{"id":1675,"date":"2020-01-16T23:23:09","date_gmt":"2020-01-17T04:23:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.legeekretrogaming.com\/geekblog\/?p=1675"},"modified":"2020-12-22T17:40:11","modified_gmt":"2020-12-22T22:40:11","slug":"the-sony-playstation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.legeekretrogaming.com\/geekblog\/?p=1675","title":{"rendered":"The Sony PlayStation"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I was first exposed to PlayStation at a friend\u2019s place in early 1995.\u00a0 He had recently picked up a Japanese version of the console, nearly a year before it would launch in the US.\u00a0 He had four games, if I remember correctly: Motortoon Grand Prix, The Raiden Project, Ridge Racer, and Space Griffon VF-9.\u00a0 All of them were interesting, but Motortoon and Ridge Racer captivated<\/em> me.\u00a0 The frame rates were smooth and the games were fast and playable.\u00a0 With the possible exception of the expensive 3DO Interactive Mulitplayer, all of the previous 3D consoles I had experienced were just \u201cproofs of concept\u201d compared to this.\u00a0 3D gaming had arrived<\/em>.<\/p>\n


\nYou can read my more formal summary of the original PlayStation here on the system page<\/a>, but in honor of the (slightly belated) 25th <\/sup>anniversary of my favorite PlayStation, here is my (very belated) list of the 20 games I would have put on the PlayStation Classic, by release date, broken down into three eras.
\n<\/p>\n

Groundbreaking Early Games and the 2nd<\/sup> Wave<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

1<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1579235386373{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]A launch title in both the US and Japan, Ridge Racer<\/strong> proved that 3D arcade racing could play on home consoles with no compromises. Full Review<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

2<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1579235399530{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]An early attempt at the 3D mascot platformer, Jumping Flash<\/strong> drew inspiration from Doom, oddly enough, to become its own thing\u2014a first person hopper. Full Review<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

3<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1579237996278{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]With 3D characters over prerendered backdrops, a creepy mansion filled with monsters, and B movie charm, Resident Evil<\/strong> introduced console gamers to bad dialogue (and Survival Horror, even if it did rip the concept off from Alone in the Dark.)[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

4<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1579235991393{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]Blocky as hell now, Tomb Raider<\/strong> took the platforming of the original Prince of Persia into 3D space, increased the exploration, and introduced the world to female Indiana Jones.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

5<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1579236031642{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]Wipeout took the hover racing of F-Zero and made it 3D and stylish, but its sequel, Wipeout XL<\/strong>, was even better.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

6<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1579238054744{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]Ten Pin Alley<\/strong> not only offered a great physics-based simulation of bowling, it also lovingly captured the inherent corniness of the sport. Full Review<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

7<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1579236125699{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]The 3D weapons-based fighter Soul Blade<\/strong> was not as refined as its many Soulcalibur sequels, but all of the ingredients were there.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

The Banner Fall of 1997<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

8<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1579237731614{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]Giant robot games general fall into one of two camps \u2013 plausibility, by portraying the machines as slow walking tanks; or fantasy, essentially creating gigantic metallic ninjas with missile launchers. Armored Core<\/strong> successfully cherry-picks the best from both approaches. Full Review<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

9<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1579236504081{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]Bushido Blade<\/strong> isn\u2019t the sole 3D weapons-based fighter on this list, but it\u2019s one of the few fighting games to approximate realistic sword fighting, including the ability to kill your opponent with one good swing.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

10<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1579237707006{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]Widely regarded as one of the last great 2D games, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night<\/strong> is just different enough from the Metroid series that\u2014even with its few quirks and minor flaws\u2014you owe it to yourself to play through the game at least once. Full Review<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

11<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1579237783422{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]Colony Wars<\/strong> may be a Wing Commander clone, but it\u2019s stylish, in full 3D, with great feeling space flight and combat that seem custom-made for the dual analog controllers. Full Review<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

