The Best Classic Video Games, Ranked
Top classic video games from the early years of gaming. This list contains the best games released on any system (arcade, home consoles, portable devices) from the 1960s through the year 2000 (which for this list would be considered the start of the "modern era" of gaming.) This includes all the essential games from the era of the arcade, as well as the original 8-bit consoles and their 16-bit follow-ups.
Many of the retro games on this list have remained extremely popular to this present day, and are often still played by passionate fans on preserved consoles or on computers via emulator software. Some of these games are part of ongoing franchises that have remained vital to this day, such as the classic "Mario Bros." games, "Legend of Zelda" titles and fighting games like "Mortal Kombat."
Experimental video games have been around since the 1950s, but it was two game breakthroughs in the early 1970s that really brought games more mainstream attention. "Spacewar!," released in 1961, became popular enough to generate about 1500 individual arcade machines, but was so complicated to learn that it failed to really develop mass appeal. The same was not true of 1972's "Pong," from the same creators, that recreated table tennis for arcades and eventually sold nearly 20,000 machines. By the late 1970s, video game consoles for the home were becoming more commonplace, with both the Intellivision and ColecoVision competing in toy stores and introducing many of the titles we're still familiar with today (including the original "Donkey Kong" and "Space Invaders.")
1978 is traditionally considered the start of the Golden Age of video games, particularly in terms of arcade games, with the introduction of numerous beloved retro titles (including "Frogger" and "Galaxian.") Finally, in 1985, Nintendo introduced the first Nintendo Entertainment System to stores, bundled with the game "Super Mario Bros.," a landmark release in console history.
- 1
Leap into the timeless tale of Mario and Luigi's quest to rescue Princess Peach from the clutches of the villainous Bowser in Super Mario Bros. The gameplay offers several levels of platform jumping, turtle-stomping action, and power ups to challenge even the most experienced gamers. This iconic game burst onto the gaming scene and, to this day, remains a pillar in the foundation of video gaming culture.
- 2
In Super Mario Bros. 3, you'll dash across mushroom kingdoms more vibrant than ever, battling colossal bosses and puzzling platforming sequences in order to save Princess Peach once again. The title introduced memorable gameplay mechanics like the flying "Raccoon Suit" and the fan-favorite "Super Leaf". The game took the world by storm, raising the bar higher than your average side-scroller.
- 3
Super Mario World lets you embark on a quest to liberate Dinosaur Land from Bowser's tyranny alongside Mario's newfound, adorable ally, Yoshi. Its intuitive platforming, coupled with the ability to descend on foes from above riding Yoshi, resulted in an indelible experience. This early '90s gem became the crown jewel in Nintendo's pantheon, defining the future of the platforming genre.
Travel back in time to rescue Princess Zelda from the oppressive clutches of the evil sorcerer, Agahnim in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. The gameplay blends top-down exploration with adrenaline-fueled swordplay, wrapped in an engaging narrative. This game, steeped in 16-bit glory, cemented the franchise's reputation and influenced countless other adventure games.
- 5
Set out on an epic quest to save Princess Zelda from the King of Evil, Ganon, in The Legend of Zelda. The emphasis on exploration, puzzle-solving, and fierce combat reshaped the landscape of adventure games forever. It was a game that proved a force to reckon with, mesmerizing gamers and bucking industry trends.
- 61996
In Super Mario 64, experience a groundbreaking 3D platformer as you chase down Bowser to once again save Princess Peach. The free-roaming gameplay and revolutionary camera control make this title a top-notch gaming experience. Mario's 3D debut made waves, slingshotting the genre into a dimension and leaving an inescapable impact behind.
- 71996
Put the pedal to the metal in comical, chaotic races in diverse settings in Mario Kart 64. Its notable gameplay combines frantic scalability, intense showdowns with items, and tussles against friends. This game shifted the racing-game gear, offering an unmatched combination of laughter and competition.
- 8
In Sonic the Hedgehog, race through loop-de-loops and collect rings in a high-speed mission to thwart the dastardly Dr. Robotnik. The fast-paced platforming gameplay and memorable soundtrack catapult you into Sonic's high-octane world. The game came barrelling into the '90s, forever defining Sega's mascot and shaping platform games of that era.
- 9
Street Fighter II grips you in a cutthroat, worldwide martial arts tournament where you combat diverse challengers with varied fighting styles. The strategic gameplay pivots around mastering the distinctive moves and special attacks of each character. This game's impact is undeniable, shaping the fighting game genre, and has been uppercutting gaming norms since its release.
- 101992
Super Mario Kart encourages you to slip the banana peel under your competitor's wheel as you drift your way to victory. The blend of classic Mario characters, power-ups, and thrilling races form a highly engaging gameplay. It drove the kart racing genre to new heights, transforming friendly competitions into nail-biting rivalries.
- 111997
GoldenEye 007 puts you in the shoes of James Bond, offering a mix of stealth, shooting, and great storytelling. Its multi-player mode set the standard for console shooters, enabling epic showdowns with up to four players. The game had an explosive impact, setting a new standard for movie tie-ins and multiplayer gaming.
Embark on a timeless journey in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time as you traverse a beautifully realized Hyrule with young hero, Link. The gameplay combines real-time combat, puzzle-solving, and captivating dungeon exploration. Its milestone narrative and immersive gameplay makes it the apple of many gaming enthusiasts' eyes.
- 13
Join Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong in their quest to reclaim stolen bananas from the evil Kremlings in Donkey Kong Country. Its distinct platforming gameplay featuring jaw-dropping set pieces, barrel-blasting sequences, and memorable boss fights brought a new dynamic to the genre. It was a smash hit that not only reinvigorated the Donkey Kong brand but also left a significant footprint in gaming history.
- 14
Engross yourself in the dystopian world of Final Fantasy VII as Cloud Strife, a mercenary seeking to bring down a ruthless corporation draining the planet's life energy. The intriguing narrative, strategic turn-based combat, and the fascinating character arcs manifest an unforgettable gameplay experience. It was a game-changer that pushed the boundaries of storytelling in video games to unparalleled heights.
