Summary
When anybody mentionsplatform games for the original PlayStation, there are some classics that come to mind immediately, likeCrash Bandicoot,Spyro,RaymanandCroc, plus countless others. Naturally, these stellar games have made their way beyondthe 32-bit consoleto later hardware through remasters, remakes and re-releases, and the same can be said of lesser-known greats likeJumping Flash!andI.Q.: Intelligent Qube.
There are still plenty of excellent entries in the popular genre that are trapped on Sony’s debut console, remaining unheralded and largely forgotten. Here are some of thebest platform games only available on the PS1, each deserving to be dusted off for a fresh playthrough, ranked based on a combination of their quality and popularity.
Set in an Ancient Chinapopulated by animal clans,T’ai Fu: Wrath of the Tigeris an action game with some fairly difficult platforming sections. Controlling the titular T’ai Fu, the last remaining member of the tiger clan, the goal is to avenge the destruction of his kin by taking down the dragon clan, who were responsible for their demise.
As T’ai travels across the land, he must learn different Shaolin kung fu styles and moves from the various animal leaders of each clan, with these moves being beneficial both in combat and platforming. While reviews at the time were somewhat mixed, the unique premise makes this gem stand out, and it’s worth revisiting for those who are intrigued.
Containing platforming, puzzle elements, and third-person shooting action,Blastowent largely unnoticed upon its release. Voiced by the late Phil Hartman, Captain Blasto is the somewhat dimwitted and overconfident hero of the game, platforming and puzzling his way through a 3D environment while blasting the hostile aliens that stand in his way.
Many findBlastoto be rather difficult, but thehumorous tone lightens the moodsomewhat, as the eponymous captain seeks to take down the tyrannical Bosc, who is hell-bent on taking over the solar system and enslaving all the “Space Babes”.Blastois also fairly revolutionary, being one of the first games to make use of both analog sticks in gameplay, and it lacks load times.
The sequel to the popular point-and-click adventureThe Neverhood,Skullmonkeyscontinues the story from the first game, but with platforming gameplay instead. Set on the planet Idznak, where the evil Klogg landed after being defeated at the end of the first game, players attempt to stop him as Klaymen, the hero of the first game.
Klogg’s “Evil engine number 9” must be destroyed before he can use it to obliterate the Neverhood, so Klaymen must platform his way through the many levels, defeating enemies with crude and unconventional projectiles. Generally, critics and players love the unique animation, sublime soundtrack, and use of humor, but a lack of saves is an issue for some, instead making use of a password system.
Starring many of the fan-favorite characters from Jim Henson’s classic puppet-based series,Muppet Monster Adventureis a more horror-themed adventure with classic 3D collectathon platforming action. Playing as Robin the Frog and with the help of a few others, the main objective is to rescue the other Muppets who have been transformed into monsters.
Gameplay is largely derivative of the more popular 3D platformers of the time, but that incomparable Muppet charm and humor make up for it, with the bonus of thefamiliar voice actorsreprising their roles for the game. Overall, it’s well-polished with no real issues, and is an enjoyable experience, especially for any fans of the franchise.
A game that is hard to define and even harder to compare,No One Can Stop Mr. Domino!is a puzzle game with some platforming elements anda bizarre premise. Playing as the nominative Mr. Domino or one of his four friends, players must traverse levels while avoiding obstacles, placing and knocking over dominoes to cause mayhem in the process.
There are six stages to complete, from a casino to a normal home, and it’s important to replenish stamina by running over Recovery Tiles with the different playable dominoes having varying running speeds and stamina levels. Many critics lamented the fairly linear nature of puzzle solving, and that the game can be frustrating at times, but it’s otherwise tremendous fun, amusing, and completely surreal.
Never released in North America,Cheesystars a mouse who has been trapped in a spooky castle by an evil scientist and must collect ingredients for a teleportation spell to escape. The titular mouse must navigate the 24 levels of the game, battling many creatures like giant spiders along the way, adding to the unsettling atmosphere.
Presented in 2.5D, there are some 3D sections when in first person mode, like when Cheesy must ensure that his mine cart remains on track. Critics and players were divided at the time, with the game having a love it or hate it effect, largely due to the eerie atmosphere of a game supposedly aimed at people of all ages, and the slightly inconsistent gameplay.
Certainly not a game for arachnophobes,Spider: The Video Gameputs playersin the body of a spideras they must move through the city to foil a villainous plot. When intruders break into Dr. Kelly’s lab, his mind becomes trapped in the body of a cybernetic spider, so he aims to track down these criminals from the rival Micro Tech firm and get his body back before they use his technology for sinister purposes.
Using a spider’s natural climbing abilities is key to traversing through the levels, as well as utilizing a spider’s silk production for some obstacles. The spider’s legs may also be replaced with cybernetic enhancements, such as a flamethrower, to eliminate any enemies who get in the way.
From the creators of another popular platformer,Earthworm Jim,Wild 9is regarded by many as an underrated and largely unknown must-play title. Given the creative minds behindWild 9, it’s no surprise that it features some quirky and imaginative elements, including allowing players to torture their enemies without feeling any form of guilt.
As Wex Major, a man lost in a strange galaxy, players canmake use of his whip-like weapon, the “Rig”, which can be used to lash or lasso enemies, and even move objects to aid in puzzle-solving. There are ten ingenious levels to tackle, and some tough-as-nails boss battles, including the gargantuan and nefarious final boss, Karn, whose goal is to take over the universe, naturally.
