Super Metroid 1994
Why it still holds upThe world is still the reason to go back today, made to be explored from its silent, empty start.
1990s shooters that still hold up
From cover, from the hip, and from a side-scrolling jet
Games
Super Metroid 1994
Why it still holds upThe world is still the reason to go back today, made to be explored from its silent, empty start.
Metal Gear Solid 1998
Why it still holds upSeeing and being seen are still the whole game today, and an art style that works with the hardware's limits keeps it looking and playing well.
Half-Life 1998
Why it still holds upThe story told without cutscenes keeps it fresh to play now, and its soldiers still change how a gunfight plays.
System Shock 2 1999
Why it still holds upThe skill system and the atmosphere keep it worth playing now, since you build your character through choices aboard a ship that feels lived in.
Doom 1993
Why it still holds upIts level design and its atmosphere are why it is worth playing now: each maze is a place you learn, and the claustrophobic rooms keep the pace fast.
GoldenEye 007 1997
Why it still holds upOpen levels with objectives that change by difficulty, plus the multiplayer, still hold it up today.
Doom II: Hell on Earth 1994
Why it still holds upEach map is a place to explore, with its own layout, secrets and mix of enemies, and the three settings give each stretch its own look.
Mega Man X 1993
Why it still holds upPrecise controls and bosses with distinct movement patterns, where beating one changes how you fight the others, make it worth playing now.
Star Fox 64 1997
Why it still holds upRoutes that branch and medals to earn still give a short campaign reasons to replay today.
System Shock 1994
Why it still holds upWeapons that suit different enemies, and cameras you can disable to lower SHODAN's security level, still leave the station open to your own plan today.
Resident Evil 2 1998
Why it still holds upScarce ammo and limited saves force routing decisions, and four scenarios retell one story, which is the reason to play it now.
Unreal Tournament 1999
Why it still holds upTwo firing modes on most weapons, bots you can command and mutators that change the rules still give each match room to vary today.
Quake III Arena 1999
Why it still holds upWeapons with clear roles and feedback that makes them feel good still give every match a readable rhythm today.
Worms Armageddon 1999
Why it still holds upA large arsenal in which each weapon behaves differently still makes every match different today.
Mega Man X4 1997
Why it still holds upTwo heroes built so differently still make each stage a different problem today, and a second playthrough feels new.
Contra: Hard Corps 1994
Why it still holds upDifferent characters and different routes still give each new run its own shape today.
Mega Man X2 1994
Why it still holds upBosses that are weak to each other's weapons make the order you choose the main puzzle, so a second run is still worth a try.
Duke Nukem 3D 1996
Why it still holds upEach level is still worth poking around, with routes through ducts and sewers and objects that react when you use them.
Quake II 1997
Why it still holds upToday the campaign gives you a structure that is clear to follow, with mission objectives and a hub to move between large levels.
Star Wars: TIE Fighter 1994
Why it still holds upPower shared out as you fly still keeps each dogfight a matter of choices today.
Quake 1996
Why it still holds upFull 3D levels, enemies with distinct roles and rocket jumping still make exploring and fighting feel like one thing today.
Jurassic Park 1993
Why it still holds upA hunt that makes its biggest dinosaur something to dodge, not to shoot, still gives each level some tension today.
Metal Slug 1996
Why it still holds upAnimation that answers everything you do still gives each level its pace today.
Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance 1999
Why it still holds upCrews you can fill and hangars you return to make each battle more than a single run today.
Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Dark Forces II 1997
Why it still holds upChoosing which kind of power to grow still gives each run a shape of its own.
Star Fox 1993
Why it still holds upEveryone still becomes a careful flyer, since a clipped obstacle can break a wing off your ship.
Metal Slug 2 1998
Why it still holds upA fight that never stops, in scenery you can blow apart, still makes each level a rush toward the boss.
Jurassic Park 1993
Why it still holds upPlaying as the raptor still gives the island a second point of view.
Turrican II: The Final Fight 1991
Why it still holds upEvery world is still a place to explore and to listen to, with big labyrinth levels and a score of their own.
RoboCop Versus the Terminator 1994
Why it still holds upIt is still a clean run and gun today, because the controls answer at once and the scenery gives you a reason to keep shooting.
Bucky O'Hare 1992
Why it still holds upThe opening still gives you freedom, with four planets in any order and a team you can switch between.
Alien vs. Predator 1994
Why it still holds upFour fighters who reload in different ways still make the choice of character matter.
Zombies Ate My Neighbors 1993
Why it still holds upEach level still has a job to finish, a hunt for neighbors across horror movie settings.
Wolfenstein 3D 1992
Why it still holds upHunting for secret rooms and beating a par time still give each level a reason to be played again.
MechWarrior 3 1999
Why it still holds upA loadout you build yourself, and supplies on bases that can be destroyed, turn every mission into a question of what to carry today.
Outlaws 1997
Why it still holds upThe hardest level still forces a different style of play.
Red Baron 1990
Why it still holds upFlying biplanes against an ace is still a good chase.
Liero 1998
Why it still holds upDigging through a map while a rope swings you around is still a good way to settle a duel.
Resident Evil 3: Nemesis 1999
Why it still holds upManaging a limited inventory under pressure is a tension that players can still feel.
Worms 2 1997
Why it still holds upA match among friends is the kind of game that works as well now as before.
Wing Commander: Prophecy 1997
Why it still holds upBasic and advanced controls let you choose between airplane like handling and full control of each axis even now.
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.
Blood 1997
Why it still holds upWeapons with two modes to try on every enemy still make each fight a small experiment today.
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.
Gunstar Heroes 1993
Why it still holds upStages that switch formats and weapons you can combine are still what keep it varied today.
Turrican 1990
Why it still holds upWide levels that reward exploring over rushing still make it worth a look now.
Wild Guns 1994
Why it still holds upYou still keep moving every second, dodging in the foreground while you shoot into the background.
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear 1999
Why it still holds upPlanning a raid where one bullet is enough still has a pull today.
First person corridors, run and gun side scrollers and cockpits in space all share this page. Many of them are as good with a friend as alone, whether on a split screen, over a network or on the same sofa.