- 151994
Mortal Kombat thrusts you into a deadly tournament full of spine-tingling fatalities and grotesque finishing moves. Its unforgettable "fatalities" and deep roster of characters enriched the brutal, combo-based combat. The game landed on the scene with thud, sparking controversy due to its violent content while at the same time garnering a cult following.
- 16
Super Smash Bros. gives players the opportunity to pit their favorite Nintendo characters against each other in exciting, mash-up battles, effectively bringing a fan-fiction to life. The gameplay is a blend of palpable intensity and hilarious chaos, mixing strategic button-mashing with careful maneuvering. By igniting playful rivalries and sparking connections through shared love for specific characters, Super Smash Bros. has made an undying impact on the gaming community.
- 171994
In Doom, blast through hordes of demonic creatures on Mars using a myriad of weapons. Offering a gripping first-person shooter gameplay with a labyrinthine level design, Doom set a semblance of multiplayer gaming. This highly influential title raised hell when it launched, redefining the first-person shooter genre and leaving a lasting legacy.
- 18Jan 01 1984
Take aim and shoot at ducks in a virtual hunting experience with Duck Hunt. The gameplay utilized the NES Zapper allowing players to take physical aim at on-screen enemies - a thrill at the time. This game was a real blast from the past and marked the dawn of gun gaming accessories.
- 19
Whizzing at lightning speeds and collecting rings galore, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 follows Sonic and his buddy Tails as they go head-to-head with the sinister Dr. Robotnik. The gameplay is a high-octane platforming adventure, offering meticulous level design and challenging mechanics. Its revolutionary speed-driven gameplay and iconic characters set the pace for future platformers, laying the foundation for Sega's lasting legacy.
- 20
Questing through the dream world of Subcon with Mario and Co., Super Mario Bros. 2 offers an imaginative twist on the original game's story. The game explores fresh gameplay concepts like enemy-hurling and character-specific abilities, straying from standard "stomp on the enemy's head" mechanic. This sequel left an indelible mark on the Mario franchise and popular culture, showcasing Nintendo's creative push towards novel directions.
- 211986
In Metroid, players explore alien worlds, assume the role of Samus Aran, a bounty hunter on a mission to bring down the nefarious Space Pirates. Its pioneering gameplay blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat made Metroid one of the first successful examples of a nonlinear action-adventure game. This classic not only laid the groundwork for the Metroidvania genre but also played a crucial role in shaping the representation of female characters in video games.
- 221989
In the legendary maze of Pac-Man, players guide the titular character as it gobbles up pellets and dodges pesky ghosts. The gameplay is a blend of strategic navigation and frantic evasion that takes arcade simplicity to extreme levels of tension. Pac-Man’s infectious gameplay and cultural phenomenon could be described as nothing less than the golden pellet of the arcade era.
- 23
In Pokémon Red and Blue, players embark on an incredible journey to become the ultimate Pokémon Trainer, exploring various environments and capturing a plethora of unique Pokémon. The gameplay is a blend of role-playing, puzzle-solving, and strategic turn-based battles which fostered deep connections among players and their Pokémon. By igniting the global Pokémania phenomenon, these games brought interactive social experiences to a whole new level.
- 241985
Gunning down rows of pixelated aliens in Space Invaders, players felt the mounting pressure of each descending wave. The game’s simple yet addictive gameplay, coupled with its escalating difficulty, created a gravitational pull for players worldwide. As a trailblazer of the shoot 'em up genre and its massive cultural impact, Space Invaders fueled the video game craze, pushing the medium into mainstream pop culture.
- 251988
Playing as Jumpman (later to be known as Mario), players in Donkey Kong briskly climb ladders and leap barrels to rescue the captured damsel from the titular ape. The simple but nuanced gameplay and the mapping-out of 'platform gaming' has paved the way for the genre's evolution. It's no monkey business to say that Donkey Kong's footprint is deeply embedded in gaming culture, generating enduring characters and memorable moments.
- 261998
Undertaking a covert mission as Solid Snake in Metal Gear Solid, players experience a deep narrative enveloped in geopolitical themes. Its gameplay combines stealth, espionage, and tactical combat to fulfill infiltration objectives. Metal Gear Solid's narrative depth, innovative stealth gameplay, and thought-provoking themes have left an indelible mark on the video game industry.
- 271989
Players blast their way through alien hordes in Contra, a game that set the bar high for its unapologetic difficulty and cooperative gameplay. High-stakes platforming paired with machine-gun action are the signature gameplay elements in this thrilling run-and-gun adventure. With its rigorous difficulty and cooperative fun, Contra harks back to the golden era of arcade gaming.
- 281997
Surviving the hordes of living dead in the isolated Spencer mansion was no picnic in the pioneering survival horror game, Resident Evil. Its gameplay is a tense blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and heart-pounding combat. By leading the charge in the survival horror genre and leaving generations of gamers white-knuckle scared, Resident Evil remains an iconic monument of gaming.
- 291994
Venturing through the alien world Zebes as the fearless Samus Aran in Super Metroid, players reveal the secrets of a gripping and atmospheric plot. Combining exploration, platforming, and shoot-em-up gameplay elements in an interconnected world, Super Metroid embodies the "Metroidvania" genre. The game's influence resonates in the industry, making it a titanic pillar of action-adventure gaming.
- 301989
Piloting the blue bomber through a wide range of robotic bosses in Mega Man 2 represents the epitome of 8-bit challenges. The gameplay, defined by defeating bosses and harnessing their powers, set new standards for action platforming. Its mighty impact is seen as an influential blueprint in game design and a cornerstone of Capcom's legacy.
Link's Awakening recounts Link getting marooned on a mysterious island, with gameplay based around solving puzzles and mastering swordplay. Its cartridge-to-controller storytelling sets it apart, creating a vibrant world steeped in mystery and adventure. This gem of the Zelda series is often lauded as a triumphant showcase of imaginative game design that influenced future RPGs.
- 321989
Doling out combos to a sinister gang in a post-apocalyptic world, Double Dragon was the beat 'em up that transformed two-player co-op action. With intuitive controls and a progression system rewarding skilled play, the game set a benchmark for side-scrolling brawlers. Double Dragon kicked the genre into high gear, influencing countless games with its cooperative, competitive, and visceral combat.
