This is the remaining PS1 reviews, all contained in the N-Z section. Use your browser's BACK button to go back to the A to M section.

1. Need For Speed (96, EA Games)- Here's where it all started, and the game's not too bad. Environments look good, but the car models range from decent to poor (noticably the Dodge Viper). Not a whole lot of gameplay options, but a classic arcade racer.
   

   VISUALS: B- ... AUDIO: B- ... GAMEPLAY: B- ... REPLAY VALUE: B-

   OVERALL: B-

2. Need For Speed III: Hot Pursuit (98, EA Games) - Better graphics, car models and sound, but it's basically the same as previous NFS games with one new feature, the Hot Pursuit mode, which you can outrun the police or become an officer of the law.
   

   VISUALS: B+ ... AUDIO: B+ ... GAMEPLAY: B ... REPLAY VALUE: B

   OVERALL: B

3. Need For Speed: High Stakes (99, EA Games) - To date, I think this is the best NFS game in the series, since you can actually buy cars and demands a little more from gamers. New championships as well as old modes from previous titles. The High Stakes mode only works with two people who each have their own save file. It's too bad the HS mode can't be played against the computer. NFSHS also has a noticably lower framerate.
   

   VISUALS: B+ ... AUDIO: A- ... GAMEPLAY: B+ ... REPLAY VALUE: B+

   OVERALL: B+

4. Need For Speed: Porsche Unleashed (00, EA Games) - The NFS takes a strange turn, and offers a game based upon one auto maker. Was it a good idea? If you like Porsches, then yes, but it seems like there's something missing in this edition. There are plenty of cars to choose from (the game taps in to a 30+ year history), but the courses seem repeditive. Also, the game looks very similar to V-Rally 2 (which was also the same developer). The framerate's improved, but no HS mode.
   

   VISUALS: B ... AUDIO: B- ... GAMEPLAY: B- ... REPLAY VALUE: B-

   OVERALL: B-

5. Nightmare Creatures (98, Activision) - Nightmare Creatures is less survival horror and much more along the lines of classic arcade brawlers like Final Fight or the hack and hack adventure Gauntlet. Rather sketchy controls, a strange camera and gameplay that grow stale after a few stages. Those expecting Resident Evil or a Tomb Raider like game turn away, there's nothing in here I haven't seen before.
   

   VISUALS: C ... AUDIO: B- ... GAMEPLAY: C ... REPLAY VALUE: C-

   OVERALL: C

6. Omega Boost (99, SCEA)- This is about as close as you can get to Star Fox on the PSX as you can get. There's a lot of fast action in this game, but it's very short with only 9 stages and little else to keep you there. It's a fun ride, it just doesn't hold well for repeat visits (no matter how hard you try).
   

   VISUALS: B ... AUDIO: B ... GAMEPLAY: B ... REPLAY VALUE: C

   OVERALL: B

7. Parasite Eve (98, Square-EA) - What do you get when you mix Resident Evil with RPG elements? This game. Based upon a novel by a Japanese author, you take control of Aya Brea, an NYPD cop who discovers she's someone special because she doesn't get immolated in flames. It's up to you to fight mutated creatures and stop the mitochondrial leader from wiping out mankind. This game would be excellent if Square would have thrown out the RPG elements, but that's not how they do things around there, huh? Great cinematics.
   

   VISUALS: B+ ... AUDIO: A- ... GAMEPLAY: B ... REPLAY VALUE: B-

   OVERALL: B

8. Parasite Eve II (00, Square-EA) - Aya returns in PEII, which now takes place in California. Now as a part of a new organization called M.I.S.T., Aya must find out who or what is causing the same mutations we saw in the first game. PEII is more action oriented, and as a whole, feels more like Resident Evil, but Square still can't break themselves away from the RPG elements. Battles are not as much of a surprise anymore, since most creatures are visible. The graphics look really nice, probably the best pre-rendered visuals the PSX has to offer. It's still pretty much the same game with a new story and a new style gameplay. It's definitley worth looking into. (PS, I found this burried in the markdown shelf at Target for $9.90, so ha!).
   

