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.
1990s action games that still hold up
Brawling, fighting, and never quite standing still
Games
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.
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.
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 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.
VectorMan 1995
Why it still holds upLevels with several paths and secret passages still reward looking around.
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.
Bomberman 1990
Also known as Dyna Blaster
Why it still holds upA maze, a bomb and four friends are still all it takes.
SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium 1999
Why it still holds upTwo companies' fighters in one pocket game still make it easy to start a match.
Tekken Tag Tournament 1999
Why it still holds upSwitching fighters mid-combo is still a good reason to pick up two characters.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project 1991
Why it still holds upFour turtles with four weapons are still a good way to bring friends together.
Garou: Mark of the Wolves 1999
Why it still holds upJust Defend and a life bar that unlocks moves still give each round its own decisions.
Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master 1993
Why it still holds upLevels that keep changing how you move still give it variety.
Sunset Riders 1991
Why it still holds upA shootout with a poster for a target is still a fine game for a group.
Bushido Blade 1997
Why it still holds upOne strike that can end a fight still makes every exchange a risk.
The King of Fighters '98 1998
Why it still holds upTwo styles of meter still give each team a choice of how to fight.
Streets of Rage 3 1994
Why it still holds upTeaming up to clear the streets is still a good reason to pass a controller around.
Shadow Warrior 1997
Why it still holds upVehicles to drive, ladders to climb and a katana or a sticky bomb to choose from still give each level things to try.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The HyperStone Heist 1992
Why it still holds upFive long levels and a run of bosses still make a full afternoon for two.
Super Castlevania IV 1991
Why it still holds upA whip aimed in eight directions and swung from rings still gives every room plenty to do today.
Golden Axe II 1991
Why it still holds upThree fighters with their own magic still make each run a choice.
MediEvil 1998
Why it still holds upCollecting a chalice on each of the twenty levels still gives a reason to explore every one.
Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain 1996
Why it still holds upThe drinking still makes the hero's health bar the people he kills.
Castlevania: Bloodlines 1994
Why it still holds upTwo heroes with different ways of moving still give each stage two ways to be played.
Twisted Metal 2 1996
Why it still holds upA last driver standing still makes each match a short fight.
Battletoads 1991
Why it still holds upEach level brings new enemies, hazards and rules, and the game still avoids repeating itself.
Tekken 2 1995
Why it still holds upFour buttons for four limbs make a system that is easy to learn, which is still true today.
Streets of Rage 1991
Why it still holds upTwo players can play together, and that is still the way to play it.
Disney's Hercules Action Game 1997
Why it still holds upA short set of levels with varied weapons still makes it quick to try.
Mortal Kombat II 1994
Why it still holds upA fight that ends with a finishing move still gives two players a reason to rematch today.
Crazy Taxi 1999
Why it still holds upA simple score chase that takes seconds to learn still suits a quick session.