Top 10 PlayStation Games of All Time
Hold on to your dual shocks! Join http://www.watchmojo.com as we countdown our picks for the Top 10 Playstation games of all time.
For this list, we're looking at over twenty years of greatness to find the games that were incredible to play at launch and are still both fun and memorable today. As is the custom, we're sticking to one game per franchise to get the best representation of PlayStation classics – but even still, with only 10 spots, this is gonna be tight.
Special Thanks to our user Doug Bairéad for suggesting this idea on our Suggest Tool at http://www.WatchMojo.comsuggest
#10: “Twisted Metal 2” (1996)
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The most successful game in this arena car combat franchise, the sequel took the crazy weapons, hidden secrets and amazing multiplayer madness to the next level. Calypso’s demented demolition derby style tournament had gone global, featuring arenas in Paris, Moscow and even Antarctica. A psychiatrist’s worst nightmare, the insane characters on the roster were complemented by some of the best levels the series has ever seen. It helped established PlayStation as the premiere couch multi-player platform for gamers who weren’t afraid to steal victories at the last possible second with their ever trusty homing missile.
#9: “God of War III” (2010)
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The series known for its brutality and gore saw its HD debut and the end of Kratos’ saga of vengeance on the PlayStation 3. Putting the hack and slash back in hack and slash, the unbridled violence the series was known for reached new heights here. On top of the tight, fluid combat the series has always boasted, enormous new set pieces were added making Kratos’ 3rd out all the more epic.
#8: “Resident Evil 2” (1998)
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When we finally thought it was safe to come out, Capcom unleashed this monstrosity. Known as Biohazard 2 in Japan, it took the zombie formula established in the first game and unleashed it on Raccoon City. Although it may seem dated now, the fixed camera made for some phenomenal scares and each set piece oozed atmosphere and dread. Plus, with 2 playable characters and specific scenarios for each, players often dove right back in as soon as the credits rolled.
#7: “Uncharted 2: Among Thieves” (2009)
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Developer Naughty Dog proved with the sequel to their PlayStation 3 hit that they were maturing into the cinematic force they are today, as the opening sequence on the train proved right out of the gate. The game was more focused, more action packed, and never had a dull moment. Even the voice acting and narrative seemed more polished and was brimming with wit and chemistry. Non stop action, great platforming and fantastic storytelling are hallmarks of PlayStation, and they can all be found outlined in Drake’s journal.
#6: “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night” (1997)
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This was the game that put the Vania in Metroidvania. Tackling Dracula's castle, backtracking to find more secrets, and defeating epic bosses all while leveling up your character and finding new abilities is a formula that still holds up well today. Each familiar delivered unique powers and abilities to Alucard that made traversing the creepy castle so much fun, but it’s when the castle flips upside down midway through to essentially double the length of the game that proved to us how bdly we didn’t want it all end.
#5: “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas” (2004)
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The sandbox sensation that exploded on the PS2 finally pushed the console to its limits with its biggest world at the time. With three cities to explore , Los Santos, San Fierro and Las Ventures, it was easy to deviate and do one of the many side quests or simply get lost in customizing CJ’s body with workouts or new diet. Striking a nice balance, San Andreas managed to be serious and silly at the same time, something that’s becoming harder and harder to make believable now that the series has moved to HD.
#4: “Final Fantasy VII” (1997)
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You know a game’s good when the developer is still trying to top it 7 iterations later. The city of Midgar was massive and beautifully realized, but then the world opens up even more when you leave the city to hunt down Sephiroth. FF7 maintained the incredible non-linearity of SNES era JRPGs, with secrets and items pouring out at every turn – something later games seemingly abandoned. The world, the lore and the characters were brimming with personality, and that’s why the game has endeared for all these years with spinoffs, movies and a remake that - Oh, right, never mind.
#3: “Shadow of the Colossus” (2005)
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After Ico reminded gamers of what the medium could accomplish artistically, the spiritual successor would take things even further. There are only 16 enemies: epic titans that consume the screen. The main character, Wander, slowly withers away as the game progresses, and by the end he looks purple and half dead. His only mission is to save a young girl who appears in a massive temple that may as well be her tomb. This isn’t just a puzzle platformer with each stage designed as hulking beasts, it's a game about loss and spirit. Now if only they could get The Last Guardian finished.
#2: The Last of Us (2013)
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Possibly the epitome of PlayStation gaming: a cinematic, deep narrative interspersed with tense action gameplay. It’s artistically crafted, with each element designed to tell a dreadful story of survival. As incredible as the shooting and survival horror gameplay on offer here as, it’s the lasting impression on the psyche that stands tall. This not a game that aims to make you feel giddy in the end, but one that would rather bring you down into the depths of despair, and still leave you wanting more. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honourable mentions: “Journey” (2012) “Silent Hill 2" (2001) “LittleBigPlanet” (2008) “Gran Turismo 2” (1999) “Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal” (2004)
#1: “Metal Gear Solid” (1998)
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Arguably Kojima's masterpiece, it was tough to choose between this and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, which also has an excellent balance of stealth gameplay and enthralling narrative. Great bosses, thrilling set pieces and shicking twists – Metal Gear Solid is the apex of all the qualities that it takes to make a PlayStation classic, and that’s why it gets the number one spot. Do you agree with our list? What’s your favourite PlayStation game of all time? For more great Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.