- 331984
A casual classic, Frogger brings you the simple yet heart-racing story of a humble frog seeking a safe path home, challenging the player's timing and judgement skills, and embedding itself as a benchmark title in arcade history. Gameplay revolves around making it past the bustling traffic and perilous rivers by hopping forward, back, and sideways. Its testament to the dramatic tension that even the simplest narratives can create has cemented its place in the gaming hall of fame.
- 341988
Exchanged fists and fireballs in fierce hand-to-hand combat characterize the groundbreaking, one-on-one fighter, Street Fighter. Its strategic, precise controls and character choice dynamics contributed to a high skill-ceiling gameplay. Launching an entire genre of fighting games and numerous eSport competitions, Street Fighter indisputably dominates its weight class in gaming culture.
- 351998
Navigating through Wumpa Island's treacherous jungles and outsmarting foes, Crash Bandicoot offers a lighthearted but challenging 3D platforming adventure. Its gameplay pushes players with tight controls and innovative level design, making each spin, jump, and slide crucial for success. As Playstation's unofficial mascot and a revolution in 3D platforming, Crash Bandicoot has etched a permanent spot in gaming memory.
- 361986
The relentless swarm of aliens in Galaga offers a pulse-pounding narrative delivered via a top-down shooter experience requiring quick thinking reflexes. Your aim: to shoot down waves of insectile aliens while tactically avoiding capture, introduced the mechanic of risk-and-reward to millions of gamers. Galaga's success in the '80s marks it as a vital stepping stone in the evolution of the shoot-'em-up genre.
- 371996
Descending into the fiery depths of hell in Diablo, players experience a dark, gothic universe teeming with demonic foes. Its gameplay combines hack-and-slash combat with procedurally-generated dungeons, ensuring each run is refreshingly brutal. As a pioneer of the action RPG genre, Diablo's sinister ambiance and addictive loot-based gameplay set a benchmark, spawning legions of imitators.
- 381993
Although lacking a traditional narrative, SimCity 2000 crafts a captivating story of city building, managing, and sometimes catastrophic destruction. The gameplay revolves around managing resources, keeping the population happiness in check, and city planning, which was charmingly intricate for its time. Considered as a cornerstone of computer gaming, SimCity 2000 truly stamped the city simulation genre onto the gaming landscape.
- 391988
Mario Bros. presents a tale of blue-collar brotherhood against an array of imaginative adversaries, demanding well-timed jumps and precision movements. With its iconic platforming gameplay and intoxicating level designs, it sparked a revolution in the gaming industry. A landmark release, this game effectively wrote the book on how to deliver a fun, engaging platformer, and established itself as the gold standard for 2D gaming.
Pitting a team of pizza-loving, sewer-dwelling ninjas against crime lord Shredder, this action-packed game shares the Turtles' brotherly tale while serving up a slice of side-scrolling beat-em-up gameplay. Delivering a heroic journey and blending cooperative gameplay with cartoony violence, the game has cemented itself in the minds of an entire generation. This dojo of fun honed the concept of multiplayer couch gaming, making it a 'shell' of a good time.
- 411994
Oddly traditional yet wildly unconventional, NBA Jam tells a tale where David tackles Goliath on the basketball court. The game's over-the-top, two-on-two, arcade-style basketball gameplay, complete with exaggerated dunk physics and flaming basketballs, is both absurd and alluring. Its charm rests in (quite literally) setting conventional norms of a sports video game on fire and captivating players, thereby carving a niche in video game culture.
- 421994
This epic saga sets the stage with Magicites, Espers, and a tyrannical empire, delivering a highly strategic and emotional turn-based RPG experience. Alongside memorable characters with intertwining storylines, it remains an influential game that hit the sweet spot between an epic narrative and engaging gameplay. Final Fantasy VI's unique branching story structure and opera scene have made it a much-loved classic among RPG fans.
Embodying the ultimate wise-cracking action hero, Duke Nukem presents a macho narrative against an alien invasion. Gameplay is a good cheese-laden mix of shooting, dodging, and constant one-liners, keeping players constantly entertained. Duke Nukem's unique blend of humor and action set the standard for a certain class of memorable, personality-driven first-person shooters.
- 441998
Set in the zombie-infested Raccoon City, Resident Evil 2's survival horror narrative is loaded with impending doom and grotesque enemies. Maneuvering through claustrophobic corridors with limited resources, it serves up a chilling and tense gameplay. Resident Evil 2 solidified the survival horror genre with a fresh take on zombie narratives, and has left a lasting and haunting impression on the world of gaming.
- 451999
This game narrates an unconventional story of urban crime, introducing players to a veritable digital playground of illicit activities. From carjackings to various missions, the game's open-world, sandbox-style gameplay has caused both controversy and acclaim. Grand Theft Auto's notoriety and franchise success is a testament to its compelling, immersive, and adult-oriented gaming experience.
While lacking a traditional storyline, it offers a narrative of escalating challenge and personal mastery. With gameplay defined by strategically aligning geometric blocks for total row elimination, Tetris is universally relatable and satisfying. As one of the most iconic and influential games ever, Tetris ignited a puzzle-game phenomenon and has a ubiquitous presence in popular culture.
- 47
Set in an alternate reality of escalating warfare between GDI and NOD factions, Command & Conquer blends compelling storytelling with real-time strategy gameplay. Balancing resource management, base building, and strategic combat, the game set a new standard in strategy gaming. Its multiplayer feature and carefully woven narrative have made Command & Conquer a cornerstone of its genre.
- 481998
Half-Life stands as a narrative-heavy game unfolding in a disastrous science experiment gone wrong. Its gameplay seamlessly combines first-person shooting with puzzle elements, offering an immersive experience that blurred the line between player and protagonist. The game revolutionized the FPS genre, presenting an innovative scripted sequences system that has fundamentally shaped modern narratives in video games.
This game swaps a tale about the end of the world, giving a sense of urgency and dread throughout. The unique mechanic of time manipulation features prominently in its gameplay and puzzle-solving; it's a race against the clock to prevent impending doom. With its darker themes and mature approach, Majora's Mask showed a newfound depth to Zelda's series, proving games can offer deep, emotional experiences.
