Nioh 2017
Why it still holds upChoosing when to push on and when to rest still shapes every mission today.
Action games that still hold up
Brawling, fighting, and never quite standing still
Games
Nioh 2017
Why it still holds upChoosing when to push on and when to rest still shapes every mission today.
Battlezone 1980
Why it still holds upSteering a tank with two sticks is still a distinct way to play today.
Jump Ultimate Stars 2006
Why it still holds upBuilding a deck of manga panels is still a puzzle in itself.
Dragon's Crown 2013
Why it still holds upLoot to chase and stages to run again still give the beat 'em up a reason to come back today.
Xenon 1988
Why it still holds upChoosing between plane and tank to fit each enemy still makes every level a plan today.
Luftrausers 2014
Why it still holds upBuilding a plane that suits you still makes each short run worth another try.
Pac-Man 256 2015
Why it still holds upA score chase with one more try always at hand still makes the point today.
Galaga '88 1987
Why it still holds upRescuing a ship in mid-dive is a risk that is still worth taking.
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.
The Messenger 2018
Why it still holds upEach enemy is still a stepping stone, thanks to a jump that renews when you hit something in the air.
Final Fight 1989
Why it still holds upThree fighters with styles of their own, and a city to clear with a friend, still make it worth playing today.
Tumblestone 2016
Why it still holds upEvery board still makes it worth playing now, since each has a solution and one wrong pick ruins it.
Rune 2000
Why it still holds upIt runs on the Unreal engine, and the melee is still the reason to pick it up today, where how you move decides how you strike.
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.
WarioWare: Twisted! 2004
Why it still holds upA game you turn in your hands still makes each short challenge a physical one today.
Bushido Blade 1997
Why it still holds upOne strike that can end a fight still makes every exchange a risk.
Rainbow Islands: The Story of Bubble Bobble 2 1987
Why it still holds upThe rising sea is a clock that keeps every climb tense, and it still does today.
Death Sword 1987
Also known as Barbarian
Why it still holds upA duel to the last life point is still a quick contest to try today.
Ninja Gaiden 1988
Why it still holds upA two-ninja brawl that uses bars and ropes is easy to pick up with a friend, and it still plays that way.
Street Fighter IV 2008
Why it still holds upSix buttons, 2D play and two new systems on top still make it a good place to learn the series today.
Blaster Master 1988
Why it still holds upExploring in two perspectives keeps its variety up, as it still does for players who try it.
Guacamelee! 2013
Why it still holds upIts color and humor still make it a lively platformer to pick up today.
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 2007
Why it still holds upSpecial forms that count as their own fighters are still a reason to pick it up.
Xenon 2: Megablast 1989
Why it still holds upToday, restart points spaced through each level turn a hard stage into a series of short attempts.
The King of Fighters '98 1998
Why it still holds upTwo styles of meter still give each team a choice of how to fight.
Buster Bros. 1989
Also known as Pang
Why it still holds upPopping balloons one landmark at a time is a goal that is still easy to follow.
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor 2014
Why it still holds upEnemies that remember you are the thing to look for in it today.
Devil May Cry 4 2008
Why it still holds upCombat graded on style still makes chasing the top rank the point today.
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.
Virtua Fighter 4 2001
Why it still holds upFlat arenas with walls still keep the fights about position more than luck today.
Shadow of the Beast 1989
Why it still holds upIt is still a world you travel through, with wide stretches of scenery between the fights.
Phoenix 1980
Why it still holds upThe reason to play it now is a force field that cannot be used twice in a row, which makes every dive a decision about timing.
Dig Dug 1982
Why it still holds upDigging your own tunnels and dropping rocks on enemies is a plan that is still fun to carry out.
Double Dragon II: The Revenge 1988
Why it still holds upFighting back to back with a friend is still the way to play it.
Contra 1987
Why it still holds upWith so few lives, every stage is still something learned by repeating it today, so a run is tense from the first screen.
Just Shapes & Beats 2018
Why it still holds upIt is still a rhythm dodging game you can share today, with one stick, one dash button and room for four.
BurgerTime 1982
Why it still holds upBuilding burgers while being chased still makes a clear goal that is easy to pick up today.
Bubble Bobble 1986
Why it still holds upTwo players can share the bubbles, which is a reason it is still worth coming back to.
Dead or Alive 3 2001
Why it still holds upToday, a tutorial that shows commands while you practice them makes the roster easy to learn.
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.
Knightmare 1986
Why it still holds upA screen that never stops, with a weapon you keep changing, still keeps each stage busy today.
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.
Zaxxon 1982
Why it still holds upJudging height from a shadow still makes every wall a test of the eye today.
Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2018
Why it still holds upQuick runs with a party to swap still make a short game easy to return to today.
Sid Meier's Pirates! 1987
Why it still holds upWith no end set in advance, each voyage still takes a course of its own.
Battle City 1985
Why it still holds upDefending a base while clearing the board still asks for attention today.