Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 took the foundation of the first game and perfected it, creating the definitive skateboarding experience. It lets anyone feel like a skate god, pulling off impossible tricks to an iconic soundtrack that defined a generation. The level design was so addictive that you'd happily replay a course for hours just to nail that perfect run. | © Neversoft
The NES version of Tetris, with its iconic Soviet Mind Game cover, is a pure and perfect version of the puzzle classic. Its simple purple screen and unforgettable music have brought joy to millions. This is the game that started it all, creating a formula so addictive it's still impossible to put down. | © Alexey Pajitnov
Tomb Raider introduced the world to Lara Croft, an explorer who quickly became a gaming icon. You guide her through ancient ruins, solving clever puzzles and navigating treacherous platforms. That perfect mix of exploration, combat, and brain-teasers made her first adventure an instant classic. | © Aspyr
The original Grand Theft Auto established the blueprint for open-world mayhem with its top-down view of a city ripe for crime. It's less refined than its successors, but the core thrill of causing sandbox chaos is all there. Playing this first chapter is a fantastic way to see where one of gaming's biggest franchises truly began. | © Rockstar Games
Metal Gear Solid made sneaking around feel incredibly tense and strategic, creating the stealth genre as we know it. You step into the boots of Solid Snake on a mission filled with cinematic storytelling and political intrigue. Its focus on outsmarting enemies instead of just shooting them was truly groundbreaking for its time. | © Konami
GoldenEye 007 proved that a first-person shooter could feel right at home on a console. It became a legend thanks to its incredible split-screen multiplayer mode. Choosing your character and diving into that chaotic four-player action created countless unforgettable nights. | © Rare
Doom is a true founding father of the first-person shooter, throwing you into hellish landscapes packed with demons. Its fast-paced, run-and-gun action set the standard for every shooter that followed. Thanks to that relentless pace and a dedicated modding community, blasting demons from Mars to Hell is just as fun today as it was then. | © id Software
Final Fantasy VII pushed RPGs into a new era with its cinematic story and a cast of characters you truly care about. You join Cloud Strife and a band of rebels to fight the corrupt Shinra corporation and the legendary villain Sephiroth. It's an epic journey that became an instant classic and remains one of the best-selling games ever. | © Square Enix
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is the side-scrolling adventure that perfected the formula, with stages that shaped the entire future of the franchise. You race through levels as Sonic or Tails, collecting rings and saving critters from the villainous Robotnik. It's a pure, high-speed blast that reminds you why this blue hedgehog became an icon. | © Sega
Street Fighter II is the game that truly created the one-on-one fighting genre. It gave us a wild crew of characters, each with their own iconic moves, such as the Hadouken and Sonic Boom. The mechanics it introduced were so solid that you can still feel their influence in nearly every fighting game released since. | © Capcom
Super Mario 64 completely changed the game by bringing Mario into 3D for the very first time. You get to jump and explore through Princess Peach's castle, collecting Power Stars to unlock wild new worlds. Its brilliant design makes it a timeless entry in the Mario series that still feels fantastic to play today. | © Nintendo
As Simon Belmont in Castlevania, your mission is to storm Dracula's castle with your trusty whip. The game is known for its tough but fair challenge, setting a high bar for action-platformers. And you'll battle through every level with an incredibly catchy soundtrack stuck in your head. | © Konami
Super Mario World isn't just a classic; many still call it one of the greatest games ever made. It perfected the side-scrolling adventure with fantastic new power-ups like the Cape Feather, letting you soar through the air. This is also the game that introduced Yoshi, giving Mario a dinosaur pal to ride and adding a whole new layer of fun. | © Nintendo
Just seeing that yellow circle instantly takes you back to the arcade. The goal of Pac-Man is simple: munch all the dots while avoiding those pesky ghosts. That tense chase around a corner, barely escaping Blinky, is a feeling that never gets old. | © Namco
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time still holds the highest Metacritic score of any game for a good reason. Its epic journey, from battling bosses like Twinrova to saving Hyrule, set a blueprint that many games still follow. The world is packed with character, making it an incredibly immersive experience that has stuck with players for decades. | © Nintendo
Thinking about diving into retro gaming but not sure where to start? You're in the right place. We've picked out the 15 best classics that are just as fun to play today as they were decades ago.
