The original PlayStation is over 25 years old and it is home to some of the most valuable games ever released. This is thanks to the machine’s diverse and massive library of games that covered every genre. Unsurprisingly for collectors, many rare PlayStation games are Japanese-developed RPGs. With exception to the mainstream hits, these games had limited runs impacted by low sales. In addition, many of these games never made it outside of America because of the time and expense of translating Japanese games with lots of dialogue into several different EU languages.

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There are many factors that can play into a game's resale value decades later. This can be in the form of limited runs, competitions, and betas. Let’s take a look at ten of the most valuable games on the PlayStation at the time of writing.

Pricecharting.com was used as a reference.

Updated August 7, 2021 by Michael Llewellyn: Digital media is quickly becoming the way to go for most gamers. It means that they no longer need to pre-order a game in hopes that it will arrive in the post in time for the release day. With digital games, they are usually ready to go at the stroke of midnight. 

However, the increase in digital sales has seen a knock-on effect with video game collectors that prefer to have physical editions of games that are now out of print on classic consoles like the PlayStation. Of course, there are also collectors that must own every single title ever released even if it's terrible and there are few that have made this list.

14 Wu-Tang Taste The Pain (Limited Edition) – PAL $213

Wu-Tang Taste the Pain Ltd Edition with W Controller
  • Released: 1999
  • Platform: PlayStation
  • Developed by: Paradox Development

Released toward the end of the PS1’s lifecycle in 1999, Wu-Tang: Taste the Pain – AKA Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style – is a fighting game based on personas performed by popular rap group Wu-Tang Clan.

It was created using the same engine from the unreleased Thrill Kill and featured a cheat code in the game’s manual to access the uncensored ultra-violent version. However, it wasn’t the game’s violence that makes this one so valuable but the exclusive limited edition came bundled with a Wu-Tang-themed controller.

13 Suikoden II – $293.31

game art from Suikoden 2
  • Released: 1999
  • Platform: PlayStation
  • Developed by: Konami

Suikoden II was released on the PlayStation in 1999 in North American territories and in the EU in 2000. However, despite a wider release than most JRPGs at the time, it was still only released in limited quantities making it a very sought-after RPG even to this day.

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It wasn’t just the fact that it was a limited release that it is so collectible for RPG fans. Suikoden II is still considered to be one of the greatest RPGs of all time. The story's focus on war and loss was ahead of its rivals, which usually followed the tropes of a typical Tolkien-esque fantasy but didn't go any deeper than the heroic adventures.

12 Tales Of Destiny II – $299

Tales of Eternia is a beautiful game
  • Released: 2001
  • Platform: PlayStation and PSP
  • Developed by: Namco Tales Studio

Tales of Destiny II was released on the PlayStation in North America in 2001. It was re-released in 2006 on the PSP in European and Australian territories under its original name Tales of Eternia.

Its limited worldwide release means that the game still holds a lot of value with Japanese RPG fans even after its PSP port. Tales of Destiny II is a whimsical adventure and although the story does have its twists and turns it’s nothing that JRPG fans haven’t experienced before. Cliches aside, it is still a fun and enjoyable game with a solid combat system and beautiful, anime cutscenes, and stunning pre-rendered backgrounds.

11 Batman Forever Arcade – $300

Batman Forever Arcade for the PS1
  • Released: 1998
  • Platform: PlayStation, Sega Megadrive/Genesis, Sega Saturn, SNES, and PC
  • Developed by: Aklaim

First released in 1996 for 16Bit platforms, Batman Forever is a side-scrolling beat-em-up that felt outdated on its intended systems. The 32bit port of the movie tie-in was released almost a full year after the dreadful Batman Forever hit the cinemas. As was typical of movie tie-ins back then, Batman Forever Arcade is a long way from the Batman Arkham Knight trilogy.

As a result, trying to cash in on the film's box office success (before the reviews hit) was already lost on the PS1 and the Sega Saturn. This meant that the game was only sold in limited numbers making it a valuable sought-after title for collectors only.

10 Valkyrie Profile – $317

  • Released: 2000
  • Platform: PlayStation and PSP
  • Developed by: Tri-Ace

Valkyrie Profile is a JRPG with a setting steeped in Norse mythology that was released in North America in 2000 on the PlayStation. The game was developed by Tri-Ace, who were known for their work on the JRPG series Star Ocean. It wouldn’t see a release in European and Australian territories until 2007 under the new title Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth.

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It had a limited release outside of Japan despite its positive reception from critics and became a cult hit among fans. This meant that anyone outside of the US had to resort to importing the game at a significant cost. At $132.50 Valkyrie Profile still holds its value in 2020.

9 Persona 2: Eternal Punishment – $331

persona 2 eternal punishment cast
  • Released: 2000
  • Platform: PlayStation and PSP
  • Developed by: Atlus

Persona 2: Eternal Punishment was released on the PlayStation in 2000. It was only ever released in Japan and America and the PSP port was never released outside of Japanese territories. Just like many JRPGs of the era, Eternal Punishment has never been released in European territories.

