PSX Hidden Gems

[congobongo]

I haven't purchased any PSX (one) games in quite a while and with all the cheap used titles out there I thought I might pick up a few. I'm not looking for top 20 list, I know all of the blockbuster titles. I'm more interested in some hidden gems that may have gone unoticed perhaps because they came out early on or later when there seemed to be 50 games a month being released. What are your favourite PSX hidden gems?

UPDATE: here is the compiled list. I left out a few like Ape Escape that i thought were too well known to be considered hidden gems.

Ballistic
Battle Arena Toshinden 3
Blast Radius
Builder's Block
Carnage Heart
Colin McRae 2.0
Critical Depth
Crossroad Crisis
Crusaders of Might and Magic
DarkStone
Deception III
Devil Dice
Dino Crisis 2
Disruptor
Dracula: Last Sanctuary
Dracula: The Resurrection
Dragon Quest IV
Dragon Warrior 7
Dune 2000
Einhander
Elemental Gearbolt
Felony 11-79
G. Darius
Galerians
Gekioh: Shooting King
Ghost in the Shell
Grind Session
Guilty Gear
Heart of Darkness
Hot Shots Golf
Incredible Crisis
Intelligent Qube
Italian Job, The
Jade Cocoon
Jesse James: The Gunfighter
Jumping Flash
Jumping Flash II
Kagero: Deception 2
King of Fighters (Any Version)
Koudelka
Looney Tunes Sheep Raider
Martian Gothic
Metal Slug X
Micro Maniacs (aka Fox Kids presents Micro Maniacs)
Motor Toon Grand Prix
Nectaris
No One Can Stop Mr. Domino
Omega Boost
Pandemonium
Pepsiman
Pipe Dreams 3D
Poy Poy
Project Overkill
Puzzle Star Sweep
Quake II
Raiden Project, The
RC Copter
Red Alert (any/link)
Rogue Trip: Vacation 2012
Roll Away
Rollcage
Rollcage II
Saiyuki: Journey West
Saltwater Sportfishing
Sanvein
Sheep
Silent Bomber
Skullmonkeys
Street Sk8er
Strider 2
Strikers 1945
Super Buster Bros Collection
Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo
Tecmo's Deception
Tempest X3
Ten Pin Alley
Thunderforce V
Tobal No. 1
Trap Gunner
Turnabout
V.I.P.
V-Rally 2
Wipeout 3 (link)
Xevious 3D/G+

[The Young Game Collector]

Well....


King of Fighters (Any Version): Was Good,
Sheep:I found entertaining but I'm a kid, so you might not find it too interesting...
Thrasher Sk8 And Destroy:Great, but icky control and flawed :roll:
Street Sk8er:Very Limited appeal. You really don't controll the tricks, but being a skater I found this one charming.


My Thinking is really off seeing as I JUST Woke up, I will post more later...

[Raedon]

Pepsiman
Tempest X

[spoon]

Poy-Poy in all its great gameplay joyfullness

[Neo-Jorge]

you have to get poy poy, It's a really fun game with friends.



Thanks

[Anonymous]

Incredible Crisis might get overlooked because it was released pretty late. It's a bunch of fun wacky mini games obviously designed for japan. You can find it new for around 15 bucks. Plus it's got an awesome soundtrack done by the Japanese Ska Orchestra!

[Sniderman]

The Italian Job - Loads of driving-mission fun for less than $10.

Jesse James: The Gunfighter - Rail-mounted shooter, but has a cool look and spaghetti-western feel. Also, less than $10.

Can't Stop Mr. Domino - Bizarre Japanese release that made it over here. Set up lines of dominoes for tumbling combinations.

Intelligent Qube - I always thought this was kind of a hidden gem of a game, 'cause I didn't hear much about it when it came out. Now, expect to pay through the nose for it. Either people have discovered how great a game this truly is and demand has skyrocketed, or it's more rare than I ever thought....

[Arcade Antics]

Can't Stop Mr. Domino - Bizarre Japanese release that made it over here. Set up lines of dominoes for tumbling combinations.

Ahem... *cough* I believe you are referring to the mighty "No One Can Stop Mr. Domino."

And it's simply a fantastic, must have game. Wacky and fun, can you chain all the tricks together at once? You'll see some groovy extra stuff if you can. Outta sight.

