Summary
Sony’s first attempt at a console knocked it out of the park thanks to a stellar lineup of games and a platform that was relatively easy for developers to work with, especially when compared to the Nintendo 64. It is also the starting place for many iconic franchises and characters.
It’s almost difficult to believe that all these characters were introduced to gamers on the PS1. Though story-driven games had been around before, the 3D graphics, use of voice acting, and plentiful space on CDs for cutscenes meant players became familiar with these characters in ways they generally could not before.
Twisted Metalwas certainly a statement as one of the early popular PS1 games.Sweet Toothas the franchise’s face and as a Sony icon helped the console distinguish itself from the cute and safe Mario or Sonic.
The mask and character are so iconic that one does not need to know games to recognize them. Even ifTwistedMetalis not as popular as it once was, the streaming series and Sweet Tooth’s role in it shows how the character lives beyond the games' relevance.
Going into this generation, Square Enix was making some big changes with theFinal Fantasyfranchise. The characters were becoming 3D models, the setting was heading in a science-fiction direction, and the series was moving its home from Nintendo to Sony. Players followed the game’s story throughCloud Strife.
Truthfully, picking just one character among the varied parties is difficult, but as the player character, Cloud gets the advantage. As the game progresses, Cloud goes from stoic and almost emotionless to being driven by love and a desire to save the world.
WHERE TO PLAY
Selected by the fickle finger of fate, Abe, floor-waxer first class for RuptureFarms, was catapulted into a life of adventure when he overheard plans by his boss, Molluck the Glukkon, to turn Abe and his fellow Mudokons into Tasty Treats as part of a last-ditch effort to rescue Molluck’s failing meat-packing empire.During his escape from RuptureFarms, Abe received a vision from the mysterious Big Face, showing Abe that he must not only rescue his fellow Mudokons, but also protect all of Oddworld’s creatures from the predatory Magog Cartel. After completing arduous Temple trials, and journeying across a wasteland with his friend Elum, Abe was granted the awesome power of the Shrykull. Returning to RuptureFarms, Abe destroyed the foul slaughterhouse, rescued his buddies, and brought down some righteous lightning on top of Molluck’s pointy head.
The best adjective to describe theOddworldfranchise is already in the name itself.Abe’s Odyseeis a puzzle platformer for the PS1 that tells a tale about corporate greed and worker exploitation.
The protagonist, Abe, seems to go against all tropes that make characters iconic, but that is why it works. He is kind of gross to look at, but that makes players root for him all the more. The franchise has always had a cult status and has jumped around consoles, but nothing can change the fact that Abe started his journey on the PS1.
Parasite Everemains unique to this day with itsmix of survival horrorand turn-based RPG gameplay in a modern New York City setting. Aya Brea is the perfect protagonist for such a strange and terrifying game. She does not feel like a typical survival horror hero or like a copy ofResident Evil’sJill Valentine.
The story is serious and the stakes feel dire as players walk around New York under attack by the entity known as the Mitochondria. The average gamer might not know her name as well as other heroes, but that only means they have yet to playParasite Eve.
Spyro The Dragon
Meet Spyro the Dragon - he’s a feisty little flame-spouting dragon on a GIGANTIC, ‘go-anywhere’, 3D fantasy adventure!Packed with puzzles and enchanting adventures. Collect treasures, recover stolen family jewels, and discover hidden regions.Dragons come to life with hints as you free them from their spells. Enemies run and hide, hit each other, fire cannons, throw snowballs, and even “moon” you.Take full flight in secret Treasure Rounds. Shoot down planes, fly through rings and arches, and more!
Spyro the Dragonwas not Insomniac’s first game, but it was their first hit. Unlike other 3D platforming protagonists of the era and before, Spyro speaks a lot in his debut title, interacting with the dragons he saves.
His humor has some attitude - he’s not above toasting an innocent sheep every once in a while - but it is not over-the-top. It is easy to see what elements from the character made their way into Insomniac’s future titles, especiallyRatchet and Clank.
