The gaming industry changes quickly, allowing many old video games to fall to the wayside, only to be forgotten as gamers embrace new consoles and trends.
Despite this, from classic N64 games to Game Boy hits, some old video games seem to never die. These special games might evoke nostalgia or simply have gameplay that can’t be beaten by newer titles.
When the internet was asked, “What’s a video game that will forever be in your heart no matter what age you reach?” gamers around the world chimed in with the games so special that they deserve a place in the Gaming Hall of Fame.
Here’s what they had to say:
1. Roller Coaster Tycoon
“Taught me how to run a business and remove neigh sayers,” said a former RCT enthusiast.
The first version of the game was released in 1999 for Microsoft Windows, eventually also reaching Xbox and the PlayStation 4.
The original version of the game is still available for purchase on Steam.
2. SimCity
The Sims is still an extremely popular game franchise, but it’s come a long way from where it began. The game provided an escape for many and the opportunity to build a dream life.
“I adore the SNES version of SimCity because the music in there is just so spectacular, and it felt so peaceful to play. It was really nice for a kid whose home life was otherwise sheer turmoil,” said one Sims enthusiast.
Though there have been many SimCity iterations over the years, the original came out in 1989. The game was originally released for PCs. A version for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) was released shortly after before the game eventually hit even more platforms.
You can now play SimCity online for free.
3. Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2
Players of the skateboarding game cite the soundtrack as being one of the reasons the game is such a hit, stating, “That soundtrack was top 5 video game soundtracks of all time.”
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2 was released in 2000 for the PlayStation. Later, the game had subsequent ports to the Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Color, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 64, and SEGA Dreamcast.
4. Portal and Portal 2
The internet had high praise for these two casual puzzler games. “It’s one of the very few games that I would call perfect. It has no flaws whatsoever. Truly deserving of a 10/10, unlike so many games that get that score and don’t really deserve it.”
Another went so far as to call Portal 2 the “best single-player game ever.”
Portal was released in 2007, followed by Portal 2 in 2011. Both games were originally released for Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, and the PlayStation 3. They have since been ported to the Nintendo Switch as well as Mac OS X, Linux, and Android.
5. GoldenEye 007
Gamers who love GoldenEye 007 overwhelmingly cite how the game’s multiplayer format brings people together as one of the top reasons they enjoy it.
“I love how everyone who’s played this game has their fave multi-player config, and there’s so many iterations!” said one.
Released in 1997, GoldenEye 007 was developed by Rare and released by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64, based on the 1995 James Bond film of the same name. The game eventually made its way onto the Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and Series S.
6. Skyrim
“Skyrim kept me sane in probably what was my deepest depression. Down bad, just very little hope for life and this “silly little video game” kept my mind busy, kept me interested and engaged in something for a little while.”
The ultra-popular action role-playing game, released in 2011 as part of The Elder Scrolls series, is a favorite of many gamers.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is available for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and Series S. Most recently, the game has also become available for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5.
7. The Oregon Trail
Originally developed in 1971 as an educational game to teach schoolchildren about life as a 19th-century pioneer on the Oregon Trail, mentioning these old video games brings back memories of computer class and grade school nostalgia for many.
“My ‘computer class’ in the 90s was mostly playing this and number munchers,” said one former player.
The classic video game can still be played online for free.
8. Star Wars Battlefront II (Classic, 2005)
“I have fond memories of playing [Star Wars Battlefront II] with my dad around 10 or 11 years ago. It strikes joy in my heart each time I boot it up and play!
“Me and him used to boot it up on our PlayStation 2, and would sit down and play it for hours. We’d do Galactic Conquest, Instant Action, and the Campaign. All we had so much fun with!” commented a lover of the Star Wars franchise game.
Many shared similar stories of playing the game with their parents or children. Released in 2005 as a sequel to Star Wars: Battlefront, the game made its way onto Microsoft Windows, Xbox, PlayStation 2, and the PlayStation Portable (PSP).
9. Donkey Kong Country
Nintendo never fails to make games perfect for groups of friends or family. Donkey Kong Country, released in 1994 for the SNES, may not be quite as popular as the mainline games in Nintendo’s Super Mario franchise, but it still has a loyal fanbase.
“I have amazing memories trying to finish that game with my cousins. It is one of my favorites,” expressed one gamer.
Others chimed in, stating that they felt like the game’s sequel was even better than the first, writing, “Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest is [really] near perfection. It’s the hardest of all DKC games, and the difficulty builds, but most importantly, it builds as skill progression, not just throwing more bad guys in your way.
“It makes for a challenging but gratifying journey.”
The most recent installment of the Donkey Kong Country series, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, was released in 2014 for the Nintendo Switch.
10. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
There are few video game franchises that touch the status that The Legend of Zelda franchise has. Among gamers, Ocarina of Time stands out as one of the best releases in the action-adventure series—an old video game that has lived on in their hearts.
“This was my first ever Zelda. They had a GameCube and Zelda collection bundle around 2003 or 2004. I remember playing Smash Bros, and my brother and cousins always liked Link, so he was naturally my favorite, too.
“When I originally started it, I would call and talk to my older and favorite brother who was enlisted in the USMC and give him updates and ask for his help. I don’t know what he was going through in life at the time (post 9/11 and I was a kid), but he always would listen and make me feel important,” reminisced one player.
Ocarina of Time, released in 1998 for the N64, is the first game in the Legend of Zelda series with 3D graphics. The game has been ported to GameCube, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo 3DS.
11. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Though there have been several installments in the Grand Theft Auto series, fans of the action-packed franchise cite San Andreas as being one of the best to date.
Released in 2004 by Rockstar Games, the game was originally designed for the PlayStation 2 before receiving ports for Microsoft Windows and Xbox in 2005. Now, the game is also available for Mac OS X, iOS, Android, and the Oculus Quest 2, amongst others.
This article was written and syndicated by What the Fab.
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Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