I'd also suggest Devil Dice, another Art Dink title that you really have to play to appreciate. Screenshots don't do it justice, it's a great head to head (to head to head if you like, supports up to 4 players) puzzle contest.

I'll second Sheep and Incredible Crisis. Oft misunderstood gems that are out there waiting for you to grab 'em up.

The rest of the list is good too!

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

Sheep
Pipe Dreams 3D (I spent HOURS playing one round of this Saturday night)
Builder's Block
Tempest X3
Xevious 3D/G+
...and quite a few others. Basically, almost anything in my collection.

[Kid Fenris]

Elemental Gearbolt -An excellent fantasy-themed light gun game that no one seems to talk about much. Tough to find, but worth it.

Ghost in the Shell -Based on the anime and manga (seriously, it borrows equally from each source), it's a rather fun 3-D platform shooter designed by the makers of Jumping Flash.

Skullmonkeys -A little-known platformer from the creator of Earthworm Jim, this one's kinda basic in gameplay, but it's got enough amusing Claymation style and humor to make it worth a look.

[ubersaurus]

Dragon Warrior 7 loves you. Oh it's true, it's true.

[RJ]

"...Mr Domino!" is good...a few I picked up most recently:

RC/Helicopter
Martian Gothic (survival horror; EXTREMELY challenging!)
Dracula: The Resurrection/Last Sanctuary (both Myst-type horror)
Saltwater Sportfishing

And Einhander, Project Overkill & Kagero: Deception 2 if you can find 'em...

[kainemaxwell]

Tempest X3 is mine- got it under $5 at my local EBX.

[Six Switch]

Dragon Warrior 7 loves you. Oh it's true, it's true.

Yes it is true!

And Metal Slug X is a great game. :D :grin: ;)

[DDCecil]

- The Jumping Flash and King's Field games.
- I also agree on Incredible Crisis and Metal Slug X.

- As for imports, the almighty Internal Section, Squaresoft's BEST non-RPG game. If you like games like N20, Rez, and Frequency - Get this, now. I command you.
- And of course, Dragon Quest IV Remake.

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

Oh, I forgot Dune 2000. Still my all-time fave in the real-time strategy genre, and the PS1 version is lovely, especially if you've got a mouse.

The one thing I miss on the PSone is the "link" jack - I finally get more than one Playstation, and lo and behold, I can't do death matches now. Damn. :hmm:

[scooterb23]

V.I.P. - yes the game based on the Pam Anderson show, actually fun...
Looney Tunes Sheep Raider
Einhander
Ten Pin Alley, wonderful bowling game
Critical Depth - underwater Twisted Metal - a little slower, but very good
Hot Shots Golf
Mr. Domino
Incredible Crisis
Motor Toon Grand Prix - the best cartoon / kart style racing game ever
Jumping Flash

That should cover most of my list...

eep...I can't find my copy of Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo PANIC!!!

whew...there it is, hidden under my sister's Dukes of Hazzard game...

grrrrrr

[Six Switch]

Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo is a great very overlooked game.If you can find it that is. :grin: x_x ;)

[ubersaurus]

My friend used to have Puzzle Fighter, then his ex girlfriend stole it...last I heard she moved to virginia.

[maxlords]

If I could AFFORD Puzzle Fighter I'd get it...

My list:

Jumping Flash 1 and 2
Pandemonium (I liked it!)
Omega Boost (great game!)
Nectaris
G. Darius
Metal Slug X
Strikers 1945
Puzzle Star Sweep
Strider 2
Elemental Gearbolt
Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare
Galerians
koudelka (slow but good)
Saiyuki: Journey West
Intelligent Qube (well-known now, but didn't used to be)

[scooterb23]

She most likely moved to Virginia on the profits from selling that game on Ebay...I wish I had another copy, just to sell!!!

[ClubNinja]

Roll Away. I'm telling you, it's a great puzzle game...

[briskbc]

A couple of great games are.

Ballistic
Felony 11-79
Pipe Dream (cheap new)

[congobongo]

MOVED COMPILATION POST TO TOP

[ClubNinja]

I swear whenever I bring up Roll Away, I always get ignored. Your loss kids, your loss! ; )

[Sniderman]

I've owned Roll Away and it's a fun game. If you can keep from leaping to your death all the damn time.

Fun game, but the constantly shifting perspectives (up os down, left become right, etc.) can really drive you nuts. That's part of it's charm though. Recommended.

