So many gamers are 90s children, and what an era that was to grow up in. You may even have had the pleasure of introducing a new generation to some of your childhood games. If you have, or you plan to, the key is to choose titles carefully. For the benefit of discerning young gamers in the making, it's vital to bear in mind that some titles from the 90s have aged far, far better than others. There are some games from your childhood that you should never replay, and others that are as fun as ever despite their age.
Here are some of the very best games from the 90s, from a wide range of systems and genres, that are still a treat to play decades later. This isn't to say that they don't show their age in places (some more than others), as we'll discuss, but that this doesn't detract too much from a great time.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic's Super Sequel
The original Sonic the Hedgehog was an enormous success on arrival in 1991. Its high-speed action offered an entirely different platforming feel to Mario's own early adventures, and the excellent music and presentation immediately cemented Sonic as a true alternative and rival to the platformer king himself. What the sequel needed to do, then, was not detract from any of that, but also not to simply retread the same territory.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is still, for many, the high point of the series, never matched despite the many different directions the games have tried since. Intuitive and satisfying to control, with the beloved addition of Tails and varied roster of new zones (and Eggman contraptions), it's as fun as ever.
Streets of Rage 2
Mechanical Improvements Go A Long Way
Sega's original Street of Rage is the epitome of simple, effective arcade action. In this scrolling beat 'em up, the player character can perform a simple combo, a jump attack, swing weapons found in the environments, or throw their foes. Returning to the original today, then, this limited moveset can make it feel rather repetitive. There's a reason why Streets of Rage 2 is so well-regarded, and it's the rather more robust combat system.
The returning and debuting cast members each have unique special moves, but they have to be balanced carefully with regular attacks, because a little HP is expended with each use. It doesn't complicate the action, nor the overarching plot of defeating Mr X's goons and liberating Wood Oak City once more, but it just adds an incredibly satisfying and strategic layer to combat. This is, arguably, the perfect beat 'em up, blending its more involved action with dramatically improved visuals and one of the most outstanding soundtracks of its era.
Doom
Ripping And Tearing Never Gets Old
The metallic shriek of the doors as they open with a key card. The sound of an imp's fireballs blazing towards you. The blast of a shotgun. Doom's very sound effects are indelibly etched on the brains of a generation. The series has evolved in all kinds of fascinating ways since 1993, with the rebooted series introducing mechanics from grisly glory kills to crunching shield bashes, but there's something special about the original title, something simple, pure, and primal.
Fans have battled across the Martian moon of Phobos and into hell countless times (surely on a wide range of devices over the years), but it never gets old. In fact, as you learn the most efficient paths through levels and the locations of the various secrets, it gets better with each replay. Mechanically, it's extremely simple today, but each blast from the game's arsenal of iconic weapons is as impactful and satisfying as it ever was.
Worms Armageddon
Still The Greatest Slice Of Wormy Warfare Ever?
Worms is another series that has taken all kinds of different directions since its introduction in 1995. It's ventured into the third dimension, branched out into Worms Golf and Worms Pinball, and even tried its hand at being an entirely different kind of shooter in the shape of Worms Rumble. Even so, Worms Armageddon grew from a humble expansion of Worms 2 (which introduced the characteristic detailed and colorful cartoony visuals of the former) into one of the most beloved entries of all. There's a good reason why this title was selected for a re-release in 2024, in the shape of Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition.
The series is primarily about multiplayer action, and while Armageddon is amply equipped for that, it also made a bold effort at providing something substantial for solo players to tackle. Deathmatch and the campaign will both challenge skilled players. Even if you're just in it for the chaotic party action with friends, the wild new weapons like Freeze and the Concrete Donkey will ensure you have a blast. With excellent presentation and so many customization options, this one's still so much fun to revisit.
Super Mario World
True 2D Platforming Royalty
The New Super Mario Bros. games are sometimes derided for being formulaic and playing it safe. It's important to note, though, that this is partially because of Nintendo's expert touch with 2D platformers in the first place. These titles are known for excellent level design and varied, inventive, and fun worlds. They are also designed to cater to younger and/or less experienced players, while still having myriad secret routes and unlockable difficult levels for those who want to test themselves. All of these factors define Super Mario World.
Originally launching in Japan in 1990, the game tells the tale of yet another Princess Peach (Toadstool) kidnapping from Bowser. The setting this time is Dinosaur Land, a realm through which Mario can traverse using new power-ups like the famed Cape Feather. New movement options like this allowed the developers to create more intricate, involved stages, and veterans may well have memorized the Warp Whistle locations and secret exits hidden within them. It's a game that rewards curiosity and exploration, as the best platformers do, and is still a joy to run through whether it's for the first or tenth time.
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This article originally appeared on GameRant and is republished here with permission.
