10 Video Games That Set A New Industry Standard

Every now and then, a video game is released that changes the industry.

Back in the day, there was this unforgettable moment when I fired up Super Mario 64 for the first time and began to explore the castle courtyard, leaping and bounding around like never before. That game introduced a fresh take on gaming that completely transformed not only how we play video games but also how we think about them.

These games are the standard bearers of their genre, bringing games into the future.

It’s challenging to conceive a universe devoid of them: picture a universe without Donkey Kong, where there is no Mario, no platform genre, and perhaps countless other games that wouldn’t exist today. Similarly, consider the impact of Grand Theft Auto III on modern gaming: if we hadn’t walked those 3D open-world streets of Liberty City in the past, what shape might video games take today?

Although such games aren’t widely played nowadays, there were numerous games from the past that match this category.

How about we journey through time and recall the classic video games that pushed the boundaries and defined a new era for the gaming industry?

10. Doom

The grandfather of the FPS genre

Doom isn’t the first FPS in gaming history, but it’s absolutely the most important and innovative.

Back in the day, I was blasting Nazis in Wolfenstein 3D, but that game was just a warm-up for the adrenaline rush of Doom. With its lightning-fast action, intricately designed levels, and an arsenal of legendary weapons, Doom has earned its place as a timeless gaming legend.

Nevertheless, the progress in multiplayer gaming significantly contributed to the legendary status and innovation of Doom. This wasn’t just a game that was enjoyable on its own; it was also a game where you could repeatedly engage with friends, making each playthrough even more appealing.

It’s amusing how effectively id Software revived the series in 2016, going back to the core principles of the franchise. At heart, Doom thrives on fast-paced action where the focus is always on firing before contemplating questions.

9. Half-Life

Maybe Black Mesa…

In the realm of first-person shooters (FPS), I’ve been captivated by games like Half-Life that revolutionized the genre for a fresh audience during its time in gaming. Unlike Doom, which primarily relied on raw gameplay, Half-Life stands out with its exceptional storytelling.

This marked a significant advancement, not only in the realm of First-Person Shooter (FPS) games but across gaming generally. Half-Life’s groundbreaking innovations in game mechanics, storytelling, graphics engines, and artificial intelligence for enemies have laid the groundwork for modern gaming experiences.

It’s often overlooked just how skillfully developers can draw players into their video games today, but in 1998, such immersion was a novel idea. While other games during that time managed to merge gameplay and storytelling, Half-Life elevated this by doing it exceptionally well across all aspects of the game.

In this contemporary gaming era, whether it’s an FPS game or any other type, its achievement and popularity often trace back to Valve and their innovations with Half-Life. That’s why fans eagerly anticipate Valve’s release of Half-Life 3. Their excitement isn’t just about concluding the story, but also about witnessing how Valve will continue to pioneer advancements in gaming.

8. Donkey Kong

An arcade legend

We’ll talk about Mario in just a bit, but first, we need to discuss its predecessor.

One of the classic video games, the initial Donkey Kong, holds a significant place in gaming history due to its groundbreaking advancements and establishment of numerous influential norms that continue to impact the gaming world.

It’s commonly recognized that this video game was pioneering in terms of introducing jumping mechanics, significantly influencing the creation of the platforming genre and revolutionizing the way games were played. However, what many people may not realize is that Donkey Kong accomplished a lot more than just enabling characters to jump.

As you listen to the well-known melody accompanying Donkey Kong’s journey, you discover a narrative hidden within it – one where you cheer for Mario as he attempts to conquer each stage, with the ultimate goal of rescuing the princess. This immersive experience fosters an emotional bond that was not present in other games.

Donkey Kong forever changed the game, and it’s important that we pay it the respect it deserves.

7. Super Mario 64

It’s-a-me!

In the beginning, I deliberately pointed that out. The release of Super Mario 64 marked a significant shift in the platforming genre, moving it into the realm of three-dimensional gaming, and ever since then, we’ve been exploring new horizons in this realm.

Similar to numerous others, I found myself spending countless hours exploring the castle courtyard, attempting to leap as high as possible and stray as far as my feet could carry me, unaware that a whole game lay hidden within the castle walls if one were to venture inside.

A multitude of 3D platformer games that came before have attempted to replicate the triumph of Super Mario 64, yet a significant number of these attempts fell short.

Nintendo acknowledges that Super Mario 64 was a significant success and they’ve attempted to recreate that experience in other 3D games, such as Super Mario Odyssey.

6. Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

A modern crafting miracle

Without a doubt, there are numerous games from The Legend of Zelda series that could be chosen in this case. Ocarina of Time significantly influenced the action-adventure genre much like Super Mario 64 did for platforming games. While some might argue that Breath of the Wild is the more revolutionary choice, I’m opting for its upcoming sequel, Tears of the Kingdom.

As a devoted fan, I must say that Tears of the Kingdom surpasses Breath of the Wild in breathtaking ways, turning the initial Switch launch game into something akin to a high-end tech showcase. The enlarged realm of Hyrule, stretching from its lofty skies down to hidden caverns below, feels more vast and inviting than ever before. It’s an expansive, captivating world just begging to be explored.

