I want to experience the PS1. What are the must-play games?

[firebush03]

SvennoJ said:

firebush03 said:

I’d rather just purchase the physical copy and then emulate. I don’t see anything ethically wrong with that. (Unless you believe it is unethical to purchase second-hand copies of games...) I like collecting physical, even if the disc doesn’t work. I appreciate the resources!

If you want to experience the PS1, you really need to get the original hardware and an old CRT. Emulation doesn't recreate the experience. But yeah you do have the risk now of faulty disks and memory cards.

Dunno if emulation on CRT is available, but the games were made for interlaced CRT. Just not the same on modern displays :/ Same with PS2, looks horrible on modern 4K tv :/

I would need to hook up noise cancelling headphones to any TV I’m playing (I’ve got a funny little neurological disorder that makes it very uncomfortable to play games otherwise, at least for the short term). So, as much as I would love to play CRT, I’ll have to stomach visuals plastered on a 4k TV.

That said, I think the plan is this: I purchase an OG PS1 (to get that real authentic experience), purchase a game that looks very enticing (Ape Escape is top of the list), and if the disc/console doesn’t work, either (i) research disc/console repair OR (ii) DuckStation on my Steam Deck if all else fails.

Last edited by firebush03 - on 29 September 2025