Curse of the Azure Bonds 1989
Why it still holds upA party carried over from earlier games, or built fresh at a higher level, still keeps a long campaign personal today.
Games that still hold up today
Timeless games worth playing today
Games
Curse of the Azure Bonds 1989
Why it still holds upA party carried over from earlier games, or built fresh at a higher level, still keeps a long campaign personal today.
Colin McRae Rally 3 2002
Why it still holds upRacing alone to a co driver's voice still makes every stage a focused run.
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.
Herzog Zwei 1989
Why it still holds upThe mech is both your weapon and your only way of commanding, so each battle mixes arcade flying with strategy, and that blend is still its character.
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.
Wizorb 2011
Why it still holds upThere are more than 60 levels, and anyone who wants an absorbing afternoon of bricks and spells has a reason to play it today.
Wizball 1987
Why it still holds upPortals take you between the levels you have opened, so choosing where to go for which colour still makes each run something to plan as well as to shoot through.
Gunstar Super Heroes 2005
Also known as Gunstar Future Heroes
Why it still holds upStages reworked with new parts, and three guns to switch between, still give plenty to try today.
Treasure Island Dizzy 1988
Why it still holds upCollecting items and thinking about where to use them is the heart of it, and it is still a good puzzle to try.
Touhou Koumakyou: The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil 2002
Why it still holds upTwo characters with different weapons still make each run its own.
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time 2009
Why it still holds upSolving puzzles with your own recorded copies is a mechanic that is still worth trying.
Blaster Master: Enemy Below 2000
Why it still holds upUpgrades that open new entrances, and a key hidden in each area, still give the exploring a purpose today.
Pokémon Puzzle Challenge 2000
Why it still holds upSpeed and difficulty set separately and six modes still let you tune how hard it plays.
Binary Land 1983
Why it still holds upSteering two penguins at once is a puzzle that is still worth a try.
Jeanne d'Arc 2006
Why it still holds upToday, the affinities and the aura make the choice of who attacks whom clear.
Rakuen 2017
Why it still holds upA story about music and friends still makes a gentle game to play.
MechAssault 2002
Why it still holds upPiloting a giant walking tank still turns each mission into a duel of machines.
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.
Klonoa 2: Dream Champ Tournament 2002
Why it still holds upControls and level design that never feel unfair make it a straightforward platformer to pick up now.
M.U.L.E. 1983
Why it still holds upEvery trade is still a two sided decision, with rivals who depend on each other.
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.
Forza Motorsport 3 2009
Why it still holds upOne hundred track variations make up 220 events over six racing seasons, and a rewind system still lets you take back a mistake.
Wonder Boy: Monster Land 1987
Why it still holds upA quest for a stronger sword and a few more hearts is still a fine way to pass an hour.
Second Sight 2004
Why it still holds upPsychic powers include throwing enemies and taking control of their minds, but the power bar drains quickly, which still pushes you toward weapons.
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire 2003
Why it still holds upForgiving saves and a long list of Pokémon to catch still make it an easy way into pinball.
H.E.R.O. 1984
Why it still holds upDark mineshafts to fly through, with dynamite to light the way, still make every rescue worth trying today.
Wario Land 3 2000
Why it still holds upA world map that sends you back to every level with new abilities still makes each return worth it today.
Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner 2003
Why it still holds upFast, furious fights in short stages still make it a game to replay for better ranks.
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.
Fantasy World Dizzy 1989
Why it still holds upEach screen is still a small test of thinking and surviving at once, with puzzles and hazards in balance.
Alto's Adventure 2015
Why it still holds upA quiet descent with one button is still easy to relax into.
Grandia II 2000
Why it still holds upShort dungeons with puzzles of rising water and glyphs still keep the journey moving.
Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim 2000
Why it still holds upEvery order is still a price today: you place buildings and offer gold, and the heroes decide whether the job is worth taking.
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.
The Mysterious Murasame Castle 1986
Why it still holds upEven now, power ups are few, so you rely on your own action skills more than anything else.
Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Duel Academy 2005
Why it still holds upTutorials and quizzes that teach the real rules still make it a way into the card game today.
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.
The Bard's Tale II: The Destiny Knight 1986
Why it still holds upCombat that changes with distance and with the party's growth still makes each fight a question of who stands where.
Octopath Traveler 2018
Why it still holds upEight stories and a party you assemble let you decide the order of your journey, and that freedom still shapes how you play.
Parkitect 2018
Why it still holds upHiding the work behind the fun still gives each park a backstage to plan as well as a front.
Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones 2005
Why it still holds upWall-running through a palace is a movement that is still worth practicing.
Project Gotham Racing 2001
Why it still holds upPoints for style as well as speed still turn each lap into a performance.