90s Video Games
As children, there were few things more symbolic than our gaming systems. Little did we know that in 1992, when we got our hands on our very first Super Nintendo consoles, our lives would be affected by video games forever. Of course, we would move on to Sega Genesis, N64, and Playstation 1, 2 & 3—but the ‘90s is when we started our life-long love affair with games.
Kristi Jut [Contributor]
Something all of us ‘90s kids just can’t shake from our identity is our attachment to video games.
As children, there were few things more symbolic than our gaming systems. Little did we know that in 1992, when we got our hands on our very first Super Nintendo consoles, our lives would be affected by video games forever. Of course, we would move on to Sega Genesis, N64, and Playstation 1, 2 & 3—but the ‘90s is when we started our life-long love affair with games.
The Runner caught up with Gamedeals video-game store owner and enthusiast, Brian Hughes, to bring you the top ten best video games of the ‘90s:
Super Mario World (SNES):
Duh, the first SNES consoles to come out included a “Super Mario package” with the console, one controller and The Super Mario World cartridge. We needlessly say that Mario, Luigi and Yoshi left an impression on our generation that we will take to the grave.
Street Fighter II (SNES):
It’s an anomaly that everyone knows Street Fighter II and no one knows of, or has played, the first one. Did the first game fall off the boat and sink into the abyss whilst travelling from Japan? Will those sea monsters ever know the fortune they were bestowed?! No, the original street fighter was actually an arcade game called “Street Fighter 2010” that came out a few years earlier than the SNES game. But we digress, Street Fighter II and Street Fighter II TURBO were the premiere fighting games of its time, with character each having their own special advances. Blanka is an all-around favourite, with lizard-human green skin, orange hair and the ability to electrocute or bite opponent’s faces off. Chinese scissor-kicking spitfire, Chun-Li, was the hero of many a young girl in ’92, whose turbo-kicks and helicopter spins could annihilate lame-ass military Ken or kung-fu Ryu any day, any time.
Final Fantasy VII(PSX):
Crammed over three-discs, this game literally stole your life away from you. Most young boys at the time spent over 60 hours slaving away at this game. Combining astounding graphics and cinematics, as well as a detailed battle-system, this game trumped its super Nintendo predecessor. Even 12 years after its release, its concept is still spawning spin-off games and movies.
Golden Eye 007 (N64):
Self-proclaimed nerds know that this game revolutionized the first-person shooter genre. Playing solo, the game followed the GoldenEye storyline closely; while multi-player modes offered death-match or capture-the-flag. Players could choose any of the classic Bond characters including OddJob and Jaws. This was one of the first games (and systems) to feature multiple-players and the rumble-pack.
Legend of Zelda-Ocarina of Time (N64):
“Traditionally known as the best game of all time,” according to Hughes. After showing up twice in NES and once again for SNES, this game perfected the “Zelda” formula in terms of storyline and invented fun, new game-play. Fishing, anyone?
Donkey Kong Country 2-Diddy’s Kong Quest (SNES):
According to Rael Linford, Gamedeals employee, this game was more popular than the first Donkey Kong Country for Super Nintendo. It was longer and more challenging than the first one, and introduced Dixie Kong and her amazing helicopter-ponytail. With more detailed character-models, this game was a step above the two-dimensional Super Mario.
Wipeout XL (Playstation):
This is a futuristic racing game, best known for its acccomp-anying music. “[It was] incredibly popular because of its soundtrack,” says Hughes, which included Prodigy and The Chemical Brothers.
NBA JAM (Genesis):
Who wasn’t wearing a basketball jersey in ’94? This game came out when Basketball popularity was at its peak, giving any 10-year-old the power to be Michael Jordan or Dennis Rodman. In arcade-style, the game was easy to play and the unrealistic number of slam-dunks in a single game just kept kids playin’.
Sonic the Hedgehog: (Genesis):
Gold-ring collecting Sonic was saving the poor, mistreated animals from evil Dr. Robotnik—but it was more like Mario on speed. The game was fast-paced—almost dizzying—as Sonic flung himself in and around looped circuits. Mostly fun because of its cuteness-factor, later games would become even cuter when companion, Tails, came on-board.
Mortal Kombat 2 (SNES, Genesis):
Featuring fatality moves for each character, it’s a more graphic version of Street Fighter II. MK2 showed a catharsis that most parents (at the time) probably wouldn’t want their kids being exposed to. Boasting a wide-range of characters, each with different special talents (i.e. Subzero, Liu Kang and Sonya), MK2 brought up the gruesome level from Street Fighter II’s innocent face-bites to bloody finisher tactics.