Summary
- Some of the best PS1 games starred kids as the protagonists in action, platformers, and RPGs.
- Titles like South Park, 40 Winks and Spyro the Dragon feature diverse gameplay and compelling child characters.
- These games offer memorable experiences, engaging stories and remain popular with fans today.
In its effort to appeal to a wide range of gamers, Sony has positioned the PlayStation as a home for all types of games. All sorts of RPGs, third-person action games, and strategy titles have managed to find a place to thrive. And in keeping with this need for variety, the types of protagonists that played in these games also ranged, and some of the best games on the PS1 featured children in the lead role.
Not every protagonist on the PS1 was a no-nonsense, no-nonsense soldier or a grown-up looking for adventure. Some of the PS1's best titles featured kids in the lead, including some absolutely stellar action games and cinematic platformers. It was a console noted for its vast library of incredible games, and these games featuring child protagonists are among some of the platform's best releases.

Related
The best modern platform games that use PS1 graphics
Platform games are fun, especially when they are different. Here are some modern platform games that use PS1 graphics.
6 South Park
The first-person shooter captures the humor of the TV series
The first video game based on the hit Comedy Central series about a small mountain town in Colorado was released on the PS1 in 1999, almost a full year after its debut on the N64. With Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny, South Park is a first-person shooter that perfectly captures the edgy attitude of kids and sees them embark on a journey to save their town from aliens, rabid turkeys and other baddies.
Featuring the original voice cast and using the impressive engine for Turok 2: Seeds of Evil, South Park is a treat for fans of the series, as the picturesque town is rendered in full 3D for the first time. The eerie voice acting and the oddly satisfying feeling of hitting turkeys with snowballs and plungers work perfectly together, as this weird approximation of the cult TV series is still pretty fun to wrap up with a few friends today.
5 40 stitches
The charming 3D platformer has two playable characters
- Release date: November 14, 1999
- Developer: Eurocom
- Platform: PS1
In its continued effort to compete directly with Nintendo, Sony wanted to have competent 3D platforms to rival the Mario and Banjo-Kazooie. Come in 40 stitchesa cute platformer that sees players controlling Ruff and Tumble, a pair of siblings who travel through different dream worlds to stop the HoodWinks and their nightmarish creations.

Related
8 Best 3D Platformers for Newbies
For beginners looking to dive into the world of platforming, here are some of the best 3D platformers to check out.
40 stitches is absolutely charming as Ruff and Tumble are delightful children with adorable voices. The platforming feels great and the wide variety of worlds available to explore, from medieval fantasy to science fiction. Ruff uses a candle to dispatch enemies, while Tumble uses a small teddy bear. 40 stitches is available today on Steam and is definitely worth checking out.
4 Heart of Darkness
The cinematic platformer is one of the best in the genre
The cinema platform was already quite niche at the time Heart of Darkness released in 1998, but cultivated a passionate fan base thanks to landmark releases such as Prince of Persia in 1989 and Another World in 1991. But where the first film platforms had played adults, Heart of Darkness felt like a Saturday morning cartoon come to life as players took control of Andy in an attempt to save his dog from the sinister creatures in the shadows.
Directed by Eric Chahi of Another World, Heart of Darkness features absolutely stellar animation and some incredibly detailed backgrounds. Andy is a wonderful lead as his expressive movement and strong personality come to life beautifully thanks to the outstanding animation. It also has an outstanding score, composed by Bruce Broughton with a live orchestra, that makes the whole thing feel like an interactive children's movie.
3 Fire Breath 3
The traditional turn-based JRPG features young Ryu as the leader
- Release date: May 18, 1998
- Developer: Capcom Development Studio 3
- Platform: PS1, PSP
While it hasn't been heard since a disappointing mobile game in 2016, Breath of fire the series remains one of Capcom's most beloved franchises. And with Fire Breath 3Capcom continued Ryu's story in his quest to fully understand his dragon-transforming powers, as this traditional turn-based JRPG is still one of the best on the console.
Ryu is a brave young warrior on the brink of a great destiny as this epic journey takes him to a variety of different locations and dungeons. Fire Breath 3 is still one of the franchise's most influential entries and manages to stand out on a console overflowing with JRPGs. Its satisfying combat and compelling story of heroism is a fabulous tandem, as this classic title would greatly benefit from an improved remake today.
2 Chrono Cross
The sequel to the SNES Classic includes Party Of Young Heroes
Chrono Cross
- ISSUED
- August 15, 2000
- Developer(s)
- Square
- Publisher(s)
- Square, Square Enix
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to animated violence, mild language
Despite his popularity Chrono Triggerand its status as one of the greatest JRPGs of all time, Square opted to go in a different direction for the sequel. Instead of directly continuing the events of the SNES game, Chrono Cross it's set in the same world, just hundreds of years later. To that end, Square created a new cast of characters for this time travel, led by the charismatic Serge.

Related
9 Classic PS1 JRPGs That Still Hold Up Today
While the PS2 generation is considered the golden age of JRPGs, many of the franchises that made up that iconic era began their epic runs on the PS1.
Serge is still one of the PS1's best heroes and leads a group of equally charming characters. Along with the dashing Kid and the lovely Harle, this robust cast of recruits make up one of the best JRPG casts of all time. This surefire PS1 classic is still an absolute blast to play and is currently available in a spectacular remaster on all modern platforms.
1 Spyro the Dragon
Excellent 3D platformer presents the young dragon on his debut
Having demonstrated how well they could thrive in the highly competitive 3D platformer scene with Crash Bandicoot in 1996, Sony went all-in, hiring Insomniac to produce Spyro the Dragon for the console. Released in 1999, shortly after the PlayStation 2 was announced, Insomniac managed to squeeze a lot of power out of the old hardware and put players in control of an adorable little dragon named Spyro.
This brave young dragon was tasked with a big job in the first place Spyro game as you make your way through impressively large 3D worlds to rescue dragons trapped in crystal prisons. Even for a PS1 game, the size and scope of the worlds are fantastic, and Stewart Copeland's music is some of the best heard on the platform. This remarkable 3D platformer was remade for modern hardware alongside its two PS1 sequels in 2018 and is still a brilliant experience.

More
6 best PS1 games you can play on PS5
Did you even know that the PS5 had enhanced emulated PS1 games available?