Nostalgia

The 90s were a golden era for PC gaming, a time when groundbreaking genres took shape and digital worlds enchanted us in ways we'd never experienced before. Think back to times when strategy sessions with Command &amp; Conquer consumed entire weekends or when the quirky narrative of Grim Fandango had us glued to our screens. Those days of gaming glory don't need to be tucked away in nostalgia's vault, especially since digital platforms like Steam have now made it a breeze to dive back into these retro favorites.This list, meticulously curated by PC gaming aficionados, rounds up 35 of the finest games from the 90s that still capture our imaginations. Each game brought something special to the table upon its release and has left an indelible mark on gaming history. Granted, while some have withstood the test of time more gracefully than others, they all embody a certain nostalgic charm that resonates with those who were there when these titles first hit the scene.Examine these 35 nostalgia-packed games and make your voice heard. Upvote the 90s PC games that you think remain outstanding gems worthy of today's screens, and downvote the ones that don't quite stand the test of time. Your votes will guide new gamers on which classics are a must-play and which they might pass on. Join us in this retro gaming journey to celebrate the games that paved the way for the modern masterpieces we enjoy today.

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36 Classic PC Games From The '90s That Still Hold Up

Video Games

The 35+ Best Classic '90s Computer Games, Ranked by Fans

Kyle Townsend

Game Boy Advance

If you gamed as a kid, there's a good chance the Game Boy was a staple of your childhood. The handheld console went through nine different iterations and came out in dozens of colors, and its library was consistently amazing with each new generation. Released in 2001, The Game Boy Advance was the next logical step in the Game Boy line, featuring (slightly) better graphics packed into an ultra-slim&nbsp;and sleek design. And while there were <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-game-boy-advance-rpgs/ranker-games" target="_blank">plenty of great games</a> released during the GBA’s 13-year reign as handheld console king, there are plenty of underrated <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/nintendo-game-boy-advance-games-list-of-gba-sp-titles/video-games-by-console?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Game Boy Advance games</a> that are definitely worth picking up today.While the Game Boy Advance gave us classics like Metroid Fusion, <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-pokemon-gameboy-video-games/ranker-games" target="_blank">Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire</a>, and Final Fantasy Tactics, there were tons of other, equally as exciting games that were forgotten by the masses. Rebelstar: Tactical Command and Lady Sia are both great examples.Vote up all the overlooked and underappreciated Game Boy Advance games you think deserve more attention, and vote down the titles you think are best forgotten.

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The Most Underrated Game Boy Advance Games Of All Time

The 40+ Most Underrated Game Boy Advance Games, Ranked

Lists that rank the best, most addictive, most compelling, most punishing games in all genres for players at every level of experience.

The Best and Worst of Gaming

Video Game Genres

Arguably the best type of game to sit back,&nbsp;unwind, and beat the living daylights out of a few friends (or AI opponents), fighting games have been a staple in gaming since the early Atari days. But while a handful of&nbsp;franchises have <a href="/list/best-nintendo-64-fighting-games/reference" target="_blank">dominated&nbsp;the arena</a> for decades, there are literally dozens of great&nbsp;&#39;90s&nbsp;fighting games that still hold up today.&nbsp;

While classic old school fighting games like&nbsp;Street Fighter II Turbo and&nbsp;Tekken 3&nbsp;still rock, for every Mortal Kombat&nbsp;there are plenty of other great retro fighting games that either fell by the wayside or have all but faded into gaming obscurity. The 16- and 32-bit eras were prime real estate for tournament fighters, and while the <a href="/list/best-playstation-fighting-games/reference" target="_blank">PlayStation 1</a>&nbsp;had its fair share of great games, the <a href="/list/best-nintendo-64-fighting-games/reference" target="_blank">N64</a> also held its own. And we can&#39;t forget about all those great retro Sega and SNES&nbsp;fighters.

