One of the great tragedies in video game development is the inability to continue a beloved series or reinvigorate a fan favorite with the care and attention it deserves. A prime example is Team Ninja’s dedication to the Ninja Gaiden franchise even decades after its humble beginnings on the NES.
Over the lifespan of the PlayStation 1, 1,300 games were released in North America. Unfortunately, not all games released on the PlayStation 1 had a shelf life beyond that generation of consoles. Here are the top 5 video game series that never left the original PlayStation.
5. Future Cop LAPD
Released in the United States on September 1, 1998, as a sequel to the Strike series, Future Cop LAPD is a more than competent third-person isometric action shooter. On the same subject : How to save money when you buy video games and consoles. Published by Electronic Arts and developed by EA’s Redwood Shores Studios, Future Cop transformed you into a pilot of the X1-Alpha police robot fighting crime in 2098 Los Angeles, California.
During the game, you can transform your mecha into a speedy hovering police chase vehicle or a slower but more powerful two-pedal robot. Transforming into the beefier mecha allowed you to take on large tanks and stationary turrets. Pilots completed various missions in real Los Angeles environments including LAX, Long Beach and Venice Beach. To combat the mutant, crime-ridden streets of Los Angeles, X1-Alpha pilots were equipped with machine guns, rockets, and guided missiles.
Enemies in Future Cop LAPD ranged from thugs on foot carrying rocket launchers to aggressively agile tanks and attack helicopters. The absurdly fun and fast-paced missions involved clearing enemy strongholds, rescuing hostages, and destroying enemy camps, all complete with flashy explosions and stunning 3D animations.
While it’s certainly more than competent as an action title, what set Future Cop LAPD apart from the rest was its Precinct mode. Cited as one of the first MOBAs, Precinct mode pitted two X1-Alpha pilots against each other in a battle mode where the objective was to destroy and occupy the enemy base. Each player appeared at opposite ends of the map and began to accumulate resources to attack the enemy base. Pilots could use vehicles and defensive items, as well as deploy a swarm of deadly aircraft to overwhelm the opposition.
4. Little Big Adventure
Released in October 1994, Little Big Adventure was a commercial success outside of the United States with over 500,000 units sold in 1999. In Little Big Adventure, you play as Twinsen, the chosen hero of the planet Twinsun, to save your world and your girlfriend Zoe. Read also : The best video game mermaids. of the evil Dr. FunFrock. Dr. FunFrock is out to enslave all of the sentient species that populate Twinsun, and it’s up to Twinsen to save the day and fulfill his prophecies.
Little Big Adventure lets you freely roam through the vibrant, 2D environments to explore the various locations and islands in Twinsun. Twinsen engages in dialogue with NPCs in the world and must solve puzzles and defeat enemies to progress the story. You can choose from four different behavior styles for Twinsen. These behaviors included Discreet, Normal, Sporty/Athletic, or Aggressive, and depending on which one he chose, Twinsen’s physical actions would change. For example, if Twinsen needs to move an object in the environment, the player would change the behavior mode to Sport to allow Twinsen to jump or run. For defensive purposes, you can switch to Aggressive behavior mode to attack and defeat enemies.
Little Big Adventure is number 4 on this list because the game is so much bigger than the sum of its parts. A fun and engaging fantasy narrative with memorable characters, charming art style, whimsical music, and unique gameplay make Little Big Adventure a series that is ripe for a renaissance.
3. MDK
Originally developed by Shiny Entertainment and ported from PC to PlayStation by Neversoft, MDK burst onto the scene in 1997 and immediately received positive praise for its humor, gameplay, and level design. Read also : Video games with more body counts than Game of Thrones.
From destroying enemies while gliding on a metal surfboard down an abandoned mine tunnel, to strafing one-eyed alien slug monsters in large outdoor arenas, MDK felt like a screen-shattering, action-packed roller coaster ride. without stopping where there are not two. the levels play the same.
You play as Kurt Hectic, a tough janitor who is hesitant to save the world from an alien race whose goal is to strip Earth of all its natural resources. Kurt has an arsenal of weapons and gadgets that complement the run-and-gun game. Along the way, you’ll find rudimentary puzzles to break up the intense shooting game. All MDK levels had the added benefit of being designed by a different level artist, so no two environments are exactly alike.
MDK was developed during a time when first person shooters dominated the PC gaming market. Porting MDK to the PlayStation console allowed more gamers to join in the fun with a controller. You can use a mini-nuke to destroy enemy turrets, smash through killer vehicles twice your size, and fall from orbit at extreme speeds, dodging enemies and collecting power-ups, all in the same five minutes. MDK is a game that proves you don’t need to follow the status quo to become an instant classic, one that desperately needs a sequel.
2. Parasite Eve
Resident Evil had a huge impact on the games industry in 1996, not only redefining the survival horror genre, but also paving the way for dozens of clones trying to capture the same post-release fervor. While many games attempted to be spin-offs from Resident Evil, some added more than just ink ribbons to the tank-driven survival horror experience.
Enter Parasite Eve, released on September 9, 1998 and developed by Square. Parasite Eve is an action RPG with a linear storyline praised by critics for its beautiful cinematic sequences and eye-catching graphics.
In Parasite Eve, you take control of the player character Aya Brea, a rookie New York City police officer trying to stop the antagonist Eve from destroying humanity through internal combustion. The game involved exploring New York City’s evacuated streets, subway tunnels, and precisely designed interior areas. Real-time combat allowed the player to move and attack or heal as needed. With a mix of Resident Evil movement and Final Fantasy-like attack menus and gameplay, Parasite Eve became an instant cult classic. While fans of the game were treated to a sequel in 2000, Parasite Eve II would be the final installment in the series.
Square’s first M-rated video game was intended as a sequel to the novel Parasite Eve, written by Hideaki Sena and which sold nearly 2 million copies worldwide by February 2004. Additionally, the music for Parasite Eve was composed by Yoko Shimomura, and has ascended far beyond her video game roots. Fans and music lovers alike enjoyed and praised the game’s music years after its release.
1. Um Jammer Lammy
Developed by NanaOn-Sha and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, Um Jammer Lammy was released in 1999. This Rhythm game spin-off of PaRapper The Rapper garnered immediate positive praise from critics around the world. You play as Lammy, a shy guitar-wielding lefty lamb who happens to be the leader of a rock band called MilkCan. Your mission is to unite your band members and get to your rock concert.
The gameplay of Um Jammer Lammy is almost identical to that of PaRapper The Rapper, as it is a time-based rhythm game where the goal is to press the buttons corresponding to the on-screen symbols in tune with the music track. . Your performance is based on how well you timed your button presses and how well you performed in your freestyle. Freestyle occurs at specific times throughout the level, and how well you do it will determine the range you reach.
With a wacky and often convoluted storyline, a vibrant art style, and a soundtrack bursting with charm and flair, Um Jammer Lammy is number one on this list because of its message. Lammy is the perfect conduit for you to be yourself, enjoy the things you love and, above all, have confidence in the person you are.
With its charming cast of characters like Chop Cop Master Onion and the anthropomorphic members of the MilkCan gang, Um Jammer Lammy is the best video game series to ever leave the PlayStation 1. The world is ready for a sequel to the confidence-boosting game and kill the guitar shy little lamb.
