The 1990s was a golden era for video games. It was a time when game developers took the medium to the next level, by introducing new gameplay mechanics, stunning visuals, and mesmerizing storylines. In this article, we’ll take a look at the five most popular video games from the 1990s.
Super Mario World (1990)
Super Mario World was the fifth main installment in the Mario franchise, released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1990. It was a massive success, selling over 20 million copies worldwide. Luckily, you can play this game even without the original console today thanks to emulator games online platforms.
Doom (1993)
Doom was a breakthrough first-person shooter (FPS) game developed by id Software and released in 1993. It was a significant advancement in gaming visuals, featuring 3D graphics, immersive sound effects, and advanced enemy AI. Doom also allowed players to customize the game through the use of mods, which made it a highly-replayable game that still has an active modding community to this day.
Street Fighter II (1991)
Street Fighter II was released in 1991 and quickly became a global phenomenon. It revolutionized the fighting game genre with its unique blend of precision controls, varied characters with unique fighting styles, and high-intensity matches. Street Fighter II was also one of the first video games to have a competitive scene, with players participating in global tournaments and building a community that exists to this day.
Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)
Sonic the Hedgehog was Sega’s answer to Nintendo’s Mario franchise, and it quickly became a success. Released in 1991, Sonic the Hedgehog introduced a new gameplay mechanic that focused on speed. The game had an iconic soundtrack, memorable level design, and a colorful cast of characters, especially Sonic himself. It resulted in a franchise that reached 1.5 billion sales worldwide in 2022.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is widely regarded as one of the best video games of all time. Developed by Nintendo and released for the Nintendo 64 in 1998, Ocarina of Time was a massive leap forward in gaming storytelling, masterful graphics, and expansive world-building. Ocarina of Time features an immersive storyline, memorable characters, and one of the most iconic video game soundtracks of all time. It was also the first game to feature a 3D open-world map, which has become a staple of most modern video games.
In conclusion, the 1990s was a pivotal period in gaming history. Many popular video games like Doom, Street Fighter II, Sonic the Hedgehog, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Super Mario World were released, and many of them have continued to be relevant today. These games were ground-breaking, and their impact still resonates in the gaming industry, inspiring a new generation of developers to push the boundaries of what is possible.
