Originally published December 3, 2015, updated December 3, 2022.
December 3, 2022 marks the 29th anniversary of the launch of the first ever video game console off of the Playstation series. First introduced in Japan, the original Playstation console was the first to reach 100 million units sold by the end of the month of its launch date. If Playstation were your cousin, he or she would now be in college, probably taking up computer engineering or some other course of the cool kind. Yeah, you’re getting old (insert grumpy millennial statement here).
So to celebrate this milestone, here’s a look back at 8 of the best-selling games ever developed for the original Playstation unit. See if you remember any of these wonderful games that were forgivable for glitchy graphics but memorable for the hours and hours of time wasted enjoyed trying to win over them.
1.) Gran Turismo
Total copies sold: 10.85 million
![36973-Gran_Turismo_[NTSC-U]-2](https://pop.inquirer.net/files/2015/12/36973-Gran_Turismo_NTSC-U-2.jpg)
What made it awesome: What made it awesome: This game spawned a series! Even now there will be an updated GT game to be released on the PlayStation 4. The game also had an AI (artificial intelligence) that was ahead of its competition, as well as an exceptional playlist that featured Chemical Brothers, Garbage, and Manic Street Preachers, among others.
2.) Final Fantasy VII
Total copies sold: 9.72 million
What made it awesome: The first Final Fantasy made in PlayStation and the first Final Fantasy game to utilize three-dimensional graphics. This game has all any JRPG fan would ever wish for in those times, like the battle system (Materia system, baby!), a game that spawned many spinoffs and sequels (Advent Children, Crisis Core, Dirge of Cerberus etc. etc.). As the game player, you had to deal with a lot of twists and turns. There were bunch of mini games, side quests, and easter eggs to be discovered. Consider yourself an FF7 fan if you know what “don’t level Aeris” means.
3.) Resident Evil
Total copies sold: Approximately 9 million
What made it awesome: This game series defined a new genre – Survival Horror! As a player, you had to keep your wits about you because the game was packed with zombies and mutated monsters. You can never go wrong with zombies. It is also in this game that we were first introduced to the fictional Umbrella Corporation which is well-known in the Resident Evil movie series.
4.) Tekken 3
Total copies sold: 8.5 million
What made it awesome: Tekken 3 is the third game in the popular Tekken series and is considered the fifth best-selling PS game of all time. It had animations and graphics that was considerably better than its predecessors. They also added 15 new characters, but you always placed your bets on Eddie.
5.) Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Total copies sold: 8 million
What made it awesome: Not the poor graphics, definitely! The money’s in on the game being a game adaptation of the popular wizard that’s the creative brainchild of author J.K. Rowling. Potterheads definitely united over this game.
6.) Metal Gear Solid
Total copies sold: 7 million
What made it awesome: Lauded and hailed by critics to be one of the greatest and most important games of all time, Metal Gear Solid basically made you a super stealthy person because as the player, you had through the game’s areas without being detected by enemies. This game was thought to have popularized the stealth game genre.
7.) Tomb raider
Total copies sold: Approximately 7 million
What made it awesome: The badass Lara Croft. Part sexy, part cool. Enough said.
8.) Crash Bandicoot
Total copies sold: 6.82 million
What made it awesome: You had Crash Bandicoot, a somewhat cute character whose aim is to rescue a female bandicoot named Tawna. In this game you only had a few lives to waste before the Game Over screen appears, but of course you could always save your progress by selecting “yes.” This is definitely your most favorite platform game in the PS!
Happy birthday, PS1! We kinda miss you! <3