From Eternal Champions and Killer Instinct to X-Men vs. Street Fighter and Samuri Showdon, vote up all your favorite classic&nbsp;fighting games to see which vintage fighter is still the king of the ring.

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The 20 Best '90s Fighting Games, Ranked

SNES gaming has made it through the generations

Best Games for Super Nintendo

These are the all-time best RPG games, including both tactical and action role-playing games across multiple platforms and franchises. 

RPGs: Role-Playing Games

SNES

The best Super <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-nintendo-switch-rpgs/ranker-games?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Nintendo RPG games</a> introduced a generation of gamers to the term RPG.&nbsp;There&#39;s something about role-playing games that really capture your imagination and make you feel like you&#39;re part of another world. Your party always has colorful characters, the abilities you gain along the way are amazing, and boss battles are usually <a href="/list/hardest-snes-games/kyle-townsend" target="_blank">nothing short of epic</a>. With so many great options to choose from, there was never a shortage of games to play for fans of the genre. Since some games were much better than others, we&#39;ve decided to rank the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-super-nintendo-_snes_-games?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword" target="_blank">top SNES</a> RPGs of all time.

This list features the most popular and best-selling RPGs that were released for Super Nintendo. While many of these games were console exclusive, we&#39;re allowing non-exclusives to be a part of the list as well. Popular games featured on this list include everything from&nbsp;SNES&nbsp;classics like&nbsp;Chrono Trigger to Lufia &amp; the Fortress of Doom, and more. Vote up all your favorite <a href="/crowdranked-list/video-games-that-should-be-movies?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">video games</a> below.

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The 60+ Best SNES RPGs, Ranked

The 60+ Best SNES RPGs, Ranked By Fans

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Nintendo DS

Nintendo’s mini handheld system released some great games, but there are plenty of obscure and underrated DS games that are worth a second look. Upon its initial release in 2004, the Nintendo DS took the&nbsp;industry by storm. Having two screens may have seemed a bit gimmicky to some, but the feature was used to create some truly unique game mechanics that were both inventive and unable to be replicated <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-nintendo-ds-rpgs/ranker-games" target="_blank">on any other platform</a>.&nbsp;While the DS was redefining how we thought <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-handheld-consoles/bradsmith" target="_blank">about handheld consoles,</a> it also defined many of our childhoods. Games like Nintendogs and&nbsp;Animal Crossing&nbsp;were instant classics every time a new version was released, but there were also games like&nbsp;Infinite Spacekinds and&nbsp;Puzzle Quest that also deserve some forgotten praise.Vote up all the overlooked and underappreciated Nintendo DS games you think deserve more attention, and vote down the titles you think are best forgotten.

The Most Underrated Nintendo DS Games Of All Time

The 40+ Most Underrated Nintendo DS Games Of All Time

Best Games for Playstation 2

PlayStation 2

The PlayStation 2 will go down as one of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-playstation-consoles/kyle-townsend">best consoles ever made</a>, not only as one of the all-time best-sellers to this day, but also because of its legacy in terms of the quality of games it had in its library. From stealth adventures to 3D platformers to JRPGs and more, the PS2 has dozens of classics and hidden gems that gamers are still playing decades later. What are your picks for the most underrated PS2 games of all time?&nbsp;Many of the titles are still well known, as they began or continued on a now popular franchise, but there are plenty of others that deserve a little bit more love. From cult classics like Ōkami to action-adventure games like Red Dead Revolver, the PS2 had an amazing library.Vote up the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-sony-playstation-2-games/video-games-by-console?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">all PS2 games</a> you feel are criminally underrated, that way other gamers can give them a little more love.

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The Most Underrated PlayStation 2 Games That Deserve More Attention

The 30+ Most Underrated PS2 Games, Ranked By Gamers

What's going on in the land of the rising sun? Well, where do we start...

Meanwhile, In Japan...

