Top 10 Best-Selling PS1 Games in Japan vs. the World: What Are the Differences?

Are you curious about the best-selling PlayStation 1 games of all time?
Ever wondered how Japan’s favorite PS1 games compare to the top hits around the world?

 

The original PlayStation, launched in the mid-1990s, became a cultural icon that shaped the gaming industry for years to come. But while it was a global success, the games that sold the most in Japan were often very different from those that topped the charts internationally.

 

In this article, we break down the Top 10 PS1 best-sellers in both Japan and the global market—and explore what those rankings reveal about regional gaming preferences.

📊 Japan vs World: Top 10 PS1 Game Sales Rankings

🌍 Top 10 Best-Selling PS1 Games Worldwide

These are the PlayStation 1 games that dominated the international market, ranked by total global sales:

1. Gran Turismo – ~10.85 million
2. Final Fantasy VII – ~9.8 million
3. Gran Turismo 2 – ~9.37 million
4. Tekken 3 – ~8.3 million
5. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – ~8.0 million
6. Tomb Raider – ~7.1 million
7. Final Fantasy VIII – ~7.0 million
8. Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back – ~7.58 million
9. Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped – ~7.13 million
10. Crash Bandicoot – ~6.82 million

These titles show a strong Western influence, with action-adventures, racing sims, and cinematic RPGs leading the charge.

🇯🇵 Top 10 Best-Selling PS1 Games in Japan (with Japanese Titles)

Japan’s top sellers tell a different story, focusing on turn-based RPGs, simulations, and locally popular franchises:

1. Dragon Quest VII: Warriors of Eden (ドラゴンクエストVII エデンの戦士たち) – ~4.14 million
2. Final Fantasy VII (ファイナルファンタジーVII) – ~4.00 million
3. Final Fantasy VIII (ファイナルファンタジーVIII) – ~3.64 million
4. Final Fantasy IX (ファイナルファンタジーIX) – ~3.10 million
5. Gran Turismo (グランツーリスモ) – ~2.55 million
6. Resident Evil 2 (バイオハザード2) – ~2.15 million
7. Everybody’s Golf (みんなのGOLF) – ~2.13 million
8. Derby Stallion (ダービースタリオン) – ~2.00 million
9. Gran Turismo 2 (グランツーリスモ2) – ~1.71 million
10. Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped (クラッシュ・バンディクー3 ブッとび!世界一周) – ~1.50 million

🔍 Key Differences Between Japanese and Global Rankings

🗾 1. RPG Love in Japan

Japan has long been a stronghold for traditional RPGs. Dragon Quest VII sold over 4 million copies in Japan but had minimal impact overseas. Likewise, three Final Fantasy titles ranked in Japan’s top 4.

🌍 2. Action and Platformers in the West

Western gamers gravitated toward fast-paced action, 3D platformers, and cinematic experiences. The Crash Bandicoot series alone secured three spots in the global top 10.

🚗 3. Gran Turismo’s Universal Appeal

One of the few franchises beloved in both regions, Gran Turismo succeeded worldwide thanks to its realistic physics and accessible gameplay.

🐴 4. Unique Local Favorites

Games like Derby Stallion (horse racing sim) and Everybody’s Golf resonated with Japanese players, but didn’t find the same audience abroad.

🎯 Final Thoughts: What Do These Rankings Tell Us?

The Top 10 best-selling PS1 games reveal a lot about cultural gaming preferences:

• Japan favored story-rich, turn-based RPGs with fantasy themes.
• Western players leaned into cinematic visuals, action, and innovation in gameplay.
• Global hits needed broader themes and gameplay styles that transcended borders.

As the gaming industry has evolved, so have player preferences—but these rankings from the PS1 era show us just how diverse gaming culture was (and still is!).

💬 What’s Your Favorite PS1 Game?

Did your favorite title make the list?
Are you team Final Fantasy, Crash Bandicoot, or Gran Turismo?
Let us know in the comments—or check out our next article: