PS1 PS1/PS2 Hidden Gems?

[Viviana Santos]

 

[Vanity Crow]

Thought I'd mention some more niche ones here that I didn't mention. For PSX:

Spoiler: [PSX Games That I am Pretty Sure I Forgot To Mention]

Roll Away, Klaymen Klaymen: Neverhood No Nazo which has gotten its own english fan port. Thrill Kill and Magic Castle two games that never got to see the light of day on the official market. Tall - Twins Tower, Threads of Fate, Time Bokan Series: Bokan to Ippatsu! Doronbo, Tiny Tank, Um Jammer Lammy, Armed Fighter, Dark Tales: From The Lost Soul which also got its own English fan translation, Elemental Gearbolt for one of the most intense light gun shooter games out there. Get a USA copy for the hardest difficulty, a JPN copy for the easier difficulty. You're welcome. Fantastic Night Dreams - Cotton also got its own PSX port from Japan got translated properly too surprisingly. There's also ...IRU! which is a really cool take on the horror genre as a whole. And a few other games that I don't think I've seen mentioned. Crusader No Remorse, Kagaku Ninjatai Gatchaman - The Shooting [2000 Series], Kakuge-Yaro: Fighting Game Creator, Mega Man Legends 1 and 2, Pepsi Man, Samurai Deeper Kyo, and a game that I think some of you may find interesting and possibly never heard of, especially if you like Cyber Org, Spriggan: Lunar Verse. It is not without its own issues, but it was a lot of fun in my memory.

 

[RustySK]

View attachment 11641

Whoa, that's such a disproportionally fantastic cover!
I mean, I like the smooching game just fine in spite of its jank, but damn, that's Ico-style classy!

Anyway, this one might potentially have been mentioned before, but I've lost the plot at this point, tbh.

Addie no Okurimono: To Moze from Addie.
A charming... I think you'd call this an Adventure game with Puzzle elements? for the PSX that has a super cute presentation.

 

[Eclipse14]

To name something not said already...

R-Type Delta for the PS1.
Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken Land for the PS2.

 

[RetroLaw]

Yeah, inFamous is the best ps3 game. TLOU1 can suck myyyyyyyyyy just kidding but I like inFamous

I agree with that statement.

In fact, this is fact.

Post automatically merged: Jan 13, 2025

View attachment 11641

I see we love kissin' eh ?

?

 

[G78]

The 5th generation of consoles was an era of experimentation and unique ideas. However, many outstanding games were overlooked by the broader audience.

Which games, in your opinion, were true masterpieces but never got the recognition they deserved?

Share your rare finds that amazed you with their gameplay, music, or graphics.

Why do you think some of these games remained unnoticed?

Let’s bring back the best hidden gems from the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and Nintendo 64 era!

 

[DunkeyKong]

I'll go first
SAY GEX

 

[RustySK]

I've posted a couple of my personal picks for the PSX in this thread before:
https://retrogametalk.com/threads/hidden-gems.2722/

That said, I'll throw one for the Saturn out here as well anyway - the Shining Force 3 trilogy!

Shining Force III: Scenario 1 - Outo no Kyoshin (English Patched) Saturn ISO – RGT Repository

Download Shining Force III: Scenario 1 - Outo no Kyoshin (English Patched) Saturn ISO/ROM for SEGA Saturn. Genre: Tactical RPG. Direct Download Link. Published and developed by SEGA. Play using an emulator for PC or Android.

retrogametalk.com

Shining Force III: Scenario 2 - Nerawareta Miko (English Patched) Saturn ISO – RGT Repository

Download Shining Force III: Scenario 2 - Nerawareta Miko (English Patched) Saturn ISO/ROM for SEGA Saturn. Genre: Tactical RPG. Direct Download Link. Published and developed by SEGA. Play using an emulator for PC or Android.

retrogametalk.com

Shining Force III: Scenario 3 - Hyouheki no Jashinguu (English Patched) Saturn ISO – RGT Repository

Download Shining Force III: Scenario 3 - Hyouheki no Jashinguu (English Patched) Saturn ISO/ROM for SEGA Saturn. Genre: Tactical RPG. Direct Download Link. Published and developed by SEGA. Play using an emulator for PC or Android.

retrogametalk.com

Absolute god tier TRPGs that manage to shine even amongst the genuinely stellar library of the Saturn.
(Just, uh... get the undub patch for the first game)

 

[G78]

Let me remind you about a great PS1 game Galerians. It’s one of those titles that’s unfairly forgotten. I played it a long time ago and recently revisited it — and you know what? It still holds up! If you enjoy dark stories and unique mechanics, I highly recommend checking it out

https://retrogametalk.com/repository/psx-iso/galerians-europe/

 

[Tonberry]

I'm a license game apologist, so I'm biased for them as much as people are biased against them, but I think The Emperor's New Groove is worthy of the "hidden gem" treatment nowadays. Sure, it's a movie tie-in game for a Disney movie, so it likely sold a ton, but since people are quick to denounce these sorts of games it's easy to miss that it was a really surprisingly competent 3D platformer/collect-a-thon, it had a really fun fourth wall-breaking script too. It's by no means a masterpiece, but it was also entertaining!

