Buzz
In our rapidly advancing world where technology is woven into every aspect of daily life, there’s something uniquely comforting about recalling the simpler days—remembering the consoles with tangled wires, the ritual of blowing into game cartridges to get them to work, nursing sore thumbs from hours of play, and spending far too much on batteries.
It’s tough to predict whether these legendary games would still deliver the same thrill they did in the '90s or if we'd find ourselves losing hours of our day to them as we did back then. What we do know for sure is that there are still fiercely loyal fans who refuse to give up their love for pixelated graphics, dinosaur eggs, and the unforgettable tune of Mario Bros. theme music.
10. Super Mario World - 1990
Mario and Luigi gave it their all in their mission to save the Mushroom Kingdom from the clutches of Bowser, but their journey was far from over! The dynamic duo was destined for even greater adventures, joined by their trusty dinosaur sidekick, Yoshi. Together, they set off to rescue Princess Toadstool, who had been recently kidnapped, and restore peace to Dinosaur Land. Sound familiar? Chances are, you or someone close to you had a serious obsession with this game in the '90s.
From its unforgettable soundtrack to its impressive 2-D graphics, Super Mario World quickly captivated gamers. Power-ups like Super Mushrooms, Fire Flowers, and Cape Feathers sparked excitement, while the quest for coins kept players glued to the screen—often with sore thumbs to show for it.
It’s no surprise that this fan-favorite game went on to sell over 20 million copies. The success of the game was so immense that it even inspired an animated TV series, The New Super Mario World, which adapted the game's storyline. Unfortunately, unlike the game, the show lasted for just one season.
9. GoldenEye 007 - 1997
Everyone secretly dreams of being the smooth and charming James Bond—or at least a version of him. For many in the late '90s, that dream became a reality, in a way. GoldenEye 007 for the Nintendo 64 gave players the chance to live out their inner Bond by wielding a variety of weapons. The game’s primary goal was to guide Agent 007 through 20 intense missions, armed with a vast arsenal of weapons, from grenades to submachine guns, all requiring reloads once their ammo was spent.
The game also featured multiplayer mode, allowing up to four players to compete simultaneously. Players could choose their desired level of difficulty, ranging from “Agent” to “00-Agent.” The first-person shooter mechanics used in GoldenEye were groundbreaking for its time, and the game stayed remarkably faithful to the movie it was based on. It was a massive commercial hit, selling over eight million copies worldwide. As of mid-2016, the game was priced around $275 on Amazon.
8. Pokemon Red and Blue - 1996
Pokemon’s cultural impact is undeniable. From its origin as a video game series to its widespread success in TV shows, movies, and trading cards, it became a phenomenon that still resonates with fans. The release of Pokemon Red and Blue marked the beginning of the franchise’s legendary status. Players embarked on a journey to catch, train, and battle these colorful creatures in a bid to become the ultimate Pokemon Master.
As players explored the Pokemon world, they ventured through iconic locations like Cerulean City and Lavender Town, gradually filling their Pokedex and challenging gym leaders to claim victory. Despite its success, glitches in the game sparked controversy, affecting gameplay and competition. Still, Pokemon Red and Blue sold millions globally, and to celebrate 20 years of Pokemon’s worldwide influence, the games were re-released recently.
7. DOOM (1993)
This iconic video game made waves in the gaming world with its innovative approach to first-person shooters. Initially released for PC, DOOM was hailed as a marvel of software development. Players could select from four off-duty soldiers caught in a multidimensional conflict. As demonic forces close in, the player must battle to prevent these monsters from invading Earth and annihilating humanity.
The game received critical acclaim, earning an 86 percent rating on GameRankings.com. While some saw DOOM as a mere shooter where players gunned down demonic enemies, for many, it stands as one of the most influential games ever made.
DOOM introduced the term “deathmatch,” allowing players to engage in real-time combat against each other. Its immense popularity was such that many companies had to block access during working hours to prevent network slowdowns and lost productivity.
6. Sonic the Hedgehog 1992: the high-speed adventure that introduced players to one of the most iconic video game characters of all time.
Sonic and his loyal sidekick, Miles “Tails” Prower, were enjoying a peaceful life until a strange series of events began unfolding. Sonic’s friends mysteriously vanished, leading the dynamic duo to uncover the work of the villainous Dr. Robotnik. The mad scientist had transformed the forest’s animals into evil robots and was determined to complete his destructive Death Egg. Sonic and Tails must race against time to stop Robotnik by collecting the seven Chaos Emeralds and freeing the captured animals once and for all.
Players would pop in the game cartridge, fire up their Genesis system, and set off on an exciting adventure. The game offered various Sonic moves, like the 'super spin attack,' 'super twist,' and 'pinball attack,' while traveling through different zones and trying to avoid losing all their lives.
In the 1990s, Sega and Nintendo were fierce rivals, with Sega going all-in on an ad campaign for its new Sonic game, spending $10 million—a massive investment in 1992. This marketing push helped Sonic the Hedgehog 2 sell over six million copies, allowing Sega to make significant strides against Nintendo in the ongoing 'console wars.'
5. Kirby’s Dream Land (1992)
The first installment in the Kirby series debuted on the Nintendo Game Boy in the early '90s. Featuring a small, round creature named Kirby, the game introduced players of all ages to the whimsical world of Dream Land, where they could join this cute cloud-like hero in fun adventures.
