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Reviews Archive

The 100 Best PS1 Games

Welcome to Retro-Sanctuary's Top 100 Best PS1 games. Now, for anyone new to the site we follow a set of rules for all our lists. We aim to represent the best of all genre's, we try to limit the number of sequels included to allow more underrated games to shine, and also tend to avoid games that have been ported from earlier systems that don't use the hardware to its full potential. The best Import games are allowed, but only when they're import friendly and don't require an FAQ to play.

Thanks and enjoy the list!

         
 
100
Puzz Loop/Ballistic   Puzz Loop
  The Playstation was blessed with many a fantastic puzzle game during its life span, and Puzz Loop is just one of these many unsung titles. Here the aim is to destroy marbles before they snake their way to your cannon located in the middle of the screen, the only way to get rid of them is to match colours in groups of three or more. Many people will be familiar with the game's concept due to the now popular PC game "Zuma" which essentially copied its main gameplay mechanic.
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99
Disruptor   Disruptor
  Disruptor is a very polished Doom style corridor shooter made by the company who went on to create the Resistance: Fall of Man games. On top of the shooting action the game gives you some interesting psionic powers which can be used to do a variety of things such as gain health. The game is still quite a playable blaster even now and is definitely one of the best of the brainless corridor shooters on the system.
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98
Gex   Gex Enter the Gecko
  Gex is a humorous Mario 64 style 3D platform game where you explore the levels searching for remote controls. The comedy can be a bit hit and miss at times, but the fast paced gameplay, varied environments (many of which are cool pastiches of famous movies) and Gex's unique stick-on-walls move all help to make it a very respectable platformer.
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97
Vanark   vanark
  Vanark is probably the closest the Playstation ever had to having its own Starfox style rail shooter. It has you piloting multiple vehicles which automatically move forwards along pre-determined paths, whilst highlighting and deploying missiles to deal with the enemies. Unique to the game are mild exploration elements which have you moving around a home base, and the occasional minigame section. The game is certainly no Starfox or Panzer Dragoon Zwei, but its still a fun diversion.
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96
No One Can Stop Mr Domino   No One Can Stop Mr Domino
  What we have here is a quirky and highly original puzzle game which has you playing as a walking domino who's charged with setting up domino runs around a number of different, and interesting courses. Basically you move around the course looking for run opportunities, and watching the elaborate tricks you've set up, until you've gained enough points to complete the level and move onto the next course.
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95
Madden NFL 2000   Madden 2000
  A great American Football game and a huge improvement over the earlier PS1 releases due to its better, more fluid controls, improved computer AI, and more polished gameplay. All this work led to a much faster, more enjoyable game.
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94
Return Fire   Return Fire
  Excellent port of the classic 3DO game, Return Fire has you playing action packed games of capture the flag. You choose your vehicle at the start (helicopter, jeep, tank, or support vehicle) attack the enemy base, and then attempt to drive back to your own base with flag in tow. The game is very playable, and the 2-player split screen mode is still very addictive.
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93
Roll Away/Kula World   Roll Away Kula World
  Here's another excellent puzzle game which manages to be both absorbing and unique in equal measures. The aim of the game is to simply collect all the stage keys, and then get to the exit, sound easy? well, the problem is in working out how to actually navigate the levels, as the ball that you play as sticks to the levels and defies gravity, allowing you to twist the stage upside down and on its side. The game is loads of mindbending, topsy turvy fun.
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92
Wild 9   Wild 9
  Here's a very clever, and interesting platform game from the people who made Earthworm Jim. The main gameplay concerns the manipulation of the enemies using a device called "the rig" which is essentially a kind of energy grappling hook. You can do a variety of different things with the rig, for instance the enemies can be thrown onto spikes to be used as platforms, or even be used to break grinders with their...er... bodies (the bad guys in this game get it bad). All in all a fun game which is always throwing new gameplay elements and ideas at you.
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91
Syndicate Wars   Syndicate Wars
  Involving strategy game which has you controlling a squad of cyborgs through a Blade Runner inspired world. The game has you carrying out different mission objectives, and generally entails causing murder, mayhem and destruction with an assortment of very cool weapons.
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