- 501989
A tour-de-force in the beat em' up genre, Golden Axe narrates an age-old tale of revenge, taking players on a hack 'n slash journey across a fantastical landscape replete with villains and creatures. Gameplay is jam-packed with intense combat, magic, and epic boss battles. This supreme mix of story and strategy resurrected the arcade scene and set a precedent for future action games.
- 511997Age of Empires (AoE) is a history-based real-time strategy video game developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft. The game uses the Genie, a 2D sprite-based game engine. The game allows the user to act as the leader of an ancient civilization by advancing it through four ages (the Stone, Tool, Bronze, and Iron Ages), gaining access to new and improved units with each advance.
- A seminal 2D metroidvania in which after the events of Castlevania: Rondo of Blood (1993), a man named Alucard arrives at Dracula's castle after it rises from the rubble, and seeks to defeat the evil contained within it once and for all by exploring, fighting its inhabitants and collecting the various weapons and abilities hidden in its depths.
- 53Jan 01 1989DuckTales is an action platformer video game developed by Capcom and based on the Disney animated TV series of the same name. It was first released in North America for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989 and was later ported to the Game Boy in 1990. The story involves Scrooge McDuck traveling around the globe collecting treasure and outwitting his rival Flintheart Glomgold to become the world's richest duck. Produced by key personnel from the Mega Man series, DuckTales would go on to sell over a million copies worldwide on each system, becoming Capcom's best-selling title for both platforms. The game was praised for its tight control, unique and non-linear gameplay and bright presentation, and is often regarded as one of the best titles for the NES, appearing on numerous "Best of" lists. DuckTales was followed by a sequel, DuckTales 2, in 1993. A Remastered version of DuckTales developed by WayForward Technologies, featuring high resolution graphics and the original voice cast from the show, was released in 2013 for PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii U.
- 541986Pac-Man is in love! And what a star his sweetheart is, with her red ribbon and long eyelashes. Just like her leading man, Ms. Pac-Man chomps her way through mazes as she battles four ghosts. Round and round, back and forth, across the stage she races as she gobbles up dots, energy pills, teddy bears, fruit, and pretzels. Can she escape the marauding ghosts? Or will this be her final curtain? Will Pac-Man ever see his lady love again?
- Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness is a Strategy video game published by Blizzard Entertainment released on 1995 for MS-DOS. Warcraft 2 is a successor of the popular Warcraft real-time strategy game. The game contains many improvements over the previous version in graphics, sounds and playability. The Multiplayer was also greatly improved allowing up to 8 players in the marvelous multiplayer skirmish.
- 561999An enhanced port of Chrono Trigger that adds anime cutscenes and an exclusive Extras Mode. It is also known for having significantly longer load times in comparison to the original SNES version. Extras Mode is an option in the main menu that let players view cutscenes and artwork, listen to music, and view information about techs, enemies, bosses, endings, and item locations. It was first released for PlayStation in Japan before it came to North America as part of the Final Fantasy Chronicles compilation.
- 571997Gran Turismo is a racing game designed by Kazunori Yamauchi and is the first entry in the critically acclaimed simulator racing series bearing the same name. After five years of development time, it was well-received publicly and critically, shipping a total of 10.85 million copies worldwide as of March 2013, making it the best-selling PlayStation game. The game uses two different modes: Arcade Mode and Gran Turismo Mode. In the arcade mode, the player can freely choose the courses and vehicles they wish to use. Winning races unlocks additional cars and courses. However, Gran Turismo Mode requires the player to earn different levels of driver's licenses in order to qualify for events, and earn credits, trophies and prize cars by winning race championships. Gran Turismo features 140 cars and 11 race tracks (as well as their reversed versions).
- 581989SimCity, later renamed SimCity Classic, is a city-building simulation video game, first released on February 2, 1989, and designed by Will Wright for the Macintosh computer. SimCity was Maxis's second product, which has since been ported into various personal computers and game consoles, and spawned several sequels including SimCity 2000 in 1993, SimCity 3000 in 1999, SimCity 4 in 2003, SimCity DS, SimCity Societies in 2007, and SimCity in 2013. Until the release of The Sims in 2000, the SimCity series was the best-selling line of computer games made by Maxis.
- 591999Silent Hill is the first installment in the Silent Hill series of psychological survival horror video games. Unlike earlier survival horror games that focused on protagonists with combat training, the main character Harry Mason is an average man. The gameplay consists of combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving. The controller vibration is used to indicate Harry's heartbeat and will vibrate on low health. The player must regularly enter an inventory screen to check Harry's health, use items, and equip different weapons.
- 601995Twisted Metal consists of a series of arena-based battles against an increasing number of opponents in increasingly large arenas. These battles culminate in a face-off with the winner of the previous year's competition, Darkside, who drives a large armored car which fires multiple missiles at once. Players can choose one of 12 different vehicles with which to enter combat. Each vehicle has a distinct driver and special move. The controls consist of accelerator, brake, "tight turn" (essentially a handbrake) and turbo on the face buttons, with main weapons and machine gun selection and control on the shoulder buttons. Arenas are populated with weapon pickups to re-supply missile stocks, repair stations for repairing damage to your car, pedestrians, and course stewards armed with either machine guns or missile launchers.
- 611999The Japanese version of Spyro changed many gameplay-related features, most notably the camera and Spyro's speed. It also adds PocketStation compatibility.
- 62Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is an LCD game created by Tiger Electronics in 1994. It was available in the Tiger's second generation casing and also as a Pocket Arcade version. The game features a standard direction pad and 3 buttons, "Tails", "pick", and "spin". Both consoles also contain four function buttons to turn off the system, toggle sound effects, pause the game, and turn on the console and start the game. The standard version requires two AA batteries to operate. The background of the game is a rendering of the Blue Sphere, with the floor of Hydrocity Zone. When the game starts, the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 title screen theme is heard. The level theme is the Angel Island Zone theme.
- 631998StarCraft is a strategic game set in a Galaxy far away on multiple planets. Its style and balance between the three antagonistic species it features is unique and appealed to millions.
