Gaming has made so much progress over the past couple of decades with games of today looking almost like Hollywood movies. We have come a long way from the days of Lara Croft and her pyramid proportions and the clunky N64 movements of yesteryear.
With the huge variety of games available today, from fun to unusual games, it is so easy to forget just how many classics have been relegated to history when at one time they were the best money could buy.
In this piece, we will take a look at 10 amazing video games you once loved.
GoldenEye 007
Kicking things off with an absolute classic, this 1997 shooter is based on the movie of the same name, released 2 years prior. One of the highest-scoring games on Metacritic with 96/100, this video game defied expectations and sold in excess of 8 million units, making it the third highest-selling game ever on the N64.
The game’s plot centered around Bond as the player has to complete multiple missions with the aim of preventing an organization from causing a financial disaster in London with the use of a satellite weapon. While the campaign is a classic, the multiplayer mode is what etched it into history with the deathmatch mode laying the foundations for today.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
The fourth game in the critically acclaimed The Elder Scrolls series, Oblivion was released in 2006 on Windows, Xbox 360, and Playstation 3. Consistently scoring above 90% on almost every video game review site, Oblivion is reported to have sold around 10 million copies worldwide and still enjoys a cult following to this day thanks to the brilliant gameplay.
The game’s plot centers around a prisoner who is handed a mysterious amulet by the imperial emperor as he attempts to flee the city following a brewing revolution instigated by his enemies. The game’s hero must find the emperor’s illegitimate son and help prevent the in-game world from being ruined by mysterious forces from beyond the ether.
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
One of the best and most enjoyable racing games of all time, Most Wanted was released in 2005 and received critical acclaim upon release. For a game from 2005, the graphics were incredible and it had an AI which made your opponents progressively more difficult as you progressed through the campaign.
The aim of the game is to race against and beat Rockport’s most talented and most wanted racers so that you gain infamy and eventually become the most wanted. One of the most enjoyable parts of the game though is the free roam mode which allows you to complete challenges and engage in chases with the police.
Metroid
Metroid is a 1986 action-adventure video game developed and published by Nintendo for the NES. It was created by Japanese video game designer Yoshio Sakamoto and his team at Nintendo.
The game is the first installment in the Metroid series and introduced many elements that would become synonymous with the franchise, such as the exploration of a non-linear world, the acquisition of new abilities that allow access to previously inaccessible areas, and a focus on stealth and resource management.
Metroid follows the adventures of intergalactic bounty hunter Samus Aran as she attempts to thwart the plans of the evil Space Pirate leader Ridley. The game is noted for its atmosphere, challenging gameplay, and use of an open-ended world that encourages exploration.
Destroy All Humans!
Another game released in 2005, THQ’s Destroy All Humans! is a classic and holds up quite well even today thanks to the oddly likable character and funny pop culture references. The success of the game spawned an entire franchise with there being a number of sequels. Don’t be put off by the name though, it’s super fun and doesn’t take itself too seriously.
A personal favorite, this game is still enjoyable today. It is incredibly fun because you can play lots of challenges and have fun exploring the in-world locations. You can practice your telekinetic skills and see how far you can launch almost any object – people and farmyard animals included. If you’re after a good time, this game is one for you!
Skate 3
The third and currently final game in the popular Skate series, Skate 3 still enjoys a small cult following today thanks to its huge success at the time of release, coming out in 2007. The game has undergone somewhat of a resurgence because it has proven to be a great way to pass time over the past couple of years because of how accessible it is and how easy it is to play.
The game allows you to explore the massive map and complete various challenges and gain points for doing the most audacious skate tricks wherever you can find a ramp or a rail. Fans have begged for a sequel for the best part of a decade and in 2020 EA announced one, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled for any more news. No rush EA, we can wait…
Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30
During a time when these kinds of video games were all the rage, Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30 stands out as one of the best thanks to its engaging storyline and challenging missions. GameSpot called it “one of the best gaming experiences to date.” It differs from other games because of the plot and character development that is central to it.
The game recreated real missions conducted by the 502nd Parachute Regiment and the infamous 101st Airborne Division, doing a great job at portraying the real experiences of
people during this period. It was truly ahead of its time. If you’re after a video game that depicts real-life events in a way that is mostly accurate, you’ll love this.
Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros. is a 1985 platform video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The game was created by Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto and his team at Nintendo. It is the first installment in the Super Mario series and the most iconic and widely recognized video game franchise of all time.
Super Mario Bros. is a 2D sidescrolling platformer where the player controls Mario or his brother Luigi through various levels in order to rescue Princess Toadstool from Bowser. The game is famous for its tight controls, simple but effective graphics, and catchy music.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Considered by many to be the best RPG video game of all time, this PC classic was an expansion of the now-defunct Star Wars expanded universe and met with overwhelmingly
positive reviews, winning numerous game of the year awards. It’s so fun to play because of the impressive world-building element and the plethora of in-game NPC characters.
Released in 2003, the game has enjoyed continued interest from new generations of gamers and as a result of this continued interest, the game will be getting remade for PC and PS5. It’s loved by so many even today with the sequel, known by fans as KOTOR 2, enjoying an even bigger following because of the storyline that is considered to be semi-canon.
Halo 3
Seen by many as the greatest FPS of all time, Halo 3, unsurprisingly, is the third installment in the Halo franchise and was released in 2007. A hugely popular aspect of the game was the Forge element which allowed players to create or customize their own maps to play with their friends on multiplayer. Many think that this was the best aspect of the video game.
When Microsoft announced in 2020 that the Halo 3 online servers will be shutting down in 2021, there was a huge reaction online – highlighting just how loved this game still is. Don’t worry though, the franchise is still hugely popular today with the latest series installment having been released in 2021 to critical acclaim despite the lack of an offline campaign mode.
The one’s I have played, I have not forgotten