   VISUALS: B+ ... AUDIO: B+ ... GAMEPLAY: B ... REPLAY VALUE: C+

   OVERALL: B

9. R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 (99, Namco) - This has to be one of the best racing games on the system, as well as the best RR game in the series. It's even better than Ridge Racer V. R4 pushes the PS1 to it's graphical limits, presenting a nice looking racer with great lighting, good resolution, and a smooth framerate of 30 FPS. R4 does something different from previous RR games, provide a simulation experience with a story attached. The downside, however, is that there is only one GP, and this problem is resolved in Ridge Racer V (although we deal with less and remade courses there). If there's one bright side, is that there are 300 cars to unlock. Not all are different by appearance, but do have differences in power. You can keep up to 8 cars that you win in your garage for use on the time attack mode. I said it before, R4 (to date) is the best Ridge Racer game in the series, and stands to be one of the best driving games on the PS1. A second disc is included, which contains a demo for Tekken 3 and Klonoa, as well as the original Ridge Racer with high resolution and runs at 60 FPS. The game also has an excellent original soundtrack, so you know.
   

   VISUALS: A ... AUDIO: A+ ... GAMEPLAY: A ... REPLAY VALUE: B

   OVERALL: A

10. Rage Racer (97, Namco) - The third installment of the Ridge Racer series isn't bad, but still has the same problem that plauges past RR games (which is the lack of courses). Here, you can actually earn credits to buy and upgrade cars, which unfortunately never made it into the future versions. The graphics leave a little to be desired, with lots of painfully obvious seams in the polygons. The game does move fast, and after awhile, you forget how dated the game looks. Rage Racer has suprisningly addictive gameplay, but one course with four variations can go so far.
    

    VISUALS: C ... AUDIO: B+ ... GAMEPLAY: B ... REPLAY VALUE: B-

    OVERALL: B-

11. Ray Crisis: Series Termination (00, Working Designs) - Ray Crisis is the end to the shooter series that originated in Japan. Not a bad shooter, and full of action, the problem with Ray Crisis is that it leaves you wanting more. All of the effects and explosions are sure to give someone epilepsy, but that's what these shooters are about. Is it worth finding? Sure, it's a great addition to anyone's classic shooter collection. It's a great throwback to old-school gaming with next generation technology.
    

    VISUALS: B- ... AUDIO: B- ... GAMEPLAY: B ... REPLAY VALUE: C+

    OVERALL: B-

12. Resident Evil (96, Capcom) - Ok, by the time you're reading this, the Gamecube version of Resident Evil is already on the shelves, so why talk about the old PSX version? It's worth noting that this IS where the series began (well, on the Saturn too), which brought a whole new genre of gameplay, as well as many imitators and games inspired by the series (or if you're Konami, make it better). By PS1 standards, the game looks good. It's not as opulent as the GCN version, but it doesn't hurt the eyes. The sound is good, until the characters talk. RE has never been known for it's high-calibur voice acting, but COME ON. First you make Dr. Light stumble on his lines in Mega Man 8, then this? It's classic gameplay, and it's painfully obvious when Capcom decides to bring the whole series back on a new console.
    

    VISUALS: B- ... AUDIO: B- ... GAMEPLAY: B- ... REPLAY VALUE: C

    OVERALL: B-

13. Resident Evil 2 (97, Capcom) - Better than the first? Yes. Lots of near pant-crapping moments? Yes. Waiting for this on Gamecube? Yes. RE2 is much better than the first game, and feels a lot more open, with some room for exploration. Game still uses pre-rendered backdrops, but in this installment, I really don't mind. It looks, sounds and plays like Resident Evil, but on a much bigger scale. 2 discs bigger to be exact.
    

    VISUALS: B ... AUDIO: B ... GAMEPLAY: B ... REPLAY VALUE: B-

    OVERALL: B

14. Resident Evil 3 : Nemesis (99, Capcom) - For some reason, I just couldn't get into this one. Some say that this is the best RE to date, some don't. I'm one of them. At this point, the formula becomes tiring, and the fact that Silent Hill was released around this time doesn't help much either. The pre-rendered backgrounds look good, but really limit gameplay, since you can't interact with much of anything. Is this the worst RE? No, that would be RE Survivor, but the series really slows down here, much like how the Mortal Kombat series slowed down at 3 (and got better at 4, how strange?).
    

    VISUALS: B ... AUDIO: B- ... GAMEPLAY: C+ ... REPLAY VALUE: C

    OVERALL: B-

15. Resident Evil Survivor (00, Capcom) - Why was this released in the US, on the PS1? It may have done better on the Dreamcast, since it was an arcade light gun game. But RE Survivor is a light gun game turned first person shooter. Taking the RE puzzles and item gathering with shooter elements was really a bad idea. Either make it like Medal of Honor or Quake II, or like House of the Dead. Greedy motherf**ker, you can't have your cake and eat it too. This serves as the worst Resident Evil game, as well as being a mediocre PS1 title. Just because it says Resident Evil, doesn't mean it's good. Oh, as for graphics, I've seen better. And sound, I've heard better. And gameplay? You get the idea.
    