Are you happy now? :D

[congobongo]

I swear whenever I bring up Roll Away, I always get ignored. Your loss kids, your loss! ; )

Sorry, my mistake, it has been added!

P.S. Picked up Galerians and Martian gothic today $10 CAN each. Those were the only 2 I could find at lunch.

[BenT]

If I could AFFORD Puzzle Fighter I'd get it...


The US Saturn version is quite serviceable, and cheaper.

Btw: Roll Away looks pretty interesting! One question: 30 or 60 fps? Just curious.

[ClubNinja]

Thank you. Roll Away feels very happy now : )

The only bad part of the game are the fire blocks that make you get all red and POP! There are some really challenging (evil) puzzles in there. I think I'll go play it now. (Ok, I'm really not going to play it right now. In fact, I'm all done with my Roll Away push... just needed to make sure it was recognized. Carry on.)

[RJ]

BTW Dracula: Resurrection & Dracula: Last Sanctuary are 2 separate (2-disc) games.
Also, it's not that hard to find but DarkStone is a damn good Diablo clone!

[metal_head]

Some PS games I rather like are:

Rapid Reload: called "Gunners Heaven in the US I believe, side scrolling treasure style 2d platform shooter.

Wip3out: It's Wipeout!....It's 3!... It's the best one out of the lot!

Disruptor: Doomy type thing...good!

Ape Escape: Platformey 3D thing...catch monkeys with gadgets....cool!!


Others that may have been mentioned that I like to play:

Motor Toon GP 2
The Raiden Project
Sanvein
Ridge Racer
Omega Boost
Jumping Flash
Rollcage 1 or 2.

[dsullo]

I have a game that I absolutely loved and it was completely ripped apart in the reviews. I actually finished it too. It was one of my favorite RPG's..

PSX Crusaders of Might and Magic

you can get it dirt cheap at pratcially any EB. Probably 7.00 used.

Try it , If you are into RPGS

[Kid Fenris]

Metal, I don't think that Gunners Heaven was released in the U.S., and until I read your post, I thought that the game was one of those Japan-only deals. Is "Rapid Reload" the European title?

I've always wanted to try the game, since it's supposedly as close as you can get to a Gunstar Heroes sequel.

[beamish13]

Heart of Darkness is challenging. It's kinda like Flashback on the Genesis/SNES.

[ROBOTRON]

Einhander :D

[metal_head]

Metal, I don't think that Gunners Heaven was released in the U.S., and until I read your post, I thought that the game was one of those Japan-only deals. Is "Rapid Reload" the European title?

I've always wanted to try the game, since it's supposedly as close as you can get to a Gunstar Heroes sequel.


Yeah, Rapid Reload was the UK title .

Well worth checking out if you can !

[RJ]

@dsullo- there's a reason it was ripped apart...it SUCKS! :P

[dsullo]

RJ
Did you even try it? I must be crazy because I thought it was great.

[congobongo]

I have added all of the suggestions to my initial post. Enjoy.

[RJ]

@dsullo- yes, I bought it for full price & returned it to Funco 2 days later. It was so bad I didn't mind taking the hit in the wallet. Guzzling health potions constantly, being ganged up on from behind in a fight, & being unable to skip cutscenes ( I only recall some creature running out of the room) do NOT a good game make for me! It was honestly the worst game I've ever owned & I very seldom rip a game w/out trying it first.

[WiseSalesman]

Hey CongoBongo: Regarding your now compiled list, you know Yop-Yop isn't a real game right? It was simply reversed for a "Secret Word of the Day" contest in OT. When Joe reverses the process (if he hasn't already), you might want to change it back to the true title of the game, Poy Poy.

[Kid Fenris]

I have one last suggestion: Guilty Gear. The sequel is far prettier, but the PSX original is still a lot of fun, with its aggression-favoring gameplay and slick anime atmosphere.

[digitalpress]

L O L !

"Yop Yop"

Ah, sometimes I just kill me. I'll start up a new censored word tomorrow - for now, things have been restored and you may say the game as it was originally meant to be said: Yop Yop.

Just kidding! Poy Poy :D

[josekortez]

Right now, my faves are Gekioh: Shooting King and Dino Crisis 2. I didn't know what Gekioh was until I looked at the screenshots. It's no Mars Matrix (DC) or Radiant Silvergun (Sat), but it's pretty fun at under ten dollars.

Dino Crisis 2 is everything Resident Evil should be. It's pretty therapeutic to blast away at velociraptors. EB has DC2 new for ten bucks.

