When Sony’s Playstation was released in 1994, the gaming industry was putting behind the days of 2D games in favor of the wild and exciting new world of 3D graphics. An emphasis was put on creating and marketing games with 3D environments, especially in North America. However, when you go back and play some of the first 3D games, you may not have as much fun as you would have hoped; for every Super Mario 64, there were 10 Bubsy 3Ds.
Lucky, there were some brave developers that decided to use the new technology to make impressive 2D games that aged very well instead of 3D games that aged like a piece of wet lettuce. To show off just how impressive these 2D games were at the time, we have collected the best 2D games on the PlayStation 1.
Updated January 7th, 2021 by Patrick Mocella: Even with all the advancements in graphical fidelity, game design, and technology as a whole, there’s still a certain charm that 2D games have over their 3D counterparts. In some cases, simpler is better, as fighting games, platformers and other genres shine best in two dimensions. Despite being the console to really break through into the mainstream with 3D graphics, the original Sony PlayStation was far from a 3D-only console. These classics knew exactly what they were and didn’t try to put a third dimensional coat of paint on tried and true formulas.
15 Rayman
Much like his fellow 32/64 bit platformer mascot Gex, Rayman actually began as a 2D platformer before transitioning into his more well-known 3D outing from the PS1 era. But that doesn’t mean the original Rayman is a slouch.
Despite being released in the launch year of the Playstation, the game’s sprites and audio have aged gracefully and certainly more so than the awkward early 3D titles of the system. While the game can be punishingly unfair in some areas, it’s still a good example that 2D games were anything but passé on the PS1.
14 Street Fighter Alpha 3
Capcom published a ton of 2D fighters on the PS1 as that was their bread and butter in the Arcades, but none made the transition to the console better than Street Fighter Alpha 3.
While it may not have been as flashy as the Marvel crossover fighters, Street Fighter Alpha 3’s controls, deep fighting mechanics and fleshed out roster more than make up for it. Combine that with a unique “World Tour” mode where players can level up their fighter as they travel the globe makes this the best 2D fighter on the PS1.
13 Metal Slug X
While the Contra series is rightfully revered for its run and gun 2D sidescrolling gameplay, the Metal Slug series from SNK deserves its own praise.
While you may think it’s an entirely new game, Metal Slug X is actually an upgraded version of Metal Slug 2. It isn’t the deepest side scroller you’ll ever play, but the game is a flashy feast for the senses and it’s extremely satisfying to mow down world-conquering baddies with seemingly never-ending ammo.
12 Tomba!
A series that unfortunately never made it past the PlayStation is Tomba! The brainchild of longtime Capcom developer Tokuro Fujiwara, Tomba is may have 3d models, but it still operates on a 2d field for the most part as it combines light RPG elements with a platforming adventure.
While the game can be difficult for newcomers (a trademark of Fujiwara’s games like Ghosts N’ Goblins), it’s still a fun experience and its light-hearted cartoony humor is a good break from other gritty PS1 exclusives.
11 Mortal Kombat Trilogy
For long-time Mortal Kombat fans, this is the final swan song of Midway’s classic blood-lusted brawler before it fell off a cliff with later mediocre entries.
A love letter to the series, Mortal Kombat Trilogy plays nearly identical to Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 but with its roster fully expanded to include almost every single character that had been in a Mortal Kombat game. This includes the bosses as players can play as Shao Kahn, Goro, Kintaro and Motaro. While the game is lacking in features, this is the best of the classic MK games and a must-own for any MK loyalist.
10 Rapid Reload
The Japanese and European exclusive Rapid Reload or Gunners Heaven is a run and gun with light beat ’em up action, similar to Treasure’s Gunstar Heroes. Rapid Reload takes place in the same universe as the Wild Arms series, with a steampunk aesthetic that leans heavily on the wild west motif.
When Rapid Reload was released it was heavily criticized for being a clone of Gunstar Heroes, but if you forget about one of Treasure’s first and best efforts, you’ll find a great run and gun with plenty of insane action.
9 Silhouette Mirage
From the creators of such great games like the previously mentioned Gunstar Heroes, comes Silhouette Mirage a very unique take on the classic run and gun action you have come to expect from the developers with an added gimmick.
