Best 3D PS1 Platformers
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Highlights
- The PlayStation 1 had a great selection of 3D platforming games that brought a new dimension to the genre in terms of gameplay and map design.
- Games like Gex: Enter the Gecko, Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue, and Croc: Legend of the Gobbos offered unique mechanics and engaging levels for players to explore.
- Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped stood out as one of the best 3D platformers on the PlayStation 1, with its excellent controls and fun variety of platforming stages.
The PlayStation 1 has a ton of excellent titles that span various genres. In terms of platforming games, the console also has a good number of 3D platforming games that utilize the power of the PlayStation 1’s engine. These games are the next logical step for the 2D platforming titles and give a new dimension to the genre in terms of gameplay and map design.
From amazing video game tie-ins, long-running video game franchises, and anthropomorphic animals that double jump, smash crates, and bonk enemies away around different levels, here are the best 3D platforming games that called the PS1 their home.
10 Gex: Enter The Gecko
The second game of the Gex franchise, Gex: Enter the Gecko revolves around the eponymous Gex as he comes back from retirement after the first game to take out Rez and thwart his scheme of world domination.
As a gecko, Gex can climb certain walls to get across pathways. He also uses his tail to bounce and hit small TV sets that contain different colored flies that grant him various powers. As far as attacking enemies, Gex refers to using his feet to perform a karate kick.
9 Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear To The Rescue
Buzz Lightyear from the Toy Story movies lends himself to have a game of his own, and Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue, lives up to his Space Ranger reputation, albeit in toy form. The game follows the events of Toy Story 2 where Woody is stolen by Al McWhiggin during a garage sale.
Players control Buzz and have to navigate through Andy’s home and get to Al McWhiggin’s place. This means tons of platforming across bedrooms, interacting with Andy’s other toys, and acquiring Pizza Planet tokens located in various levels.
8 Croc: Legend Of The Gobbos
Developed by Argonaut Games, Croc: Legend of the Gobbos is a quaint 3D platformer that sees players take control of the eponymous Croc as he sets out to free the Gobbos from the dastardly Baron Dante and his minions.
Each level has a gong that Croc needs to hit to complete the stage and transport him to the next level. He can jump across obstacles and use his tail swipe and hip drop attack to hit and defeat enemies and crates that contain an assortment of collectibles and power-ups.
7 Pac-Man World
Pac-Man games are usually known as 2D games that are contained within a small area. Pac-Man World takes the iconic gaming mascot in the 3D realm where he needs to rescue his family and friends.
There are six worlds for Pac-Man to explore where his family and friends are held captive. Pac-Man has two abilities to vanquish enemies: a butt drop that can also destroy crates and a ball form that allows him to roll and get shot from great distances. Apart from platforming, Pac-Man World also has puzzles in-game that need to be solved to unlock new areas.
6 Tomba! 2: The Evil Swine Return
Tomba! 2: The Evil Swine Return is the sequel to the first game that follows Tomba in his wacky adventures to rescue his friend Tabby from the Evil Pigs. As a feral child, Tomba can defeat enemy pigs by jumping onto them, biting them, then tossing them in a general direction.
Tomba can wear different suits after defeating bosses. These have different powers that include talking to friendly pigs and having the ability to glide. Completing various events gives players rewards, which makes revisiting levels a must.
5 Jumping Flash! 2
Following its predecessor, Jumping Flash! 2 sees players continue its unique first-person platforming awesomeness across various levels. Each level has players explore the area and collect creatures called MuuMuus within a time limit. They are scattered across levels, and players need to discover their locations as quickly as possible.
Players can use a triple jump to reach certain areas, and they can even shoot down enemies with various projectiles. Such projectiles include missiles, laser beams, fireworks, and even trip mines, rockets, Roman Candles, and cherry bombs.
4 Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage
Spyro the Dragon is one of Insomniac Games’ most beloved games on the PlayStation 1. Its sequel, Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage! develops the in-game mechanics and adds new elements, specifically interacting with NPCs that enrich the game’s world.
Power-up Gates are placed in stages, and when players manage to go through them, Spyro harnesses a temporary super ability. This, along with the previous game’s platforming controls such as running around to gain speed and glide across areas, make for a truly memorable PS1 title.
3 Ape Escape
Ape Escape is a quirky platformer with a simple premise. Players control Spike and need to track down and capture monkeys wearing a Helmet that boosts their intelligence around the park.
Spike wields an assortment of monkey-capturing devices, and once he locates the rambunctious primates, he has to incapacitate them or else they will evade capture. Ape Escape’s controls see players utilize the DualShock controllers to move Spike and handle whatever device he’s equipped with the right analog stick. Capturing monkeys also is a mini-game on its own since each of them has specific temperaments before they can be apprehended.
2 Rayman 2: The Great Escape
Only two Rayman games have been released on PlayStation 1, and between the two titles, Rayman 2: The Great Escape was the one released in 3D. This allowed players to explore a bigger world where they control the iconic Rayman across the Glade of Dreams.
Similar to the previous Rayman sidescroller, Rayman 2 has players traverse the many areas within the Glade of Dreams by jumping and spelunking about to collect lums and uncover the mysterious place they are in. Rayman starts with minimal abilities but gains powers like his powered-up fist attack and the ability to use his hair to slowly glide as players progress through the game.
1 Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped
The Crash Bandicoot games are considered to be the best 3D platformers for the PlayStation 1. Spanning three titles, the best one in the trilogy is Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped. Fine-tuning from the previous two Crash Bandicoot titles, the third game ramps up the zany adventures of Crash and the gang against N. Cortex and Uka Uka’s schemes.
Sporting excellent controls and a fun variety of platforming stages, Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped takes players on a roller coaster of memorable characters across different ages and eras.
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