’ai Fu, Blasto, and Muppet Monster Adventure, which are worth revisiting.
Each game offers unique gameplay and charm, from beat ’em up and quirky puzzle elements, to claymation art styles.
Wild 9 stands out as an off-beat, imaginative title with quirky humor and guilt-free enemy torture options.

Speaking of platform games on the original PlayStation, iconic titles such as Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Rayman, and Croc are often the first that come to mind, along with many others. These remarkable games have been ported to subsequent hardware due to remasters, remakes, or re-releases. Similarly, lesser-known masterpieces like Jumping Flash! and I.Q.: Intelligent Qube have also been made available on other platforms over time.

Many outstanding platform games, initially released exclusively on Sony’s first console, continue to languish undiscovered and overlooked. Here are some top-notch platform games exclusive to the PlayStation 1, each worthy of a revisit due to their impressive quality and popularity, listed in order of their combined merit and recognition.

8. T’ai Fu: Wrath of the Tiger

Tough Platforming And Beat ‘Em Up Action

In a China of old, teeming with animal clans, lies the action game T’ai Fu: Wrath of the Tiger. This game boasts challenging platforming segments that you navigate as the central character, T’ai Fu – the last surviving member of the tiger clan. Your mission is to seek vengeance for the devastation inflicted upon your kin, a task which leads you to confront the dragon clan who orchestrated their downfall.

As T’ai journeys through the landscape, he picks up distinct Shaolin kung fu techniques from the animal chieftains of each group, which prove useful in both fighting and navigating levels. Though early reviews were somewhat divided, the game’s unusual concept makes it noteworthy, making it worth a revisit for those who find it intriguing.

7. Blasto

Tough But Humorous Action

Featuring platforming, puzzle aspects, and third-person shooting combat, Blasto was largely overlooked when it first came out. The game stars Captain Blasto, voiced by the late Phil Hartman, who is both dimwitted and overconfident. He navigates a 3D environment filled with puzzles and platforms, while blasting any hostile aliens that cross his path.

Many players find “Blasto” challenging, yet its humorous tone helps create a more enjoyable experience. The titular captain aims to defeat Bosc, a ruthless character determined to conquer the solar system and enslave “Space Babes.” In innovation, “Blasto” stands out as one of the initial games to utilize both analog sticks in gameplay, with no loading times interrupting the action.

6. Skullmonkeys

Quirky Claymation Platformer

In a new twist to the beloved point-and-click adventure “The Neverhood,” the game Skullmonkeys picks up where the original left off, but this time with platforming action instead. The story unfolds on the planet Idznak, where the villain Klogg has arrived following his defeat at the end of the first game. Players take on the role of Klaymen, the hero from the first game, as they strive to thwart Klogg once more.

In order to prevent Engine Number 9 from causing destruction in Neverhood, Klaymen must navigate through numerous stages, vanquishing foes with makeshift ammunition. The game is praised for its distinctive animation, enchanting soundtrack, and humor, but some find the lack of save points problematic; instead, it employs a password system.

5. Muppet Monster Adventure

That Ineffable Muppets Charm

Featuring many beloved characters from Jim Henson’s original puppet series, Muppet Monster Adventure offers a spooky journey with traditional 3D platforming gameplay in a collectathon style. As Robin the Frog and assisted by a few companions, your primary goal is to free the other Muppets who have been turned into monsters.

The gameplay draws heavily from well-known 3D platformers of that era, but it’s the unique Muppet charm and wit that truly shines, bolstered by the original voice actors reprising their roles. Overall, the game is meticulously crafted with few, if any, problems, making for a delightful gaming experience, particularly for fans of the franchise.

4. No One Can Stop Mr. Domino!

Whimsical And Unique Puzzle Game

The intriguingly unique game titled “No One Can Stop Mr. Domino!” is a mix of puzzle and platform elements, along with an eccentric concept. As the character Mr. Domino or one of his four companions, players navigate through levels by dodging obstacles, strategically placing and toppling dominoes to create chaos as they go.

The game consists of six distinct levels, ranging from a casino to a typical household. It’s crucial to restore energy by stepping on Recovery Tiles using the diverse dominoes, each with unique running speeds and stamina levels. Some critics have pointed out the game’s linear approach to problem-solving and occasional frustrating moments, but overall, it’s an enjoyable, humorous, and utterly bizarre experience.

3. Cheesy

Polarizing 2.5D And 3D Platformer

In North America, Cheesy hasn’t been launched yet. This game revolves around a mouse character who’s been imprisoned in a haunted castle by an evil scientist. The little rodent needs to gather items for a teleportation charm to break free. Across the 24 stages of the game, our hero encounters numerous creatures such as colossal spiders, enhancing the eerie vibe throughout the adventure.

2.5 Dimensional Gameplay includes select 3D segments during first-person perspective, such as when Cheesy navigates his mine cart to stay on course. At its release, opinions were split among critics and players, with some loving it while others disliked it. The primary reasons for this polarization stemmed from the game’s unsettling atmosphere, which seemed incongruous with a title intended for all age groups, and occasionally inconsistent gameplay mechanics.

2. Spider: The Video Game

Negotiating A Long Journey As A Spider

Absolutely not for those with a fear of spiders, “Spider: The Video Game” immerses players into the role of a spider, guiding them through a city to thwart a wicked scheme. When uninvited guests invade Dr. Kelly’s lab, he unwillingly finds himself inhabiting a cybernetic spider’s body. His mission is to locate these crooks from Micro Tech rival firm, retrieve his own body, and prevent them from misusing his technology for nefarious purposes.

In this game, a spider’s innate ability to climb is crucial for moving through the stages, and its silk production can help overcome certain challenges. Moreover, the spider’s legs might be upgraded with cybernetic tools like a flamethrower to take care of any obstacles or enemies that appear.

1. Wild 9

Off-Beat Humor And Guilt-Free Torture

Hailing from the same developers as the beloved platformer, Earthworm Jim, Wild 9 is often seen as a hidden gem and must-play game by many. The inventive minds behind this title make it unsurprising that it incorporates peculiar and imaginative aspects, one of which lets players inflict pain on their foes without any pangs of conscience.

In the game, players take on the role of Wex Major, a man navigating an unfamiliar galaxy. He wields a versatile weapon called “The Rig”, which can be used to strike or ensnare enemies, as well as manipulate objects for solving puzzles. The game features ten intricately designed levels and challenging boss fights, such as the massive and malevolent Karn, who aims to conquer the universe.

2025-03-13 11:09