Also, I got a used copy of All-Star Slammin' D-Ball for less than 3 bucks. It doesn't suck all that much -- pretty challenging.

[dogbert]

Wip3out: It's Wipeout!....It's 3!... It's the best one out of the lot!


If you're a Wipeout fan, you should try to pick up the European only "Wipeout 3 Special Edition" for the PSX - it features tracks from the first two games (as well as the ones from 3) using the much improved engine in WO3. A very good game.

[Starcade]

Ghost in the Shell
Jade Cacoon

[TVs Hasselhoff]

Wipeout 3 (link)
Carnage Heart
Rollcage 1 or 2
Micro Maniacs (aka Fox Kids presents Micro Maniacs)
Colin McRae 2.0
any of the Red Alerts (link)
V-Rally 2
Silent Bomber
Blast Radius

almost any of the link games are worth it because of the link capability. don't get Sony, they keep putting the ability into their machines, yet they don't tell anyone about it.

[Mr Mort]

I'd say Silent Bomber.

The game plays a bit like the overhead or 3/4 overhead stages from Contra, only you lay bombs and detonate them at the right time instead of shooting a gun.

Mucho fun game.

[AB Positive]

I'll second the jumping flash series as well as throw in some love for the Deception series. I got Deception III a while ago and I'm finally playing through it now, damn I love this series.

*sets some TRAPs for y'all over here*

-AG

[digitalpress]

Two to add.

Definitely need to add TRAP GUNNER. It's kind of a split-screen, 2D Bomberman, if you can picture that. Very frantic and definitely best when played head-to-head.

One of the best puzzle games I've played in years is TURNABOUT, a budget title by Natsume. They're doing a great job bringing quality titles to the PSX this late in the game.

[josekortez]

After pouring over my modest PS1 collection of cheap games, I think these should be added:

Grind Session (good Tony Hawk clone)
Quake II (it's fun to frag)
Crossroad Crisis (better than Pipe Dreams 3D)
Thunderforce V (harder than G. Darius but awe-inspiring)
Battle Arena Toshinden 3 (a good stress reliever)

[djbeatmongrel]

only one game comes to mind:

Tobal No. 1 - This game is so unbeleivably good its not even funny plus theres tons of history to it. For example all character design was done by Akira Toriyama, creator of dragon ball and dragon ball z. it also was lumped the first FF7 demo. Along with that bit of info it was the first fighter to my knowledge to really have a true 3d fighting engine and it had the first quest mode in a fighter. Erhgeiz used a very similar mode

I also think Rogue trip: vacation 2012 is a great vehicular combat game that fell under the weight of twisted metal *shudders at the thought of twisted metal*

[lendelin]

damn, great hints! I put a couple of titles on my PS1 buy list.

I tried a couple of times to get Gekioh, and could never find it. Maybae I should try Circuit City...

[kai123]

Super Buster Bros Collection I love this series of games.

[digitalpress]

I've just updated CongoBongo's master list at the beginning of this thread.

[sisko]

Super Puzzle Fighter 2 is dirt cheap now (comparatively) since the release of the game on GBA. It really urks me because the value literally dropped from $130 to $30 overnight. At least I only paid $18 for it LOL

The Misadventures of Tron Bonne was a GREAT game. It had so much variety in it and it is always good for a few laughs.

I heard rumors that it was pulled off the US market because you shoot cops, but I can't confirm this.

[lucavi]

Risk!!!!

as far as i'm concerned this game has the greatest replay value ever. my buddy bought this game like 5-6 years ago and we still get together to this day and play it for hours...and hours...and hours... cause like the game takes forever to finish in ultimate mode.

[KJN]

Klonoa beach volleyball (namco) and Divers dream (konami) although I think the english versions of those two are europe only releases.

Air hockey (japanese title Hoooockey) is simple but fun, Star sweep is a great puzzle game, allways liked Guardians crusade and heard some good things about Power shovel.

[Classicgamesdepot]

Some awsome suggestions so far.. I have one to add, wondering if any1 agrees, powerslave first person shooter, It's very smoothe for an old fps game on the Playstation and very fun, if you havent tried it, check it out

[kainemaxwell]

Would Konami Arcade Classics count?

[mezrabad]

Anyone familiar with Azure Dreams? I don't know if it's "hidden" or not.