I also think the developers did a great job of using the movie's highly stylized artwork to make it look appropriate on the Playstation.

 

[ciro64]

Castlevania 64.

I'm a license game apologist, so I'm biased for them as much as people are biased against them, but I think The Emperor's New Groove is worthy of the "hidden gem" treatment nowadays. Sure, it's a movie tie-in game for a Disney movie, so it likely sold a ton, but since people are quick to denounce these sorts of games it's easy to miss that it was a really surprisingly competent 3D platformer/collect-a-thon, it had a really fun fourth wall-breaking script too. It's by no means a masterpiece, but it was also entertaining!

I also think the developers did a great job of using the movie's highly stylized artwork to make it look appropriate on the Playstation.

View attachment 11856

Based! Haven't played that one yet but it's now on my list of ps1 games to play.

Speaking of which, here's my ps1 licensed game contribution:

A great game of a great movie. :)

The Metal Gear of chickens

 

[G78]

I'm a license game apologist, so I'm biased for them as much as people are biased against them, but I think The Emperor's New Groove is worthy of the "hidden gem" treatment nowadays. Sure, it's a movie tie-in game for a Disney movie, so it likely sold a ton, but since people are quick to denounce these sorts of games it's easy to miss that it was a really surprisingly competent 3D platformer/collect-a-thon, it had a really fun fourth wall-breaking script too. It's by no means a masterpiece, but it was also entertaining!

I also think the developers did a great job of using the movie's highly stylized artwork to make it look appropriate on the Playstation.

View attachment 11856

Oh, it’s great that you reminded me of The Emperor’s New Groove! I played it as a kid, and just watched the gameplay on YouTube. Now I really want to play it again. Thanks for the reminder!

 

[Gordo101]

I'd have to go with Rogue Squadron for the N64. It hasn't quite gone unnoticed, but it seems to have "flown" under the radar in terms of any remasters. It still holds up like fine "blue milk" today. View attachment 11869

 

[ThatsNotRich]

Lots of these hidden gem posts. I feel I've just commented on console specific threads

 

[Cu-Neo]

Gunners Heaven on PSX

Also known as Rapid Reload in Europe.
A mention to Thousand Arms and Ghost in the shell

 

[thanonyx thanonyx]

How many of these hidden gem posts are we gonna have?

As long as there are obscure games people want to bring to light then were probably going to keep getting threads like this.

Post automatically merged: Jan 13, 2025

I know a bunch so I may post more later.

PS1:
Alundra 1 & 2
Battle Arena Toshinden 1, 2, & 3
Bloody Roar 1 & 2
Brave Fencer Musashi
Bugs Bunny: Lost in Time
Bushido Blade 1 & 2
Ehrgeiz
Galerians
Gundam Battle Assault 1 & 2
Jumping Flash 1 & 2
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile
Legend of Legaia
Motor Toon Grand Prix
Nightmare Creatures 1 & 2
Omega Boost
Persona 1 & the Persona 2 duology (It's all about 3, 4, & 5 these days. Show some love for the first 2!)
Psychic Force
Rising Zan: the Samurai Gunman
Rival Schools
SaGa Frontier 1 & 2
Star Ocean: The Second Story
Tiny Tank
Threads of Fate
Tobal 1 & 2
Tomba ! 1 and 2
Trap Gunner
Vagrant Story
Vib Ribbon
Wild 9

N64:
Bakuretsu Muteki Bangai-O
Beetle Adventure Racing
Buck Bumble
Chameleon Twist 1 & 2
Custom Robo
Goemon's Great Adventure
Jet Force Gemini
Mischief Makers
Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon
Penny Racers
Rocket: Robot On Wheels
Sin & Punishment (known in Japan as Tsumi to Batsu: Hoshi no Keishousha)
Space Station Silicon Valley
Tetrisphere

 

[thecrow2313]

This game is so damn awesome

 

[Potapota]

I'm not sure how hidden gem this is but I'm playing Tail Concerto on ps1 right now. I don't see it talked about too often. It's got some polish and a great atmosphere to it imho but I can see how it got kinda forgotten. Not a bad game by any means but it's not like any of the platformers besides mario survived to modern age anyway. And sonic I guess.

