Video Games From 1998 That Are Now Considered Classics

It’s often hard to realize how special a year is while you’re actually living through it. You usually only appreciate it in retrospect. While gamers certainly enjoyed 1998, looking back now makes it clear: that year might have been the greatest ever for video games.

While some of these games weren’t brand new to everyone in 1998—one popular title was actually released in arcades the year before—this list highlights the best games that North American console players could experience for the first time in 1998. It’s a fantastic collection of titles.

10. The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time

Not Quite Timeless, But Legendary

It’s no surprise that the 3D graphics from the 1998 Nintendo 64 game don’t look amazing today. However, a little visual roughness isn’t enough to overshadow how impressive this game truly was. This was a pioneering era for 3D game design, and developers were still figuring things out. While challenging, this new technology allowed for game worlds that felt vastly larger and more expansive than anything seen before. Many players who experienced it at the time still fondly remember their first ride out of Lon Lon Ranch on Epona, galloping across Hyrule Field – and that moment perfectly demonstrates how well the team achieved this sense of scale.

While not always considered the best Zelda game from beginning to end, Ocarina of Time revolutionized the series by creating a truly massive and immersive world. The ability to ride across the landscape really highlighted the game’s scale. The story, which starts with Link as a child and jumps forward seven years to show him as an adult, emphasized that defeating Ganondorf would be a long and ongoing struggle, spanning Link’s entire life. This also added significant depth to the game world, with locations and characters changing noticeably between the two time periods. Though Ocarina of Time isn’t flawless, it’s widely praised as one of the most influential games ever made, and its innovative targeting system offered surprisingly good camera control for its time.

9. Crash Bandicoot: Warped

Another Time-Traveling Classic

Many platforming games can be incredibly difficult, and not everyone enjoys games focused on collecting items across large, open worlds. The original Crash Bandicoot trilogy, though, excelled at something different: offering challenging, diverse, but relatively short levels. The game cleverly used time travel to create interesting level themes, thanks to the Time Twister Machine, which lets players jump through time ‘portals’. This allows Crash and Coco to collect crystals from a variety of locations, including ancient Egypt, medieval villages, and futuristic cities.

Many consider Crash Bandicoot: Warped the perfect sequel, continuing the success of this classic 90s character. The game kept Crash’s core moves while adding new abilities earned by beating bosses. It also significantly improved the graphics and music, and spiced things up with vehicle-based levels like motorcycle races and airplane sections. Plus, Warped offered even more challenges and secrets, introducing the now-famous Relic challenges to the series.

8. 1080° Snowboarding

A Sporting Masterpiece

Sports like soccer, basketball, and skateboarding have always been popular in video games. Snowboarding games, however, haven’t been as common. Despite this, there have been some excellent snowboarding titles, and 1080° Snowboarding is one of the most well-known and highly regarded.

Snowboarding is challenging to translate into a video game – it needs to feel real, but also be fun to control. This game strikes a great balance. The sport’s variety naturally leads to different game modes, including both fast-paced races and trick-focused challenges. What’s really impressive is the depth of gameplay. To truly master the game and win consistently, you’ll need to learn all the nuances of your rider and each course.

7. Spyro The Dragon

A Platforming Star Is Born

Crash Bandicoot has become popular again recently, but Spyro the Dragon hasn’t had a new game since the Spyro Reignited Trilogy in 2018. That was over a decade after The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon in 2008. Both characters started on the original PlayStation, though Spyro arrived a bit later – in 1998, as Crash was finishing his first three games with Warped. While Spyro the Dragon shares a similar fun, cartoon style and humor with Crash, it also brought some fresh ideas to the gaming world.

In Spyro the Dragon, players take on the role of Spyro, a young dragon on a mission to rescue his fellow dragons from the evil Gnasty Gnorc, who has turned them to crystal. Spyro journeys through the Dragon Kingdom, helping dragons in need, fighting enemies, and collecting treasure – all classic elements of a 3D platformer. As he rescues each dragon, it reinforces the idea that he’s making real progress towards a larger purpose. What sets Spyro apart is his unique abilities – he can glide, breathe fire, and charge – which are used for both combat and solving puzzles. This game was a brilliantly imaginative start to the Spyro series.

6. Tekken 3

Still The Definitive Series Entry For Some

While Tekken 3 first appeared in arcades in 1997, most players likely know the home version released for PlayStation in 1998. This version included significant additions that made Tekken 3 a particularly full-featured fighting game for its time. Many fighting games of that era offered limited content – a basic story mode, versus matches, and perhaps a practice or survival mode. Tekken 3, however, went above and beyond with a lot more to offer.

Tekken Tag Tournament really expanded what players expected from the series. It included Tekken Force, a complete scrolling beat ’em up mode that could keep genre fans playing for hours. For something lighter, Tekken Ball offered a fun, volleyball-style game to enjoy with friends. The game also introduced now-iconic characters like Hwoarang and Jin Kazama, adding to an already impressive roster. Most importantly, it refined Tekken’s core fighting system and introduced entirely new fighting styles, solidifying its place as a legendary title.

