The Cheapest Playstation (PS1) Games Worth Your Time
When you add a console to your collection, the first thing you want to do is get a handful of games to keep you busy with your new toy. However, most of us can’t spend afford to spend fat pile of cash for a few games. This budget-friendly list should help you quickly find which games will start you off well without emptying your wallet. (Prices listed are an average eBay price for US games, including shipping)
Check out the other Cheapest Games Worth Your Time articles
Cheap Classics
Metal Gear Solid: $7
This Konami classic not only was one of the biggest games on the Playstation, but it also one of the few 3D 32-bit games that has aged gracefully. It’s combination of great story-telling, innovative gameplay, and impressive graphics for the era resulted in a game that holds its own when compared to its more modern series installments and other games in the genre as well.
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Final Fantasy VIII: $8
The eighth Final Fantasy installment essentially took everything that made FFVII a groundbreaking game for the 32-bit generation and took it to the next level with a generous dose of enhancements. With an epic storyline and some of the best looking graphics ever seen on PlayStation, Final Fantasy VIII stood as one of the best RPGs ever released on the console. The not-quite-as-exciting followup, Final Fantasy IX almost made it under the $10 mark, but came up a bit too expensive. But if you are going for the big three FF PS1 titles, go ahead and pick that one up as well.
Shop for Final Fantasy VIII on eBay
Shop for Final Fantasy VIII on Amazon.com
Street Fighter Alpha 3: $9
The PS1 isn’t known for having arcade-accurate ports of 2D fighters, but Capcom really came through in bringing Street Fighter Alpha 3 to the Playstation without compromising. This character-filled brawl-fest is actually one of the best console ports and is an excellent value. If you have a PS2 and want the entire Alpha collection, the Street Fighter Alpha Anthology may be a better value for you.
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Gran Turismo 2: $8
I debated if I should include this one or not as GT3 & 4 are both quite affordable on the PS2 as well. However, if you want a detailed console racer on the PS1 without spending much, look no further than Gran Turismo 2. The game features more than 600 cars, 27 tracks, hundreds of challenges, and more depth and replay value than any other racer on the Playstation.
Shop for Gran Turismo 2 on eBay
Shop for Gran Turismo 2 on Amazon.com
Wipeout XL/Wipeout 3: $7 each
If you are like me and prefer a futuristic arcade-style racer over the complex racing stylings of GT2, you will love the Wipeout series. Wipeout XL and Wipeout 3 were the pinacles of the series on the PS1 and both are quite affordable. At these prices, you really can’t go wrong if you want some blazing-fast racing set to a killer techno soundtrack.
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Ridge Racer Type 4: $7
When it comes to arcade style racing games on the PS1, the Ridge Racer games are in a class of their own. And of the Ridge Racer games on the system, Type 4 is the most complete and polished title of the bunch. Since it was released near the end of the Playstation’s life, Namco was able to max out the console to bring some of the best arcade racing graphics you will see on the PS1. What’s more, if you preferred the driving style of the first Ridge Racer over the others in the series, R4 was packed with a super-smooth 60-fps version of the original. You can’t get a better value than that.
Shop for Ridge Racer Type 4 on eBay
Shop for Ridge Racer Type 4 on Amazon.com
Tekken 3: $5
Personally, I’m not much for the Tekken series, but I know many a Playstation fan that will stand behind this 3D fighter franchise and the depth that Namco is known for. Tekken 3 was definitely one of the major landmarks on the PS1 and should be an essential purchase considering it’s bargain basement price. But keep in mind that the PS2 sequels are cheap as well.
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Shop for Tekken 3 on Amazon.com
Mega Man 8, X4, & X5: $8 each
There are tons of Megaman games on the PS1. So if you enjoy all that running, jumping, and shooting action, there is plenty to keep you busy for quite a while without spending a lot of money. However, if you have a PS2, you might find the Megaman X Collection to be a much more affordable solution for you.
Shop for Mega Man Series on eBay
Shop for Mega Man Series on Amazon.com
Syphon Filter Trilogy: $8
If you want an action-filled good time to complement your Metal Gear Solid, take a look at the Syphon Filer games. Each game of the trilogy is filled with imaginative levels designs, each of which pushed gamers to explore, but also required them to think about every time they began a new stage. If you shop around eBay carefully enough, you may find someone selling all three of these game together for a much more cost-effective package (around $15 for the set).
