5 Legendary Games That Aged Like Fine Wine (And 1 That Didn’t)

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Time isn’t kind to anything, and that’s especially true for video games. Games that were once groundbreaking can quickly feel outdated as technology improves and new games build upon their ideas. However, truly great games never lose their status. While a game like GoldenEye 007 might not be as enjoyable to play today after thirty years, it remains a classic and one of the best shooters ever made.

Many incredible games have stood the test of time. While they might show a few signs of age, they remain just as fun and engaging today as when they first came out. In fact, some are even better now! Let’s celebrate a few gaming classics that are always worth playing, and also acknowledge one that hasn’t held up quite so well.

I’ll aim for a mix of popular and lesser-known games, avoiding the usual choices like Super Mario 64 and Ocarina of Time, and also skipping most early first-person shooters that haven’t held up over time. I’m focusing on games that are still enjoyable today.

Hack And Slash Game That Aged Like Fine Wine: Devil May Cry

Fantastic Level Design, Great Combat, Challenging And Epic Boss Fights…Also, Dante Is Cool

I always enjoy discussing Devil May Cry, and each game has its strengths. Even Devil May Cry 2 has merit, boasting a fantastic character design for Dante and establishing combat mechanics used throughout the series. While Devil May Cry 3 might hold up best today, the original Devil May Cry offers a unique experience unlike any other action game. Dante’s move list is relatively limited, which encourages players to truly master each weapon. It may not be as visually spectacular as later games like Bayonetta, but the gameplay perfectly complements the enemies and environments of the first Devil May Cry.

The level design in DMC is arguably the strongest in the Devil May Cry series, cleverly using backtracking to make the Temen-ni-gru area feel much larger than it is. The game also skillfully reintroduces familiar concepts and boss battles, evolving them in a way that feels fresh and purposeful. While Dante provides some lighthearted moments, Devil May Cry maintains a distinctly Gothic aesthetic and atmosphere, a clear nod to its origins as a spin-off inspired by Resident Evil.

While some aspects, such as the jumping and movement, feel a bit dated now, they don’t significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.

GameCube Game That Aged Like Fine Wine: Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem

A Horror Video Game Masterpiece With Insanely Novel Mechanics That Are Still Impressive Today

Nintendo isn’t usually known for horror games, but Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem remains a standout title in the genre, especially for GameCube fans. While it’s not the most terrifying game ever made, it’s a fantastic experience for anyone who enjoys horror, and a simple recommendation for those looking for a truly unique adventure. You don’t need to feel nostalgic to enjoy it – the game’s story, gameplay, and overall scope still hold up incredibly well today.

Eternal Darkness is a groundbreaking Lovecraftian adventure where you travel through time and play as several different characters. It’s known for its immersive environments and especially its innovative ‘sanity meter.’ As your character loses their grip on reality, the game world around them—and even the game itself—begins to distort. While games like Amnesia later used similar ideas, Eternal Darkness went further by directly addressing the player, breaking the fourth wall in ways that remain genuinely creepy and impressive even today.

It is a real shame that Shadow of the Eternals never quite came together.

Nintendo 64 Game That Aged Like Fine Wine: The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask

OK, I Am Going To Say It: Majora’s Mask Has Aged Better Than Ocarina Of Time

Most The Legend of Zelda games still hold up well today. Ocarina of Time is often considered one of the greatest games of all time, and for good reason. However, Majora’s Mask is arguably even better now, if you enjoy a more mature story and a sense of urgency. Ocarina of Time is the classic Zelda experience – it has a simple story and all the familiar elements fans love. It either pioneered those elements or executed them perfectly, but you can find similar experiences in other Zelda games.

Majora’s Mask is a truly unique game, and its success stems from being a core Zelda experience. It tackles heavy themes like death and loss, creating a dark and unsettling atmosphere that often feels like a horror game. The game is full of bizarre and frightening images. While the gameplay remains classic Zelda, it takes place in a disturbingly haunting world, a far cry from the bright landscapes of Hyrule. More than any other Zelda game, Majora’s Mask makes its characters and world feel incredibly real, and the time-loop mechanic lets you connect with them on a deeply personal level.

While the 3D remake of Majora’s Mask doesn’t hold up as well as the original Nintendo 64 version, it’s still enjoyable if it’s the only way you can play the game.

PS1 JRPG That Aged Like Fine Wine: Vagrant Story

On A Console Filled With Great JRPGs, Vagrant Story Is Among The Very Best

Looking back at popular consoles from the 1990s, many of the original PlayStation’s games haven’t held up well, especially those early attempts at 3D graphics. However, Japanese Role-Playing Games, or JRPGs, are a notable exception, particularly the turn-based ones. While games like The Legend of Dragoon and Final Fantasy 9 don’t look like modern PS4 titles, their strengths still shine through. Then there’s Vagrant Story, a highly respected game from Square that didn’t sell as well as other popular titles because it was released near the end of the PS1’s lifespan. Despite this, Vagrant Story might actually be the most playable JRPG from that console today.

When recommending older games, people usually apologize for the outdated graphics. But with Vagrant Story, you don’t need to make any excuses – the visuals still look amazing. It often feels like a recent game inspired by PlayStation 1 classics, not just a product of them. Beyond the beautiful art style, the combat is incredibly deep, thanks to a robust weapon customization system that allows for diverse strategies. While you can constantly switch weapons, focusing on three key options for different enemy types simplifies things and lets you fully enjoy the excellent combat and exploration.

Horror FPS Game That Aged Like Fine Wine: F.E.A.R.

The Perfect Mix Of FPS Action And Genuine Horror

Let me tell you, Alma Wade is still terrifying. When the first F.E.A.R. came out, shooters were getting pretty solid, and the core gameplay feels super familiar even today. But honestly, what’s kept F.E.A.R. good after all these years isn’t just the shooting – it’s how different it was from all the gritty military shooters at the time. Plus, the enemy AI is amazing; it honestly blows a lot of newer games out of the water. I don’t mean that as a knock against modern FPS games, it’s just that Monolith really nailed it with this game back in 2005.

Action horror games often have trouble blending scares with shooting, but F.E.A.R. did it remarkably well. The game consistently builds tension throughout, instead of relying on just a few jump scares, and the appearances of the character Alma are genuinely frightening and imaginative. The shooting itself is solid, but the overall gameplay is excellent – it requires both careful planning and quick reactions, making it a truly enjoyable experience.

Legendary Game That Aged Like Milk (But We Still Love): Mass Effect

Just Play The Version On The Legendary Edition

As a gamer, I honestly think the Mass Effect trilogy is the best sci-fi series ever made, and the Legendary Edition is the perfect way to play them now. While the original Mass Effect 2 and 3 still hold up pretty well if you already own them, the first Mass Effect… well, it hasn’t aged as gracefully. Its flaws are way more noticeable now than they used to be, so I’d really recommend starting with the Legendary Edition.

The shooting mechanics aren’t as polished as those in many modern, big-budget games, and the missions tend to drag on. The original Mass Effect also shows its age, with noticeably rough graphics and an outdated user interface, even for its 2007 release. Adding to the issues are the Mako vehicle sections, which are often frustrating due to bland environments, making even the decent vehicle controls feel clunky.

There’s really no good reason to play the original Mass Effect anymore, unless you’re interested in its history. The Legendary Edition improves the game in many ways, making it much more enjoyable and letting you fully appreciate what makes it great.

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2025-11-24 23:38