It took years to develop games that had photorealistic graphics. ’90s games prove that it’s not always about graphics and that enjoyable gameplay is what makes a game exceptional. One game maker who was a significant influence during the ’90s was Nintendo. Their revolutionary ideas impacted the industry in more ways than one. Nintendo’s commitment to providing enjoyable couch co-op and multiplayer games has contributed to their success.
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We can’t forget the ’90s for its leaps and bounds during the decade. Chances are if you grew up in the ’90s, you played one or several of these games. These are 10 video games that every ’90s kid played.
10 Mortal Kombat 4
There were multiple Mortal Kombat games in the ’90s, but it can be argued that Midway and Atari Games didn’t make an exceptional one until Mortal Kombat 3. It released for the arcade and had addictive fighting gameplay. This is around the time when the arcade was a favored medium. You may have spent $10 in quarters, but it was worth it for the lasting memories. The first thing you might notice when you take a look at Mortal Kombat 3 is that the graphics are not that great. As mentioned in the introduction, graphics was not the strong suit of the ’90s. The game was later ported to other consoles due to being a phenomenal ’90s game.
9 Doom
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the past few decades, you’ve probably heard of the Doom game series. The original Doom released in 1993 and since then, there have been several sequels.
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Doom brought the first-person shooter genre to a whole new level, adding depth and replayability never seen before. Later first-person shooter games took a great deal of inspiration from the Doom franchise. Star Wars: Dark Forces and Quake are two notable games that were made possible because of Doom. Even today, indie games like Paranautical Activity, Devil Daggers, Project Warlock, and Hellbound are influenced by Doom.
8 Super Mario World
Often ranked as one of the best games of all time, Super Mario World is recognizable for its intricate platforming. In Super Mario World, Mario teams up with a dinosaur named Yoshi. Yoshi went on to become one of Nintendo’s most recognizable characters, and it is owed to Yoshi’s first appearance in Super Mario World. Chances are if you grew up in the ’90s, you’ve played Super Mario World. It’s a sensational platformer that hasn’t aged a day since its release.
7 GoldenEye 007
Timeless shooters like GoldenEye 007 are hard to come by. It’s not always about the biggest explosions or the best level design, yet those things may have helped GoldenEye 007.
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Memorable levels like Dam, Silo, Jungle, and Complex are masterpieces we won’t soon forget. Plus, the game contained hidden content such as the Aztec level and bonus characters that could be unlocked with cheat codes. Yes, ’90s kids miss cheat codes. Cheat codes are another reason why ’90s games rocked.
6 Mario Kart 64
Some would say that Mario Kart 64 required less skill than other kart racers, but its catch-up system made playing with friends so much more enjoyable. Even to this day, many of the fundamentals of Mario Kart 64 remain. Items like the green shell and banana peels are annoyances for receivers and satisfactions for senders. Peeling rubber across various tracks like Rainbow Road and Bowser’s Castle is amazing. Mario Kart 64 is a surreal kart-racing game.
5 Sonic the Hedgehog 2
When we think of the Sega Genesis, game series like Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, and Sonic come to mind. Of the Sonic games, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 may have been the most impactful. Adding Tails to the equation gave the game depth and replayability. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a two-player game that surely every ’90s kid played. Notably, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was remade for the Nintendo 3DS, Android, and iOS. The Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 plays in 3D providing a brand new experience.
4 RollerCoaster Tycoon
Released in the late ’90s, Roller Coaster Tycoon is a management and construction simulation game. Its refined gameplay mechanics provide a near-perfect experience.
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Adjusting things like admission prices, ride speeds, and worker wages gives you the ultimate control over a park’s operations and success. Having guests throw up on your pathways is a chore to clean up, but it was worth it to see your customers’ happy faces. Undoubtedly every ’90s kid played this game.
3 Super Smash Bros.
Game series like Super Smash Bros. will never go out of style. Almost every kid who grew up in the ’90s had a chance to experience the ingenuity behind Super Smash Bros. This crossover fighting game had a beat ’em up style that was new at that time. Years later, the map variety has expanded, the roster has widened, but the same charm remains. For having some of the most competitive fighting matches, we can say Super Smash Bros. is an awe-inspiring game of the ’90s.
2 Super Mario 64
This bold and ambitious project brought Super Mario to a whole new dimension. Playing in 3D is groundbreaking, and Nintendo did a remarkable job putting the game together. Aside from camera issues, it plays spectacularly. The level designs are genius, and the mission variety keeps players immersed in its expansive world.
As usual, players are tasked with saving Peach from the wicked Bowser. In Super Mario 64, players can transform into Metal Mario, turn invisible using the Vanish Cap, or take flight using the Wing Cap. This added depth to the Super Mario series like we had never seen before.
1 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Time and time again, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is regarded as the best game of all time. Anyone who owned a Nintendo 64 or had friends with the system most likely played the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
It’s one of the earliest open-world exploration games that can be unforgiving at times. Its epic boss fights combined with its newly integrated Z-lock targeting system made it stand out. This is one masterpiece that has inspired numerous games in the industry.
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