It's NetHack with graphics and a framing story. It's also a Dating Sim and Monster Rancheresque.

[kainemaxwell]

Time to look a few of these up...

[Joe West]

I dont care what anybody says........
1.....Mr Dominio
2.....Hot shots golf 2.....

[Game Freak]

Im not sure if these are hidden or not, cause i wasnt around in those days, but here's my list

1. Roll Away
2. Ms Pac Man's Maze Madness
3. M&M's Shell Shocked
4. Goofy's Fun House
5. Tiny Tank

[tom]

Schnappi (import):
http://www.videogamecollectors.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=239012&g2_serialNumber=1

how can you not get PSXs last ever game?

Serious though:
Parasite Eve
Rival Schools
Steel Harbinger

[Astrosmash]

Whenever this topic comes up, I always have to nominate Brigandine: The Legend of Forsena. Very fun strategy game with tons of replay value.

[MachineGex]

I like Herc's Adventure. Great two player game.
Also, "Board Game: Top Shop" is a fun game I would love to get my hands on again.

[The 1 2 P]

Bust A Groove
Bust A Groove 2
Incredible Crisis
Pepsi Man

[Kid Ice]

IMO these games are wayyyy too popular to be on a list of "hidden gems":

Colin McRae 2.0
Einhander
G. Darius
Guilty Gear
Hot Shots Golf (????)
Jumping Flash
Quake II
Rogue Trip: Vacation 2012
Strikers 1945
Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo
Thunderforce V
Tobal No. 1
Wipeout 3 (link)

A few to add:

Battlesport....great Ballblazer style game

N2O....awesome techno tunnel shooter

Skeleton Warriors....good platformer marred by some bad flying scenes

[boogiecat]

Super Puzzle Fighter 2 is dirt cheap now (comparatively) since the release of the game on GBA. It really urks me because the value literally dropped from $130 to $30 overnight. At least I only paid $18 for it LOL

The Misadventures of Tron Bonne was a GREAT game. It had so much variety in it and it is always good for a few laughs.

I heard rumors that it was pulled off the US market because you shoot cops, but I can't confirm this.

Wow i've owned those games and they're great!!:vamp:

[Gabriel]

I'm hoping I just missed it, but I don't think I did. I can't believe no one mentioned:

Raystorm

Easily the best shooter on the PS1. And if it isn't the best shooter of all time, it's definitely in the running.

I have to admit, as a Toshinden fan, Toshinden 3 sucks more than a bit. Battle Arena Toshinden 2 is the one worth the praise.

Most of those late release $10 A1 Games were crap, but Top Shop is a pretty fun electronic boardgame if you have the time to sit down and play.

Need for Speed, Road Rash, and Return Fire were all 3DO ports, but they're all great, and PS owners should give them a look.

I'm kind of fond of N-Gen Racing.

And it seems like the most excellent Vandal Hearts is being forgotten by gaming history. It's sad, because I think it ages much better than Final Fantasy Tactics.

[Sabz5150]

R-Type Delta
R-Types
Starblade Alpha
Raiden Project
Intelligent Qube

[boogiecat]

Anyone familiar with Azure Dreams? I don't know if it's "hidden" or not.

It's NetHack with graphics and a framing story. It's also a Dating Sim and Monster Rancheresque.

Yeah Azure Dreams on the PS One was one of the best(i prefer this one over the GB versions of it)..I really love that game...:-P

[koshichka]

I'll second Mr. Domino and Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo, and give some nominations:

- Wild 9: Tracked platformer (rendered 3d, plays in 2d, like pandemonium), made by Shiny. Main character has a grappling arm, and you are required to act sadistic to progress (example, big spinning fan or meat grinder in the way, you need to pick up enemies and throw them into it until it breaks or you can't get through)
- Silhouette Mirage: This one is by Treasure, so I'm surprised it's not on the list already. Think Ikaruga as a platformer, that's the best I can explain. Really odd bosses. Fun :)
- Pocket Fighter: Think of the nice lil 'superdeformed' style Capcom characters in Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo, and imagine playing them in something actually resembling a fighter....with a strange little power-up system that kinda reminds me of Power Stone.
- Loaded: Closest I can compare it to is Smash TV without the dual-stick control system, and it wasn't single-screen rooms, so it's not really like that either. Early title that got some attention for being incredibly violent, but was eventually forgotten. The sequel (Re-Loaded) is supposed to really suck, but I remember this one being a lot of fun.