The PS1 has a ton of notable games that never left Japan. This should come as no surpr🐻ise as it had a year head start over there compared to the Western launch of theജ console. Not only that, but this was during a time when licensed based games were still hot.
That is to say there are a lot of anime games on the PS1. Some that were brought over like 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Dragon Ball Z while others weren’t and thus wouldn’t make sense to bring over a tie-in to a show Western players wouldn’t recognize. That’s just one example ♏of why some of these games were never localized. Whatever the reason may be, here are ten games still worth checking out nearly two decades later.
10 Policenauts
Policenauts first released for the PC-9821 in 1994, but was later ported to the PS1 in 1996. It’s an adventure game written and directed by 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Hideo Kojima of, as if it needs to be said, 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Metal Gear fame. It’s actually the work that directly preceded Metal Gear Solid in 1998.
Anyway this is basically Lethal Weapon, but set in the future of 2040 where space has been colonized. While the film noir setup of the story has nothing to do with Lethal Weapon, the two main characters of Jonathan and Ed lo🐟ok liꦓke anime counterparts to Mel Gibson and Danny Glover’s characters in that movie respectively. There is a PS1 fan patch.
9 Front Mission 2
Front Mission 2 launched in 1997. For those unaware, most games in the series are tactical RPGs fought with mechs on global levels of conflict in the future. Unfortunately North America would not receive a title until the fifth game, counting the two spinoffs, which was Front Mission 3 in 2000.
Despite some goodwill with a few titles, most of this series is still under lock and key. Well, that’s w🧜here , but despite having worked on this game for years, the fan patch out there is still not complete. It is about 75% ready with menus being the big triumph.
8 Super Robot Taisen Alpha Gaiden
Super Robot Wars Alpha Gaiden released in 2001. It is one of many games in the Super Robot Wars series that have not left Japan and for good reason. The whole♊ premise of this tactical RPG is to crossover as many mech based properties as possible.
A few notable mentions for this particular 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:game alone include Gundam, Getter Robo, and Macross. It is a licensing nightmare so that is primarily why they rarely get officially released not to mention a lot of said properties are ﷽more obscure outside of Japan besides Gundam. The fan patch is around 95% complete. The only thing left on the floor though are a few databases, which is extra content anyway.
7 Tear Ring Saga
Tear Ring Saga launched for the PS1 in 2001. This was a late entry for the console considering the PS2 released in 2000, which may explain why this game was never localized. Well, besides the legal heat it received. Shouzou Kaga was the creator of Fire Emblem and one of the key people at In🌺telligent Systems.
He left the company in 1999 following the release of Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 on the Super Nintendo that same year. When he left Kaga created a new studio, Tirnanog, and developed Tear Ring Saga, which was like an unofficial . It’s a lot like Fire Emblem hence the trouble, which i♒s a whole other story. Legal trouble ♏aside this too can be played in English thanks to fans.
6 Pop'n Tanks
Pop'n Tanks released in 1999. Symbio Systems, as a developer, probably doesn’t sound familiar, but Enix should as the publisher. In a time where vehicular combat games were all the rage thanks to 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Twisted Metal, this was a more cartoony take on the genre.
Players got to choose from a variety 🥀of 𝓰pilots each with an accompanying tank. It plays similarly to other aforementioned vehicular combat games. There is no patch for it, but the menus are easy enough to navigate without any translations.
5 Kahen Soukou Gunbike
Kahen Soukou Gunbike, or Speed Power Gunbike, launched in 1998. It is Inti Creates first game who has since gone on to helm big projects such as 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Mega Man Zero, Azure Striker Gunvolt, and even helped with the development of Bloodstained.
T📖he game plays out partially like an on-rails shooter as players navigate through highways, firing at enemy bikers and robots. During the chase players can turn their bike into a robot, which comes more into play during boss battles. It is a bit clunky to control nowadays, but going from bike to mech feels cool.
4 Rakugaki Showtime
Rakugaki Showtime released in 1999. Also published by Enix, it was developed by Treasure known most notably for Gunstar Heroes and Radiant Silvergun.
The art style looks like it was hand-drawn by children with crayons, making it look good on the PS1 hardware even by today’s standards. It is a fighting game mixed with aspects of dodgeball with maybe even a hint of 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Super Smash Bros. thanks to the big open arenas.
3 Panzer Bandit
Panzer Bandit launched in 1997. It was developed by Fill-in-Cafe and published by Banpresto. The developer probably won’t ring any bells, but Banpresto might since they are both a game and toy division of 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Bandai Namco now.
Anyway, this is a beat ‘em up in the most traditional fashion. Choose a character, choose a level, and then go to town on some baddies. There is no fan patch out there, but it is easy t൲o play without one. The 2D sprites alone should be alluring enough for a taste.
2 Chippoke Ralph no Daibouken
Chippoke Ralph no Daibouken, or The Adventure of Little Ralph, released in 1999. It was both developed and published by New Corporation, a name that was not easy to find much on besides this game. Com🤪pany aside, this is a 2D, action platformer.
The young character and world are reminiscent of Littleꦏ Nemo from the NES. There is no full fan patch out there, but as there is little story, that shouldn’t be a problem for most import enthusiasts.
1 London Seirei Tanteidan
London Seirei Tanteidan launched in 1999. As the last game, it is fittingly the most mysterious on this list. This Bandai made and published RPG is set in a steampunk version o🍌f Victorian London filled with monsters.
Not much has been written about it online and as it is in Japanese, it’s hard to really get a grasp on in the inner details as there are no fan patches. Basedꦓ on the game’s look, setting, and how it plays, it was intriguing en🦋ough to put it on this list. Hopefully, Bandai Namco will re-release it someday.