    VISUALS: C- ... AUDIO: C ... GAMEPLAY: C- ... REPLAY VALUE: D-

    OVERALL: D+

16. Ridge Racer (95, Namco) - A launch title as well as a classic. What seemed like something big then is just not that impressive now. If you can find it cheap (and it's hard not to), add Ridge Racer to your collection. HOWEVER, if you own R4 with the bonus disc, I wouldn't bother picking this game up.
    

    VISUALS: C- ... AUDIO: C+ ... GAMEPLAY: B- ... REPLAY VALUE: D

    OVERALL: C

17. Rollcage (99, Psygnosis) - You know those RC Rebound cars? The cars with the big tires, and you can flip them over? Well, take those cars, and make it into a racing game with WipeOut inspired weapons with a soundtrack featuring Fatboy Slim. Sounds cool, right? It almost is, if it weren't for the spastic handling mechanics that makes Rollcage more frustrating that fun. There's a good number of courses, and each has their set of tunnels, jumps, bumps and obstacles. Unfortunatley, those jumps and bumps send your car flying, and pointed in the wrong direction. If you really want to challenge yourself, pick up Rollcage. The learning curve is STEEP.
    

    VISUALS: B ... AUDIO: B+ ... GAMEPLAY: C+ ... REPLAY VALUE: B

    OVERALL: B

18. Rollcage Stage II (00, Midway) - Rollcage returns from a very bumpy ride between publishers. From what it would seem like certain doom for this game, Midway graciously decided to publish the sequel to Rollcage. Good thing too, because this version is better than the first game. The handling has improved a little, and you can actually make turns without losing your grip that much, but there was still room for improvement. The best thing about RCSII is the gameplay. There are so many modes in RCSII, it's hard to get bored with this game. There's the typical championship that can be played two different ways, there's the time trials, a mode called Scramble, which is a maddening puzzle mode full of over the top challenges, there's Demoliton, which is self explanitory, as well as a number of multiplayer modes. Rather than lengthening the run-on sentence above, it's safe to say that RCSII is fully stocked. Other than the handling, the other downside is that the graphics haven't changed all that much. Still, RCSII is worth picking up, and brimming with replay value.
    

    VISUALS: B ... AUDIO: B+ ... GAMEPLAY: B ... REPLAY VALUE: A

    OVERALL: B+

19. Silent Hill (99, Konami) - Don't dismiss this game as a Resident Evil clone. In the end, Silent Hill is a different experience than RE altogether. First off, there's no pre-rendered backgrounds, you have freedom of motion and the abillity to explore the environments. SH is more of an adventure-horror since the way it plays out. Second, SH is more intense than RE, because of the disturbing imagery and the storyline seems a little more plausible than zombies taking over a town. Silent Hill is a scary, intense ride from start to finish, and is actually worth playing all the way through. The story makes you question what will happen next and question your decisions, and your decisions have an impact on how the story ends. Silent Hill pushes the PS1 as far as it really can go in terms of graphics. The game doesn't look bad, but not as sharp as other titles on the console. Pay attention to the use of art direction and sound, and appreciate how much goes into scaring the crap out of you. While RE goes for the cheap scares (and they do work), SH goes for the longterm effect. Even after you finish, you'll remember this game for a long time. What once was thought to be a RE clone, turns out to be one of the most creepiest, stylish and best games ever made. Before you venture into Silent Hill 2, give the first a try.
    

    VISUALS: B+ ... AUDIO: A- ... GAMEPLAY: B+ ... REPLAY VALUE: B+

    OVERALL: A-

20. Sled Storm (99, EA Games) - You know, I had an idea like this BEFORE the game came out, but I guess it's great for someone else to do the work for you. If you think the racing world has touched every form of vehicle, think again. Sled Storm is a fast and fun snowmobile racer that also plays like a motorcross title (and much more fun, too). A surprise hit as well as a refreshing romp through territory that was once untouched. While there may have been many imitators (Sno Cross, Artic Thunder), Sled Storm still does it best. Great control and gameplay, graphics are good, but have way too much pop-up.
    

    VISUALS: B- ... AUDIO: B+ ... GAMEPLAY: B+ ... REPLAY VALUE: A-

    OVERALL: A-

21. Sno Cross Championship Racing (00, Crave) - For $9.99, it is a fairly good deal, considering what it has. Sno Cross tries to capture Sled Storm's formula, and also tries to throw in some sim as well, but the end result is too messy, leading to a tediously difficult racer with somewhat flawed controls, average graphics and sound. The plus side is that Sno Cross has a course editor, but the game really has less replay value than Sled Storm, and is one that I can't recommend over the said title.
    

