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PS1 Classics

• Final Fantasy VII (1500 yen)-- The game that made the Sony PlayStation is now available in the Japanese PSN store. Yes, it's a little more expensive than the other PS1 games, and it's also a larger-than-average download, at almost 2GB. But this game is so long and so fun I'm confident you'll get your money's worth. Japanese level: There are relatively few kanji and lots of furigana, so 2kyuu level should be sufficient. Of course, if you've played FF7 before (and who hasn't?), even if it's a little above your level you will still probably be able to enjoy the game.
• Metal Gear Solid 1 (600 yen)-- At this price, Hideo Kojima's masterpiece is a steal. The game includes several hours of top-notch voice acting and a complicated plot full of twists and turns. Whether you play it on the big screen with your PS3 or on the go with the PSP, you can experience Solid Snake's first 3D adventure all over again- in Japanese. Japanese level: The kanji are difficult (1kyuu level), but everything is voiced, so 2kyuu level is probably sufficient for you first-timers. For those who have already played Metal Gear Solid, you know that the story alternates between easy-to-understand casual conversations and complicated pseudo-scientific explanations; if you don't worry too much about the backstory, you can probably get a lot out of the game even if you're not at the 2kyuu level.
• Policenauts (600 yen)-- This somewhat obscure adventure/action game features a great story by Hideo Kojima (of Metal Gear Solid fame). Only about one third of the story is voiced, so if your kanji aren't up to par it's going to be tough to enjoy this one. Japanese level: advanced 2kyuu/1kyuu prep level.
• Xenogears (600 yen)-- This classic PS RPG has consistently been at the top of the Japanese charts for more than a year, and with good reason- the plot and action are fantastic. Although it's not as well known as FF7, and it includes more than a fair number of off the wall Christian references (think Evangelion), it's an enjoyable game that for the price is easy to get your money's worth. Japanese level: there are only a few voiceovers in this one, so if your kanji aren't up to par it's going to be a little tough. advanced 2kyuu/1kyuu prep level.

Reader Recommendations

• Final Fantasy Tactics- the PS1 classic is now available exclusively in the Sony Japan store
• Saga Frontier (PS1)
• Final Fantasy Crystal Defenders- according to a reader, this game is all English

Do you have any recommendations for PSN games? Any thoughts on what I've written here?

Let me know!