The Sony PlayStation was a revolutionary gaming console that brought 3D graphics, CD-quality audio, and a fantastic library of games to living rooms worldwide. With its cutting-edge tech and strong third-party support, the PS1 hosted some of the greatest action games ever made.
While the PlayStation had a massive variety of genres, its action games were second to none. From groundbreaking 3D platformers to cinematic shooters to arcade-perfect fighting games, the PS1 had it all. Here are our picks for the 12 absolute best PlayStation action games of all time.
12. Oddworld: Abe‘s Oddysee
This quirky 2D platformer starred Abe, a Mudokon slave looking to escape the meat processing plant he works at. With gorgeous pre-rendered graphics, challenging puzzle-platforming, and a darkly humorous story, Abe‘s Oddysee was an instant classic when it launched in 1997.
The unique "Gamespeak" mechanic let you talk to other Mudokons, possess enemies, and solve puzzles. Abe‘s Oddysee sold over 3 million copies and kick-started the popular Oddworld franchise that continues to this day.
11. Syphon Filter
One of the first console shooters to implement stealth elements, 1999‘s Syphon Filter cast you as special agent Gabriel Logan on a globe-trotting quest to stop a deadly virus.
The game‘s slick, responsive controls made shooting a joy. Syphon Filter also stood out for its varied locales and tense stealth segments. The epic finale atop a moving train is still spectacular over two decades later.
10. Ape Escape
Ape Escape‘s claim to fame was being the first game to require the PlayStation‘s Dual Analog Controller. And it put those two sticks to great use, letting you expertly control your character and gadgets simultaneously as you pursued pesky primates across time and space.
Chasing down the apes with a net, slingshot, dash hoop, and other goofy tools made for slapstick fun in 1999. Fun fact: Ape Escape had the codename "Monkey Mania" during development!
9. Mega Man X4
When Mega Man made the jump to PlayStation, he did it with style. X4 was a fantastic 2D action-platformer that improved on the classic formula with better graphics, larger sprites, gloriously animated cutscenes, and full voiceovers.
For the first time, players could complete the game as either X or Zero, each with their own powers and storylines. The ability to hover, dash, and wall-jump made the fast-paced action and tricky platforming even more exhilarating.
8. Crash Bandicoot: Warped
PlayStation‘s unofficial mascot reached new heights in his third outing. Crash Bandicoot: Warped greatly expanded the scope with 30 varied levels spanning time periods like the prehistoric era, Ancient Egypt, and the far future.
Players could control Crash‘s sister Coco and ride vehicles like a jet ski, motorcycle, and baby T-rex. Factor in the super-responsive controls, vibrant graphics, and catchy soundtrack, and it‘s no wonder Warped is considered the pinnacle of the Crash trilogy.
7. Tekken 3
Widely regarded as one of the greatest fighting games of all time, Tekken 3 dominated the arcade scene and PS1 sales charts in 1998. The revolutionary combat system focused on 3D movement and juggling foes with creative combos.
Tekken 3 massively improved the graphics and expanded the diverse cast of martial artists with 15 new characters. The fun Tekken Force and Tekken Ball bonus modes added tons of replay value. Many fan-favorite fighters like Jin Kazama, Ling Xiaoyu, and Bryan Fury made their debuts here.
6. Twisted Metal 2
Nothing says ‘90s gaming like cars with guns. Twisted Metal 2 was the ultimate vehicular combat game, pitting a colorful cast of crazy drivers against each other in explosive arenas set around the globe.
Players had a blast firing homing missiles, dropping napalm, and even using a giant magnet to turn opponents into scrap metal. The controls were smooth and the destruction was glorious. With tons of secrets to discover and co-op modes, Twisted Metal 2 kept car combat fans revving for more.
5. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Often considered the pinnacle of the franchise, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night breathed new life into the series with its luscious 2D graphics, incredible soundtrack, RPG elements, and open-ended castle to explore.
Players took control of Alucard, Dracula‘s half-vampire son, on a quest to defeat his dear old dad. The sheer variety of enemies, weapons, spells, and abilities was staggering. Secret passages and a whole inverted castle added immense replay value to this gothic masterpiece.
SotN inspired countless "Metroidvania" games and remains a gold standard for the genre over 25 years later. What is a man? Miserable little pile of secrets, indeed.
