Sony came screaming into the gaming space with one of the most successful consoles ever released on September 9th, 1995 with the PlayStation, beating out its competitor,the Nintendo 64, in almost ever conceivable way.
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The North American launch lineup consisted of eleven titles, a drop in the bucket compared to how many games would make their way to the console during its life. The following list takes a look at these games and ranks them from worst to best. Given the nature of early 3D graphics, few of these have aged gracefully, but most of them are worth revisiting at least as a curiosity.
11Street Fighter: The Movie
While also an arcade game, it is important to note the major differences between the original version and the console games. The graphics maintain the digitized sprites of the actors,but the gameplay closer resembles a traditionalStreet Fighter.Unfortunately, it is bogged down by technical issues like slowdown and sluggish controls, making this a hard pass for most gamers on the PlayStation’s launch.
10ESPN Extreme Games
Several sports games launched alongside Sony’s console debut.ESPN Extreme Games,or1xtreme Gamesas it would be renamed, puts the player into several different sporting events, like bicycling and rollerblading. They mostly play the same however, and all come off as a cheapRoad Rashclone. With this in mind, it is better to playRoad Rash.
9Power Serve 3D Tennis
For the rest of the decade following the console’s release, many games advertised their 3D capabilities right in the title.Power Serve 3D Tenniswas a full-fledged tennis game, and the character models were some the best 3D renders gamers had seen by then.
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Unfortunately, the content available in the package is slim, leaving little for players to explore past the simple joy of playing the sport.
8Total Eclipse Turbo
Flight was big when 3D gaming first came into being.Total Eclipse Turbois a rerelease of a 3DO from the year prior. Unfortunately, this new version does little to add or differentiate itself from the first edition, doing little to showcase the PS1’s capabilities. It looks nice, but it is not even the best flight game to come out alongside the console’s launch.
7Kilea: The DNA Imperative
The lack of analog sticks made thePlayStation less than ideal for first-person shooters, but that did not stopKilea: The DNA Imperativefrom launching alongside the console. Upon release, praise was given to the graphics, cutscenes, and story, but other aspects like the controls and level design were objects of ire. A sequel,Epidemic, came out the following year, but failed to make as big a splash. Ultimately, better FPS games exist for the console, likeDisruptorandMedal of Honor.
6Air Combat
Despite being touted as a flight sim,Air Combat’sbattles are more arcade-like than its contemporaries. This helped it find favor with critics and players alike. It also includes split-screen competitive multiplayer for friends and siblings to shoot each other out of the sky. The sequel changed the franchise’s title toAce Combat, and six sequels have been produced since, with the most recent coming out in 2019.
5Battle Arena Toshinden
Street Fighter: The Movieis a complete mess of a fighting game. Thankfully, early adopters hadBattle Arena Toshindento entertain themselves on launch day. Being one of the first 3D fighters ever released, the combat is slow when compared to what would come out later on in the generation. As games likeTekkenmade their way to the console,Battle Arena Toshindenbecame more obsolete, but it deserves commendation for playing so well early in the PlayStation’s life.
4The Raiden Project
This game is a collection ofRaidenand its sequel, two popular arcade shoot ‘em ups. While the game does nothing to showcase the PlayStation’s power, at least nothing immediately visible, it was still an incredibly visceral experience for gamers to enjoy on the console’s first day. Countless threats appear on screen at once, barely giving the player a moment’s rest during a mission as bullets come flying towards them.
3Ridge Racer
Racing gamesare usually a great way to showcase a console’s abilities, andRidge Racerwas more than up to the task. It is a conversion of an arcade game from 1993, and manages to look almost identical to the original release.
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Gran Turismomay look and play better, but it came out later in the console’s cycle.Ridge Raceris a launch title, and managed to remain one of the best looking games on thePlayStation.
2NBA Jam: Tournament Edition
What is there to say aboutNBA Jamthat has not already been repeated a thousand times? It is often hailed as one of the greatest sports games ever made, with simple arcade controls capturing the spirit of the sport while remaining easy to understand. Sony was smart to have this game as a PlayStation launch title, giving owners a great game for parties right off the bat.
