While they may look crude today, the 3D capabilities of 5th gen consoles like N64, Saturn, and PS1 opened up whole new frontiers in gaming and paved the way for the games we have today. 

Of all the 3D games on this generation of consoles, which do you think was the most graphically impressive, and what about it made it so impressive?

I only played the PS4 version, but even Final Fantasy IX on PS1 is impressive graphically. The models in particularly stand out even with often flat backgrounds.

It's so hard to judge these days. I would have said MGS1 or Granturismo 2 bavk in the day so I'll stick with those. Looking back however, I see many games that look better like FF9 with the static backgrounds so IDK.

Both Spyro 3 and Crash 3 on PS1 still gets me impressed because of how detailed and colorful the graphics are. And Fear Effect is also quite impressive.

Tough one. It's a toss between gran turisomo 2 and parasite eve 2. But then again resident evil , mgs1 broke new ground.

Burning Rangers was using Dynamic lighting. That hardware was not made for that, but SEGA accomplished it. No console that generation was built for that.

They ran like shit but Turok 2 and Perfect Dark were impressive on N64 and Turok 3 had lip sync which was not even that common in many early 6th gen consoles. Why was it mindblowing in Shenmue with Dreamcast, let alone N64.

Vagrant Story and Omega Boost were insanely impressive for PS1 and 2 games. I think they should have waited for PS2. They were a bit too ambitious for PS1.

I don't really count FFIX, while yes, it's the best-looking FF on PS1. Using pre-rendered backgrounds helps a lot where Vagrant Story was all 3D.

Radiant Silvergun was magic back then and was made with Saturn fully in mind so it would be nearly impossible to port to PS1.

Lylat Wars, Sin and Punishment, Turok 2, Majora’s Mask, Metal Gear Solid, and Final Fantasy 8 (particularly the battle graphics and 3D renders).

ARGH! How could I forget Sin n Punishment! From visuals to the amount of VA in that game is insane!

Majora’s Mask yes, but also Conker’s Bad Fur Day.

This is the console generation that I hated the most in terms of visuals. I found that the 3D was wayyy too weak and would have needed some more time to mature to bring some acceptable graphics.

As such, There sadly isn't any game in 3D on any of the 3 consoles that I ever really could consider impressive. I found the rare 2D games released in those years much more impressive