- 641997The update to the 16-bit Super NES title continues the original's on-rails 3D shooting action on the Nintendo 64. Starring Fox McCloud, Peppy Hare, Falco Lombardi, and Slippy Toad, this new 64-bit version contains 15 plus levels, easy, medium, and difficult paths, forward-scrolling levels as well as full 3D realms, and a three-part multiplayer mode using a four-player split screen. In addition to plenty of Arwing action, the game introduces a new hover tank and even features a submarine level. The 8-megabyte cartridge also boasts voice samples from 23 different characters instead of the original's animal noises. Star Fox 64 was the first game to feature Rumble Pak support. A Rumble Pak bundle and standalone version of the game were sold. Released in Europe under the name Lylat Wars.
- 65The Simpsons is basically a side-scrolling beat-em-up featuring the characters from The Simpsons TV show. The player can choose to play as each of the four Simpson characters. Homer, who punches and kicks; Marge, who swings her vacuum cleaner; Bart, who wields his skateboard; and Lisa, who uses a jump rope as a whip. Other weapons such as hammers and bowling balls are also available to use. The game's levels are Downtown Springfield, Krustyland, Springfield Discount Cemetery, Moe's Tavern, Springfield Gorge, Dreamland, the Channel 6 studio, and the Power Plant. Each level ends with a boss whose speed and strength will increase after taking a certain amount of damage. Between levels, the player can compete against the other characters in two mini-games to be first to complete a task (inflating a balloon and waking up their character).
- 661993Star Fox, released as Starwing in Europe, is a 1993 rail shooter video game developed and published by Nintendo, with assistance from Argonaut Software, for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The first game in the Star Fox series, Star Fox follows Fox McCloud and the rest of the Star Fox team defending their homeworld of Corneria against the attacking forces of Andross.
- 671996Tomb Raider is a 3D action game developed by Core Design and published by Eidos Interactive. The game follows the exploits of Lara Croft, a British female archaeologist in search of ancient treasures. The objective of Tomb Raider is to guide Lara through a series of tombs and other locations in search of treasures and artifacts. On the way, she must kill dangerous animals and other creatures, while collecting objects and solving puzzles to gain access to an ultimate prize, usually a powerful artifact. The game was critically acclaimed and widely influential, it spawned a number of sequels and a franchise of related media.
- 68RollerCoaster Tycoon is a construction and management simulation video game that simulates amusement park management. Developed by MicroProse and Chris Sawyer and published by Hasbro Interactive, the game was released for Microsoft Windows on March 31, 1999 and was later ported to the Xbox game console. It is the first game in the RollerCoaster Tycoon series. RollerCoaster Tycoon has received two expansion packs: Added Attractions in 1999, and Loopy Landscapes in 2000. Two special editions were released: RollerCoaster Tycoon Gold/Totally RollerCoaster in 2002, which contained the original game, Added Attractions/Corkscrew Follies, and Loopy Landscapes; and RollerCoaster Tycoon Deluxe in 2003, which contained the content in Gold plus more designs for the different customizable rides.
- 691994Tekken is a fighting game and the first entry in what would become the Tekken series and franchise. It was one of the earliest 3D animated fighting games applying many of the concepts found in Virtua Fighter by Sega. Contrary to traditional fighting games that involve inputting commands as rapidly and accurately as possible, Tekken slows the action down by emphasizing rhythm, strategy and deception over speed.
- 701995Mortal Kombat 3 is a fighting game developed by Midway Games and first released into arcades in 1995 as the third game in the Mortal Kombat series. As in the previous games, it has a cast of characters that players choose from and guide through a series of battles against other opponents. The game avoids the tournament storyline of its predecessors, as various warriors instead fight against the returning Shao Kahn, who has resurrected his bride Sindel and started an invasion of Earthrealm. The third installment of Mortal Kombat retains the blood and gory attacks that defined the series. It introduces new types of the Fatality finishing moves, including Animalities. Other features new to the series were combos, predefined sequences used to perform a series of consecutive attacks. A "Run" button was also added, allowing players to briefly dash toward the opponent, as were "Kombat Kodes", an unlockable content system using various symbols that can be entered before two-player matches to achieve certain effects. Some characters from the previous games returned and new characters were introduced into the series.
- 712003Home consoles version of The Sims.
- 72Doom II: Hell on Earth is a first-person shooter developed by id Software and released in 1994 as a sequel to the original Doom. The game continues the story, with players battling through Earth after it has been invaded by demonic forces. Gameplay remains similar to its predecessor, featuring fast-paced combat, maze-like levels, and an array of weapons, including the introduction of the powerful Super Shotgun. Doom II also adds new enemy types, such as the Arch-vile and the Mancubus, increasing the game's challenge. Initially released for MS-DOS, Doom II has since been ported to numerous platforms, becoming a cornerstone of the FPS genre.
- 731995It's MEGA MAN versus the powerful leaders and fighting forces of Monsteropolis - that strange multi-layered land of robot-like humanoids created by the wrongly-performed experiments with human beings by Dr. Wily. Mega Man - the chosen defender of the human race. For he dares to single-handedly penetrate Monsteropolis' seven separate societies to stop the rapid expansion of strange misrepresentations of humans. Mega Man's goal is monumental. He must infiltrate seven separate heavily-guarded empires. By himself, he must break down and destroy the following empire leaders: Cutman, Gutsman, Iceman, Bombman, Fireman, Elecman, and Dr. Wily. The action involves Mega Man armed only with laser beam weapons, encountering strangely-configured humanoids. They're atop, in and out of fortified prison-like structures strengthened with thick walls. Hidden amid gun turrets embedded in concrete uprights, even in subterranean passages below icefields. WOW!
- 741986A version of asteroids released for Atari 7800, plays similarly to the original arcade with VASTLY improved graphics to where the ship and the asteroids themselves are more defined in the color and asthetics they're presented in.
- 75Unreal Tournament is a first-person arena shooter video game developed by Epic Games and Digital Extremes. It was the second installment in the Unreal series. It is an arena first-person shooter, with head-to-head multiplayer deathmatches being the primary focus of the game. Other game modes include TDM. CTF, Assault, Domination, Last man Standing etc.
- 761972Pong is a table tennis-themed twitch arcade video game with simple two-dimensional graphics. It was the first sports arcade video game and one of the earliest arcade video games in history, helping to establish the video game industry along with the Magnavox Odyssey. Soon after its release, several companies began producing games that closely mimicked its gameplay.