Japan

Your local arcade may have boarded up its doors a few decades ago, but in Japan, arcades are as popular as ever. It should come as no surprise you can find some of the coolest arcades in the world in Tokyo, a gamer’s paradise. With its neon lights, endless sprawl, countless nooks and crannies, and chaotic crowds, Tokyo itself feels a bit like a video game.Though Tokyo is the center of Japan's arcade culture, most Japanese towns have at least one arcade, known as a gesen (a shortened, <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Japanize" target="_blank">Japanized</a> version of the English phrase “game center”). After a long day at work or school, many head to the arcade to play a game of pachinko, take pictures with friends at the photo sticker booth, or reclaim their high score at a favorite game. Whether you’re looking for a casino-sized arcade with vibrant lights and the latest games or a quiet space housing vintage favorites like Pacman, Japan is your go-to place for some of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/video-games-beat-at-the-arcade/loganrapp?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best arcades in the world</a>.

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The 13 Coolest Japanese Arcades You Have to See to Believe

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Coolest Games for Xbox 360

Retro Gaming

If you owned an Xbox 360 at any time during your life, then it&#39;s safe to say there were probably a few <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-playstation-racing-games/ranker-games" target="_blank">rad racing games</a> in your collection.&nbsp;Since some games were much better than others, we&#39;ve decided to rank the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-xbox-360-games/video-games-by-console?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best Xbox 360</a> racing games of all time. If driving fast cars is your thing, then get behind the wheel and try out some of these fantastic games. What do you think were the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/all-racing-games-list/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">top 10 racing games</a> for the 360?

This list features the most popular and best-selling car and motorcycle games that were released for Xbox 360. While many of these games were console exclusives, we&#39;re allowing non-exclusives to be a part of the list as well.&nbsp;Colin McRae: Dirt 2&nbsp;and Need for Speed: Most Wanted are two good examples of epic racers, as well as&nbsp;Forza Motorsport 4 and&nbsp;Burnout Paradise.

Vote for your <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-popular-video-games-today/ranker-games" target="_blank">favorite video games</a> below.

Colin McRae: Dirt 2

The 40+ Top Xbox 360 Racing Games, Ranked

The 40+ Top Xbox 360 Racing Games, Ranked By Fans

Grab your flashlight, dim the lights, and twiddle your thumbs in terror as we rank the scariest video games and series in history. Wait...did you hear that?

Seriously Scary Video Games

If you owned an Xbox 360 at any time during your life, then it&#39;s safe to say there were probably a few horror games in your collection. After all, the improved graphics on the X360 made the&nbsp;atmosphere&nbsp;in these games even more terrifying.&nbsp;Is there anything better than a scary video game that will make you jump out of your skin as you play it? The games on this list pit you against zombies, mutants, animals, and even other humans that are bent on killing you. Since some games were much better than others, we&#39;ve decided to rank <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-xbox-360-games/video-games-by-console?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">the best Xbox 360</a> horror games of all time. Which releases&nbsp;do you think belong in the top 10 scariest 360 games?

This list features the most popular and best-selling horror games that were <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-xbox-360-rpgs/reference" target="_blank">released on the Xbox 360</a>. While many of these games were console exclusive, we&#39;re allowing non-exclusives to be a part of the list as well. Popular games include horror classics like&nbsp;Resident Evil 5 and Dead Space. Vote for your <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-games-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">favorite video games</a> below.

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The 40 Scariest Games on Xbox 360

The 40 Scariest Games on Xbox 360, Ranked By Fans

If you owned an Xbox 360 at any time during your life, then it&#39;s safe to say there were probably a few fighting games in your collection. Since Microsoft improved the controller design from the original Xbox, playing fighting games on the 360 felt smoother and more comfortable. With challenging combos and finishing moves to pull off, fighting games are some of the best multiplayer games you can get your hands on. Franchises like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat made the genre famous, but today there are a plethora of others that are just as fun. Since some games were much better than others, we&#39;ve decided to rank the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-xbox-360-games/video-games-by-console?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best Xbox 360</a> fighting games of all time. Which&nbsp;fighters do you think belong in the top 10?

