Revisiting Classic PlayStation Games That Changed the Industry

6 February 2025

Let’s take a stroll down memory lane, shall we? The PlayStation brand didn’t just break into the gaming market — it smashed the door down and made itself at home. It redefined what it meant to play video games, and, let’s be real, it changed the industry forever. From the jaw-dropping graphics of yesteryear to the innovative gameplay mechanics that inspired countless imitators, classic PlayStation games hold a special place in our hearts.

And here’s the kicker: these games didn’t just entertain us; they shaped the games we play today. So, grab your imaginary DualShock controller — or the good ol' original PS1 controller — because we’re diving into the legendary titles that altered the gaming landscape forever.

The Arrival of PlayStation: A Revolution in CDs and Chips

Before we talk games, let’s set the scene. Back in the mid-90s, gaming was mostly about cartridges. Then came Sony’s PlayStation, introducing CD-based gaming. That was a game-changer (pun totally intended). CD-ROMs offered massive storage compared to cartridges, opening doors to better graphics, cinematic cutscenes, and soundtracks that slapped harder than your favorite mixtape.

Suddenly, developers could flex their creativity like never before, and gamers were blessed with titles that didn’t just push boundaries but tore them down like a wrecking ball. Ready to reminisce about those trailblazing classics? Let’s go.

Final Fantasy VII: The King of RPGs

You can’t talk about PlayStation history without giving a shoutout to Final Fantasy VII. This game was a seismic shift not just for RPGs but for video games as a whole. Released in 1997, it was like the Hollywood blockbuster of gaming, complete with a complex narrative, unforgettable characters, and groundbreaking visuals (for its time). And who could forget the moment Aerith... well, you know. Tears were shed.

Square Enix didn’t just make a game; they crafted an epic. With its epic three-disc saga and jaw-dropping CGI cutscenes, this was the RPG that made everyone say, “Wait, games can be art?” Plus, the game’s materia system brought deep customization to gameplay, giving players tons of control over their experience.

Oh, and let’s not brush over this — Final Fantasy VII helped solidify PlayStation’s dominance globally. Nintendo’s loss (when Square jumped to Sony) became Sony’s crown jewel. The rest is history.

Metal Gear Solid: Stealth Redefined

Imagine being dropped into a high-stakes espionage thriller where every step you take could be your last. That’s what Metal Gear Solid brought to the table in 1998. Hideo Kojima’s brainchild didn’t just give us a game; it gave us a cinematic experience. With voice acting that actually sounded human (a rarity in the 90s) and a plot that felt like a blockbuster movie, it set a new standard for storytelling in gaming.

Gameplay-wise, it introduced us to stealth mechanics that demanded patience and strategy. You couldn’t just run in guns blazing like a headless chicken — it wasn’t that kind of party. You had to think, adapt, and outsmart your enemies.

And can we have a moment of silence for that Psycho Mantis fight? Remember how he pretended your controller was possessed? Or read your memory card saves? Absolute mind-blowing genius. This game didn’t just push boundaries; it redefined what video games could be.

Crash Bandicoot: Sony’s Mascot with a Goofy Grin

If you owned a PlayStation in the late ’90s, chances are you spent some time yelling at the screen as Crash Bandicoot hurtled toward his doom. What made Crash Bandicoot such a standout title wasn’t just its fun, fast-paced gameplay; it was the fact that it was Sony’s unofficial answer to Mario and Sonic.

Naughty Dog delivered tight platforming gameplay packed with charm and personality, and let’s be honest, Crash’s iconic “Woah!” sound effect is permanently burned into our collective brains. Add to it some of the most vibrant and colorful graphics of the PS1 era, and you get a recipe for platforming perfection.

Plus, Crash wasn’t just a game; it was a statement. Sony was flexing its muscles in the mascot wars, telling gamers, “We’ve got characters you’ll love just as much as those plumbers and hedgehogs.”

Resident Evil: Putting “Survival Horror” on the Map

Let’s talk horror — not the cheap jump-scare kind, but the “I’m saving my last bullet because I don’t know if I’ll survive” kind. Resident Evil brought that vibe in spades when it hit PlayStation in 1996. Sure, the dialogue was cheesy (“You were almost a Jill sandwich!”), but that didn’t matter. The game’s claustrophobic mansion, tense atmosphere, and resource-management gameplay had us all hooked.

This is the game that put survival horror on the map. It forced players to confront their fears, solve puzzles under pressure, and make tough decisions (Do I fight this zombie or save my ammo for something worse?). Oh, and those fixed camera angles? They made everything scarier because you never knew what was lurking just out of sight. Bravo, Capcom. You nailed it.

Gran Turismo: The Driving Simulator We Didn’t Know We Needed

When Gran Turismo zoomed onto the scene in 1997, it didn’t just change racing games; it changed how we viewed realism in video games. This wasn’t your average arcade racer. Oh no, this was a full-blown driving simulator.

With hundreds of real-life cars, detailed tuning mechanics, and tracks that felt authentic, Gran Turismo was a car enthusiast’s dream. It also set the benchmark for what a racing game could achieve. And let’s not forget that banging soundtrack. You didn’t just play Gran Turismo; you lived it.

Sony and Polyphony Digital didn’t just create a game; they created a legacy. Other racing games have tried to match its level of depth and realism, but the truth is, Gran Turismo set a standard that many are still chasing today.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater: Kickflipping Into Mainstream Culture

Who knew a skateboarding game could be so addictive? Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater hit the PlayStation in 1999 and immediately became a cultural phenomenon. Even if you didn’t know an ollie from a kickflip, this game made you feel like a pro with its smooth mechanics, killer soundtrack (still iconic), and score-based gameplay.

This wasn’t just a niche sports game — it was a defining moment for gaming and skate culture. Plus, it introduced a whole generation to punk rock and ska bands they’d never heard of before. Admit it, Goldfinger’s “Superman” still gets you hyped up, right?

Tomb Raider: The Birth of an Iconic Adventurer

Let’s talk about the original action-adventure queen: Lara Croft. Before Nathan Drake was cracking wise and climbing cliffs, Lara was dual-wielding pistols and raiding tombs like nobody’s business. When Tomb Raider launched in 1996, it gave us sprawling levels, tricky puzzles, and an adventurer who could shimmy, climb, swim, and leap like a boss.

Sure, some of the camera work made you want to pull your hair out, but the game’s ambition was undeniable. It gave us a heroine who became a pop culture icon and a game that proved video game worlds could be big, immersive, and full of wonder.

What These Classics Did for the Industry

These games weren’t just about pretty graphics or catchy soundtracks. They did something far more significant: they raised the bar for what the gaming industry expected from developers. They showed us that games could tell stories that rival Hollywood’s best, that they could evoke emotions and create unforgettable memories. They pushed the limits of technology and gave us experiences we’d never had before.

Even today, the echoes of these classics can be felt in the games we play. Developers constantly borrow, adapt, and refine the mechanics, storytelling techniques, and design philosophies created during the PlayStation’s golden era.

Wrapping It Up

Revisiting these classic PlayStation games isn’t just about nostalgia (though, let’s be real, it’s a big part of it). It’s about recognizing the foundation they laid and the impact they’ve had on an industry that now draws in billions of players worldwide. These games didn’t just change the PlayStation brand; they changed gaming. Period.

So, the next time you boot up your PlayStation 5 and marvel at the lifelike graphics and expansive open worlds, take a moment to thank these pioneers. Without them, the games we love today wouldn’t exist in the same way.