- 77Jan 01 1987The Nintendo Entertainment System version of Gauntlet is an original game based on the Gauntlet arcade game, with a unique storyline and 100 levels.
- 781988NES port of Paperboy.
- 791994Sonic and Knuckles join forces to defeat rotten Dr. Robotnik's Death Egg invasion! Play Sonic & Knuckles by itself or Lock-on with other Sonic games. This game's revolutionary Lock-on technology adds all new features to your other Sonic games for ultimate replays! Play as Sonic and let loose on Robotnik with amazing new powers. Play as Knuckles and tackle Robotnik and Metal Sonic with bare-fisted attacks, high-speed glides and wall-climbing power! Lock-on with Sonic 3 and transform Floating Island into a huge 34 meg Sonic-epic loaded with new secrets! Play as Sonic, Knuckles, and even Tails - with Game Save! Lock-on with Sonic 2 and play as Knuckles with all his signature moves!
- 801993Near the end of his life, Dr. Light succeeds in creating the first of a new series of robots which will change the world. Able to think and make decisions, this new robot holds great danger as well as great possibilities. Fearful of the possible consequences of unleashing his creation on the world, Dr. Light decides to seal him in a capsule and test his systems until they are totally reliable. The future will have to decide his fate... Released from the capsule by Dr. Cain, "X" is born into the world of the future where the robot rebellions are a thing of the past. But when Dr. Cain tries to implement Dr. Light's designs into a new series of Reploids, something goes hideously wrong. Now the future lies on the brink of destruction and a new Mega Man must emerge to face Sigma and his forces before the human race is wiped from the planet!
- 81Final Fantasy VIII is the eighth main installment in the Final Fantasy series. The gameplay makes a departure from many series standards. While it still uses the Active Time Battle system, it deviates from the series' traditional means of boosting a character's power via leveling, although levels are not completely abandoned as they were in Final Fantasy II. In addition, it does not have a Magic Point-based system for spell-casting. Instead, magic is collected, drawn, and created from items, and is used to power up the characters via the junction system.
- 821987Dig Dug is a 1-2 player arcade game in which you have to use your shovel to dig your way through the earth. Stopping you from doing this are two monsters, called Pooka and Fygar, who will continually chase you around. The only weapon that you carry is an air pump, which you can use to inflate the monsters to the point where they explode. (if you start to inflate them but stop doing so, the monsters will get turned back to their normal selves). Furthermore, rocks are scattered throughout the earth, and you can use these rocks to squash them. If the monsters do not find you for several seconds, they will eventually get turned into ghosts, which can walk through the earth. They are invincible and cannot be killed. From time to time, vegetables will appear in the center, and you can get these for points.
- 831999K. Rool has kidnapped the Kongs! Can Donkey Kong rescue his friends, reclaim the Golden Bananas and save his homeland from certain doom? Take out some Kremlings with Chunky's Pineapple Launcher or Lanky's Trombone. Float through the air using Tiny's Ponytail Twirl. Even rocket to the sky with Diddy's Jetbarrel!
- 841989NES port of Q*Bert.
- Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is the second major installment in The Legend of Zelda series and the direct sequel to the first game. Like its predecessor, it features dungeons that must be located in the overworld and searched for an item that will prove useful. However, the game presents many very important gameplay changes compared to the previous one, affecting especially the movements and the combat. Moving around the world map involves encounters with enemies that take place on a side-scrolling playfield rather than the top-down perspective for which the series became known.
- 861987Bubble Bobble is a platform game, with each level being a single screen. The enemies must be cleared from a level to go to the next one. With one player controlling Bub and the other controlling Bob, the player can jump and collect items for points (such as fruit). The real power Bub and Bob have however is the ability to blow bubbles. These bubbles can be as platforms to leap on, or to trap enemies. Enemies trapped in a bubble must be popped by jumping into them, wherein they'll turn to fruit. Additionally, power-ups sometimes float by in bubbles. They include lightning, which flies out horizontally at enemies, and water, which drags the player and enemies straight down flowing over platforms. Taking too long to complete any level will summon Baron Von Blubba, who will float around the screen trying to destroy the player.
- 872000Final Fantasy IX is the ninth main installment in the FF series. The title is a return to the series's roots, with gameplay features and references to the past games featuring throughout, as well as a medieval fantasy setting and cartoonish art style as a break from the sci-fi slant style of Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VIII.
- A JRPG entry in the Super Mario franchise in which Mario meets many unlikely allies in order to jump and fight his way through the Mushroom Kingdom and collect stars to repair the Star Road, the pathway that grants people's wishes, which was destroyed by Smithy, the otherworldly entity that hijacked Bowser's castle and threw the Kingdom into disarray.
- 891998Every game in the main series has a standard Party Mode in which up to four players play through a board, trying to collect as many stars as possible. In every turn, each player rolls a die and progresses on the board, which usually has branching paths. Coins are primarily earned by performing well in a minigame played at the end of each turn. On most boards, players earn stars by reaching a star space and purchasing a star for a certain amount of coins. The star space appears randomly on one of several pre-determined locations and moves every time a star is purchased, usually occupying a blue space. Every Mario Party contains at least 50 to almost 110 minigames with a few different types. Four-player games are a free-for-all in which players compete individually. In 2-on-2 and 1-on-3 minigames, players compete as two groups, cooperating to win, even though they are still competing individually in the main game. Some minigames in Mario Party are 4-player co-op, even though it doesn't say it. In most situations, winners earn ten coins each.
- 902006Civilization for N-Gage is a handheld version of a popular strategy series. However, it's not a port of any existing episodes, but a separate entry based on the rules of the second and the third games. Graphically, it's also similar to Civilization II, however the interface was adapted for device' much smaller screen size and resolution, as well as for its cell phone-like keyboard. The goal of the game is the same -- to advance your society from the stone age to the space age, destroying your opponents or signing diplomatic treaties on the way. There are twenty one different civilizations to choose from, and generally the list of features is the same. There's a full Civilopedia and tutorial available as well. Unlike most of other N-Gage titles, there are no multiplayer features in Civilization.