This list&nbsp;features the most popular and best-selling&nbsp;fighting games that were released for Xbox 360. While many of these games were console exclusive, we&#39;re allowing non-exclusives to be a part of the list as well. Examples of items on this poll include Marvel vs Capcom 3 and Tekken 6. Vote for your <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-games-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">favorite video games</a> below.

Virtua Fighter 5

The 50+ Best Xbox 360 Battle Games

The 50+ Best Xbox 360 Battle Games, Ranked By Fans

XBox

If you owned an Xbox 360 at any time during your life, then it&#39;s safe to say there were probably a few RPGs in your collection. There&#39;s something about role-playing games that really capture&nbsp;your imagination and make&nbsp;you feel like you&#39;re part of another world. Your party always has colorful characters, the abilities you gain along the way are amazing, and boss battles are usually nothing short of epic&mdash;well, usually. With so many great options to choose from, there was never a shortage of games to play for fans of the genre. Since some games were much better than others, we&#39;ve decided to rank the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-xbox-360-games/video-games-by-console?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best Xbox 360</a> RPGs of all time.&nbsp;

This list&nbsp;features the most popular and best-selling RPGs that were released for Xbox 360. While many of these games were console exclusive, we&#39;re allowing non-exclusives to be a part of the list as well. Popular 360 RPGs include everything from sci-fi action games like&nbsp;Fallout 3 and fantasy epics like&nbsp;Skyrim&nbsp;and more. Vote up all your <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-games-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">favorite video games</a> below.

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The 70+ Best Xbox 360 RPGs, Ranked

The 70+ Best Xbox 360 RPGs, Ranked By Fans

Lists that rank the best sports video games ever across every sport and gaming platform.

Play Sports with Your Thumbs

If you owned an Xbox 360 at any time during your life, then it&#39;s safe to say there were probably a few football games in your collection. Whether it&#39;s NFL or NCAA college football, taking the role of quarterback and slinging touchdown passes to teammates is one of the greatest joys a video game can bring you. With so many great options to choose from, there was never a shortage of games to play for fans of the genre. Since some games were much better than others, we&#39;ve decided to rank the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-xbox-360-games/video-games-by-console?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best Xbox 360</a> football games of all time. The X360 has always had the some of the best gameplay in when it comes to sports games, and the football games on the console are some of the best ever made.

This list features the most popular and best-selling football games that were released for Xbox 360. While many of these games were console exclusive, we&#39;re allowing non-exclusives to be a part of the list as well. Games featured on this list include everything from Cyberball to Backbreaker to Madden NFL and more. Vote for your <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-games-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">favorite video games</a> below.

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The Best Xbox 360 Football Games

Xbox 360 Football Games, Ranked Best to Worst

Ever seen The Office? Think 'Second Life'

Best Simulator Video Games

If you owned an Xbox 360 at any time during your life, then it&#39;s safe to say there were probably a few <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-ps3-flight-simulator-games/ranker-games" target="_blank">flight simulator games</a> in your collection.&nbsp;From air combat to helicopter and jet simulators, some of the greatest flying&nbsp;games in the genre were released on the 360. Since some games were much better than others, we&#39;ve decided to rank the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-xbox-360-games/video-games-by-console?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best Xbox 360</a> flight simulator games of all time. Since some games were much better than others, we&#39;ve decided to rank the best Xbox 360 Flight simulator games of all time.

This list features the most popular and best-selling flight simulator games that were released for Xbox 360. While many of these games were console exclusive, we&#39;re allowing non-exclusives to be a part of the list as well. <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-popular-simulation-video-games-today/ranker-games?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Popular simulation games</a> include war&nbsp;epics like Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII and <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/ace-combat-games/video-game-info" target="_blank">Ace Combat</a> 6: Fires of Liberation.