Throughout the game, you will run into enemies that are either silhouettes or mirages. Your character is one-half red and one-half blue with either side either performing a silhouette or mirage attack - the gimmick lies in facing the right direction to ensure that the attack you do corresponds with the enemy you are shooting at.
8 Alundra
Alundra was localized by the amazing team at Working Designs, who without, North America never would have seen great games such as Elemental Gearbolt, Popful Mail, and the Lunar series. Working Designs was known for bringing games over that wouldn’t typically be published in North America.
Alundra is a Legend of Zelda clone in which your character has the ability to enter the dreams of others. The game deals with tough topics such as death, depression, fate, religion, and existentialism as you attempt to help the character overcome their mental demons.
7 The Adventure of Little Ralph
The Adventures of Little Ralph is an action platformer that turns into a 1 on 1 tournament fighter when you encounter some bosses. The game is filled with colorful stages and bosses, making it feel almost like a Super Nintendo Entertainment System game.
Ralph is a man who was turned into a young boy by a demon named Valgo after Valgo kidnapped Ralph’s lady. Ralph is equipped with a sword to travel through the platforming sections but reverts to a full-grown man when the game transitions into a tournament fighter, giving you Street Fighter like moves.
6 Heart of Darkness
Like Prince of Persia, Out of this World, and Blackthorn, Heart of Darkness is a cinematic platformer. A cinematic platformer is characterized by stiff controls but with heavily animated character movement. The genre also requires a lot of trial and error as you are rarely guided and the control is purposefully made odd.
Heart of Darkness is about a young boy genius named Andy who is trying to save his dog after he was kidnapped by shadow-like specters. Andy has to traverse various environments and solve puzzles, all while protecting himself from wildlife and environmental hazards.
5 In the Hunt
Unlike most shoot em’ ups, in In the Hunt you are a submarine taking on other submarines and other underwater foes. Aside from the setting, In the Hunt is a standard shooter similar to games like R-Type and Gradius. There are, however, multiple endings, giving the game plenty of replayability.
The sprite work in this game is incredibly detailed and may actually look familiar to some. The game was developed by Irem and designed by the same group of people who would later go on to create the Metal Slug series which is also known for its highly detailed sprite work.
4 Skullmonkeys
Sequel to the point and click adventure Neverhood, Skullmonkeys was developed by Neverhood Inc. in 1998. Skullmonkeys is a 2D platformer that uses claymation and shares a lot of the quirky humor and character design that is found in Neverhood. Being one of the first games on consoles to use claymation, Skullmonkeys has a very unique look.
In Skullmonkeys you play as Neverhood resident Klaymen who is kidnapped in order to prevent the destruction of his home and stop the evil Klogg who was banished from Neverhood at the end of the first game.
3 Strider 2
Strider 2 was released for arcades in 1999 and was later ported to the PlayStation in 2000. The game takes the same fast-paced action found in the original game but uses the extra memory of newer hardware to create even larger and more detailed enemies.
Strider 2 takes place 2000 years after the first game and starts Strider Hiryu. The game uses both sprites and polygonal graphics to create a unique look and give the game depth. The levels are lightning-fast and relatively short, possibly due to it originally being an arcade game.
2 Mega Man X4
Mega Man X4 is the second entry in the Mega Man X series to make it to the Playstation and get the 32-bit treatment. As with all Mega Man games before it, you pick from 8 different stages, fight a robot master, steal their powers, and use them to defeat other robot masters.
Unlike previous entries in the series, in Mega Man X4 you can choose to fight as either X or Zero. X fights using long ranges attacks with his arm cannon, while Zero uses his laser sword to take the fight up close.
1 Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is the first game to fully adopt the structure of Nintendo’s Metroid series and gave birth to the term Metroidvania. Unlike previous Castlevania games, in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night you play as the half-human, half-vampire Alucard who is also the son of Dracula.
Throughout the game, you find equipment and abilities that strengthen Alucard, as well as give him access to new parts of the game. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night has been labeled as one of the best games of all time and is thankfully available on just about every console under the sun at this point.
NEXT: 10 Games To Play If You Love Castlevania
