Games turning 35 in 2026

Jan 8 Operation C 1991 i Why it still holds upAlternating side and top views over five stages still makes a compact run and gun.

Feb 14 Lemmings 1991 i Why it still holds upEvery level is still a problem of which skill to give to which lemming.

Mar 7 Street Fighter II 1991 i Why it still holds upEach match still comes down to special moves and spacing between two people.

Jun 21 Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom 1991 i Why it still holds upEvery level is still a vertical space to move through, with walls to climb and pipes to hang from.

Jun 28 Final Fantasy Adventure 1991 Also known as Mystic Quest i Why it still holds upFighting, shopping and solving dungeon puzzles, with a save at any point, still make a compact adventure.

Jul 19 Final Fantasy IV 1991 i Why it still holds upCharacters with fixed roles who join and leave the party make the story and the combat change together, and that still shapes every battle today.

Jul 19 Bonk's Revenge 1991 i Why it still holds upSmileys that decide the bonus at the end of every stage still give the levels a reason to be searched.

Aug 2 Streets of Rage 1991 i Why it still holds upTwo players can play together, and that is still the way to play it.

Aug 23 Valis IV 1991 i Why it still holds upThree characters with their own moves and spells still give the acts several ways to be played.

Oct 31 Super Castlevania IV 1991 i Why it still holds upA whip you can aim in eight directions and swing from rings still gives you plenty to do in each room.

Nov 8 Sonic the Hedgehog 1991 i Why it still holds upA handheld game with room to explore is still worth a try for anyone curious about the series.

Nov 15 Magical Chase 1991 i Why it still holds upShops that sell health and a choice of weapons still give each run decisions to make.

Nov 21 The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past 1991 i Why it still holds upPlayed now, each item you win opens parts of the map you have already seen, and the second world reuses the first to give you more of it.

Dec 6 Mega Man 4 1991 i Why it still holds upEight stages to choose from in any order, each with an obstacle of its own, still leave the route to you.

Dec 13 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project 1991 i Why it still holds upFour turtles with four weapons are still a good way to bring friends together.

Dec 20 Popful Mail: Magical Fantasy Adventure 1991 i Why it still holds upThree heroes to switch between at any time still give each world its own way through.

Dec 27 Golden Axe II 1991 i Why it still holds upThree fighters with their own magic still make each run a choice.

Dec 29 GG Aleste 1991 i Why it still holds upA ship that clears the screen when it dies still turns every loss into a last shot.