The PlayStation 1 library is a goldmine for handheld emulation. Games are small in file size, run well even on budget hardware, and the catalog is massive. Here are 30 titles that shine on a small screen.
Action / Adventure
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night — Perhaps the greatest game on the system. Runs at full speed on any modern handheld emulator. The vertical map is perfect for a portrait screen like the RG35XX.
Metal Gear Solid — Stealth and story in perfect handheld-session chunks. Each chapter is 15–45 minutes long.
Tomb Raider 1–3 — Surprisingly deep 3D platformers that hold up better than you'd expect.
RPGs
Final Fantasy VII — Epic scale, perfect for long play sessions. Load times are near-instant with emulation.
Final Fantasy IX — Many consider this the best FF. Turn-based combat is ideal for commuting.
Chrono Cross — Stunning soundtrack and beautiful 3D environments upscaled look incredible.
Vagrant Story — Complex combat system, dark tone. Criminally underplayed.
Platformers
Crash Bandicoot 1, 2 & Warped — Precision platforming that holds up. Run flawlessly.
Spyro the Dragon 1–3 — Open 3D worlds, great for casual sessions.
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile — 2.5D platformer, short but emotionally resonant. Around 5 hours.
Fighting Games
Tekken 3 — The best PS1 fighter. Runs perfectly. Great for short bursts.
Street Fighter Alpha 3 — Fantastic roster and depth. D-pad devices like the RG35XX are ideal.
Racing
Gran Turismo 2 — Massive car selection, detailed for its era. Perfect loop for handheld play.
Ridge Racer Type 4 — Arcade racing with a great soundtrack.
Horror / Atmospheric
Silent Hill — Atmosphere, not action. Perfect for late-night sessions with headphones.
Resident Evil 2 — Fixed-camera survival horror. Runs flawlessly on all devices.
Hidden Gems
Einhander — Square's forgotten horizontal shoot-em-up. Stunning for 1997.
Threads of Fate — Action RPG with dual protagonists. Short, sweet, underrated.
Legend of Dragoon — 60+ hours of JRPG content. A cult classic.