As a result, the original PS1 version of Eternal Punishment is very collectible among JRPG fans. Even after it was released on the US PlayStation Store in 2013, the game has held its value incredibly well and as the direct sequel to Persona 2: Innocent Sin it is a must for those that want the complete story.

8 JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure – $397

  • Released: 1998
  • Platform: PlayStation
  • Developed by: Capcom

Released in 1998 for the PlayStation, Capcom’s JoJo’s Bizzare Adventure was based on the manga series of the same name. It is a fighting game that was developed by the same team that worked on Street Fighter III and it maintained the series' trademark anime-style visuals.

Even though it was the Sega Dreamcast port that was considered to be the best version of the game, the PS1 version has retained its value over the years. This could be in large part due to the still-active fan community that is playing the game through the use of an emulator and the fact that Jojo exploded in popularity in the previous decade.

7 Revelations: Persona – $450

  • Released: 1996
  • Platform: PlayStation
  • Developed by: Atlus

Revelations: Persona was released in 1996 on the PlayStation. It is the first game in the Shin Megami Tensei: Persona series developed by Atlus. The PS1 original didn’t find its way to European territories until it was released on the PlayStation Classic console in 2018.

In 2009, Persona ported to the PSP with an improved translation and brand new cutscenes. However, its release on the two machines doesn’t seem to have impacted its resale value on physical copies of the game.

6 Tail Concerto – $470

  • Released: 1998
  • Platform: PlayStation
  • Developed by: CyberConnect

Tail Concerto was released in North America on the PlayStation in 1998. The only European territory the game was released in was France. It’s an action-adventure game developed by CyberConnect.

The game was delayed in the West several times due to translation issues. As a result, it had a limited release due to the publishing rights transferring between multiple studios. Atlus would eventually publish the game in small numbers but its limited worldwide release made Tail Concerto a collector's item.

5 Castlevania: Symphonia of the Night – $472

Castlevania - Symphony Of The Night
  • Released: 1997
  • Platform: PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Xbox 360, PSP, PlayStation 4, Andriod, and iOS
  • Developed by: Konami

At the time of its release, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night wasn’t a big hit in terms of sales but was a massive hit with critics and fans. As a result, it became one of the most sought-after and influential titles of all time.

Along with the Metroid series, it is responsible for spawning the Metroidvania sub-genre by polishing the non-linear exploration and platform of the Metroid games and implementing RPG.

4 The Misadventures Of Tron Bonne – $551

  • Released: 2000
  • Platform: PlayStation
  • Developed by: Capcom

The Misadventures of Tron Bonne was released on the PlayStation in 2000. Developed by Capcom, it is a prequel to the first Mega Man: Legends title. Players take on the roles of the titular Tron Bonne instead of the series lead Mega Man for a new yet familiar experience.

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Even though it was released in American and EU territories outside of Japan, the game had a limited print run. As a result, the game’s value continues to grow and has become a must-have cult title for fans of the series.

3 Syphon Filter 3 (Pre-911 Edition) – $633.24

  • Released: 2001
  • Platform: PlayStation
  • Developed by: Bend Studio

Syphon Filter 3 is a stealth action shooter game developed by Bend Studio for the PlayStation in 2001. While it is possible to pick up a copy of the game for less than $20 without too much trouble, it is the version with the original recalled artwork that sells at such a high price of $633.24.

After the events of 9/11, Sony made the decision to recall their shipments of the game to retailers before its release, forcing a delay of several months. The reason for this was that Syphon Filter 3’s original artwork featured the American flag surrounded by an explosion which, for understandable reason, was not the best promotional image a game could have following the devastating terrorist attack. Despite the recall, some retailers obviously still sold rare copies of the game to a small number of consumers or even purchased it for themselves.

2 Cindy’s Fashion World PAL Version – $1,314

Cindy's Fashion World on the PS1 PAL version
  • Released: 2004
  • Platform: PlayStation and PC
  • Developed by: Phoenix Games

If there is ever a game that proves that it doesn’t have to be good to be valuable it is Cindy’s Fashion World. Debuting very late into the PlayStation’s lifecycle with a 2004 release, Cindy’s Fashion World is a very low-budget title aimed at young children.

Cindy’s Fashion World became one of the rarest games on the PS1 due to the title releasing with a bug that made it unplayable. This meant that the developers at Phoenix Games pulled the game from the shelves. It did, however, run perfectly on the PS2 via backward compatibility so if one really wanted the play the game beyond collecting purposes that’s the way to go.

1 Elemental Gearbolt: Assassin’s Case – $2203.00

  • Released: 1997
  • Platform: PS1
  • Developed by: Alfa System

Elemental Gearbolt is a science fantasy light gun shooter developed by Alfa System. It was only released in Japan and North American territories. The US version was translated and published by Working Designs who developed a good reputation for releasing beautiful boxsets for games like Arc the Lad: Collection and the Lunar series.

However, the publishers really outdid themselves with the rare Elemental Gearbox: Assassin’s Case edition, which featured a copy of the game, a memory card, and gold plated GunCons. This special edition was only available for those who participated and won a competition set up by Working Designs. With a whopping $2203 resale value, this special edition of Elemental Gearbox is the rarest and most collectible game for the PS1.

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