Gamertell

Thanks to Virtual Console and the PlayStation Store, people are being granted access to great, classic video games that they may have missed. The sad thing is, while Virtual Console is redistributing games at a steady pace, PSOne Classics are trickling out.

There’s a huge catalog of PSOne games available, and many of them are fantastic and revolutionary titles. Gamertell decided it was time to look back at some of the amazing games released for the PlayStation and pick out ones that deserve PSOne Classic status.

This is not a complete list. The original PlayStation was home to many wonderful, trailblazing games. Resident Evil, Parasite Eve, Chrono Cross, Tomba, Twisted Metal, Tomb Raider, Guilty Gear... the list goes on and on. Here, we’re just looking at some of the absolute best games.

10. Silhouette Mirage

Ah, Silhouette Mirage. It was the bain of my existance for a brief period of time in high school. Since it is more of an obscure title, let’s go over the game.

It’s a side scrolling, run and gun action game from Treasure. A lab experiment attempting to create a child named Armageddon that had Silhouette and Mirage element resulted in, well, Armageddon. The kid split into Silhouette and Mirage parts (Megido and Hal), and all other life on Earth was split as well, killing many in the process.

That’s where Shyna Nera Shyna comes in. She has both Silhouette and Mirage elements, and is setting out to reverse what happened by reuniting Silhouette and Mirage elements. The twist is that Silhouette enemies can only be damaged by the Mirage half of Shyna and Mirage enemies can only be damaged by the Silhouette half. So, you have to spend the game knowing when to switch between the two.

9. Street Fighter Alpha 3

For many, Street Fighter Alpha 3 is the definitive entry in the series. It’s the one many people grew up with. It lets players pick from three fighting styles (A-ism, X-ism and V-ism). It also has 33 characters to choose from.

Supposedly, a PlayStation Store release is already planned for Street Fighter Alpha 3, so having it here is kind of a moot point. Still, it’s one of the hallmark PlayStation titles and deserves to be on the list.

8. UmJammer Lammy

Everybody remembers Parappa the Rapper, but seems to forget UmJammer Lammy. It’s very similar to the Parappa games, except here players help Lammy, guitarist for Milkcan, as she rushes to make it to the concert on time. She faces numerous delays, and has to play or air guitar her way through various events and lessons to make it in time.

Some highlights of the game were the ability to replay as Parappa instead of Lammy in the Solo mode, a Co-op mode and a Vs. mode.

One suggestion though, make the PlayStation Store release the European one. The US version was censored and the European was not. For example, Stage Six was completely changed, as in the original game it featured Lammy dying, being mistaken for Rammy and then sent to Hell. In the US version, she was sent back in time to a tropical island.

7. Tomb Raider

While the remake of Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, is splendid, it would be nice to have the original offered on the PlayStation Store. After all, it did mark the debut of the series and is a legendary game.

6. Tenchu: Stealth Assassins

Ninjas are cool, and most people have probably fantastized about being one, or having the abilities of one, at some point in their lives. Tenchu: Stealth Assassins let people live out those fantasies in 10 different levels, getting to go through ninja missions as Rikimaru or Ayame. It also marked the debut of the Tenchu series.

It might be asking too much, or even be impossible, but if this received a PlayStation Store release then maybe the mission editor from the Japanese rerelease Tenchu: Shinobi Gaisen could be included as well.

5. Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo

Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix was nice, but it removed many features from the original Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo that people loved. I, for one, miss the multiple Win Taunts and Street Puzzle Mode.

Let’s see a release of the original, unedited game. I wouldn’t be surprised if a substantial number of people preferred it to the HD Remix.

4. Silent Hill

Silent Hill is returning to the Wii, PS2 and PSP as Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, but that doesn’t mean we don’t need a digital download of the original. After all, the remake is being described as a reimagining.

There was a brief release through the European PlayStation Store, but it was removed. Let’s hope it gets released again.

3. Suikoden II

Suikoden is available in the PlayStation Store now, so it seems only fitting that the sequel Suikoden II gets released as well. A copy of the original game can easily cost over $50 on eBay, and nobody can afford that! Suikoden II is seen by many as the best entry in the series, so it seems only fitting that it become a PSOne Classic.

2. Metal Gear Solid

Metal Gear Solid is one of the best known PlayStation games, and it seems only right that this incredibly successful game, which helped spawn the stealth genre, become a PSOne Classic.

If it manages to receive a PlayStation Store release, then perhaps include Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions as a bonus.

1. Every PSX Final Fantasy (VII, VIII, IX)

This should be fairly obvious. Ever since the Japan and Asian PlayStation Stores received the International version of Final Fantasy VII, fans in all the other regions have been craving it as well. We’ll go a step further and suggest that VIII and IX be added as well. May as well make it a set.