A Gamer’s Guide to Iconic ’90s Video Games

Video games might have debuted in the mid-20th century, but it wasn't until decades later, in 1972, that they began to catch the attention of the public with the release of "Pong", the hugely successful arcade game created by American game manufacturer Atari. Thanks to the popularity of "Pong," the video game revolution was born, giving birth to iconic games like "Pac-Man," "Space Invaders," and "Galaga."

Gaming systems began to develop continuously, becoming more and more advanced, and home gaming systems were added to the arcade games. Atari, Activision, ColecoVision, and Nintendo gave way to more advanced systems like PlayStation, Super Nintendo, and Sega Genesis that had graphics that far exceeded the early games. But it's the early games of the '90s that remain iconic and are something every gamer should experience.

To compile a gamer's guide to iconic '90s video games, 24/7 Tempo reviewed all fan pages and researched Reddit and Quora. We also checked out the top gaming websites, including IGN, Game Rant, PC Gamer, and more. (If you loved the 1990s, you'll also like the most unforgettable lines from 90s movies.)

• Year Released: 1990
• Platform: Super Nintendo
• Genre: Platformer

The first of the video games from the 90s you should try is "Super Mario World," which many consider to be one of the best of all of the Mario games. There are many levels of platforming goodness here, and you'll have a blast finding all of the secret level endings.

This was the introduction of flying Mario, which was very exciting at the time. The best part is how well it can be replayed. It's not uncommon to see people play this entire game many times during their lives. Best of all, the game isn't too hard, so anyone can play.

• Year Released: 1993
• Platform: PC
• Genre: First-Person Shooter

Originally released as a computer game and then ported to many other systems, "DOOM" is easily one of the best early examples of a first-person shooter that transported you to another world. In it, you play as a marine who's trapped in a nightmare world where monsters and demons roam and try to murder you at every turn.

The player gets to explore, use a variety of weapons, and discover secrets in the expansive world. This is quite a scary game, so it's not for kids, but old-school gamers will love every second.

• Year Released: 1991
• Platform: Super Nintendo
• Genre: Action-Adventure

There have been many Legend of Zelda games released over the years, so there's a lot to choose when it comes to the best game. Many of the best Zelda games even came out during the 1990s. However, this third entry in the series is one of the best.

It's a 2D game, so there are some limitations, but the game still offers a vast world to explore, and it's a blast. The game has great characters, lots of things to see, and many fun but challenging dungeons to conquer. You'll also fall in love with the great story.

• Year Released: 1991
• Platform: Super Nintendo
• Genre: Fighter

Easily considered to be one of the best fighting games of all time, "Street Fighter 2" is an example where the sequel really outshines the original. There's a huge gallery of fighters from which to choose, and they all bring their own style and individual moves.

This is another hit that was presented by the geniuses at Capcom, and they came through in a big way. Many of the other Street Fighter games are considered to be among the best of the genre, but "Street Fighter 2" was truly a breath of fresh air.

• Year Released: 1996
• Platform: PlayStation One
• Genre: Platformer

Although Nintendo was dominating the early 1990s, Sony came out to stake their claim, and they put out many great games during the decade. One of them was "Crash Bandicoot," which was a platformer with a mix of 2D and 3D.

It was a straightforward game, where Crash had to get to the end of the level, but it was very inventive and had a lot of creative gameplay. On one level, you're running through the jungle; on another, you're riding a wild hog, and you never know what will come next. The game is challenging, but it's fun.

• Year Released: 1994
• Platform: Super Nintendo
• Genre: Platformer

Easily one of the most entertaining video games from the 90s, "Donkey Kong Country" is considered one of the best platformers that doesn't star a pair of plumbers. This is side-scrolling fun at its best. You play as Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong as they traverse a variety of wild levels.

In addition to having a blast getting to the end of the stage, there are also a ton of collectibles to gather along the way. You can also ride a variety of animals. There's something for everyone. It's not always the easiest experience, but it's a ton of fun.

• Year Released: 1992
• Platform: Sega Genesis
• Genre: Platformer

You can't talk about the best video games from the 90s without discussing one of the early mascots of gaming: Sonic the Hedgehog. While this pick wasn't the first game in the series, "Sonic 2" is widely considered to be one of the best entries, period, and there have been many games.

Fans liked the wider variety of levels, the increased difficulty, and the addition of his sidekick Tails. It's not the longest game in the world, but it's worth an annual playthrough for some great thrills and a bit of challenge.

• Year Released: 1996
• Platform: PlayStation One
• Genre: Action-Adventure

The year 1996 was a great one for Sony. They had many huge hits, and they were able to begin a great franchise with the original "Tomb Raider." In it, you play as explorer Lara Croft, who must find hidden objects in a series of puzzles.

There are plenty of action scenes and a lot to see and do, which will keep you entertained for hours. The controls left a bit to be desired, but if you can get past that, you're in for a wild ride. The game was such a hit that the character of Lara Croft became a pop culture phenomenon.

• Year Released: 1996
• Platform: PlayStation One
• Genre: Survival Horror

One of the most noteworthy video games from the '90s is the original "Resident Evil." This was a big hit on the original PS1 and the graphics were revolutionary for the time. In it, you explore spooky places with plenty of monsters and bad guys around every corner.

There have been many sequels over the years, but it is worth seeing how the series got started. The franchise is so popular that several feature films have been released to varying results. It's a game that can be scary even by today's standards, so it's worth a play.

