The Sony PlayStation accomplished something no other console could in the 1990s by becoming the first-ever console to sell over 100 million units worldwide. This wasn’t done on the strength of its 32-bit hardware alone, of course, but through a library of excellent games, many of which still hold up decades later.
Many of the best PS1 games of all time are still readily available to play on modern platforms, many through remasters of the PlayStation Plus digital library. However, not all of the games that made the original PlayStation what it was have received this kind of contemporary treatment.
Though unauthorized fan emulations may exist, we’re highlighting PS1 games that aren’t playable on modern platforms for any number of reasons. More than just games based on licensed properties, several surprising first-party titles are absent from modern consoles’ digital classics collections. These include some of the best-selling and most critically acclaimed titles the console ever saw. Here are five classic PS1 games that are unplayable today, at least in a legal capacity.
Tales of Destiny
One of Bandai Namco Entertainment‘s most prolific RPG franchises is its “Tales” series, which began with “Tales of Phantasia” in 1995. But while this original game was reissued for iOS devices in 2013, its 1997 sequel “Tales of Destiny” has gone untouched for nearly 20 years. The game is an action RPG, featuring a familiar stat screen alongside the action, though most of the combat unfolds in real-time. The game’s protagonist, Stahn Aileron, arms himself with a sentient sword and sets out along with other champions to prevent a powerful relic from falling into the wrong hands.
With its combo-driven combat and unique fantasy world, “Tales of Destiny” is another RPG gem in the PlayStation’s library. “Tales of Destiny” did get an enhanced remaster for the PlayStation 2 but, beyond that, the game has yet to receive a re-release on more modern hardware. This includes any sort of digital release, meaning that unless you have those PS1 or PS2 discs, you’re out of luck in trying to revisit this game. If there was ever a series that Bandai Namco should remaster and compile into a comprehensive collection, it’s the “Tales” series, including its 1997 installment.
Legend of Legaia
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Though still technically a turn-based game, the 1998 RPG “Legend of Legaia” takes an innovative approach when it comes to its combat system. Players input a series of attacks to be linked together, which can be improved upon as the game progresses. This makes the title something of a blend of turn-based RPG gameplay with fighting game sensibilities. The game’s story has a trio of heroes defending their fantasy realm from a formidable threat endangering their community.
Thanks to its unique combat system, “Legend of Legaia” stands out from the crowded field of RPGs on the PlayStation. The game’s technical presentation also holds up relatively well for titles of its era, even if its plot is relatively formulaic. “Legend of Legaia” was successful enough to receive a sequel, “Legaia 2: Duel Saga,” on the PlayStation 2, but neither game has been re-released. Like “Gran Turismo,” the games were published by Sony, but they remain unavailable digitally for its modern consoles’ library of classic titles.
Gran Turismo
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Let’s get the most glaring omission out of the way first by pointing out that the first two “Gran Turismo” games aren’t in the PlayStation Plus Classics Library. What makes this absence all the more puzzling is that the series has been a first-party franchise for PlayStation since it began in 1997. The first game, in particular, is regarded as one of the only near-perfect games on Metacritic for its high-octane racing action. The games revolve around a greater level of realism than its contemporaries, along with different modes to progress and unlock more vehicles and tracks.
While it’s not entirely clear why the first two “Gran Turismo” titles are not available through PlayStation Plus, it likely has to do with the vehicles included in the games. The franchise has always prided itself on using real-world cars in every game since the very beginning. However, this likely means that licensing deals with the respective automotive manufacturers would have to be made for a re-release, resulting in their omission. In the meantime, some of the best retro racing games of all time remain relegated to their original platform.
Spider-Man (2000)
As superhero franchises go, Spider-Man has some of the best video games around, both as movie tie-ins and standalone titles. The first 3D game in the franchise, simply titled “Spider-Man,” was released for the PlayStation and Nintendo 64 in 2000. While not a fully open-world experience like subsequent titles, the game allowed Spidey to swing around wide linear portions of New York City. The game pits Spider-Man against several of his classic supervillains, including Doctor Octopus, Venom, Mysterio, and Carnage, after he’s framed for attacking a science expo.
As Activision hasn’t held the Spider-Man video license since 2014, its entire library of games starring the superhero has gone without an official re-release. This, of course, includes the 2000 “Spider-Man” for the original PlayStation, as groundbreaking as it was for the series at the time. The amount of moves that Spidey had at his disposal and sheer number of heroes and villains appearing throughout the game make it a must-play for Marvel fans. The only problem is that this can’t be legally done without the original hardware that it was released for.
Crash Bash
Sony Interactive Entertainment
In the wake of Nintendo placing Mario and his friends in the realm of party games, Sony did the same with its own flagship property, Crash Bandicoot. This resulted in the 2000 spin-off “Crash Bash,” which allowed for up to four players through the console’s Multitap peripheral. Unlike “Mario Party,” the PlayStation game focuses almost exclusively on the minigame component, with 28 wacky minigames to choose from. This includes vehicular combat, races, and light platforming experiences, either in free-for-all or team-based competition best played with friends.
“Crash Bash” went on to sell over a million copies despite bad reviews, many of them unfavorably comparing the game to “Mario Party.” Regardless of its critical reception, the game is a curious omission when it comes to Crash’s presence in the modern era. Whereas the original Crash Bandicoot trilogy has been remade and its 1999 racing spin-off has received a modern remaster, “Crash Bash” remains largely untouched. More to the point, the game is also unavailable to play through the PlayStation Plus digital library, despite being published directly by Sony.
