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Classic action games that still hold up

Brawling, fighting, and never quite standing still

34 games

God of War 2018 Why it still holds upThe combat still carries it today, with the axe thrown and called back while a second fighter works beside you, so each fight has several things going on at once.
NieR: Automata 2017 Why it still holds upIts tone and its music carry it today: the world is heavy and unusual, and its environments are lush.
Diablo II 2000 Why it still holds upThe item system keeps it worth replaying now: tiers, sockets and the Cube allow so many builds that two characters are rarely built alike.
Super Smash Bros. Melee 2001 Why it still holds upFast, physics driven fighting that is easy to pick up and frantic with four players keeps it played today.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City 2002 Why it still holds upA whole city built on one decade and its music still makes every drive part of the same setting, which is the reason to play it now.
Ghost of Tsushima 2020 Why it still holds upIts sword fights still make it worth playing: each one asks you to read the enemy, pick the stance for it and break its guard.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2018 Why it still holds upCrossing the city by web is still fun before you do anything else in it, which is the reason to play it now.
Mafia 2002 Why it still holds upThe period setting is why it is worth playing now: Lost Heaven is modelled on 1930s American cities, and the missions move between chases, races and shootouts.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 2018 Why it still holds upEvery fighter from the earlier games is there and rulesets can be saved, so it still offers more than one way to play today.
God of War III 2010 Why it still holds upToday it still offers combat built on chained combos and weapon switching, on a very large scale.
God of War II 2007 Why it still holds upIt holds up now because combat, platforming and puzzles are designed as one adventure.
Cuphead 2017 Why it still holds upBoss fights built on learning patterns, in that style, are still the reason to play it today.
Bayonetta 2 2014 Why it still holds upFast combat built on dodging and combos, with varied set pieces and challenge portals, is the reason to play it now.
Tekken 3 1997 Why it still holds upWhat holds up today is smooth controls and distinct movesets.
God of War 2005 Why it still holds upFluid combat, broken up by puzzles and platforming, still keeps it worth playing today.
Demon's Souls 2020 Why it still holds upAreas whose enemies, traps and bosses stay put still reward learning each one today.
Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening 2005 Why it still holds upFour combat styles and four weapons to switch between on the fly, paired with a style meter that climbs through combo ranks, still give the combat something to aim for today.
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U 2014 Why it still holds upSimple rules, flat stages on request and the controller each player prefers still let any group play together today.
Duck Game 2014 Why it still holds upOne hit kills and simple controls still let a round be learned in seconds today, so it is quick to start.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl 2008 Why it still holds upA damage percentage that decides who flies off, with four control schemes, still makes a match easy to start today.
SoulCalibur 1998 Why it still holds upEight way movement, a forgiving input buffer and Guard Impact still let you step around an opponent or turn their attack against them today.
Devil May Cry 2001 Why it still holds upBeing judged on how well you fight, not only on whether you win, still turns every encounter into a performance.

Action games that still feel sharp, whatever their age: precise controls, enemies that read clearly and a rhythm you settle into. Many are just as good in a short session as in a long one.

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