• Year Released: 1998
• Platform: Nintendo 64
• Genre: Platformer

"Banjo-Kazooie" continues to be one of the most beloved games from the Nintendo 64 era and beyond. It's a fun romp through a fantastical land, where a bear and his bird friend go through different challenges and collect many different items along the way.

People enjoy the game because it's not too difficult but it's a lot of fun. You never know what will be behind the next corner. There have been several sequels since, but none of them have the fun simplicity of the first entry, so give it a try.

• Year Released: 1996
• Platform: Nintendo 64
• Genre: Platformer

"Super Mario 64" was one of the most revolutionary games in the series, because it was one of the first times that a game was played in three dimensions to amazing success. The game was great because it was much more involved than just helping Mario get from one side of the screen to the other.

There is a lot of exploration in this game and many cool levels, so you're always doing something new. Even though the game can sometimes be hard to control, but it's still a blast, and it's a must-play for anyone who loves the Mario Bros.

• Year Released: 1997
• Platform: Nintendo 64
• Genre: First-Person Shooter

If you asked kids what they were playing in 1997, there's a good chance many would say "Goldeneye 007." This is a game based on the James Bond franchise, but it's way more than that. It's an incredibly fun first-person shooter that has many colorful characters and a fun single-player mode.

However, the real thrills came when you gathered some friends, and played multiplayer. It was great fun to try to hide and strategize how to eliminate your friends, and it provided hours of entertainment. Though the graphics leave something to be desired, it's still fun to play today.

• Year Released: 1992
• Platform: Super Nintendo
• Genre: Racing

If you were a kid in 1992 and you loved video games, chances are that you were playing "Super Mario Kart" at home or with a friend. This game was revolutionary for the time and it was a blast to play. There are many different tracks to try and many great characters straight from the Mushroom Kingdom.

It's a blast to attempt to beat Mario and Luigi on your own or play against friends. While you're likely still having fun playing "Mario Kart 8," there's plenty of fun to be had by going back to the original.

• Year Released: 1999
• Platform: PlayStation One
• Genre: Arcade Skateboarding

One of the later best video games from the 90s was this epic title that featured Tony Hawk, who's considered to be the greatest skateboarder of all time. In this game, you play as Tony or other characters while exploring various skateparks and environments while trying to perform tricks and get points.

The beauty of this one is that even if you never even thought of skateboarding in real life, you'll still love this game. If you love arcade-type action, then try this game at least once. Then, play the other entries in the series, which are just as good.

• Year Released: 1992
• Platform: Sega Genesis
• Genre: Fighter

While half of the kids of the 90s were playing "Street Fighter" games, the other half were engaged in "Mortal Kombat." In addition to being a lot of fun, the game was also very famous during the decade because it sparked an outrage, among parents who thought the game was too violent.

While they were probably right, it's still a great game with many super-charged characters who each have their unique moves. This is not a game for young kids, but if you don't take it too seriously, you'll have a blast.

• Year Released: 1993
• Platform: PC
• Genre: Mystery

Truly one of the most unique games on this list, "Myst" was a revolution when it was released on computer systems during the 1990s. The game is a true head-scratcher. It's a puzzle game that doesn't hold your hand as you try to unravel the mysteries it presents.

Granted, the game may be a bit simplistic by today's standards, but it's still great to go back to if you want to try something completely different. These days, there are plenty of online guides that you can refer to if you get stuck, so it's worth a try.

• Year Released: 1994
• Platform: Super Nintendo
• Genre: Action-Adventure

One of the most exciting, fun, and influential games in history, "Super Metroid" was a blast during the 1990s. This is a sequel that improved on its predecessor in almost every way. You get a map to follow, better weapons, and there are incredible combat mechanics.

This game even helped to create its own genre, the Metroidvania, which many other games follow today. It's worth playing "Super Metroid" at least once so you can truly know what it was like to be a kid in the 90s.

• Year Released: 1999
• Platform: Nintendo 64
• Genre: Platformer

If you loved "Mario 64," then you likely also played the incredible "Donkey Kong 64." This game was developed by Rare, a company that's made some of the greatest games of the time. "Donkey Kong 64" is a ton of fun because it's a massive collect-athon, where you need to find bananas, team up with friends, and explore a very large world. If you were able to spend countless hours finding every hidden object and get that "100 percent" on your safe file, it was a true badge of honor.

• Year Released: 1998
• Platform: PlayStation One
• Genre: Stealth

"Metal Gear Solid" offered a gameplay style that was rare at the time, but it was a ton of fun to learn and try to master the skills that the game required. It's great fun to explore the world and take on the intense challenges.

This is another game that is considered to be highly influential, and it spawned many sequels and spinoffs that are also a blast to play. The narrative and story in this game is also quite impressive. There really is a lot to love about "Metal Gear Solid."

• Year Released: 1990
• Platform: Super Nintendo
• Genre: Role-Playing Game

The final of the video games from the 90s people should be playing is the dual release of "Pokémon Red and Blue Version." In each game, you travel through fun environments as you try to capture Pokémon creatures and then battle them against one another.

It's a blast to see what you'll come across next, and though the game and graphics are a bit simplistic by today's standards, the games are still hours of fun. The games are such classics that it's no wonder why both of them make the list of the 20 best-selling video games ever released.