Worthy of a Second Look

Author's Note: All copyrights for the images in this comic go to their respective owners.

Today marks the 30th Anniversary of the launch of the Sony PlayStation in Japan. While it was the video game console that revolutionized the video game industry and gave us Twisted Metal, Final Fantasy VII, PaRappa the Rapper, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, Tomb Raider, Metal Gear Solid, Klonoa and too many other franchises to name, we must also remember the forgotten gems of the original PlayStation because they also made this console the icon of video game history. Here are just five PS1 games that deserve a second look.

1. The Sunsoft Memorial Series: Remember the Famicom/NES games that were conceived by Sunsoft? In 2001 and 2002, Sunsoft ported twelve Famicom/NES games to the PS1 in a six-volume compilation known as the Sunsoft Memorial Series. The twelve Famicom/NES games in this compilation are Ikki, Super Arabian, Route-16 Turbo, Mystery of Atlantis, 53 Stations of the Tokaido, The Wing of Madoola, Blaster Master, Ripple Island, Journey to Silius/Raf World, Hebereke, Super Spy Hunter/Battle Formula and Mr Gimmick. Give these NES games a try if you miss the glory days of Sunsoft.

2. Jaleco Collection Volume 1: Jaleco was also involved in bringing Famicom/NES games to the PS1 as well. However, they stopped making these compilations after Volume 1. The games featured in this compilation are Argus, City Connection, Exerion, Field Combat, Formation Z, Ninja Jajamaru-Kun and Rod Land. If you miss the glory days of Jaleco, this compilation is a must-try.

3. The Arika Cardcaptor Sakura Trilogy: Did you know that Cardcaptor Sakura video games exist? In fact, Arika made three Cardcaptor Sakura games for the PS1, and one of them happens to be a Tetris game, so give it a try if you like Tetris as well.

4: Puyo Puyo BOX: This was the very last Puyo Puyo game to be developed by Compile before they handed over the Puyo Puyo rights to Sega. It was also the first PS1 game to be published by Sega, and it was released on the PS1 months before Sega discontinued the Dreamcast. Awkward, isn't it?

5. Metal Slug (PS1 Port): While Metal Slug is best remembered for being the Run-and-Gun title that gave the Neo Geo a second wind, we should also remember that the PS1 version of Metal Slug has another game mode called "Another Story". It can only be unlocked by winning the arcade game once. Free space on the PS1 Memory Card is also required for this mode. This mode has four minigames. If you complete it, it will unlock "Another Story II" after pressing R1+L2+O while the title screen cursor is on "Another Story".

With all that said, Happy 30th Anniversary, Sony PlayStation! Here's to the next 30 years!