    VISUALS: C ... AUDIO: C- ... GAMEPLAY: C+ ... REPLAY VALUE: B-

    OVERALL: C+

22. Spec Ops : Stealth Patrol (00, Rockstar) - Below average graphics and sound and ridiculosly hard AI. Can I at least move 10 feet before getting shot at? And how can you be stealthy if the AI can already find you and shoot you in the ass? This is pretty much the poor man's Rainbow Six. I've bought better for $10.
    

    VISUALS: D ... AUDIO: D- ... GAMEPLAY: D ... REPLAY VALUE: F

    OVERALL: F

23. Syphon Filter (99, 989 Studios) - Well, 989 did have something good going here, but ends up becoming a pain in the ass. SF plays like Metal Gear Solid in the 3rd person perspective. The game engine is fairly solid, the graphics and sound aren't bad, but I have a problem with the fact that the game is very unforgiving. You get so far, then lose and have to start all over again (unless you make it to the halfway point). It plays better than Mission: Impossible, but playing over and over until I get it right puts me off. If you like these kind of stealth shooters, go ahead and give Filter a try. Be warned, this isn't for casual gamers.
    

    VISUALS: B ... AUDIO: B ... GAMEPLAY: B ... REPLAY VALUE: B-

    OVERALL: B

24. Tekken 2 (97, Namco) - A good 3D fighter, but too many buttons to push to enable a combo. Somewhat blocky character models. The game does move fast and the challenge is there.
    

    VISUALS: B- ... AUDIO: B ... GAMEPLAY: B- ... REPLAY VALUE: B-

    OVERALL: B-

25. The World Is Not Enough (00, EA Games) - Black Ops redeems themselves in the second Bond game on the PS1, but still have a lot to learn about replay value. Now, TWINE is in a first-person view, has better textures (some are actually pretty good by PS1 standards), and more focused gameplay. The problem, though is that the game is WAY too linear. Stages are so definite, unlike the N64 version, where a little exploration can be done. It does keep with the movie, but you can stray a little. Hell, even Rare did in GoldenEye. If the poor character models doesn't depress you that much, the lack of multiplayer will. The N64 has it, why not here. Black Ops should have known that that's one of the biggest reasons why GoldenEye was so popular. Let's hope they don't touch the series again.
    

    VISUALS: B+ ... AUDIO: B ... GAMEPLAY: B ... REPLAY VALUE: C-

    OVERALL: B-

26. TOCA Championship Racing (98, Codemasters) - This game was not worth the trouble for me trying to get, since this is an average racing experience. Popular in Europe, only to be shadowed by the predominate release of Gran Turismo, TOCA falls on deaf ears. Sure, there's real cars and damage models, but the whole thing is just dull. No customization, no real sim elements and a strange handling system which seems to emphasize powersliding a bit too much. It's not a horrible racer, but it's one that didn't hold my attention for that long.
    

    VISUALS: C+ ... AUDIO: C ... GAMEPLAY: B- ... REPLAY VALUE: B-

    OVERALL: C+

27. Tomb Raider 2 (97, Eidos) - I could never figure out why my brother liked this game so much. I found the controls frustrating as hell, and in my opinion, kind of renders it unplayable. Good cinematics and voice acting, though.
    

    VISUALS: C- ... AUDIO: B ... GAMEPLAY: D ... REPLAY VALUE: C

    OVERALL: C-

28. Tomb Raider 3 (98, Eidos) - Now supports the Dual Shock! Too bad it doesn't do a damn for me. Slightly better visuals.
    

