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Best Arcade games on PlayStation 1

The 14 best Arcade games on PlayStation 1, ranked from 2,704 critic and player ratings.

The best Arcade game on PlayStation 1 right now is Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2, with a critic score of 91/100 — updated November 2026.

How this ranking is built
  • Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
  • A game only enters the ranking with at least 80 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
  • Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
  • Release window covered: 1970 to 2026.
  • 14 games are listed on this page, carrying 2,704 ratings between them.
  • Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 13 November 2026.

Top 14

Played them? Give your tier with the + next to each game. No account needed to try — create one to keep your tiers.

01 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 2000 · 422 ratings Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 redefined an already great game. Its addition of stellar new features (like Create-A-Park), and great game-play tweaks (the manual maneuver will be copied for years to come) made it the best installment in a killer series of games. Anyone who has ever skated the Philadelphia level will agree -- this game is a masterpiece of level design. Hell, it's a masterpiece all around. There isn't a bad park or dull moment, just pure gaming nirvana! 91 /100
02 Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit 1998 · 282 ratings Drive some of the most exotic cars in illegal street race on many different tracks, while trying not to be caught by police! 88 /100
03 Need for Speed: High Stakes Need for Speed: High Stakes 1999 · 96 ratings Just like its predecessors Need for Speed: High Stakes is an action racing game with a wide selection of exotic sports cars and many different types of tracks. The trademark Hot Pursuit mode game mode from the first game in the series is still present, where players race opponents on tracks filled with regular traffic and police cars that chase the racers. The classic pursuit mode is extended with two additional modes: Getaway and Time Trap. In Getaway the player needs to shake off the police in a set amount of time, or playing as the police trap a speeder before time runs out. In Time Trap an entire race needs to be completed before time runs out, or as the police all speeders need to be arrested. There are minor differences between the two platforms for this game mode, regarding spike strips, road blocks, and back-up. The latter for instance is unique to the PlayStation version. The Pursuit mode is available in multiplayer as well and players can take different sides or race together. It is the first game in the series to introduce a Career mode with a set of challenges. Beating these is rewarded with trophies for unlocks, and money to spend on new cars, repairs and upgrades. In the PlayStation version the Career mode is split up into two different sets of challenges: Tournament (required races) and Special Event (optional races). High Stakes in the title refers to races where players bet their cars. In the PC version these are a part of the Career mode when the player owns more than two cars. In the PlayStation version two players can insert their memory cards and race against each other. The winner immediately receives the opponent's car and it is deleted from the loser's memory card right away. In addition to the new game modes it is also the first game in the series to have a detailed physics models. Damage now affects both the appearance and the performance of the car for the first time. 86 /100
04 Rayman Rayman 1995 · 223 ratings Rayman is a side-scrolling platformer starring the titular Rayman, a big-nosed chap with no arms or legs. Rayman can jump and use his hair to hover for a short period of time. He can also attack by throwing his fists, or winding up his fists for a more powerful punch. He can occasionally find special power ups that grant him unlimited flying power, giving him the ability to navigate through tricky mazes. 84 /100
05 Worms Worms 1995 · 212 ratings · finished by 8% Worms combines the best elements from the very best games ever created. It requires great thought, strategy and elements of sheer outrageous fortune. It provides the players with an almost infinite range of playing possibilities. It does take a little while to get into the swing of things however and despite everyone’s insistence that you should not need to read a game manual to be able to play it. Worms can be played by 1-16 players at the same time - it’s a turn based game so you`ll only need one machine - but prepare to be at odds with your loved ones, get ready to shout abuse at your best friend and be willing to exact unadulterated terror on those who plot to hurt your worms. Team17 planned on producing Worms for the Virtual Boy back in 1995. Though, after a few weeks, they cancelled this plan due to the lack of interest of the publisher and the expected failure of the Virtual Boy. 80 /100