Shop for Syphon Filter Trilogy on eBay
Shop for Syphon Filter Trilogy on Amazon.com
Um Jammer Lammy: $5
Parrapa the Rapper put a new spin on rhythm games on the PS1, but unfortunately its a bit to expensive to include on this list. Its followup, Um Jammer Lammy, however is one of the cheapest games on this list. This quirky and sometimes bizzare musical adventure is still a riot and is considered by many to have a superior soundtrack to Parrapa. So if you want to lighten your gaming time while keeping your wallet heavy, pick this puppy up.
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Tobal No. 1: $7
Squaresoft’s first entry into the fighting genre remains a underground favorite due to it’s tight controls, freedom of movement, and intuitive grappling and blocking system. It’s sequel, No. 2, is an expensive import-only title, but the original is stil quite affordable.
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Rayman: $5
If you want a well-rounded two-dimensional platformer for the PS1 that gives you lots of beautiful sprites to complement great level designs, take a look at the original Rayman. The Playstation game is also a bit cheaper than the Saturn version.
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A Few Must-Haves Slightly Over $10
Final Fantasy Chronicles: $15
This wonderful compilation includes both Final Fantasy IV and Chrono Trigger. Considering the cartridges for the SNES originals of the games are so expensive, this is an excellent value.
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Final Fantasy Origins: $12
Even though Final Fantasy I & II have been remade a number of times on portable devices, Final Fantasy Origins is the only console remake of the original duo so far.
Shop for Final Fantasy Origins on eBay
Shop for Final Fantasy Origins on Amazon.com
Ape Escape: $10
Ape Escape is arguably one of PlayStation’s most original, innovative, and engaging platform titles on PlayStation. The game uses only the analog controllers, and enables gamers to use them in ways that have never been done on a system before. All that and the game if filled with monkeys. It doesn’t get any better than that!
Shop for Ape Escape on eBay
Shop for Ape Escape on Amazon.com
Resident Evil 2: $12
The peak of the survival horror franchise during the Playstation era. It’s also one of cheapest versions of the game (second to the N64 port) as the Dreamcast and Gamecube version command quite a premium.
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Front Mission 3: $14
Is Final Fantasy Tactics too expensive for your taste? Do you want a mech-filled alternative? Front Mission 3 is another wonderful tactical RPG from Squaresoft that doesn’t quite get the recognition that FF Tactics does. Take advantage of this by scooping it up for a lower price.
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Shop for Front Mission 3 on Amazon.com
Other Cheap Favorites
Metal Slug X: $8 – eBay / Amazon.com
Colony Wars: Vengeance: $9 – eBay / Amazon.com
Bust-A-Move: $8 – eBay / Amazon.com
Metal Gear Solid VR Missions: $6 – eBay / Amazon.com
Resident Evil: $7 – eBay / Amazon.com
Tony Hawk 3: $4 – eBay / Amazon.com
Driver 2: $9 – eBay / Amazon.com
Soul Blade: $9 – eBay / Amazon.com
Looney Tunes: Sheep Raider: $8 – eBay / Amazon.com
Crash Bandicoot Warped: $7 – eBay / Amazon.com
Spyro the Dragon: $7 – eBay / Amazon.com
Tenchu: Stealth Assassins: $7 – eBay / Amazon.com
Medal of Honor/Medal of Honor Underground: $6 – eBay / Amazon.com
X-Men: Mutant Academy 2: $8 – eBay / Amazon.com
Tempest X3: An Inter-Galactic Battle Zone: $6 – eBay / Amazon.com
Tomb Raider: $6 – eBay / Amazon.com
My Starter Picks For $50 Budget
If I only had $50 to spend on starting out a Playstation collection, here would be my top picks (in order of priority):
- Metal Gear Solid: $7
- Final Fantasy VIII: $8
- Street Fighter Alpha 3: $9
- Wipeout 3: $7
- Um Jammer Lammy: $5
- Syphon Filter: $7
- Rayman: $5
- Total: $48
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I really doubt you could get those games for that price, down here FF7 goes for around $100 AUD.
funny, I’ve just bought myself a PS1 the other day for 20 bucks. This is a good list.
FF7 recently went through an inexplicable rise in price on eBay. Not sure if it’s back down, but I sold one for $90 within the last year.
I just noticed something! The penny in the banner has no year printed on it!
FF7 for US$9? Surely you jest!
Huh… I’m not sure why I didn’t notice those before.
When I did a completed auctions search, I saw a bunch of cheap ones. But overall, I guess you guys are correct.
