Summary
The original PlayStation launched in Japan in 1994 and the US in 1995. What originally started as a CD-ROM peripheral for the SNES became its own industry-defining piece of hardware.
It was part of the 32-bit era, where competition was rife, and the name-brand recognition Sony had in the home console market was low. Because of that, Sony had to fight hard to convince third-party video game developers to lend their support. They didn’t have the likes ofNaughty Dogor Santa Monica Studio fighting in their corner. But that didn’t stop them from releasing a few bangers… and a few duds.
Street Fighter: The Movieis, confusingly, the name of the video game adaptation of the filmStreet Fighter. And much like the movie, it was one big stinker among the PS1’s launch titles. What made it even worse was that it came from one of thegreatest fighting game franchisesof all time. Calling it a disappointment would be an understatement.
The game suffered from a painfully low framerate, atrocious voice acting, and sprites that barely resembled their film counterparts. And yet, despite the negative reviews, it was a commercial hit for Capcom. Apparently, players weren’t jaded by movie tie-ins just yet.
11Power Serve 3D Tennis
Impressive Graphics, Not So Impressive Game
The third and by far the most forgettable sports title in the PS1’s launch lineup wasPower Serve 3D Tennis. While itsvisuals earned some praise—some even calling it a glorified tech demo— that’s where the backhanded compliments ended. Critics grabbed their rackets and ultimately took aim with its baffling camera angles, sluggish gameplay, and frustrating controls.
Tennis fans would have to wait a few more years before their appetites were truly satisfied withActua Tennisin 1998 andAnna Kournikova’s Smash Court Tennisin 1999.
10Kileak: The DNA Imperative
Not Great, Not Terrible
The PS1’s first first-person shooter wasKileak: The DNA Imperative. If gamers have never heard of this title, we can’t blame them. This game has long been buried underneath theprestige of other best-sellerssuch asMedal of Honor,Duke Nukem: Total Meltdown,and theDoomPC port.
Kileakwasn’t exactly a bad game, it just wasn’t exactly good either. Critics and fans alike found fault in its lackluster copy/paste levels and uninspired gameplay. They gave it a death knell with these two words: “kinda boring”. Ouch.
Out of the two flight simulators to be released at the PS1’s launch,Total Eclipse Turbo lost that dogfight. Despite its more interesting out-of-this-world sci-fi setting where players took on the ‘90s go-to villains, aliens, it failed to outmaneuverAir Combat.
Critics were unimpressed that this port of a year-old 3DO game had nothing new to add to the experience. While the visuals were impressive and the gameplay was solid, the game was seen as one of the weaker titles to be released alongside the PS1.
Zero Divideis a 3D fighting game that lets players pilot rock ‘em sock ‘em robots in a far-flung future. For its time, it was a pretty novel experience, featuring battles in non-walled arenas where fighters could strategically hang off the edge.
It’s also teeming full oftop-notch robot designs, making full use of the PS1’s 32-bit hardware. It also had impressively smooth animations, solid mechanics, and a synth-laden soundtrack ripped straight from a ‘90s rave. Although, mastering the game’s moves was something best suited to more patient players.
Taking two hit arcade games (RaidenandRaiden II) and packaging them into one,The Raiden Projectis a fine take on the scroll shooter genre. It even included a “Horizontal Mode” that let players experience it just like in the arcade. All they had to do was turn their monitor on its side, a move that wasn’t exactly TV-friendly in the ‘90s.
Despite the risk of screen damage, the game was praised for faithfully translating the arcade experience to the PS1.Raiden II, in particular, was lauded for its engaging gameplay and thrilling two-player co-op.
Before it becameAce Combat, the series first took flight under the more apt but far less catchy name,Air Combat. This groundbreaking combat flight simulator was based on the wildly popular arcade game of the same name, carrying much of that high-octane gameplay over to the console version. Namco delivered another launch classic packed with addictive action, cinematic cutscenes, and sound barrier-shattering effects.
These key ingredients helped it soar above the PS1’s other launch-day flight sim,Total Eclipse Turbo. And as we all know, it went on to spawn a legendary franchise that’s still flying high today.
The ‘90s was a decade that put theXin extreme, and no other game on this list embodies that more thanESPN Extreme Games. It even got a later rerelease with the beyond-parody name:1Xtreme. This PS1 launch title lets playersskateboard, rollerblade, street luge, and mountain bike as well as punch and kick each other in the least sportsmanlike way possible.
To remind everyone that this was an ESPN-licensed game, ex-anchor and sideline reporter Suzy Kolber would pop up to critique players’ performances whether they liked it or not. Reviews were mild to positive, but that didn’t stop it from becoming one of the platform’s best-selling titles.
BeforeNBA 2Kalley-ooped the market, theNBA Jamseries wasevery baller’s go-to. Its fast-paced, run-n-gun gameplay made it the ultimate way to experience the NBA at the height of its golden age.
For the PS1 launch lineup,NBA Jam Tournament Editiontook the arcade sensation to home consoles. Unfortunately, Michael Jordan was noticeably absent, at his own request—though Midway did provide him with a private version that included him on the roster. If nothing else, the game gifted basketball fans one of the most iconic catchphrases in sports gaming history—Boomshakalaka!
Nearly Devoured Sega’s Saturn
Battle Arena Toshinden
You are invited… to your own DEMISE. Battle the world’s toughest fighters in this “Invitation Only” underworld tourney. Only ONE warrior will survive. Will it be your destiny?The ONLY true 3-dimensional, 360-degree tournament-style fighter. Avoid and annihilate your opponent before he - or she - does you!Four different views AT WILL. From in-your-face close to the sky-high gaze of the powers-that-be.UNBELIEVABLE! Sweep kicks, rapid-fire hits, sky-high jumps, #@%$! slaps, killer combos and tons of weapons and special moves.GLORY! LOVE! REVENGE! DEATH!? Pulverize 8 deadly challengers… and whoever or whatever comes next! Are you up to it!?
The PS1’sbest fighterat launch was none other thanBattle Arena Toshinden. Originally billed as the “Saturn killer,” Sony had high hopes that it would outclass Sega’s hugely popularVirtua Fighter.That plan didn’t quite pan out, especially since the game was ported to the rival console less than a year later.
That didn’t stopToshindenfrom being a massive hit for PlayStation, selling out in its first week. Beyond its commercial success, it won over critics with its colorful cast, dynamic camera, intricate stage design, and for being one of the first games to truly bring fighters into the 3D realm.