06 Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed 2000 · 242 ratings You've pushed yourself to the edge - now drive over it! Need for Speed Porsche 2000 lets you experience the adrenaline rush of high-speed driving with 74 different Porsche models dating from 1948 to 2000. Roar down the roadways in classic models such as the 1948 356 No.1, or push the state-of-the-art 2000 996 Porsche Turbo to its absolute limit. The choice is yours. Grid-based tracks feature 20 open road segments, and with the capacity for 4 people to play, this game lets you take part in a thrills 'n' spills journey through Porsche's fast-paced 50-year history. Fasten your seat belt! 78 /100
07 The Need for Speed The Need for Speed 1994 · 104 ratings Welcome to The Need For Speed racing game. Here you'll find spine-tingling action coupled with awesome graphics. As you race down an alpine road in your choice of eight high performance cars, you'll be amazed by the detail and realism. The sophisticated physics model recreates the feel of the cars themselves; you'll notice the difference in handling, breaking and just plain power. Plan your strategy for each track, there are six to choose from during regular play, and each demands a different style of driving. There's also a bonus track if you win the Tournament. There are four game modes to try, with an option to compete against another driver over a modem. With different cars, different tracks, and different styles of racing fueling your need for speed, you'll find your addiction growing to a fewer pitch. No need to worry, when you crash and burn in the game, there's always another day. 76 /100
08 Twisted Metal 2 Twisted Metal 2 1996 · 104 ratings Twisted Metal 2 is a vehicular combat game released in 1996 for the PlayStation and PC. Players choose from a roster of armed vehicles to battle in destructive arenas across global locations. Each character has a unique backstory and special weapon. The gameplay emphasizes fast-paced action and environmental hazards. It is the second installment in the Twisted Metal series and is built on the formula of its predecessor with expanded content, such as vehicle-common advanced moves. These moves allow players to press button combinations in order to perform special rechargeable maneuvers such as cloak, shield, and a napalm blast. 73 /100
09 PaRappa the Rapper PaRappa the Rapper 1996 · 102 ratings The original music video game. Help Parappa rap with the best of the master rappers and straight into Sunny's heart. Guaranteed you'll be singin' and dancin' along with Parappa and his pals to the most fun music mixes. 68 /100
10 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone 2001 · 299 ratings Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is the first Harry Potter video game for the PlayStation, and one of several different games based on the book and movie. This version is a three-dimensional action adventure, where Harry must complete a number of challenges in order to pass his first year of studies at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Successful completion of the tasks often results in house points for Harry's house Gryffindor and failure in some deducts points, so the race for the House Cup can stay open until the end. 60 /100
11 Disney's Hercules Disney's Hercules 1997 · 174 ratings 60 /100
12 Mortal Kombat Trilogy Mortal Kombat Trilogy 1996 · 124 ratings 50 /100
13 Mortal Kombat 3 Mortal Kombat 3 1995 · 236 ratings 50 /100
14 Heart of Darkness Heart of Darkness 1998 · 84 ratings 50 /100
Browse all the best PlayStation 1 games

Other platforms

Best Arcade games on PCBest Arcade games on PlayStation 3Best Arcade games on Xbox 360Best Arcade games on MacBest Arcade games on PlayStation 4Best Arcade games on Xbox OneBest Arcade games on iOSBest Arcade games on Nintendo SwitchBest Arcade games on AndroidBest Arcade games on LinuxBest Arcade games on ArcadeBest Arcade games on Wii

Same platform, other genres

Best Action games on PlayStation 1Best Adventure games on PlayStation 1Best Fighting games on PlayStation 1Best Platformer games on PlayStation 1Best Racing games on PlayStation 1Best RPG games on PlayStation 1Best Shooter games on PlayStation 1Best Strategy games on PlayStation 1

Nearby rankings

Best Arcade games of 2022Best Arcade games of 2020Best Arcade games of 2019Best Arcade games of 2018

Catalog statistics

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best Arcade game on PlayStation 1?

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 currently tops the ranking with a score of 91/100 across 422 ratings. Ranking updated November 2026.

How is this ranking built?

Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.