Kirby may look like a harmless marshmallow, but he packs quite the punch. With the ability to inhale his enemies like a vacuum and shoot them back at others, he also has the power to inflate himself and fly. Throughout his journey to defeat King Dedede, the villain who has stolen Dream Land's food, Kirby uses his unique skills to conquer all four stages.
As players journey through Dream Land, they encounter diverse environments such as castles, forests, caves, and dungeons. On his mission to defeat Dedede, Kirby collects items like tomatoes, candy, and curry while facing off against various enemies determined to hinder his progress.
The game's music is incredibly lively and upbeat, complementing each stage perfectly. Unlike later installments in the Kirby franchise, the original Dream Land didn't feature Kirby's iconic ability to copy powers from enemies, a key mechanic introduced in future games.
4. Mortal Kombat (1992)
In this intense arcade game, otherworldly beings with mystical powers and unmatched combat techniques clash in a fierce battle on a distant island. A dark sorcerer named Shang Tsung has been organizing these brutal tournaments for 500 years, taking pleasure in watching his contestants annihilate each other in the ultimate showdown, known as the 'finishing move.'
Gamers had the chance to embody skilled fighters, executing martial arts techniques like roundhouse kicks, crouching blocks, flying punches, and high strikes. Along the way, they would face various combatants, ultimately battling Shang Tsung in the final confrontation.
Players could select from a roster of seven unique characters, each with distinct abilities and fighting styles. The lifelike graphics (for its era) and the overwhelming violence sparked outrage among parents, many of whom believed the game glorified murder and fostered aggression—an issue that still resonates today in debates surrounding media and gaming culture.
Some of the most shocking and violent moves in the game included ripping out an opponent’s heart and decapitating them with bare hands, showcasing the severed head as a gruesome trophy. Not exactly the family-friendly fare you’d find in a Mario and Luigi adventure.
3. Mario Kart 64 1996
This go-kart racing game first debuted in Japan in 1996, followed by releases in North America and Europe in 1997, quickly becoming a monumental hit in the gaming world. One of the standout features of the game is its unforgettable soundtrack, composed by Kenta Nagata. Whether you're skidding on a banana peel, racing through item boxes, or cruising down the iconic Rainbow Road in the Special Cup, the music always elevates the experience.
Players can choose from eight different characters, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Some players found Bowser and Wario too sluggish to accelerate swiftly, while others appreciated their bulk for ramming opponents’ karts. Beyond character selection, gamers can also choose the engine size (50cc, 100cc, or 150cc), pick a game mode (Mario Grand Prix, Versus, Battle, or Time Trials), and select the course to race on.
As players race through the courses, weaving around shells, dodging walking bombs, and avoiding the massive, chained, barking ball-like creatures, they can pull off some slick moves like turbo drifting, taking shortcuts, and drafting behind others. One of the most talked-about additions in this version was the blue spiny shell, designed to target the player in first place. Its appearance caused quite an uproar among players, many of whom considered it unfair, with plenty of colorful language likely heard after it hit its mark.
While the game didn’t rake in as much revenue as some other video games from the 1990s, the addictive charm of Mario Kart has never truly disappeared. It continues to be loved by both younger and older fans, and, naturally, by stoners too.
2. The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time 1998
While there were many games before and after it, the fifth entry in the Zelda series, Ocarina of Time, was truly groundbreaking. Once the Nintendo 64 powered on, players began their journey as a young child in the forest but would soon take on multiple roles—becoming a fisherman, an errand boy, and even a traveling mask salesman.
Ocarina of Time was the first in the series to feature 3-D graphics, a remarkable achievement for game developers at the time. As Link journeys through Hyrule with the Spiritual Stone of the Forest and his companion, Navi, players venture through ominous dungeons, erupting volcanoes, eerie deserts, and even travel through time to rescue Princess Zelda.
Zelda fans went absolutely wild for the game. Released in November 1998, Nintendo sold over 2.5 million copies before the year ended, bringing in an impressive $150 million.
Ocarina of Time even outperformed the blockbuster movie A Bug’s Life, which released in theaters the same year. Despite being launched just 39 days before the year ended, it became the top-selling video game of 1998 and the fastest-selling game ever.
1. NBA Jam 1993
Do you remember those endless hours spent feeding quarters into arcade machines? Despite pockets weighed down with coins and constantly begging parents for more, there never seemed to be enough change to satisfy the urge to keep playing.
Enter NBA Jam. This basketball arcade game introduced several firsts, such as featuring real NBA teams and players that closely resembled their real-life counterparts. With four joysticks, players could compete against each other, dunking on their opponents and stringing together shots to earn the power-up known as 'on fire.'
Instead of traditional 5-on-5 games, NBA Jam was built for 2-on-2 basketball action. While the rosters were real, the rules weren’t. Players could go wild with no fouls, no free throws, and a game free of restrictions—except for shot clocks and goaltending.
NBA Jam quickly became a sensation, captivating not only basketball fans but also those who weren’t typically interested in sports. It is now considered one of the highest-grossing arcade games ever, with unforgettable phrases like 'He’s heating up,' 'He’s on fire,' and 'Boomshakalaka!' becoming part of basketball culture.