12<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1579236932868{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]Quirky, yet epic, with tinny yet wonderful music. \u00a0Featuring spiky Chibi characters (sans fingers!) over beautiful 3D prerendered backgrounds, Final Fantasy VII<\/strong> was a study in contrasts.\u00a0 For many it was the<\/em> game that introduced players to console RPGs, and it doesn\u2019t hurt that Sephiroth is one of the greatest gaming villains of all time.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

13<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1579237811199{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]PaRappa the Rapper<\/strong> is a rhythm game in the old Simon handheld\u2019s \u201crepeat after me\u201d mold. That may sound dull, but add infectious music and the charming artwork of Rodney Greenblat, and you\u2019ve got a minor classic on your hands. Full Review<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Firing on All Cylinders and Last Hurrahs<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

14<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1579237093692{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]Mega Man Legends<\/strong> took the Mega Man premise and reimagined it as a 3D adventure game. \u00a0Story driven and featuring wonderful Saturday morning cartoon aesthetics, many purists scoffed at the genre change, but players that gave it a chance found a great game in its own right.\u00a0 Not to mention it introduced the world to Servbots![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

15<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1579237105484{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]Battle Arena Toshinden may have been the first, but the Tekken series quickly became synonymous with 3D fighting on PlayStation.\u00a0 All three entries on the system are great, and Tekken 2 may be my personal favorite due to its roster, but Tekken 3<\/strong> is clearly the best of the bunch.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

16<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1579237117500{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]Wearing its love of Escape From New York on its sleeve, Metal Gear Solid<\/strong> set new standards for stealth action and cinematic storytelling in gaming, making auteur game director Hideo Kojima a household name in the process.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

17<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1579237836502{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]While the Resident Evil series is scary in a monster movie way, Silent Hill<\/strong> is disturbing psychologically. From the lack of people in town to the earthquake-like fissures in the roads to the creepy alternate realities that start appearing, reality in the game seems to be unraveling as you search for your missing daughter in the strange titular town. Full Review<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

18<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1579237861220{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]In Suikoden II<\/strong>, you are once again a boy who, through circumstance, is thrust into a grand conflict and eventually must recruit the 108 stars of destiny. The story concentrates on two childhood friends and the choices they make, as they become adults. Not many videogame plots would make a good novel, but add one to the list. Full Review<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

19<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1579237227605{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]Letting you drive real world cars\u2014including economy sedans\u2014on race tracks, Gran Turismo brought a level of simulation to console racing. With more cars (including many more makes and models from the US and Europe), licensed rock music, famous real world race tracks, and just an additional level of polish and sheen, Gran Turismo 2<\/strong> was a worthy sequel by all measures that pushed the PlayStation to its limits.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

20<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1579237457613{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]Spartan.\u00a0 Minimalist.\u00a0 vib-ribbon<\/strong>\u2019s vector graphics would seem more at home in an early \u201880s arcade than the polygon-pushing PlayStation.\u00a0 But therein lies the charm. Full Review<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Cheers,
\nBen[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I was first exposed to PlayStation at a friend\u2019s place in early 1995.\u00a0 He had recently picked up a Japanese version of the console, nearly a year before it would launch in the US.\u00a0 He had four games, if I remember correctly: Motortoon Grand Prix, The Raiden Project, Ridge Racer, and Space Griffon VF-9.\u00a0 All …<\/p>\n

The Sony PlayStation<\/span> Read More »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1653,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1675","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-playstation"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"http:\/\/www.legeekretrogaming.com\/geekblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/ps1.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2Gkjg-r1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.legeekretrogaming.com\/geekblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1675","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.legeekretrogaming.com\/geekblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.legeekretrogaming.com\/geekblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.legeekretrogaming.com\/geekblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.legeekretrogaming.com\/geekblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1675"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"http:\/\/www.legeekretrogaming.com\/geekblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1675\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1716,"href":"http:\/\/www.legeekretrogaming.com\/geekblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1675\/revisions\/1716"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.legeekretrogaming.com\/geekblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1653"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.legeekretrogaming.com\/geekblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1675"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.legeekretrogaming.com\/geekblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1675"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.legeekretrogaming.com\/geekblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1675"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}