- 91Oct 14 2000Pokémon Gold Version and Silver Version are the second installments of the Pokémon series of role-playing video games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy. The games were later enhanced for its successor, the Game Boy Color, and marketed for the latter console. They were first released in Japan in 1999, Australia and North America in 2000, and Europe in 2001. Pokémon Crystal, a special edition version, was released for the Game Boy Color roughly a year later in each region. In 2009, Nintendo remade Gold and Silver for the Nintendo DS as Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. The games introduce 100 new species of Pokémon, and follow the progress of the central character, whose name the player may choose, in his quest to master Pokémon battling. Both games are independent of each other but feature largely the same plot and, while both can be played separately, it is necessary to trade between them and their backward compatible predecessors in order to fully complete the games' Pokédexes. The Johto Saga of the Pokémon anime is based on the new region introduced in the games.
- 92Warcraft: Orcs & Humans is the first game in the Warcraft series developed by Blizzard Entertainment. The Orcish hordes are summoned through the dark portal to the peaceful human Kingdom of Azeroth. When the two races meet each other, a terrible war ensues. Only one race can dominate the land. Players can choose to play as either the Humans or the Orcs. There are 12 scenarios for each race with mostly a single objective: destroy the enemy. As with most RTS games of the same era, a lot of time is spent collecting resources and building structures to make/upgrade different types of units.
- 931982Pitfall! is a video game designed by David Crane for the Atari 2600 and released by Activision in 1982. The player controls Pitfall Harry and is tasked with collecting all the treasures in a jungle within 20 minutes while avoiding obstacles and hazards.
- 94Jan 01 1994
- 951998Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition, more commonly known as Pokémon Yellow Version, is a 1998 role-playing video game developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy handheld video game console. Along with the release of Pokémon Yellow, a special edition yellow Pokémon-themed Game Boy Color was also released.
- 961993Get ready for NFL football action at its best! All the kicks, punts, passes and tackles of your favourite NFL teams are waiting for you as you play your way to the Super Bowl and the Pro Bowl! Choose from your favourite NFL teams as you fight your way to the top and to a winning season!
- 971994The Atari Jaguar port of Wolfenstein 3D. It Is based on the SNES port, but with graphical enhancements and no censorship.
- 981998Baldur's Gate is a fantasy role-playing video game developed by BioWare and published in 1998 by Interplay Entertainment. It is the first game in the Baldur's Gate series and takes place in the Forgotten Realms, a high fantasy campaign setting, using a modified version of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (AD&D) 2nd edition rules. It was the first game to use the Infinity Engine for its graphics, with Interplay using the engine for other Forgotten Realms-licensed games, including the Icewind Dale series, as well as other licensed D&D campaign worlds such as Planescape: Torment. The game's story focuses on players controlling a protagonist of their own creation who finds themselves travelling across the Sword Coast alongside a party of companions, to unravel the mystery surrounding a sudden iron crisis affecting the region and attempting to discover the culprits behind it, all while uncovering dark secrets about their origins and dealing with attempts on their life.
- 991994The 3DO version of lemmings included a new 3d intro, sfx and music thanks to the newer hardware.
- 100The 8-bit port of Streets of Rage 2, originally released for the Game Gear.
- 1011998The console version of Tekken 3 adds more content to the original arcade game such as new characters and additional game modes.
- 102I cursed my luck again as I slid down the monkey's throat. Have my dreams of guzzling grog and plundering galleons been reduced to this? "Three small trials and you're a pirate like us," they said. Fair enough. If only I could stomach the foul brew these scurvy seadogs swilled, the rest would be easy. How could I have known I'd meet a powerful and beautiful woman with a jealous suitor too stupid to realize he'd been dead for years? And how can I crawl through this great stone monkey to find a man who walks three inches above the ground and sets fire to his beard every morning? Do business with quaint and humble shopkeepers. Participate in complex and meaningful dialogues. Visit interesting places and steal stuff. Experience the never-ending nightlife of Melee Island.
- 1031991The Lord of Darkness, Dark Guld, has arisen again. Wielding the famous Golden Axe, he has destroyed entire countries with his evil clan, forcing the world into chaos. Once again, three brave warriors stand up to face the oppressors, and won’t rest until the Golden Axe is returned to its rightful place.
- 1041996The console version of Tekken 2 adds more content to the original arcade game such as new characters and additional game modes.
- 1051991FINAL FANTASY IV is the fourth main installment in the FINAL FANTASY series, developed and published by Squaresoft. It was released in July 1991 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in Japan, and released as FINAL FANTASY II in North America in October 1991 with alterations made due to Nintendo of America's guidelines at the time.
- 1061993The LCD version of Streets of Rage is a handheld game released by Tiger Electronics based on the Sega game, Streets of Rage. It was released in both Electronic and Pocket Arcade form, although the former appears to be quite rare.
- 1071994A remaster of Mega Man 3 included in Mega Man: The Wily Wars.
- 108Resident Evil 3: Nemesis is a survival horror video game and the third installment in the Resident Evil series. Like its two predecessors, it is a third-person action-adventure game with polygonal characters on pre-rendered backgrounds with cinematic camera angles. Although the game uses the same basic engine and gameplay as the previous games, the gameplay is improved by features such as auto-targeting, a 180 degree spin, and a new dodge move that allows Jill to avoid enemy attacks. The PC and Dreamcast versions includes all eight of Jill's possible costumes, as well as the mercenary mini-game Operation Mad Jackal which allows you to play as one of the three Umbrella soldiers. On the Playstation version, these special features must be unlocked by beating the game with a high score.
- 1091992Dr. Mario is one of the two LCD game watches belonging to the Gamewatch Boy line released in 1992 by Mani Industries. It plays similarly to the original game.
- 1101994You have inherited a fortune from an eccentric aunt and her will states the money can be spend building the world largest and most profitable theme park. Create a wonderful theme part full of thrilling rides and greasy - but delicious - food and start to make the loads of money. You are a lucky one who can create the best theme park ever made plus make a fortune. Your park will be compared to 40 rivals all over the world every year. Your goal is to become the best park in all categories.