The reason why I'm even aware of this game's existence is one of my absolute favorites, Silent Bomber from the same studio. It's an awesome game and probably qualifies for a hidden gem status too. Maybe even more than this.

 

[Yousef]

I agree with that statement.

In fact, this is fact.

Post automatically merged: Jan 13, 2025

I see we love kissin' eh ?

?

InFamous was a way bigger deal to me than uncharted or whatever random cinamatic game Sony was putting out. Great franchise.

 

[Karnik]

Hey @Waffles, this thread should also be merged with this one:

T

PS1 Thread 'PS1/PS2 Hidden Gems?'

Nov 25, 2024

I feel like I've asked this everywhere else. I've tried googling, gamefaqs, and reddit, but no one seems to actually know some titles that actually are under the radar.

When I say actually under the radar, I'm talking titles that were never popular, and still aren't.

Genres that I'm interested in:

Action games, Action-Adventure, RPGs(that aren't super tactical), And Story-Rich pure adventure titles(not to be confused with puzzle games.)

Examples of what I'm looking for:
7 Blades for example is extremely under the radar, it's my pick for the most fun game on the PS2...

• TheImmortalP
• ps1 ps2
• Replies: 211
• Forum: Game Recommendations

• 

As I feared, the problem I reported some time ago is spreading like wildfire...
But if no one complains, who am I to get involved. ??‍

 

[moonbits]

 

[Tonberry]

Hey @Waffles, this thread should also be merged with this one:

T

PS1 Thread 'PS1/PS2 Hidden Gems?'

Nov 25, 2024

I feel like I've asked this everywhere else. I've tried googling, gamefaqs, and reddit, but no one seems to actually know some titles that actually are under the radar.

When I say actually under the radar, I'm talking titles that were never popular, and still aren't.

Genres that I'm interested in:

Action games, Action-Adventure, RPGs(that aren't super tactical), And Story-Rich pure adventure titles(not to be confused with puzzle games.)

Examples of what I'm looking for:
7 Blades for example is extremely under the radar, it's my pick for the most fun game on the PS2...

• TheImmortalP
• ps1 ps2
• Replies: 211
• Forum: Game Recommendations

• 

As I feared, the problem I reported some time ago is spreading like wildfire...
But if no one complains, who am I to get involved. ??‍

I'm not against the idea of merging topics, but I feel like these are two different threads, since the OP of this one specifically mentioned 5th generation games.

 

[Karnik]

I'm not against the idea of merging topics, but I feel like these are two different threads, since the OP of this one specifically mentioned 5th generation games.

Sure. In this case, I think we can turn a blind eye. ?

 

[Waffles's iconWaffles]

Hey @Waffles, this thread should also be merged with this one:

T

PS1 Thread 'PS1/PS2 Hidden Gems?'

Nov 25, 2024

I feel like I've asked this everywhere else. I've tried googling, gamefaqs, and reddit, but no one seems to actually know some titles that actually are under the radar.

When I say actually under the radar, I'm talking titles that were never popular, and still aren't.

Genres that I'm interested in:

Action games, Action-Adventure, RPGs(that aren't super tactical), And Story-Rich pure adventure titles(not to be confused with puzzle games.)

Examples of what I'm looking for:
7 Blades for example is extremely under the radar, it's my pick for the most fun game on the PS2...

• TheImmortalP
• ps1 ps2
• Replies: 211
• Forum: Game Recommendations

• 

As I feared, the problem I reported some time ago is spreading like wildfire...
But if no one complains, who am I to get involved. ??‍

You are absolutely right.

Done!

Thanks for reporting it ?

 

[RetroLaw]

Hey @Waffles, this thread should also be merged with this one:

T

PS1 Thread 'PS1/PS2 Hidden Gems?'

Nov 25, 2024

I feel like I've asked this everywhere else. I've tried googling, gamefaqs, and reddit, but no one seems to actually know some titles that actually are under the radar.

When I say actually under the radar, I'm talking titles that were never popular, and still aren't.

Genres that I'm interested in:

Action games, Action-Adventure, RPGs(that aren't super tactical), And Story-Rich pure adventure titles(not to be confused with puzzle games.)

Examples of what I'm looking for:
7 Blades for example is extremely under the radar, it's my pick for the most fun game on the PS2...

• TheImmortalP
• ps1 ps2
• Replies: 211
• Forum: Game Recommendations

• 

As I feared, the problem I reported some time ago is spreading like wildfire...
But if no one complains, who am I to get involved. ??‍

Reporting an issue isn't complaining, especially when it's valid, which is the case here. ?
It also helps the mods.