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If you enjoyed playing PlayStation 1 games in their prime, you’re probably wondering if you can play PlayStation 1 games on a PlayStation 4. There is nothing like the feeling of nostalgia associated with playing an old game from your youth.
With the rapid advancement of video game consoles today, there seems to be a new one on the market every few years. This can render the previous consoles almost obsolete.
If you own a PlayStation 4 console and have been a gamer for a number of years, perhaps you also have some old PlayStation 1 in your attic or storage. With that being said, it’s understandable to wonder if you can play PlayStation 1 games on a PlayStation 4.
It is not possible to play PlayStation 1 games on a PlayStation 4. This is because the hardware of the PlayStation 4 does not support the physical discs of older generation consoles such as the PlayStation 1. It is however possible to play digital PlayStation 1 games on a PlayStation 4 by purchasing them on the PlayStation store.
In doing my research to answer this question, I realized that there is a lot more to learn about backward compatibility on PlayStation. This article will look at why PlayStation 1 games won’t work on a PlayStation 4 or a PlayStation 3. We’ll also look at the best ways to play PlayStation 1 games on a PlayStation 4.
Why Physical PlayStation 1 Games On A PlayStation 4 Don’t Work
Now that we know that you can’t play physical PlayStation 1 games on a PlayStation 4, I’m sure you’re wondering why.
Backward compatibility has become a bone of contention for PlayStation consoles in recent years. You can, for example, play PlayStation 1 games on PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 consoles. However, you can’t play PlayStation 2 games on many PlayStation 3 consoles or any PlayStation 4 consoles. You also cannot play PlayStation 3 games on a PlayStation 4 console.
It was during the period of the PlayStation 3 that the ability for backward compatibility was no longer included on the new consoles, much to the disappointment of PlayStation gamers.
This is pretty unfortunate as Xbox has been able to maintain backward compatibility with all of its console generations, much to the envy of dedicated PlayStation gamers.
Due to the lack of backward compatibility built into the PlayStation 4, and the fact that the hardware and architecture of the PlayStation 4 consoles are so different from the PlayStation 1, physical PlayStation 1 games on a PlayStation 4 simply don’t work.
To take a much deeper dive into this topic, I recommend you watch this great video below:
Can You Play PlayStation 1 Games On A PlayStation 3?
You may be wondering if it’s possible to play PlayStation 1 games on a PlayStation 3. After all, I did briefly say it was possible in the last section.
It is possible to play physical and digital PlayStation 1 games on all models of PlayStation 3 consoles.
It was during the PlayStation 3 generation that the backward compatibility element of PlayStation consoles was removed. Though you could play PlayStation 1 games on PlayStation 3, only a small handful of PlayStation 3 models could play PlayStation 2 physical games.
More detail on PlayStation 3 compatibility you can read the help article on the PlayStation support page here: Play PS One and PlayStation 2 Games on PlayStation 3
How To Play PlayStation 1 Games Today
Now it’s time to take a look at the different ways you can play PlayStation 1 games today outside of playing them on the original console itself.
There are more ways to do this than I initially realized so let’s take a look.
1 PlayStation 1 Games On The PlayStation Store
There is a whole host of PlayStation 1 games available to download and play from the PlayStation Store. This allows you to emulate digital versions of the original games on your PlayStation 4 console.
This is an ideal way for gamers to play PlayStation 1 games without needing to seek out the physical games which are becoming increasingly rare and more expensive to buy.
Let’s take a look at some of the best PlayStation 1 games you can buy on the PlayStation Store.
List Of Best PlayStation 1 Games On The PlayStation Store
Here is a list of just some of best PlayStation 1 games available on the PlayStation Store:
- Castlevania Chronicles
- Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night
- Cool Boarders
- Crash Bandicoot
- Crash Bandicoot 2
- Crash Bandicoot: Warped
- Destruction Derby
- Final Fantasy VII
- Final Fantasy VIII
- MediEvil
- Metal Gear Solid
- Rayman
- Rayman 2: The Great Escape
- Resident Evil 2
- Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
- Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage
- Spyro The Dragon
- Spyro: Year Of The Dragon
- Suikoden
- Syphon Filter
- Tekken 2
- Tomb Raider II
- Tomb Raider III
- Twisted Metal
- Wipeout
More information about the list of games offered on the different PlayStation stores can be found here: Lists of PS One Classics.
2 PlayStation 1 Games On The PlayStation Classic Console
The PlayStation Classic console was PlayStation’s answer to the SNES Mini and the other classic consoles released by Nintendo.
These classic consoles aimed to reproduce a smaller replica of the original console and have it come pre-packaged with the best games the console had to offer. This would tap into the nostalgia of an older audience who could replay classic games on a more modern console.
The PlayStation Classic was released in December 2018 and was much hyped during its announcement. There was however a lot of contention among gamers when the line up of PlayStation classic games was announced.
Regardless of the disagreements that circulated around this console, it can’t be denied that this is the most authentic way to play PlayStation 1 games without playing them on the original console itself.
PlayStation Classic Console
List Of Games On The PS Classic Console
The PlayStation Classic console comes with 20 PlayStation 1 games installed:
- Battle Arena Toshinden
- Cool Boarders 2
- Destruction Derby
- Final Fantasy VII
- Grand Theft Auto
- Intelligent Qube
- Jumping Flash
- Metal Gear Solid
- Mr Driller
- Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee
- Rayman
- Resident Evil Director’s Cut
- Revelations: Persona
- Ridge Racer Type 4
- Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo
- Syphon Filter
- Tekken 3
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six
- Twisted Metal
- Wild Arms
3 PlayStation 1 Games That Have Been Remastered Or Remade
A more recent phenomenon in the world of gaming is the remake or remaster of old classic games.
For some gamers, this can be a great way to relive the classic nostalgia associated with old games but through a revamped and updated look and feel.
Having bought many of these games myself, I have found them a great way to relive the games of the PlayStation 1 generation through new eyes.
List Of PlayStation 1 Games That Have Been Remastered Or Remade
Though this list of games isn’t exhaustive, new remakes and remasters are being announced all the time so this list may grow in size in the future.
Here is the list of PlayStation 1 games that have been remastered or remade:
- Spyro: Reignited Trilogy
- Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
- Resident Evil
- Resident Evil 2
- Final Fantasy VII
- Crash Team Racing Nitro Fueled – I’ve written a number of helpful guides on this game, one of which you can read here: 11 Tips To Win More Races In Crash Team Racing Nitro Fueled
Conclusion
You’ve reached the end of the article. Let’s summarize what we covered before we finish:
- First, we answered the question can you play PlayStation 1 games on a PlayStation 4
- Next, we looked at why physical PS1 games won’t work on a PS4
- Next, we answered the question can you play PlayStation 1 games on a PlayStation 3
- Finally, we looked at how to play PlayStation 1 games today including the PlayStation Store, PlayStation Now, and the PlayStation Classic console.
I hope you found some value in reading this article. If you did, please consider sharing it on social media as it will help others to find it.
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