Despite its impressive success, what I find most appealing about Tears of the Kingdom is undeniably the crafting system. To put it simply, this system defies logic on a technical level – something that one might expect to be beyond the capabilities of the Switch’s hardware, given the criticism it has faced for being outdated. And yet, Nintendo continues to surprise us all with their seemingly impossible feats.

Tears of the Kingdom offers such an abundance of sights and activities that it truly excels among open-world games. It’s an accomplishment other games aspire to emulate, and I eagerly anticipate witnessing what new heights Nintendo will reach next.

5. Street Fighter 2

The fighting king

After Street Fighter 2 was released, fighting games took on a new dimension. To this day, many consider it as the benchmark against which all other fighting games are measured.

When Street Fighter 2 was initially launched, it boasted an extensive roster teeming with diverse characters, each featuring unique playstyles and distinctive moves to master. This richness brought a fresh dimension to the fighting game genre, as players found themselves needing to understand each specific matchup and tailor their strategies according to who they were facing off against.

Consequently, it sparked a multiplayer craze that no other game from that era could match. Arcades brimmed with people eagerly gathered around Street Fighter II machines, taking turns to challenge each other and strive for supremacy within their neighborhoods.

The popularity of multiplayer games extended to home consoles, significantly impacting console manufacturers’ designs for controllers. They aimed to ensure that these devices could replicate the genuine Street Fighter II gaming experience at home.

4. Grand Theft Auto 3

A whole new open world

Today, the influence of Grand Theft Auto 3, with its immersive, dynamic 3D open-world environment, remains significant. It could be contended that it was GTA 3, rather than Super Mario 64 or DOOM, which established the most groundbreaking new standard in gaming history.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but express my awe at how Rockstar masterfully sculpted Liberty City in a breathtaking 3D open world, offering an unparalleled gaming experience. They’ve consistently built upon this foundation, and it’s this groundbreaking work that not only spawned the wave of GTA clones we’ve seen over the years but also revolutionized the way action games are perceived today.

Each action title is now being assessed against Grand Theft Auto 3 standards. It demands an immersive world for exploration, populated with characters, optional missions, and ample room for freedom and self-expression. My fondest memories from the past revolve around my friends and I carelessly roaming Liberty City, indulging in whatever activities we fancied until our demise, passing the controller to continue our adventures.

Today, the influence of Grand Theft Auto III on the video game industry remains strong; each contemporary action series, be it from Rockstar Games, Ubisoft, Electronic Arts, or Activision, can trace its roots back to this enduring masterpiece.

3. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

Give it the respect it deserves

In a similar vein, all my observations concerning Grand Theft Auto III and action games can be extended to Morrowind within the realm of role-playing games.

Bethesda had a knack for creating vast, captivating realms that were fun to explore. Even though the original Elder Scrolls games might be a bit outdated, they remain surprisingly engaging. However, they lack a certain element, and it’s Morrowind that provides that missing piece.

The unique character it portrays, unlike other Western RPGs, offers a skill system enabling players to surpass divine strength. Additionally, it allows for limitless possibilities, giving players an unprecedented level of autonomy. This aspect continues to be a benchmark for RPGs, with games like Avowed being compared and sometimes criticized for having insufficient freedom.

Among the exceptional Elder Scrolls series, Morrowind stands out as one of the finest games ever created. It’s distinctive and innovative, and its impact is such that many beloved Western role-playing games as we know them today wouldn’t have come to be without it.

2. Dune II

The father of the RTS

Let’s delve into the origins of the Real-Time Strategy genre, following our discussions on the emergence of First-Person Shooters, Platform games, and 3D Open Worlds.

1992’s Dune II pioneered many elements now common in real-time strategy (RTS) games: the ‘fog of war’, resource collection, micro-management, base construction, these features are all present, and surprisingly, it feels much like contemporary RTS games.

It might be less apparent, but classic games like Warcraft: Orcs & Humans drew significant influence from Dune II. In fact, the original artworks were literally borrowed by Blizzard and revamped as their own assets.

If you’re among the newer generation of strategy game enthusiasts who might not recall the gaming landscape of yesteryears, many of the strategies games you cherish today have roots that lead back to the influence of Dune II.

While the game came out for the Amiga, it was remade for Windows in 1998 as Dune 2000.

1. World of Warcraft

20 years going strong

Although Ultimate Online might be considered the first Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) historically, World of Warcraft was the one that made MMORPGs popular in the mainstream.

In the middle to latter part of the 2000s, it was challenging to avoid gamers engrossed in the world of Azeroth. Blizzard effectively struck a chord between making the game accessible and providing an immersive role-playing experience.

From a fellow enthusiast, I must say that while there’s no shortage of traditional end-game content like dungeons, raids, and PVP, what truly sets an experience apart is the journey itself. The lessons we learned from Classic and Hardcore World of Warcraft are a testament to this – it’s not about reaching the final destination, but rather savoring every step along the way.

The true magic of World of Warcraft unfolds when you stray from the traditional routes, forming spontaneous experiences with companions – be they friends or new acquaintances – and crafting unique stories along the way.

Even if there’s no treasure or reward, the excitement of discovering what’s hidden beyond the group of high-level elites is what drives you. The journey itself is always valuable.

2025-03-23 16:11