31. Croc: Legend of the Gobbos – Melty
The cooler green reptile… Sorry, Nintendo, you dropped the ball.
This title is the first of two amazing games that are sorely missed by fans. Of course, we recently saw the remastered version released in 2025. Now, if you take a look at Croc, you’ll probably see similarities between his design and the ever-popular Nintendo dino, Yoshi. This is because Croc was initially proposed as a Yoshi game, but the very silly Nintendo rejected the project.
This game sold over 2.4 million units within its first two years, and a sequel was released in 1999. Fans were expecting a third game in the main series; however, Argonaut Games closed its doors in 2004… But fear not, young crocodile fans! They re-established themselves in 2024, which means we could see the third game appear at some point in the future. We’ll just have to stay hopeful on that front, though, as there is no confirmation or even speculation about it happening.
Croc is basically Moses to begin with, I guess
But what is the game even about? Well, you see, Croc is a… well, crocodile, who was discovered as a baby, in a basket floating down a river by King Rufus — the monarch of the Gobbos. The Gobbos… Just look them up, they’re adorable. Anyway, as Croc grows older, he grows much larger than his saviours. The valley that they live in starts getting terrorised by Baron Dante and his minions.
Snatching Gobbos, locking them in cages, and being true menaces, the King, worried for Croc’s safety, sends him away using an ally bird’s magical powers. This is where the game begins, and you, playing as the titular crocodile, must save your found family, the Gobbos, bringing the valley back to its previous serenity. To do this, you play in a platformer that takes inspiration from the gameplay of Tomb Raider, Super Mario 64, Sonic the Hedgehog, and even Gex.
If you were to ask me what the best game for the PS1 is, I’d almost definitely name-drop this green guy. Also, just to reaffirm, this is NOT the same series as Croc’s World, so if you’re basing your opinion on those games, try this Croc instead.
32. Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue – Riley
Be careful with that, it’s extremely dangerous!
Toy Story 2 has so much Super Mario 64 DNA built into it, it’s crazy to believe this was a children’s licensed game. Developed by the legendary Traveller’s Tales, it features Buzz’s journey to find and rescue Woody, as per the movie it’s tied into. What makes this one so special is that it takes the sandbox formula and improves it, removing the level boot-out system and allowing you to continue. It also works wonders with scale, allowing these toys to explore worlds that feel massive to them. Whilst maintaining realistic sizing, these places feel real, whilst also being great platforming areas.
The only complaint I have is the controls; they have not aged the best. Clunky, d-pad movement and floaty jumps mean that this game takes quite a bit of practice to master. It can feel especially troublesome if you play it right after a modern platformer, but it’s not unplayable. If you play this alongside other titles on this list, I’m sure it won’t feel as egregious, but it is something to consider.
33. Breath of Fire IV – Kane
Another Day, Another Ryu
My personal favourite of the franchise. The fourth instalment feels like a distillation of the best aspects of the previous games. Employing a timeless artstyle that holds up even today, classic turn-based combat with a satisfying combo mechanic and a colourful cast of characters with compelling stories of their own to explore.
As ever, the story follows Ryu, a blue-haired boy of ambiguous origin with a connection to the power of the dragons. Waking up with no memories and even fewer clothes, Ryu is found by Nina, a girl on the search for her missing sister. Of course, Ryu tags along and is soon embroiled in world events that seem to intertwine with his own origin.
The character and creature design is what really stands out here. Every party member is from a different culture, and this is evident in every aspect of their design. Then there are the dragons, reflecting dragon myths from around the world, and each with a design that fits their purpose in the primal forces of the world. Exploring the world and seeing what all the dragons look like is easily one of my favourite aspects of the game.
34. Sheep Dog N Wolf – James
NOT Wiley Coyote, surprisingly
What if you just really wanted to steal some sheep? Your reasons are your own, but that was what you wanted to do with your evening. You’d think you’d not have any options at all, but you’d be wrong! Sheep Dog ‘n’ Wolf is a Looney Tunes game where Daffy Duck has you on a game show where you take part in progressively more difficult and ingenious puzzles. What’s stopping you? Sam The Sheepdog.
He’s ready to run over and biff you in the noggin if he catches you. How then will we steal the sheep? ACME Corporation.
ACME Corp sponsors the game show and provides a multitude of gadgets to aid in your thieving adventure. This stops the game from getting stale, but also can get a little bit confusing when the game wants you to use a specific item in one particular way to find the solution. Sheep Dog ‘n’ Wolf really does show the diversity of the PS1, and why there’s always more games to find.