Solid Snakewas introduced a decade before 1998’sMetal Gear SolidwithMetal Gear, but the PS1 stealth game saw the introduction of a character who would become equally as important to the canon. Revolver Ocelot makes a fantastic entrance with his swirling revolvers.
Even after losing his hand, he is a tight shot. Future games would evolve his character and make him a vital player in the series, but his part inMetal Gear Solidsolidified his legend just for his look and voice work by Patric Zimmerman.
First Appeared: Um Jammer Lammy
Um Jammer Lammy
THERE’S A NEW ROCK STAR IN TOWNWHERE LAMMY GOES, MOSH PITS FOLLOW. SHE’S THE GUITAR-SLINGING MEGASTAR OF AN ALL-CHICK BAND CALLED MILKCAN. HELP LAMMY MAKE IT TO HER BIG GIG ON TIME BY JAMMING TO ROCK, HEAVY METAL, PUNK, POP AND OTHER KILLER RIFFS. you may EVEN TAKE ON ANOTHER PLAYER WITH AN AWESOME TWO PLAYER MODE. UM JAMMER LAMMY, YEAH…IT ROCKS.
Parappa might be the obvious choice and starred in his own game first, but Lammy’s shy demeanor makes her a more interesting character.
She is constantly nervous but once the guitar is in her hands she shines like the star she really is. No one should ever forget just how entertainingUm Jammer Lammyis as a game either. The gameplay gives the player some creative freedom and every song is an earworm that’s easy to hum for days.
First Appeared: Klonoa: Door to Phantomile
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile
Explore a magical world of mystery and adventure. Join Klonoa on a fantastic journey in the land of Phantomile, where the mysterious crash of a flying ship starts an epic quest through colorful worlds of thrills and danger.• You’re never lost in this 3-D world. Klonoa’s “Guided 3-D” construction gives players a vast 3-D world without the aimless and wandering feel of many other 3-D action games.• Beautiful graphics and entertaining puzzles add a whole new level of fun & challenge.• Multiple, forked paths add extra replay value - just remember that shortcuts aren’t always what they seem!
This Namco character is the unsung hero of the PS1 and platformers as a whole. The catlike creature never quite reached the same level of popularity as other platforming mascots, but no one should ever underestimate the games.
The PS1 debut entry is an engaging platformer with complicated levels that test gamers' skills in the genre.The art design is also fantastic and still holds up today. The story starts off cute but takes some surprisingly emotional turns.
Jill is a character who is instantly recognizable to millions of players, and it does have to be said how interesting it was to be able to play such a mature game as a female protagonist (one of two playable characters, the other being Chris Redfield).
Resident Evilis both terrifying and at timeshilarious thanks to the voice acting, but fortunately, players get to see Jill in a more serious tone with the 2002 remake and theResident Evil 3remake from 2020.
Crash Bandicoot
Enter the vivid 3D world of Crash Bandicoot, a marsupial on a mission! His brain’s been scrambled, his SilErend is held captive, and his arch nemesis has a big N on his forehead! And you thought you had it tough!- Over 30 beautiful levels with awesome sound Ex and music plus the type of gameplay you’ve been craving!- Encounter Bonus Levels, fiendish traps, hair-raising enemies, sappearing bridges - only now in all 3-Dimensions!- Uncover hidden areas and secret bonus levels!- A fantasy, cartoon world comes to lie EXCLUSIVELY for the Play Station game console!
Naughty Dog put itself on the map big time with 1996’sCrash Bandicoot. It also introduced the world to one of the last great silent platforming mascots. The titular bandicoot went on to star in two more games for the console and two spin-offs.
Though future games were not as well-received and handled by different developers, Crash maintained a dear place in every gamer’s heart who started their gaming journey on the PS1.The warm reception toCrash Bandicoot 4goes to show how beloved the character is.