- 1111990F-Zero is set in the year 2560, when humanity's multiple encounters with alien life forms had resulted in the expansion of Earth's social framework. This led to commercial, technological and cultural interchanges between planets. The multi-billionaires who earned their wealth through intergalactic trade were mainly satisfied with their lifestyles, although most coveted more entertainment in their lives. This resulted in a new entertainment based on the Formula One races to be founded with vehicles that could hover one foot above the track. These Grand Prix races were soon named "F-Zero" after a rise in popularity of the races. The game introduced the first set of F-Zero racers: Captain Falcon, Dr. Stewart, Pico, and Samurai Goroh.
- 1121989The game is set in ancient Persia. While the sultan is fighting a war in a foreign land, his vizier Jaffar, a wizard, seizes power. Jaffar's only obstacle to the throne is the Sultan's daughter (although the game never specifically mentions how). Jaffar locks her in a tower and orders her, under threat of execution, to become his wife. The game's nameless protagonist, whom the Princess loves, is thrown into the palace dungeons. The player must lead the protagonist out of the dungeons and to the palace tower, defeating Jaffar and freeing the Princess in under 60 minutes. In addition to guards, various traps and dungeons, the protagonist is further hindered by his own doppelgänger, an apparition of his own self that is conjured out of a magic mirror.
- 113The gluttonous King Dedede has stolen all of the food from the inhabitants of Dream Land for a midnight feast, so Kirby, a resident of Dream Land, goes to retrieve the food and stop Dedede. Kirby's Dream Land plays like other platformers of the 8-bit and 16-bit era of video games: Kirby must use various natural abilities and occasionally external abilities or items while heading toward the goal at the end of each level. Like many 1980s-era platformers, the player can accumulate points, with an extra life granted when the player has enough points. However, because Kirby lacks a save function, scores are not recorded. Also, there are no save files, so the player has to start over again when the Game Boy is turned off, if the player chooses to return to the title screen after a Game Over, or if the player resets the game. All levels are played on a two-dimensional plane, letting Kirby move only left, right, up, and down. Kirby can walk, jump, and fly. Kirby can also inhale objects and enemies, swallowing them or spitting them out as projectiles.
- 1141994Road Rash is the third entry in the vehicular combat/racing series of the same name. It was first released on 3DO Interactive Multiplayer in 1994, received a demake of sorts on the Sega CD in 1995, and then finally arrived to Sony PlayStation, Sega Saturn and Microsoft Windows in 1996. Not to be confused with the original 1991 title on Sega Genesis/Mega Drive.
- 115Feb 29 1996Sid Meier's Civilization II is a turn-based strategy video game developed and published by MicroProse. It was first released in 1996 for the PC and later ported to the Sony PlayStation. In 2002, Atari re-released the game for newer operating systems, such as Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
- 1161993Initially released in Japan in 1993, Secret of Mana took the world by storm with its innovative real-time battle system and gorgeously rendered world. It continues to stand out among other action RPGs for its seamless gameplay that anyone from beginner to veteran can enjoy. One of the most memorable elements of the Mana series is the Ring Command menu system. With the single press of a button, a ring-shaped menu appears on the screen, where players can use items, change weapons, and do a variety of other actions without needing to switch screens. This Ring Command menu system for which the Mana series is so well known was first introduced in Secret of Mana and has since appeared in most games in the series. Play as Randi and his two companions, Primm and Popoi, as they adventure all around the world. At the center of our epic story is the mystical power of Mana. Battle the empire in its quest for control of Mana. Befriend the eight elementals who wield the forces of nature itself. Numerous encounters await at every turn.
- 117Dec 01 1988Ghouls 'n Ghosts is a platform game/run and gun developed by Capcom and released as an arcade game in 1988, and subsequently ported to a number of other platforms. It is the sequel to Ghosts 'n Goblins and the second game in the Ghosts 'n Goblins series.
- 1181992Final Fantasy V is a fantasy role-playing video game developed and published by Square in 1992 as a part of the Final Fantasy series. The game first appeared only in Japan on Nintendo's Super Famicom (known internationally as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System). It has been ported with minor differences to Sony's PlayStation and Nintendo's Game Boy Advance. An original video animation produced in 1994 called FINAL FANTASY: Legend of the Crystals serves as a sequel to the events depicted in the game. It was released for the PlayStation Network on April 6, 2011, in Japan. An enhanced port of the game, with new high-resolution graphics and a touch-based interface, was released for iPhone and iPad on March 28, 2013, and for Android on September 25, 2013. FINAL FANTASY V has been praised for the freedom of customization that the player has over the characters, achieved through the greatly expanded Job System. Despite being released only in Japan, the Super Famicom version sold more than two million copies. The PlayStation version has earned "Greatest Hits" status, selling more than 350,000 copies.
- 1191994This version of Disney's Aladdin is a completely different game than either the SNES or Genesis versions, and was only released for SEGA's 8-bit systems, Master System & Game Gear. It has a classic-era Prince of Persia kind of gameplay. Like the other versions, it is a side-scrolling action game. The player controls Aladdin, making his way through a variety of locations, including the streets of Agrabah, the Cave of Wonders, the Sultan's palace and more. Gameplay takes several different forms: some levels are chases, where Aladdin runs automatically, but must be made to jump over chasms or rolling rocks and barrels, evade falling objects and avoid getting caught by a guard. Other levels are platforming affairs: Aladdin must run, jump and climb, find keys or switches to open doors while searching for the exit. Rocks can be collected and be thrown to dispatch enemies or hit buttons otherwise out of reach. Finally, there are also several magic carpet rides in the game, in which the level scrolls automatically and the player must make sure to avoid any obstacles in the way.
- 1201987The NES port of Spy Hunter, a driving action game played from an overhead point of view. Your car is equipped with machine guns to help you get past the numerous enemies out on the road (be careful not to shoot any civilians, though!) Occasionally you will come across a weapons van, and if you drive into the back of the van your car becomes equipped with a second weapon (such as smoke screen, oil slick, or missiles). At several points the road splits and you can enter a boathouse which transforms your car into a boat temporarily. If you drive far enough the seasons change as well (watch out for icy conditions during winter!). The enemy cars will do anything to stop you, including running you off the road, firing guns from the back of a limo, or dropping bombs from a helicopter.
