I just launched a new Tumblr dedicated to UI design in PS1 games. I've wanted something like this to exist for quite a while and randomly decided to make it happen today. Ideally this would be a more in-depth, analysis type of thing. But for now it's just screenshots. Thought some of you might be interested. Feedback and suggestions are welcomed!
Sweet! Looking through it, spotting a lil' Castlevania SotN @_@ Huh, those screens really were just data-jammed up "cells" & satisfying audio cues... *reverie*
Do you see yourself adding some personal thoughts/analysis in the future?
breakfastcowl wrote: ↑23 Jun 2023, 22:05
Do you see yourself adding some personal thoughts/analysis in the future?
Maybe not! I'm working on adding a categories page so you can sort by things like inventory, options, level select, etc. It could be a resource for inspiration, like the Game+Logo account. But who knows, just pumping out screenshots for now.
I have one more for you though, that I think you'll be VERY excited when you see it.
Check out the UI for Starfighter Sanvein. It got a budget release as "SHOOTER" in the US lmao, from Agetec's A1 budget line that gave us such classics as "RACING" and "TENNIS" lol, but Starfighter Sanvein is an Actual Good Game that just got a weirdo release over here. One of my mutuals on bird website worked on it. You can still find sealed copies on ebay for like seven dollars cause nobody knows about it, but it's really cool, and it might be the most stylistically bugnuts UI in the entire PS1 library.
Similarly, check out iS: Internal Section, a Rez-esque tube-shooter from Squaresoft of all people. It's a blend of Rez (which hadn't been made yet), Tempest 2000, and n2o. It's one of the coolest looking games I've ever seen. Actually it might be worth checking out the UI of n2o as well, but definitely check out Internal Section. It recently got a "fan translation" patch, but I have a JP copy and I don't remember there being any text in the game that wasn't in english. I have no idea why it never came out over here. Anyway it's got one hell of a UI and menu system.
Woah, Starfighter Sanvein looks AMAZING. I'm vaguely familiar with Internal Section, but never tried it because I thought it was Japanese only. Good to know. Will get 'em all in the queue!
It's been extremely interesting to dip into all these games and really pay attention to the UI stuff. I consumed most of these games before I understood how much work and intentionality was involved in any of this. Especially cool to see evolutions in a series. Like how drastically different Ace Combat 3 is compared to the first two!
And it's also sometimes very funny? Like I played the hell out of WWF Attitude and never realized the inherent comedy of a giant, angry, motionless Stone Cold staring at me. Good times, lol.
PS1 UI Appreciation Blog
