What is the PlayStation 1?
The PlayStation 1 (also known as PSX or PS1) is Sony’s first gaming console, released in Japan in 1994 and in Europe in 1995. With more than 102 million units sold, it was one of the most successful consoles of the nineties and defined modern gaming for an entire generation.
The PS1 was groundbreaking: 3D graphics on a home console, a massive library of more than 7,900 games, and a controller that laid the foundation for virtually every gamepad made since. Many classics from that library — Final Fantasy VII, Crash Bandicoot, Metal Gear Solid — are still worth playing today.
The biggest thing to watch out for with second-hand PS1s: the housing yellows. That’s cosmetic, but fixable. And the optical drive can start struggling after thirty years of use — also repairable.
Editions of the PlayStation 1
| Edition | Year | Size | Notes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PlayStation (SCPH-1000–5500) | 1994–1996 | Large | Early models, parallel port present | Collectors |
| PlayStation (SCPH-7000–9000) | 1997–2000 | Large | Improved audio output, more stable laser | Most people ✅ |
| PSone (SCPH-100) | 2000–2006 | Mini | Compact design, no AV multi-out | Limited space |
Advice: Go for a SCPH-7000 or higher. These have a better laser than the early models and a better audio output. The PSone is compact but uses a different AV connector.
Getting started {#getting-started}
Here’s what you need to play today:
- Power cable — Standard IEC C7 cable (“figure-8”), easy to find cheaply
- AV cable — Composite (yellow/red/white) works on most TVs; SCART gives better picture on older sets
- Controller — The original PlayStation controller or DualShock 1; both work on all PS1 models
Modern TV without a SCART input? A SCART-to-HDMI converter gives a much better picture than composite. Costs about ten euros and the difference is immediately visible.
Most popular games
Final Fantasy VII
The RPG that introduced a generation to the genre.
Metal Gear Solid
Stealth action that changed gaming forever.
Crash Bandicoot
Mascot of an era, still a good time.
Tekken 3
A fighting game that towered above its contemporaries.
Spyro the Dragon
Colourful platformer, timeless.
Resident Evil 2
Survival horror at its best.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2
Timeless skating game with an iconic soundtrack.
Where to find games?
Physical
- Thrift stores — PS1 games are plentiful; you can find them for next to nothing
- Second-hand marketplaces — Large selection; watch for missing inserts or damaged discs
- A specialist retro game shop — Reliable, slightly higher prices
PS1 games run on CD-ROMs. A lightly scratched disc can be polished, but deep scratches are fatal. Buy discs that are visually in good condition, or from a shop that has tested them.
Digital: chip or softmod
The PS1 has no official softmod like FreeMCBoot on the PS2. Mod chips are available that bypass region locking and copy protection. This requires soldering — not for beginners, but well documented.
PS1 games on AmazonCommon problems & fixes
- Disc not recognised → CD laser is dirty or worn. Clean or replace it. → Clean the laser
- Housing yellowed/discoloured → Yellowed plastic. Retrobright treatment removes it. → Remove yellowing
- No picture → Check the AV cable; PS1 composite ports can get dirty
- Game crashes randomly → Laser is nearly at the end of its life; also check disc condition
- Controller not responding → Dirty or broken controller port. → Clean the controller port
Mods & upgrades
- Remove yellowing — Retrobright treatment (UV + peroxide) restores the housing to its original colour. → Remove yellowing
- Install HDMI output — Specific adapters provide digital HD output to modern TVs
- Install mod chip — Removes region locking; requires soldering
Homebrew
The PS1 homebrew scene is smaller than the PS2’s, but active. Via a mod chip or certain exploit methods (depending on firmware version) you can run homebrew software. There are also active developers still releasing new PS1 games.
Thirty years old, and still worth your time. The PS1 is a time capsule — and it plays just like the first day.