    VISUALS: B- ... AUDIO: B ... GAMEPLAY: C- ... REPLAY VALUE: C+

    OVERALL: C+

29. Tomb Raider: Last Revelation (99, Eidos) - Why do I do this to myself? FIX THE DAMN CONTROL SCHEME, EIDOS!
    

    VISUALS: B- ... AUDIO: B- ... GAMEPLAY: D ... REPLAY VALUE: D

    OVERALL: D+

30. Tomorrow Never Dies (99, EA Games)- How do you follow up GoldenEye, one of the best FPS games made, as well as a game to do the Bond license justice? If you're Black Ops, you don't, or that's how it seems. The developer had good ideas smeared into bad execution and the end result is this is the worst Bond game in the series. First, TND looks similar to Mission: Impossible and Syphon Filter, which was not how GoldenEye was presented. That in itself was a mistake. Second, they wanted Bond to have "stealthy" moves, that is if it can be done right. Third, they wanted to have different sequences for stages, such as shooting, driving and skiing. That, I don't have a problem with, but couldn't they have done it better? It took awhile for EA to realize that the NFS staff could do the driving levels (which was done in Agent Under Fire). The game itself is messy. Missions are sometimes unclear, the particle effects are possibly some of the worst I've seen and the graphics range from decent to pretty-damn ugly. So much was focused on presentation that the developers forgot what was key (and what Rare put in): Gameplay. If I don't want to play it over on end, or keep it in my system for a couple of months, like GoldenEye, what's the point of owning it? I can give a couple of points for having decent challenge, but I'll take it away for just making the whole thing dumb. This is an embarasment to the franchise and was close to destroying what Rare has done for movie-based games.
    

    VISUALS: C ... AUDIO: C ... GAMEPLAY: D ... REPLAY VALUE: D

    OVERALL: D+

31. Turbo Prop Racing (98, SCEA) - It runs at 60 FPS, it's similar to HydroThunder, but not as exciting. It has a random course generator to stretch the replay value a little. Fairly average, and you would do better with HydroThunder.
    

    VISUALS: C ... AUDIO: C ... GAMEPLAY: C ... REPLAY VALUE: C

    OVERALL: C

32. Twisted Metal (95, SCEA) - Play the first game in the series! It's better than the downhill slide it took in part 3. Rather weak visuals and no saving. Luxoflux does the genre better in 1998 with Vigilante 8.
    

    VISUALS: C- ... AUDIO: B- ... GAMEPLAY: B ... REPLAY VALUE: C

    OVERALL: C

33. Twisted Metal 3 (98, 989 Studios)- Crappity-crap-crap.
    

    VISUALS: C ... AUDIO: C ... GAMEPLAY: D ... REPLAY VALUE: D

    OVERALL: D

34. Um Jammer Lammy (99, SCEA) - Probably the strangest, most addictive and charming game I've played in a long time. Should we give the art designers and directors some props, or haul them to a rehab clinic. The design of Um Jammer Lammy is like part acid trip, part DDR, part "what the f**k" and a lot of fun and frustration. While it's only seven stages, it's one hell of a time trying to get there. The toughest stage I have encountered is stage 4, and it seems so damn impossible to actually press all those buttons. But don't fret, if you can do some cool improvisation, it's all good. For the price it goes for used, it's definitely worth picking up. Be sure to free your mind and flex your fingers!
    

    VISUALS: B ... AUDIO: A- ... GAMEPLAY: B ... REPLAY VALUE: B

    OVERALL: B

35. Vigilante 8 (98, Activision) - Much better than the Twisted Metal series, and the theme is a little more likeable. While TM goes for the doom and gloom, V8 goes for the funk and groove. The controls (while loose) are easier to grasp, and the game is more visually appealling, but what's with the texture pop-up? IMO, Vigilante 8 is the best vehicular combat series, too bad it didn't spawn off as many sequels. ** You can also pop-in your own music CD's, and it doesn't skip like Ridge Racer!
    

    VISUALS: B- ... AUDIO: B ... GAMEPLAY: B ... REPLAY VALUE: B

    OVERALL: B

36. Vigilante 8: Second Offense (99, Activision) - It looks and sounds like the first, but has new characters, stages and features. You can now take to the air and sea for a new level of car combat. Is it radically different? No. Is it still fun? Yup. And, if you have the original V8, pop the disc in during the game to access the original game's stages, as well as the courses already in V8SO. Double your explosive pleasure!
    

    VISUALS: B- ... AUDIO: B ... GAMEPLAY: B ... REPLAY VALUE: B

    OVERALL: B

37. You Don't Know Jack Mock 2 (00, Sierra) - Hands down, the funniest game on the PS1. It's also the best game show/trivia game I've ever played. At heart, it has all the irreverent humor that has made Jack a hit on the PC, but this time it has a twist. You play in 15-question episodes, which all follow a theme, which could be Teen Angst, Plastic, Practical Jokes and more. There's 50 episodes in all. It's fun alone, but even better against others (cause you can Screw Your Neighbor™). Don't Be A Wimp™, go out and find YDKJM2. It's a laugh riot!
    

    VISUALS: C ... AUDIO: A ... GAMEPLAY: A ... REPLAY VALUE: B-

    OVERALL: B+