The PS1 has a library overflowing with bangers, but there’s one big problem if you’re a new school gamer. Many PS1 games are obnoxiously tricky, and would much rather that you sweat instead of unwind and relax.
Fortunately, there are some chill games on the console, even if audience demands were pretty different at the time. If you’re looking to unwind, here are some cozy PS1 titles you must check out.
10Reel Fishing 2
Relax In The Great Outdoors
Key Information
Release Date
Reel Fishing
Reel Fishing 2is asatisfying fishing gamewith a unique trick to make its locations look far better than they actually are.
I’m unsure how the developers pulled it off, buteach locale looks like a photowith just enough moving parts to make it look ‘Reel’ (sorry, I had to).
I’m a sucker forfishing minigames, and the act of angling inReel Fishingis deceptively deep, and you’ll need to experiment to claim the biggest catch.
Reel Fishing 2is also surprisingly addictive as you can unlockalmost 20 different locations, some with unique disciplines, like smelt fishing. I find this game relaxing, but it will only land if you don’t detest fishing games.
9Kula World
Life As A Beach Ball
Kula World
Kula Worldis anenigmatic puzzle gamewhere you play as a beach ball. The premise is bizarre, but the gameplay is pretty simple.
There’s a goal on every stage and you must reach it within the time limit.The beach ball defies gravity, and the imaginative puzzles use this idea to its full potential. You’ll get lost navigating complicated geometric shapes, but the core gameplay is straightforward, and it’s hard to get frustrated.
There are also multiple pieces of fruit to collect on each stage, which encourage exploring and experimentation.
Thetime limit may be a bugbearfor some players, but it’s a relaxing experience overall.
8Spyro the Dragon
Deceptively Difficult
Spyro The Dragon
I debated puttingSpyro the Dragonon the list, as it’s a tough 3D platformer. However, it’s hard not to admire thegorgeous worldsand enjoy meeting the colorful cast of Dragons who the dastardly Gnasty Gnorc has imprisoned.
Spyro likely needs no introduction. He’s an adorable purple dragon and the mascot of the popular series. As a plucky dragon,Spyro can glide and breathe fire, and you must master all of his abilities to beat the game.
Worlds inSpyro the Dragonare beautifully designed, each containing an addictive Gem collectathon.You are always rewarded for exploring, and the difficulty is firm but fair.
Ultimately,Spyro the Dragonis challenging, but thewhimsical vibes and caststill land it firmly in cozy territory. You can also enjoy this classic as part of theReignited Trilogy.
7Everybody’s Golf
A Fresh Take On Sports
There are many golf games on the PS1, but while most sports games are geared toward realism, one particular title focuses onfun and accessibility.
Everybody’s Golfis abreath of fresh airin the genre, offering a solid golf simulator but with adorable chibi characters and vibrant, colorful courses. The best part is that the actual ‘golf’ part of the title is well-made, so fans of the real-life sport aren’t alienated.
Everybody’s Golfis pretty cozy, and withsix full golf courses, there’s a ton of content to play through. The sequel is decent, andthere’s even a PS4 gameof the same name if you want a modern take on the series.
6Broken Sword 2: The Smoking Mirror
A Classic Point & Click Adventure
Broken Sword 2 - The Smoking Mirror
Point and Click Adventure games area dying breednowadays, which is a shame as the gameplay is cozy.
Broken Sword 2isone of the finest games in the genre, with gorgeous graphics, a charismatic cast, and a fully voice-acted story. You play as George Stobbart on a quest to find his kidnapped girlfriend, Nicole Collard.
George isn’t much of a fighter, so you overcome adversity by solving creative puzzles.Keen observation is rewarded, and it feels supremely satisfying when you finally nail a complicated puzzle.
Scenarios become pretty complex toward the end of the game, but it’s a cozy experience with charming gameplay.
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5Theme Park World
Seriously, Who Just Vomits On The Pavement?
November 1999
There areplenty of great management simson the PS1, including the legendaryTheme Hospital. However, the busy work in games like this can be stressful, but there are always notable exceptions.
Theme Park Worldis a cozy management sim that ismechanically simple yet addictive. The title is firmly based on fantasy without the constraints of real life. Unlike games likeRoller Coaster Tycoon, younever have to worry about your coasters not joining correctly.
The gameplay is also satisfying as youunlock new parks by completing objectives. While the title lacks the depth of other management sims, it’s an impressive PS1 game and was even remade on the PS2.
Who Plays Pong For The Story?!
Puzzle/Action
September 2000
I had to squeeze an unusual one on here as the PS1 library is so diverse, and if you’re afteran experimental pick, why not tryBreakout?
Breakout is literally ‘Pong with a story’ and is one of those titles that is better than it has any right to be.
You’ll be playing Pong in the ancient pyramids, farms, and even on the side of a space rocket. Many levels play like your average game of Pong, while others haveobjectives that award precision.
One great feature ofBreakoutis theflexible difficulty. Your rating goes up whenever you win, and the game gets harder. It’s the opposite when you lose.
In some stages, the Pong stick even stands up as a playable character. It’sas odd as it sounds, but Atari clearly tried their best to make it work.
3Bust a Move / Puzzle Bobble
Bubble Bursting At Its Finest
Bust a Move, orPuzzle Bobble, as it’s also known, is anaddictive puzzler by Taito.
Honestly, a few puzzle games on the PS1 could have made this list, butBust a Moveis one of the few whereyou don’t have to battle an opponentactively. InBust a Move, you shoot colored bubbles up into the playfield above you. When you match three, the bubbles disappear.
Like the best puzzle games, there’s room for precision and strategy, butthe premise is straightforward. The campaign serves up ever more complex boards to clear, but the lack of an opponent removes the urgency. The series was so beloved on the PS1 that they made four of them!
2Harvest Moon: Back to Nature
Pumpkins Are The Way To Go
Harvest Moon: Back to Nature
There are so manyHarvest Moongames that it’s hard to keep up, but the PS1 hasone of the series' best entries.
Back to Naturespins a story we’ve heard many times before. Youinherit a dilapidated farmfrom your late grandfather and must restore it to its former glory.
Considering how old the PS1 is, everything you expect in aHarvest Moongame is here, fromrelationships to an in-depth farming systemwith dozens of different crops.
There’s a healthy mix of long and short-term goals to work toward and an overall objective that must be completed within the first three years. The villagers of Mineral Town have decided you can only officially inherit your grandfather’s time if you restore it to an acceptable state within that time.
Time limits aren’t cozy, but three years is long enough that you have plenty of time.
1Klonoa: Door to Phantomile
A Beginner-Friendly Platformer
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile
I don’t typically associate platformers with cozy gameplay, butKlonoais a welcome exception.
Klonoa: Door to Phantomileis asuperb 2.5D platformerandmy favorite game on the entire system. Compared to many other PS1 platformers,Klonoais relatively easyand doesn’t pose much of a challenge until the closing stages.
Klonoahas a unique ability that allows him to grab enemies (moos) and use them in several ways. He can toss moos as projectiles or throw them under his feet in mid-air to double jump. Each Vision (area) looks and feels unique, and thecreative boss fightsfully use the 2.5D perspective.
Klonoa: Door to Phantomileis ludicrously expensive if you want the original disk, but the remasteredPhantasy Reverie Seriesisa great way to enjoy the titlewith modern graphics.