Vote for your favorite simulators below.

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The Best Xbox 360 Flight Simulator Games

Xbox 360 Flight Simulator Games, Ranked Best to Worst

*in the classic robotic voice* PlayStation

The Best PlayStation Games

When Sony entered the home video gaming console market in 1994, few could have predicted the PlayStation growing in popularity to eventually overtake the market. After all, the Japanese company was a late entry in the video game wars. Hardware aside, one of the biggest&nbsp;factors in the PS1&#39;s dominance in the industry was its insanely expansive <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-playstation-fighting-games/reference" target="_blank">gaming&nbsp;library</a>. After all, it&nbsp;was the system that introduced the world to the likes of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-final-fantasy-characters/ranker-characters" target="_blank">Final Fantasy</a> VII, Metal Gear Solid, Tekken 3,&nbsp;and a litany of others. While the PlayStation&nbsp;had a ton of classic&nbsp;games, most won&#39;t fetch a whole lot, but there are a handful of&nbsp;rare PS1 games that are worth a small fortune today.

With so many games released over the years, several rare PlayStation 1&nbsp;games are considered extremely collectible, as there weren&#39;t as many made or sold as Sony would have liked back in the 1990s. These 15 examples are some of the most sought after and valuable PS1 games around, and people are still clamoring to collect them.

As is the case with most collectibles, prices often vary, which is why when&nbsp;confronted with various prices we&#39;ve opted to list the higher numbers. After all, if those <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/rare-nes-games/kyle-townsend?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">valuable NES games</a> are any indicator, these expensive PS1&nbsp;games will only increase in value over time. These prices also don&#39;t reflect professional-grade copies, which are known to fetch even higher prices.

15 PS1 Games That Are Worth A Crazy Amount Today

15 Rare PS1 Games That Are Worth A Crazy Amount Now

Game Consoles

As one of the best-selling consoles of all time, the original PlayStation has a <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/playstation-one-games-list-of-psone-console-games/video-games-by-console" target="_blank">massive gaming library </a>that includes both blockbuster franchises and plenty of one-off hits. That said, there are tons of underrated <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-playstation-fighting-games/reference" target="_blank">PS1 games</a> that you may have missed.

With the PS5 on the horizon, it seems that gamers nowadays are more focused on what&#39;s ahead than what&#39;s already come before. The original PlayStation may not have kept up in terms of graphics or processing power, but it has an outstanding library of games that players still enjoy to this day. While PS1 series that originated on the console like Final Fantasy, Metal Gear, and Resident Evil have all gone on to be the most iconic in gaming, there are tons of other titles out there that deserve way more love.

Vote up all the overlooked and underappreciated&nbsp;<a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/playstation-one-games-list-of-psone-console-games/video-games-by-console?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">PlayStation 1 games</a> you think deserve more attention, and vote down the titles you think are best forgotten. And if you know of a few great criminally&nbsp;overlooked PS1 games you&rsquo;re still playing today, add them to the list so other players can give them a go.

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The Most Underrated PS1 Games Of All Time

The 30+ Most Underrated PS1 Games Of All Time, Ranked

Arcades may not be as popular as they used to be, but they used to dominate the gaming scene. In fact, some of your favorite game franchises started in the arcade.

The Classic Arcade

Arcade Games

Though not quite as popular as they were in their glory days of the 1950s to the 1980s, arcade games are still a key feature of many resort towns and malls. It’s easy to see why, since the games found in arcades are challenging and fun for both kids and adults, demanding both skills and physical prowess.&nbsp;Even though some of these games might seem like they are impossible to beat, there are a number of tips and tricks one can utilize to get a leg up. Just as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/how-to-win-at-every-board-game/zack-howe">winning at board games</a> often requires figuring out how to use the rules to one’s advantage, beating arcade games is as much a matter of strategy as luck.

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