In-depth analysis of the games that defined generations - from NES to PS2, Game Boy to GBA. Filter by system, genre, or score to find exactly what you're looking for.
The TurboGrafx-16's answer to Mario and Sonic stars a bald caveman who attacks with his enormous head. Charming, colorful, and packed with personality, Bonk remains one of the system's defining mascots.
SNK's refined fighting sequel makes a surprisingly capable appearance on the PC Engine, delivering the core Fatal Fury experience with impressive faithfulness despite the hardware gap.
Sega's beloved arcade stock car racer made an infamously rough landing on the Saturn. The gameplay DNA is intact and the soundtrack is legendary, but the technical compromises are impossible to ignore.
Sega's arcade rally masterpiece made a legendary transition to the Saturn. Three tracks, two cars, and some of the most addictive racing ever created. The definitive Saturn racer and a genre-defining classic.
Namco's arcade racing dynasty made a stunning portable debut as a PSP launch title. Gorgeous visuals, silky smooth drift mechanics, and an enormous amount of content made this the handheld racer to beat in 2005.
Iguana Entertainment's sequel delivered some of the most impressive visuals and creative weapons on the N64, including the legendary Cerebral Bore. The sprawling level design, however, is a double-edged sword.
Nintendo's definitive on-rails shooter delivers cinematic spectacle, branching paths, and endlessly quotable dialogue. The Rumble Pak debut is also one of the N64's most replayable games.
Midway's arcade racer made the jump to N64 with significant compromises. The cross-country road trip has its moments, but the choppy frame rate and simplified visuals make this a rough ride.
Rare's ambitious Kong adventure is bursting with content — perhaps too much. Five playable characters, hundreds of collectibles, and a sprawling world that's equal parts impressive and exhausting.
Nintendo's jet ski racer remains one of the most impressive water physics simulations ever created. The waves aren't just visual decoration — they're the entire game, and they're still remarkable.
One of the finest horizontal shooters on the PC Engine CD, Gate of Thunder combines blistering action, a killer Redbook audio soundtrack, and gorgeous visual design into a shoot-'em-up essential.
The pinnacle of classic Castlevania. Rondo of Blood combines razor-sharp level design, gorgeous CD-ROM presentation, and two playable characters into what may be the finest action-platformer of the 16-bit era.
Sega's iconic arcade racer makes a solid transition to the PC Engine, capturing the spirit of sun-soaked coastal driving despite the hardware limitations. A respectable port of an all-time classic.
Nintendo's answer to the extreme sports craze delivered a snowboarding game that prioritized physics and precision over flashy tricks. Challenging, beautiful, and still the best snowboarding game on the N64.
Rare's platforming masterpiece pairs a honey bear and a wisecracking bird in one of the tightest, most inventive collect-a-thons ever made. A genuine rival to Mario 64 — and in some ways, its superior.
The pinnacle of 8-bit platforming. Mario 3 introduced the world map, the Raccoon Suit, and a level of variety that made every world feel like a new adventure.
Not a port of the Genesis original but a unique, challenging platformer built for Sega's handheld. Bridge Zone's music alone makes it worth playing.
A more linear, story-driven Metroid that trades open exploration for constant tension. The SA-X stalking you through BSL Station is one of gaming's greatest horror mechanics.
A game made entirely of boss fights, each a towering puzzle of scale and emotion. Fumito Ueda's minimalist masterpiece strips away everything unnecessary and leaves only wonder.
The best game on Nintendo's worst console. Wario Land VB uses the system's stereoscopic 3D for clever foreground/background platforming that no other game could replicate.
A surreal, heartfelt Zelda adventure on a tiny screen. Link's Awakening DX added color and a bonus dungeon to what was already one of the best handheld games ever made.
Compile's vertically scrolling shooter is the TurboGrafx-16's killer app. Nine stages of intense action with a weapon system that rewards mastery and a soundtrack that slaps.
Capcom reinvented survival horror with an over-the-shoulder camera, tight gunplay, and relentless pacing. RE4 on GameCube remains one of the most influential action games ever made.
Sonic Team's dreamy Saturn exclusive is a score-attack masterpiece wrapped in gorgeous art direction. NiGHTS soars with fluid flight mechanics and an unforgettable soundtrack.
Yu Suzuki's impossibly ambitious open-world adventure was years ahead of its time. Shenmue's living, breathing Yokosuka remains one of gaming's most atmospheric settings.
The games that launched a global phenomenon. Exploring Kanto, catching 151 Pokemon, and trading with friends via link cable defined portable gaming for an entire generation.
Sega's answer to Dragon Quest was ambitious, beautiful, and ahead of its time. Phantasy Star's sci-fi setting, female protagonist, and first-person dungeons set it apart in 1987.
The game that perfected atmospheric exploration. Super Metroid's Zebes is a masterclass in non-linear design, environmental storytelling, and tight action gameplay.
The dream match that fighting game fans still play competitively. KOF '98's massive roster, three-on-three team system, and deep mechanics make it the pinnacle of SNK's fighting legacy.
Rare's genre-defining shooter brought split-screen multiplayer to an entire generation. Two decades later, it still holds up where it matters most — in the chaos of a four-player Facility deathmatch.
The king of the beat 'em up genre. Streets of Rage 2's pixel art, Yuzo Koshiro's legendary soundtrack, and satisfying combat make it one of the best Genesis games ever made.
The game that married Castlevania's gothic action with Metroid's exploration. SOTN's inverted castle, RPG systems, and Michiru Yamane's soundtrack created the definitive 2D action game.