Faselei! 1999
Why it still holds upProgramming a few moves ahead still makes each turn a small puzzle.
1990s games that still hold up
Games
Faselei! 1999
Why it still holds upProgramming a few moves ahead still makes each turn a small puzzle.
Dragon Ball Z: Idainaru Son Goku Densetsu 1994
Why it still holds upA set of Goku's biggest fights told by his family still makes the story easy to follow.
Valis IV 1991
Why it still holds upThree characters with their own moves and spells still give the acts several ways to be played.
Star Parodier 1992
Why it still holds upA shooter that never takes itself seriously still keeps every stage light.
Bonk 3: Bonk's Big Adventure 1993
Why it still holds upTwo players on one life bar still make it a game to share.
Seirei Senshi Spriggan 1991
Why it still holds upA weapon system you can only half predict still gives each run its own surprises.
Legendary Axe II 1990
Why it still holds upSwapping between a sword, a morning star and an axe, each with its own reach and power, still gives every fight a choice.
Magical Chase 1991
Why it still holds upShops that sell health and a choice of weapons still give each run decisions to make.
King of Fighters R-2 1999
Why it still holds upShort fights and a mode for building your own fighter still give a portable game plenty to try.
Gate of Thunder 1992
Why it still holds upSeven stages of constant scrolling with a boss at each end still make it quick to pick up for another try.
Defenders of Oasis 1992
Why it still holds upA genie you grow with gold instead of battles still gives the party a choice about where its money goes.
GG Aleste 1991
Why it still holds upA ship that clears the screen when it dies still turns every loss into a last shot.
Tengai Makyou: Fuun Kabuki-den 1993
Why it still holds upA comic hero and bosses who sing still give the series a lighter side.
Tokimeki Memorial 1994
Why it still holds upThree school years to plan, with a few girls to win, still make it a game of schedules.
Magic Knight Rayearth 1995
Why it still holds upIt is a look at how Sega's handheld treated a popular anime and manga license.
Tiny Toon Adventures: Babs' Big Break 1992
Why it still holds upThree characters with their own throws still give each level a choice of who to send.
Final Fantasy V 1992
Why it still holds upChoosing a job for each party member still shapes every fight today.
Magic Carpet 2: The Netherworlds 1995
Why it still holds upThe underground still takes the first game's flight into caves, with the castle to come home to.
Terra Nova: Strike Force Centauri 1996
Why it still holds upChoosing the suits and splitting the squad still let you plan each fight on open ground your own way, reason enough to play it now.
Harvest Moon GB 1997
Why it still holds upA small farm and a simple daily routine still make a relaxed, short session today.
Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru 1992
Why it still holds upBattles decided by your stats still make the gear in every chest the thing to look for.
Darkstalkers: The Night Warriors 1994
Why it still holds upA super meter that drains if you hold it still pushes every fight toward spending it.
Mega Man 1995
Why it still holds upA mix of stages from several older games, fitted onto a small screen, still makes it a Mega Man worth trying today.
Seaman 1999
Why it still holds upA pet that talks back still keeps every visit different.
Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage! 1999
Also known as Spyro 2: Gateway to Glimmer
Why it still holds upCollecting talismans and orbs keeps its goals clear, which still helps today.
Tomb Raider II 1997
Why it still holds upA trip from the Great Wall to Venice is a tour that still draws a returning player.
QuackShot Starring Donald Duck 1991
Why it still holds upBecause items found in one place open the way in another, working out where to go next still takes some thinking.
Shivers 1995
Why it still holds upThe one slot still makes every capture a trip across the haunted museum with your hands full.
Shining Force III 1997
Why it still holds upEach scenario is a new view of the same war, which gives the three parts a reason to be played in turn.
Super Bomberman 2 1994
Why it still holds upMatches with friends, with a multitap for four, still give a group of players something to play.
Final Fantasy Adventure 1991
Also known as Mystic Quest
Why it still holds upFighting, shopping and solving dungeon puzzles, with a save at any point, still make a compact adventure.
Bugs Bunny: Lost in Time 1999
Why it still holds upEras opened by the clocks you find, crossed with a full set of cartoon moves, still make it easy to follow today.
Survival Kids 1999
Why it still holds upMaking what you need from what you find, and learning what lasts, still gives the island its pace today.
Final Fight 3 1995
Why it still holds upFour fighters with their own moves, a super gauge and branching paths still give each run something to learn today.
Ninja Gaiden 1992
Why it still holds upA short run of eight stages with a new jump to learn still makes it easy to try.
Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble 1994
Why it still holds upThe pace is slower than on the 16 bit consoles, which leaves time to look for hidden areas today.
Monster Max 1994
Why it still holds upRooms that reset when you leave still make each puzzle a matter of trying again today.
VectorMan 1995
Why it still holds upLevels with several paths and secret passages still reward looking around.
Shogo: Mobile Armor Division 1998
Why it still holds upIt is still easy to pick up, since two kinds of combat share one set of controls.
Astérix 1991
Why it still holds upTwo heroes with their own strengths, and hidden corners to find, still give it room for a second run.
Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure 1999
Why it still holds upLayouts built for the handheld and the extra modes still give it things to do.
Streets of Rage 2 1993
Why it still holds upA brawler cut down to fit a handheld still has its fights.
Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos 1990
Why it still holds upWalls to climb, clones to call and attacks to throw still give each stage a few tools to work with today.
Freespace 2 1999
Why it still holds upDogfights flown by the cockpit view are still a reason to give it a try.
Bonk's Revenge 1991
Why it still holds upSmileys that decide the bonus at the end of every stage still give the levels a reason to be searched.
Bomberman 1990
Also known as Dyna Blaster
Why it still holds upA maze, a bomb and four friends are still all it takes.
Dune 1992
Why it still holds upA planet to manage and a story to follow still make it an unusual game to explore.
Heart of Darkness 1998
Why it still holds upA fable with a handmade look has a place in any collection today.