This is all subjective so I suppose I should add an IMO, Even back then many games were preferable on the N64 like megaman legends, what the PS1 offered that was superior was storage, which allowed for more music and FMVs, and also allowed for voice acting and probably why MGS is still talked about to this day, my guess is the lack of detail helps immersion the same way you would read a novel, and I imagine the PS1 with its storage would've been the perfect vehicle for Visual Novels, but that still is not popular anywhere but Japan.

Even with realism, ports to dreamcast were better overall and considering the latest port of Final Fantasy Tactics does not emulate any of its PS1 limitations, I don't think a lot of people strive/like the aesthetic.