Tomb Raider 1996
Why it still holds upA tomb that is a puzzle to move through, not a corridor to run down, still makes exploring the point.
1990s adventure games that still hold up
Somewhere to get to, and plenty in the way
Games
Tomb Raider 1996
Why it still holds upA tomb that is a puzzle to move through, not a corridor to run down, still makes exploring the point.
Space Quest V: The Next Mutation 1993
Why it still holds upA starship captain who gives orders instead of just walking around still gives the point and click a new role.
Simon the Sorcerer II: The Lion, the Wizard and the Wardrobe 1995
Why it still holds upPicture icons for every action still make the commands easy to learn.
Twinsen's Little Big Adventure Classic 1994
Why it still holds upA world to roam at your own pace is still a good reason to start it.
Outcast 1999
Why it still holds upA world open in any order, where the locals remember how you behave, still leaves the choices to you today.
Disney's Aladdin 1993
Why it still holds upQuick jumps and a clear route through each stage make it an easy game to pick up now.
Ninja Warriors 1994
Why it still holds upThree androids with their own moves and a meter that clears the screen still give each stage a choice of how to fight.
Roll Away 1998
Also known as Kula World
Why it still holds upA ball that turns gravity as it rolls still makes each level a puzzle of its own today.
The Dagger of Amon Ra 1992
Why it still holds upA murder you have to solve from your own notes makes each playthrough a careful one.
Disney's The Jungle Book 1994
Why it still holds upA film-based adventure with its own mix of jumps and projectiles remains a lively choice today.
Ecstatica 1994
Why it still holds upReading each scene for yourself, with nothing to lean on, still makes this cursed and oddly funny town worth exploring now.
Wild Guns 1994
Why it still holds upYou still keep moving every second, dodging in the foreground while you shoot into the background.
Zork: Grand Inquisitor 1997
Why it still holds upThe jokes still make it a Zork that laughs, with supporting characters to step into.
Tenchu: Stealth Assassins 1998
Why it still holds upAnyone who likes to creep up on a guard can still do that here.
Contra III: The Alien Wars 1992
Why it still holds upIf you come to it now, expect two guns to choose between, and an easy setting with seven lives that makes the stages learnable.
Breath of Fire II 1994
Why it still holds upToday, a Monster Meter that warns you of fights lets you decide how far to push on.
Mole Mania 1996
Why it still holds upPlanning where to dig on each screen still takes real thought today.
Gabriel Knight 3: Blood of the Sacred, Blood of the Damned 1999
Why it still holds upChapters that let you do the required actions in any order still leave room to look around.
King's Quest VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow 1992
Why it still holds upWith several routes through so much of it, a return trip now can turn up something missed the first time.
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1999
Why it still holds upSwitching between two worlds to find a way forward is a puzzle idea that works as well now as ever.
Prehistorik 2 1993
Why it still holds upTen levels full of things to hit and find still reward a second look today.
Lunar: The Silver Star 1992
Why it still holds upBattles where characters walk to their targets and spells hit whole zones still reward positioning today.
Harvest Moon 1996
Why it still holds upA calm rhythm of small daily chores is as relaxing now as it ever was.
I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream 1995
Why it still holds upHaving the author of the story help design the game is a reason it is still worth seeking out.
Legend of Mana 1999
Why it still holds upBuilding the map to your liking is still a good reason to take a look today.
Simon the Sorcerer 1993
Why it still holds upA lighthearted evening with a parody of fairy tales is still a fine way to spend a few hours today.
Demon's Crest 1994
Why it still holds upA few hours of action that keeps rewarding a return visit makes it an easy pick up now.
Jet Force Gemini 1999
Why it still holds upPlayers who like a lot of shooting spread across varied worlds can still find a good change of pace in it.
Nights Into Dreams... 1996
Why it still holds upAt about an hour a run, it is short enough to try today, and the ranks give a reason to return.
Disney's Goof Troop 1993
Why it still holds upEven now, puzzle stages built for two make an easy game to share with a friend.
The Journeyman Project 3: Legacy of Time 1998
Why it still holds upThe disguise still lets a time traveler solve the past by pretending to belong to it.
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.
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.
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.
Final Fantasy V 1992
Why it still holds upChoosing a job for each party member still shapes every fight 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.
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.
Shivers 1995
Why it still holds upThe one slot still makes every capture a trip across the haunted museum with your hands full.
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.
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.
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.