PlayStation Games of the 90s: A Guide by Genre
Sony's PlayStation launched in Japan on December 3, 1994, and in North America on September 9, 1995, and its CD-based library ended up spanning platformers, genre-defining RPGs, horror, and racing sims, often from studios that hadn't worked with Sony before.
Platformers
Naughty Dog's Crash Bandicoot (1996) and Insomniac's Spyro the Dragon (1998) became the console's signature mascot platformers, each covered in more depth in our franchise guides.
RPGs and adventures
Final Fantasy VII (1997) brought Square's RPG series to a much wider global audience than its earlier entries, backed by an unusually large marketing push for the time.
Horror and action
Capcom's Resident Evil (1996) helped define survival horror as a genre on the console, while Konami's Metal Gear Solid (1998) did the same for cinematic stealth action.
Racing and multiplayer
Gran Turismo (1997) established Polyphony Digital's simulation-focused racing series, while games built around the PS1's multitap accessory, covered in our own multiplayer guide, made the console a strong choice for local multiplayer nights.
Where to begin
- Want mascot platforming? Start with our Crash Bandicoot or Spyro guides.
- Want a defining RPG? Start with our Final Fantasy VII retrospective.
- Setting up game night? See our PS1 multiplayer guide.
Frequently asked questions
When did the PlayStation launch?
December 3, 1994 in Japan and September 9, 1995 in North America.
What genre did the PS1 become best known for?
It's associated with several: mascot platformers (Crash Bandicoot, Spyro), narrative RPGs (Final Fantasy VII), and survival horror (Resident Evil), rather than one single defining genre.
Was Final Fantasy VII the first Final Fantasy game?
No, it was the seventh mainline entry, but it reached a much wider global audience than the earlier games in the series thanks to the PlayStation's reach and an unusually large marketing campaign.
Sourcing and corrections
PlayStation launch dates and release years for Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, Final Fantasy VII, Resident Evil, Metal Gear Solid, and Gran Turismo were checked via web search against sources including Wikipedia and PlayStation's own history pages in September 2026.