35. WWF: Smackdown 2 Know Your Role – Riley
“It doesn’t matter what you think!”
Wrestling games are a dime a dozen in the modern climate, with 2K publishing a new WWE game annually. But, are there any benefits in going backwards? Or should we stick to the modern era? Well, personally, I have a soft spot for the Yuke’s era of WWE games, and as far as these titles go for the PS1, Know Your Role takes the cake. It features a full career mode, create a superstar, and so many modes that have become series staples. Not to mention, the roster of wrestlers here is both iconic and legendary, with everyone you’d expect plucked right out of the Attitude Era.
The arcade-style fighting mechanics of this game are great for pick-up and play. You can face off against anyone with very little explanation and still have a great time. My personal favourite parts are the backstage brawls. The world feels huge and immersive, especially for its time, and having so many varied areas to kick each other’s faces in is wonderful. If you’re a wrestling fan and nostalgic for the Attitude Era, this is a great look back at a bygone era.
36. Soul Blade/Soul Edge – Kane
*loud hissing* – Voldo probably
A varied – and sometimes kinda creepy – cast of characters, wielding various historical weapons, all on a quest to find and claim the infamous Soul Edge, the most powerful and evil sword in the world. The first in a weapon-based based 3d fighting franchise that’s still active to this day, Soul Blade is well worth a look at to see where the franchise started.
Soul Blade is one of the more accessible fighting games on the console, featuring an easy-to-understand control scheme that still offers enough depth to keep veteran fighters engaged. Adding a long-running fighting game franchise to one of our lists always seems like a risk since every instalment after will likely be better, so for this one, I’d say the main reason you’d try this one out is to experience the beginning of one of the fighting game greats.
37. Worms Armageddon – Kane
Worms.
It’s Worms, what can I really say beyond that?
Pick a team of worms or make one of your own and enter the battlefield. Armed with a huge range of improbable weaponry, your job is to try to annihilate the other team. It’s that simple.
Armageddon is arguably the distillation of what makes the franchise great. You have a huge range of weapons, a bunch of customisation options for the matches, and it’s just plain arcade-like fun.
If you’re looking for a little worms in your life, you can’t go far wrong with this one.
38. Crash Bandicoot 2 – Riley
“To save the world, I need Crystals!“
In my humble opinion, the Crash Bandicoot series peaked with Cortex Strikes Back. Taking the gameplay that made Crash a household name, tightening the platforming and expanding level themes. Crash can now slide, crawl, hang from bars and meshes and belly flop to break boxes. He can also utilise a jet pack and jet board for sky and river traversal, making this the perfect depth of abilities. Adding in the crystals, making the gems less ambiguous and the new hub to access levels are all massive improvements.
Speaking of that hub, the music that plays here is stellar and is always looping around in my head. The music in general is massively improved, too, and is what comes to mind immediately when I think of Crash. Taking all these elements, with a great variety of level themes, great bosses and a perfect execution is what makes it so great. While it comes down to personal preference, I think the sequel edges out the third game. But your mileage will vary, and I would recommend any game in the trilogy.
39. MediEvil – Kane
Skeleton of fun
After unceremoniously dying before even getting to the final battle against Zarok, Sir Dan Fortesque is wrongly lauded as a hero by the people. Now, years later, Zarok has returned with a horde of undead and revived Dan in the process. Determined to become the hero he’s known for, Dan sets out to put Zarok down once and for all.
MediEvil is a hack-and-slash game known for its wacky characters and its morbid sense of humour. Using a wide range of weaponry (including your own arm), you’ll flail around each level, finding secrets to progress until you finish the stage. It’s by no means complex, but the charm of the art style, the humour and Dan himself will carry you through the experience easily.
40. The Adventures of Alundra – Dave
The Zelda-rival of your dreams
Alundra is hard af (affectionate). It might look derivative at first (you play as an increasingly well-armed silent elven twink), but it differentiates itself from the average LOZ title by being about a small village with a cast of characters you can get to know across the course of the game.
You also have to watch as a sinister force murders them in their dreams one by one. It’s up to you to walk the dreamscape and save them, even as they grow increasingly suspicious of you and your powers. Nightmares are dungeons fraught with monsters and puzzles you have to overcome. Like Psychonauts, which would be released the gen after, each level shows the unique traits of the character that houses it. It’s a cool game. I would appreciate it if it got revisited one day…
Post Comment