The best PS1 horror games

The horror genre has existed ever since games became mainstream, ever since the first creature unexpectedly crawled across the screen. It's no surprise that it is such a popular genre - everyone loves to be properly scared every now and then.

Although they have been part of every generation, horror games on the original PlayStation console are often overlooked compared to others. However, there are some great horror games on the PS1, with some still bringing terror to the screen and others paving the way for what horror games are today.

10 Evil Dead: Hail To The King

Sometimes, horror games like to balance the scares with a bit of humor. This is where games like Evil Dead: Hail to the King come into play.

Just like the cult film series, in this quirky game that deals with fighting the undead, there is plenty of blood and snappy one-liners. Whether in the iconic cabin or the surrounding woods, you'll be swinging the chainsaw and blasting the undead with shotguns left and right. It may not be the most terrifying game, but it embodies horror in its humorous way.

9 Nightmare Creatures 2

Being a monster hunter is not for the faint of heart. Nightmare Creatures 2 is aptly named because there is a lot to fear in this game.

Gothic London, an evil man and his army of mutants. Armed with your axe, you are ready to face it all. It's a surprisingly good revenge story based on a rather creepy monster horror game. This is one of those hidden gems of the PS1 era that you either love or hate, but either way, it's easy to see how games have built upon this title since then.

8 Dino Crisis 2

Time travel, dinosaurs, and everything in between; Dino Crisis 2 is a game that brings the era of PS1 games to life and breathes it.

Dinosaur-themed horror games are not as common as other subgenres, but this game manages to establish itself as a theme deserving attention. Hordes of hungry dinosaurs will give you trouble at every turn. It doesn't take long to realize that returning to the present won't be an easy task. However, it will be an unforgettable adventure.

7 Overblood

At the time of its release, Overblood was a prominent name in the horror genre of video games. The graphics and storyline were quite advanced for the era of the PS1.

It's still worth looking back on. It was one of the first games that truly bridged the gap between horror and science fiction, while also focusing on the setting to create fear in the player's mind. You know you're in for a wild ride with a horror game involving genetic experiments, and this game is no exception.

6 Mizzurna Falls

There are numerous players out there who hold Japanese horror games dear to their hearts, and many of them will have fond memories of Mizzurna Falls.

The horror of isolation definitely plays a significant role in this game set in the titular snowy American town. It starts off rather simply, with a local teenager seemingly missing. However, it doesn't take long for the game to become eerie. The town's residents don't seem particularly helpful, and the more you uncover, the more questions will arise.

5 Clock Tower

Clock Tower is a simple side-scrolling game, as was typical for the PS1. However, it is a game that possesses a unique eerie atmosphere.

Your character was recently adopted by a wealthy family to live with them in their mansion. Unfortunately, the sinister Scissorman has killed most of your adoptive family. Now, you must navigate through the many hallways of the mansion, avoiding the murderer, not to mention trying to solve the puzzle of why he is hunting you in the first place.

4 Koudelka

Horror video games definitely love eerie mansions, as can be seen especially in Koudelka. The Nemeton Mansion may be luxurious, but it is also deadly.

Your protagonist has been lured there by a mysterious figure, and within those walls, she must search for clues to uncover what is happening there. However, the mansion is not exactly welcoming to strangers, even those who were invited. This is a game that still holds up very well in the horror genre, even after all these years.

3 Alone In The Dark: The New Nightmare

Alone In The Dark has been a cult classic for horror fans for decades. This has led to many sequels, remakes, and even films.

The New Nightmare is one of the foundational games for the series. You know it's going to be a good horror game when the place you're sent to is called Shadow Island. And indeed, this game still doesn't disappoint fans of the horror genre. Even if you have no interest in the rest of the series, it's a great standalone game.

2 Resident Evil

Everyone knows the Resident Evil series. It doesn't matter if you're a horror fan or not, you've surely seen snippets from one of the many games or movies.

Why not see where it all began with the first Resident Evil game? It has everything you could ever want in a horror game. Eerie mansion, city full of zombies, bioengineering horrors, puzzles, and unforgettable characters in abundance. There are many players who can talk for hours about their first experiences in Resident Evil, filled with excitement.

1 Silent Hill

When it comes to horror on the PS1, one cannot help but talk about Silent Hill. It is a game that has practically become synonymous with the horror game genre.

This game is a force when it comes to horror. You never feel safe, always have limited resources, and navigate through unfamiliar territory. You're constantly waiting for the fog to roll in and one of the terrifying creatures to creep forward. When it comes to monsters, anyone familiar with horror can't fail to recognize Pyramid Head. This game is inseparably connected to horror.