Updated list! Thanks again all. Seems Final Fantasy is a clear winner across three games… but lots of really good ideas here, and many games I’ve never heard of before. Now I’ve just gotta figure out a way to play these games… I don’t own a PC. The only way I’ve heard as being a really solid emulator would be on XBSX. Can anyone attest?

Keep giving me game names!

You don't own even a basic laptop? PS1 games could run emulated on the PC I used to do schoolwork in 2006

You can just check if the game is available to purchase on PS store, Capcom and Square have a couple of classics to purchase digitally 

A cheap raspberry pi runs PS1 games well.  Not sure if it plays all games, but it works.  takes a little bit to set it up, but not hard.

I’ve got a MacBook Air (2019) but it turns into a furnace when running something as light as Microsoft Word. I’ve got the latest iPad Pro, is it possible to emulate on that? I know for a fact it could handle it if so. Otherwise, I’ll have to look around.

edit: Just found this! Seems promising.

Tekken 3 - The game I wished I owned a PS1 to play back in the day

Metal Gear Solid - To me the absolute best game on the system

Crash Bandicoot and Spyro - To get the feel of the time era

Many games is better upgraded and played on other systems I think. 

Maby play PS2 games emulated on PC. PS1 ones games were great in their era but they hadn't aged well.

If you still insist :

All Square Enix RPGs

Other RPGS : Breath of Fire III - IV, Suikoden I & II , Vandal Hearts I & II, King's Field I-III, Legend Of Legaia, Koudelka, Master Of Monsters, The Legend of Dragoon, Wild Arms I & II And Many More.

Metal gear Solid (remastered on PC)

Resident Evil 1-3 (remastered on PC)

Tomb Raider 1-4 (remastered on PC)

Broken Sword 1-2 (remastered on PC)

Abe's Oddyssey & Exodus (remastered on PC)

Nightmare Creatures

Clock Tower 1-2

Devil Deception's 1-3

Silent Hill 

Crash Bandicoot 1-3 (remastered on PC)

Castlevania - Symphony of the Night

Grand Theft Auto 1 & 2

Medal of Honor

Theme Park & Theme Hospital

Some games that haven't been mentioned that I'd consider essential

Dino Crisis
Dino Crisis 2
Powerslave / Exhumed (name dependent on region - remastered for current consoles as Powerslave Exhumed)
Roll Away / Kula World (name dependent on region)

@firebush03 if you're considering pirating these games, please don't. Don't be part of the problem. There are plenty of ways to purchase and experience PS1 games legally, whether digitally on PS3, PS4, PS5, and PSV, or physically on the original hardware. Some of the best PS1 games are also available via modern collections, like Suikoden I & II HD Remaster, Metal Gear Solid Master Collection, and Castlevania Requiem.

There is no problem to be part of by emulating 5th generation 1990s games in 2025, the money they invested got its return back then.

I don't use emulators myself, pretty much since the PS3 I've decided to not touch emulators and invest in original hardware and physical copies of the games, but that is expensive, messy and a horrible way to just try some old games.

I do recommend trying to buy the rereleases over emulation, but trying the game first and buying it later if you liked it seems a lot easier and would result in zero harm to the industry.

Forgot to mention Future Cop LAPD and the original Grand Theft Auto games. All good fun.