4. Resident Evil 2
Capcom‘s horror sequel was bigger, better, and more terrifying in every way. Released in 1998, Resident Evil 2 featured cutting-edge graphics, two separate storylines, more zombies than ever, and a terrifying new threat: the nigh-unstoppable Tyrant.
Playing as both Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield offered unique adventures through the sprawling, zombie-infested Raccoon City Police Station. While the iconic tank controls took time to master, the spine-tingling survival horror gameplay kept players hooked start to heart-pounding finish.
3. Tony Hawk‘s Pro Skater 2
Was THPS2 a sports game? Sure. But let‘s be real: it was one of the most addictively fun action games of the PS1 era. Building off the first game‘s groundbreaking mechanics, the 2000 sequel featured larger levels, an expanded roster of skaters, an epic soundtrack, and of course, the manual.
Stringing together intricate combos across the endlessly replayable levels was a blast solo or with friends. The create-a-skater, skate-park creator, and ability to earn real-life pro gear added insane replay value.
No game made skateboarding culture more mainstream or inspired more people to pick up boards than THPS2. The series may have peaked early, but what a peak it was.
2. Metal Gear Solid
Hideo Kojima‘s stealth masterpiece broke new ground for cinematic storytelling and sneak-‘em-up gameplay in 1998. Players assumed the role of Solid Snake on a mission to stop a terrorist group threatening the world with a walking tank.
Tense stealth gameplay, thrilling boss fights, and a chilling story filled with twists and double-crosses enthralled players. Voice acting, graphics, music, and cinematics were all top-notch. The ability to sneak in a box, beat a psychic at their own game, and rumble with a cybernetic ninja made Metal Gear Solid unforgettable.
Insomniac‘s trilogy-capping 3D platformer was the pinnacle of PlayStation dragon action. Released in 2000, Year of the Dragon saw Spyro the Dragon leaving the bounds of the Dragon Realms to rescue 150 dragon eggs stolen by the evil Sorceress.
The vibrant environments were bigger and more beautiful than ever, taking players from sunny beaches to snowy tundras. Controlling Spyro felt effortless as he glided, charged, and breathed fire with ease.
For the first time, players could also control Spyro‘s friends in their own fun gameplay styles. Sheila the Kangaroo, Sgt. Byrd, Bentley the Yeti, and Agent 9 added exciting variety to the platforming, combat, and puzzle-solving.
The Year of the Dragon "Greatest Hits" version offered the definitive experience. Greatest Hits was Sony‘s budget product line that re-released top-selling games in new packaging at lower prices. Buying Spyro 3‘s Greatest Hits release meant more than getting the same game cheaper, however.
Insomniac used the Greatest Hits re-release to fix some bugs and make a few minor improvements. These included adding DualShock-enabled vibration feedback and fixing a game-breaking glitch that could lead to players getting permanently stuck behind walls. Greatest Hits also maintained the free Crash Bandicoot: Warped demo disc that was included in the original release.
With gorgeous graphics, tight controls, inventive level design, hilarious writing, and Stewart Copeland‘s incredible soundtrack, it‘s no wonder Spyro: Year of the Dragon earned rave reviews and remains a PlayStation fan-favorite to this day. It‘s a shining example of 3D platforming perfection.
PlayStation Power
The original PlayStation redefined what action gaming could be with its revolutionary tech. Game creators took advantage of PS1‘s horsepower and CD-ROM storage in different ways.
3D platformers like Spyro and Crash Bandicoot seamlessly blended action, adventure, and challenge within breathtaking worlds that couldn‘t be done on 16-bit. Tekken 3, Metal Gear Solid, and Resident Evil 2 used cutting-edge 3D graphics to immerse players like never before.
Symphony of the Night and Mega Man X4 proved there was still a place for beautifully crafted 2D games on the 32-bit powerhouse as well. PS1 and its games captivated millions and kickstarted franchises that still thrive today.
The Absolute Best
These 12 games represent the absolute best action experiences on PlayStation. They pushed the boundaries of what Sony‘s little gray box could do and influenced game design for decades.
Nearly all of them have been re-released on modern platforms, but playing on original hardware offers a special nostalgic magic. The simple act of popping in a CD, watching it spin up, and hearing the classic startup sound before diving into imaginative adventures never gets old.
If you want to experience PlayStation at its action-packed best, you can‘t go wrong with any of these genre-defining games. The memories you‘ll make with Spyro, Crash, Snake, Alucard, and the rest will last a lifetime.
