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.