Mega Man Zero 4 2005
Why it still holds upChoosing the weather and the order of eight stages still gives you a say in how hard each one is today.
Side-view games that still hold up
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Games
Mega Man Zero 4 2005
Why it still holds upChoosing the weather and the order of eight stages still gives you a say in how hard each one is today.
Lords of Thunder 1993
Why it still holds upChoosing the order of the stages and which armor to wear still gives each run a plan.
World Cup 98 1998
Why it still holds upPlaying through the real groups and stadiums still makes each match feel part of a bigger event.
Tiny Thief 2013
Why it still holds upThe levels are short and cleverly built, which still makes it suited to a few minutes of play at a time.
Popful Mail: Magical Fantasy Adventure 1991
Why it still holds upThree heroes to switch between at any time still give each world its own way through.
Shaman King: Master of Spirits 2004
Why it still holds upGuardian Ghosts to call on still make each area different to explore.
Donkey Kong Land III 1997
Why it still holds upTwo Kongs with different abilities and hidden bonuses give each stage reasons to look around today.
VVVVVV 2010
Why it still holds upThe flip is still the one verb, with four hundred rooms built on it.
Knightmare II: The Maze of Galious 1987
Why it still holds upThe hub is open from the start and items decide where you can go next, so finding the way still takes exploring.
Dragon Ball: Advanced Adventure 2004
Why it still holds upA one on one mode with a roster of 30 characters still gives it more to do after the story.
Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time 2005
Why it still holds upFour heroes split into pairs, with timing in every battle, still make it worth picking up today.
Wario Land II 1998
Why it still holds upWith no way to die and no clock, you can explore and work out what each form does at your own pace, even now.
SoulCalibur VI 2018
Why it still holds upToday, a defense that turns into a slow motion exchange gives each fight a moment of reading your opponent.
Patapon 2007
Why it still holds upKeeping the beat still decides how hard the tribe fights today.
Ninja Five-O 2003
Why it still holds upA grappling hook and only a few hits of health still make each level a careful swing today.
Fantasy Zone 1986
Why it still holds upIt still has a rhythm of its own, from flying both ways and spending between waves.
Rocket Knight Adventures 1993
Why it still holds upThe rocket pack, charged and bounced off walls, still offers plenty of ways through a stage.
Katana Zero 2019
Why it still holds upBecause one hit decides every room, each room is still a short puzzle to plan and then carry out.
Operation C 1991
Why it still holds upAlternating side and top views over five stages still makes a compact run and gun.
Super Hexagon 2012
Why it still holds upSixty seconds is still the win today, and each loss takes five seconds.
Rick Dangerous 1989
Why it still holds upTrial and error with hidden traps is still how a player learns it today.
Deponia Doomsday 2016
Why it still holds upA time machine that undoes your mistakes still suits a puzzle game well.
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2014
Why it still holds upTwo puzzle games in one match still make every duel a swap of styles.
Kathy Rain 2016
Why it still holds upA mystery told at the pace of a small town is still easy to follow.
The Legendary Axe 1988
Why it still holds upThe choice between swinging at once and waiting for a full charge still gives every fight a small decision today.
R-Type II 1989
Why it still holds upCheckpoints and a charged cannon make each section something to learn and retry, and that rhythm is still how it plays.
Viewtiful Joe 2003
Why it still holds upEven now, a gauge that limits how long you can bend the action makes each fight a decision about when to spend it.
Kirby's Dream Land 2 1995
Why it still holds upStolen powers and three friends with their own abilities leave a lot to try in the stages even now.
Rayman Fiesta Run 2013
Why it still holds upA game drawn like the big ones and steered with one thumb still fits a phone today.
World of Goo 2008
Why it still holds upStructures that have to hold their own weight still make each level a puzzle worth solving today.
Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty 2014
Why it still holds upWith the ending decided by how many are saved, every one of them is still worth finding 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.
Luftrausers 2014
Why it still holds upBuilding a plane that suits you still makes each short run worth another try.
Vampire: Master of Darkness 1992
Why it still holds upA gothic mood and a doctor with a cane still give it a flavor of its own.
Drill Dozer 2005
Why it still holds upA drill with two directions and gears to find in each level still makes every wall a question.
Tetris 1985
Why it still holds upPieces that keep falling faster, with only lines to save you, still make every game a race against the stack today.
Unravel 2016
Why it still holds upThe thread is still both the hero's tool and his limit, the same piece of string.
The NewZealand Story 1988
Why it still holds upIt is still worth looking around the big mazes before rushing for the exit.
Trine Enchanted Edition 2014
Why it still holds upThe online play still brings the first Trine's puzzles to the second's engine, with a friend on another continent.
The Red Strings Club 2018
Why it still holds upBartending, pottery and phone calls still give a story about happiness three different ways of playing.
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.
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.
Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master 1993
Why it still holds upLevels that keep changing how you move still give it variety.
Neighbours from Hell 2003
Why it still holds upA prank puzzle filmed for television is a clear premise, and it still is.
Astrologaster 2019
Why it still holds upHistory told as comedy, one client at a time, still suits a short evening today.