I’ve removed FF7 from the list
Cant believe FF7 sells for anything more than $10. It’s super common. Also, Chrono Trigger and FF4-6 were truly nasty on PS1, and unless you absolutely refuse to use emulation or you dont have an SNES, you should avoid these ports at all costs. The few FMV sequences are not worth all the downgrades.
FF7 is one of the cheaper games to find at yard sales or used game stores, but online it’s tremendously overpriced. I consider myself lucky to already have the PC version, despite the amount of trouble it causes on Windows XP and newer video cards.
Sorry but you’re missing a crap load of games, I dunno their price but I doubt they’re that expensive. Stuff like Einhänder, G-Darius, R-Type Delta, all of the Tomb Raiders but especially the 4, that just out of the top of my head but there’s prolly more… Gradius Gaiden, Chrono Trigger/Cross…. there’s crapload good PSX games. Maybe they’re too expensive.
I can double-check those again, but I’m pretty sure they were all too expensive.
There were a lot of PS1 titles I was expecting to be cheap but weren’t. It seems that with the backwards compatibility on the PS2 and PS3, Sony fans are picking up all the real gems.
Nice list Racketboy. I already picked up most of those games from resale joints, pawn shops and the salvation army. I guess the prices are higher online.
“FF7 goes for around $100 AUD.”
Holy crap! I just passed up an extra copy for $5 in pawn shop!!!!
I guess there really is a difference between garage sale prices and ebay/internet.
I am glad I picked up an extra copy of Resident evil 2 for $3 at the salvation army.
Damn.
Anyone have any preference between the original playstation and the PSOne?
”Anyone have any preference between the original playstation and the PSOne?”
the original was made in Japan, while the ‘sleek’ was chinese…. you dont have to be a genius to guess which one has better quality……
Another fun read 🙂 Lots of fun on the cheap for the ol’ PS1.
Until recently, I would have suggested including Silent Bomber on the list, but I guess people have actually started taking notice of how rockin’ the game is and it looks like the eBay price has jumped to ~$30 for a complete copy. 🙁
Just avoid Mega Man X6 entirely. It’s a frustrating mess with poor level design. Seriously, just skip it.
SovietSniper, are you suggesting the early PS models with their CD drive problems, that often need to be tipped on their side to function, were made somewhere other than Japan? Hrm? 😉
May I suggest another title for this list, Racket? Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Not only is it considered one of the best Castlevania games of all time, you can sometimes find it very cheap. I saw it at the vintage gaming shop I frequent the other day for $10. If you also search on eBay, there is one that is being sold (so far) at $4 (not counting shipping, though.) If HTML works on your comments section, here is the link.
Pardon the “me too”, but I’m with MattG: Mega Man X6 is awful. Take it off the list. 4 and 5 can stay.
Yes get rid of X6.
yes! silent bomber! good call, roushimsx… I loved that game, even though the acting was sooo cheesy.
marurun, i didnt knew about that problem you mention….. i had my japanese ‘gray’ (or is it grey?) psx for about 5 years and in never gave me any problems…. only after all that time i had to change the laser, but i think its reasonable after 5 years of intensive use…. and yes, it said MADE IN JAPAN in the back 😉
ah, by the way, this is my personal ps collection (isnt it obvious i love platformers 😉 ?)
-ape escape
-crash ‘trilogy’
-crash bash
-crash team racing
-pac-man world
-klonoa
-MGS
-GT
-GT2
-NFS3
-NFS4
-NFS Porsche
-Alone in the Dark 4
-Looney Tunes Sheep Raider
-Looney Tunes Bugs & Taz
-Looney Tunes Bugs Bunny lost in time
-RE
-RE2
-RE3
-Dino Crisis
-Dino Crisis 2
-Spyro the Dragon
-Spyro 2 Riptos Rage
-Spyro 3 Year of the Dragon
-Castlevania SOTN
-Rayman 2
-Syphon Filter 3
-Driver
-Tekken 3
-Ridge Racer 4
My wish list:
-most rpgs (yes, i know ;( )
-front mission 3
-FF: Tactics
Mozgus, Final Fantasy Anthology & Chronicles work a bit better on the PS2 with the fast loading option, really improves the games all-around from the PS1. I remember buying these back in the day for PS1 new and thinking WTF is up with these load times and slow down.
Final Fantasy VII sells for $90 online!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Looking just now I was shocked that it looks like most of the copies are currently going for around $45. That is still crazy. I can’t wait to hit up some flea markets and cash in on that. This is a game that was once as common in the used bins as a Madden football game. Unless everyone has been destroying or thowing away their copies it should be a $5-10 game.