The Best PS1 Games to Play on PS5 in 2026

For years, PlayStation’s retro offerings felt like a side feature. Something nice to have, but never the main attraction. In 2026 and beyond, that’s starting to change.

The PlayStation Store’s PS1 Classics Catalog is slowly becoming one of the most enjoyable ways to experience PlayStation history on modern hardware. These are officially supported PS1 games, not ROMs, ports, or remakes. They run through Sony’s emulator and include modern quality-of-life features that make revisiting the late 1990s smoother than it has ever been. You can finally play these original games without fighting the hardware, and that feels incredible.

This post will break down:

• What PS1 games are actually available on PS5
• How PS5 emulation works, including save states and rewind
• The five PS1 games that are absolutely worth playing right now
• What the future likely holds for new additions

Jump to a Game:

• 1. Ape Escape (1999)
• 2. The Legend of Dragoon (1999)
• 3. Dino Crisis (1999)
• 4. Tekken 3 (1998)
• 5. Resident Evil 2 (1998)

PS1 Games on the PlayStation Store: What’s Available

The library is slowly but surely growing.

As of January 2026, Sony offers a limited but steadily growing lineup of PS1 titles playable on PS5 through PlayStation Plus Premium. The library includes first-party Sony releases and select third-party classics across a wide range of genres. For as small as it may feel, this is the most complete official PS1 lineup Sony has ever offered on a single platform.

Important things to know:

• PS1 games are accessed through the Classics Catalog
• Many Classics can be purchased individually, though some launch as subscription-only
• Features such as trophies vary by publisher

How PS5 Emulates PS1 Games (And Why It Matters)

There are real benefits to playing PS1 games through emulation.

It’s surprising how little Sony markets its emulation technology, because it’s genuinely impressive. The benefits become clear the moment you start playing.

Resolution Scaling

• PS1 games render at a higher resolution than the original 240p output
• 3D models appear cleaner and more stable on modern displays
• Pre-rendered backgrounds retain their original look while appearing sharper

Save States

• Multiple instant save slots per game
• Save anywhere without relying on original save systems
• Ideal for long RPGs and difficult action sections

Rewind

• Rewind gameplay by several minutes
• Perfect for missed jumps or sudden deaths
• Optional, but extremely helpful for accessibility

Visual Filters

• Optional CRT-style filters
• Scanlines and mild blur help PS1 visuals feel natural on modern TVs
• Filters can be toggled per game

Performance Stability

• Games run at their intended frame rate
• Faster access to game data compared to original disc hardware
• NTSC versions avoid PAL speed issues

Modern Controller Support

• DualSense analog sticks work natively
• The touchpad substitutes for the original Select button
• Rumble is supported and mapped from original vibration data

If you own a PS5 Pro, the Classics feature set is the same, but the system has far more overhead. That means even cleaner output and more stable presentation on high-end displays. If you want the best fidelity possible, the PS5 Pro is the ideal way to experience these classics.

1. Ape Escape (1999)

This is a must-play PS1 classic.

Why it’s worth playing

• Full trophy support, including a Platinum
• Responsive controls that still feel modern
• Save states make collecting monkeys stress-free
• Bright visuals scale cleanly to modern displays

Ape Escape was the first console game to require dual analog sticks, and it helped reshape PlayStation controls forever. At the time, it frustrated a lot of players, but it marked the birth of modern movement. These days, it feels like a time capsule that still plays great.

This is the easiest recommendation on the list. Joyful, creative, and still relevant decades later, Ape Escape drops you into a strange world where monkeys are under mind control and you catch them with a giant net. Yes, it’s weird. It’s also fantastic.

2. The Legend of Dragoon (1999)

Like Final Fantasy, but on four discs.

Why it’s worth playing

• Full Platinum trophy support
• Roughly 50 hours of story content
• Spell effects and battle models scale well
• Save states remove frustration from long dungeon runs

The Legend of Dragoon was Sony’s four-disc answer to Final Fantasy and remains one of the most content-rich JRPGs of the era. It’s one of Sony’s most ambitious RPGs, and it still holds up remarkably well.

The timing-based combat can grow repetitive, but the art direction, music, and scope make it an essential retro experience if you enjoy classic JRPGs.

3. Dino Crisis (1999)

Dinos run faster than zombies, just saying.

Why it’s worth playing

• Rewind significantly improves accessibility
• Stable performance keeps tension consistent
• No trophy support

Dino Crisis replaces slow zombies with fast, aggressive dinosaurs, and it works far better than you’d expect. The game thrives on constant tension as you navigate tight hallways, insert key cards, and brace for sudden attacks.

It’s often compared to Resident Evil, but it has its own identity and pace. It feels sharper, faster, and more reactive, like the game wants you to stay nervous at all times.

4. Tekken 3 (1998)

The definitive OG fighting game.

Why it’s worth playing

• Fast, precise gameplay
• Large, iconic character roster
• Memorable modes like Tekken Ball
• No trophy support

Tekken 3 perfected 3D fighting on the PS1 and remains one of the greatest fighters ever made. Even in 2026, it feels sharp, responsive, and timeless.

This is PS1 history in its purest form, and it’s still easy to lose an entire night to “one more match.”

5. Resident Evil 2 (1998)

This game is brutal.

Why it’s worth playing

• Resolution scaling preserves atmosphere
• Save states reduce frustration
• Rewind softens the original difficulty
• No trophy support

The original Resident Evil 2 features the Scenario A/B Zapping System, where your actions affect the second playthrough. The game keeps you constantly on edge, throwing grotesque enemies and jump scares at every turn.

It’s heavily puzzle-driven, and progress feels earned after hours of tense exploration. When you finally unlock a new path, it feels like you just outsmarted the whole building.

What the Future Likely Holds for PS1 Classics

We need Brave Fencer Musashi on the Classics store.

Sony hasn’t officially announced future PS1 additions, but current patterns suggest continued growth:

• Gradual expansion of the Classics Catalog
• More first-party Sony titles filling gaps
• Select third-party additions when licensing allows

Games like Parasite Eve, Silent Hill, and Dino Crisis 2 remain frequent community requests, though nothing is confirmed.

Final Thoughts

The PS1 Classics Catalog isn’t about reinventing old games. It’s about preserving them properly. With resolution scaling, save states, rewind, and stable performance, these games are easier to enjoy than ever without erasing what made them special in the first place.

If you can only play one PS1 game on PS5 this year, choose Ape Escape. It captures everything that made early PlayStation magical and proves that great game design does not age.

My personal wishlist includes Silent Hill, Brave Fencer Musashi, and Mega Man Legends. Sony is sitting on a goldmine. Many of these games are already being pirated and emulated, which means missed opportunities to preserve and monetize its own history. With time, hopefully we’ll see a massive Classics library that lets us enjoy our childhood favorites properly for years to come.