5. OddWorld: Abe’s Exoddus

A Harrowing, Heroic Adventure

Man, the OddWorld games just have this vibe unlike anything else – it’s darkly funny and filled with the strangest, coolest creatures. In OddWorld: Abe’s Exoddus, I’m back as Abe, the Mudokon who already saved his people from that awful RuptureFarms factory in Abe’s Oddyssey. But now, the greedy Glukkons are at it again, and things are even worse. They’re literally taking parts from dead Mudokons to make this disgusting new drink called SoulStorm Brew! It’s messed up, but I gotta help my people survive.

Abe’s latest journey to liberate the Mudokons features an improved version of GameSpeak, a system where specific button presses let him communicate different commands. It’s surprisingly versatile! He can say hello, ask for help, or even direct others to perform tasks – like getting extra hands to turn multiple wheels simultaneously. Abe can also temporarily control enemies like Sligs, ordering them around or even making them attack their allies to create a safe passage. This system is cleverly integrated into the game’s puzzles, found everywhere from the Slig Barracks to the brewery, offering elaborate challenges, Mudokons to rescue, and touching story moments. While the controls can feel a bit awkward at times, the game remains uniquely atmospheric and unlike any other platformer.

4. F-Zero X

Burning Around The Track

Most people think of Mario Kart when they think of Nintendo racing games. But while Mario Kart is famous for its chaotic multiplayer action and frustrating items, it doesn’t really focus on the thrill of high-speed racing. If you want that, you need F-Zero. The series truly came into its own in 3D with F-Zero X. Although it wasn’t the prettiest game for its console, prioritizing performance was key, and the developers succeeded.

Racing at high speeds on Big Blue, with its fantastic music and ever-changing landscape reminiscent of Super Mario Galaxy, is an incredibly exciting and unforgettable experience. Beyond typical Grand Prix races, players could also try the challenging Death Race endurance mode and compete against friends. What set this game apart from many racing games of the time was its wide variety of tracks, which kept players coming back for more, even today.

3. MediEvil

You Just Can’t Keep Sir Daniel Fortescue Down

From the start, MediEvil stands out with its unique look. The game centers around a necromancer raising an army of zombies to conquer the land of Gallowmere, a spooky place filled with witches, massive pumpkin creatures, and the terrifying Stained Glass Demon. The only hope for Gallowmere lies with a knight who was once dead, but unexpectedly resurrected. While MediEvil could have been a truly frightening horror game, it chose a different path, opting for a charmingly eerie atmosphere and a darkly funny tone – qualities that have made it a beloved classic.

Luckily, this isn’t a strict platformer, as Sir Dan’s movements feel a bit clunky and the camera can be unhelpful at times. However, the combat is enjoyable and offers a good variety of options, thanks to the many weapons available – everything from swords and axes to throwing daggers, bows, a magical chicken leg, and even magical lightning! Your quest to defeat Zarok will take you through diverse locations like a creepy farm, crystal caves, and a pirate ship. Adding to the challenge, each stage has a hidden Chalice to find, which rewards you from the Hall of Heroes. Collecting them all requires defeating nearly every enemy and solving puzzles – and those memories of thorough exploration are likely why so many players still fondly remember MediEvil.

2. Half-Life

One Of The Most Acclaimed FPS Titles Ever

Picking the most important first-person shooter is tough, as there’s no definitive answer. Games like Doom were revolutionary and fundamentally changed the genre. The original Call of Duty did much the same. However, Half-Life’s impact is undeniable. The ongoing jokes about Valve not releasing a third game show just how much influence Half-Life and its sequel still have on the gaming world.

The original Half-Life game begins with scientist Gordon Freeman accidentally opening a portal to another dimension while experimenting with an unknown artifact. Suddenly caught between hostile aliens and military forces, he has to fix the problem he unintentionally created. Unlike many action games focused solely on combat, Half-Life encourages players to think strategically, offering ways to avoid fights and use the environment to their advantage. The game’s compelling story, which has continued to develop through subsequent releases – including the 2020 VR game Half-Life: Alyx – is as important as the action itself. Released in 1998, Half-Life launched a hugely popular and enduring franchise.

1. Metal Gear Solid

A Deep And Engrossing Experience

The Metal Gear series is known for its meaningful themes, exploring topics like war, history, and the motivations behind human actions. Metal Gear Solid successfully transitioned the series into 3D gaming, maintaining the same thought-provoking depth despite its new look.

When Snake sneaks into Shadow Moses Island, the game isn’t just about defeating bosses. The soldiers he faces are complex characters, often sharing deeply personal stories, regrets, and warnings as they die. They feel like more than just enemies; they have motivations and depth. Similarly, Snake forms genuine connections with allies like Otacon and Meryl, and the game develops these relationships quickly and effectively – a hallmark of the series. Despite this strong focus on character, the game is also packed with exciting moments, like rappelling down a building before a helicopter fight or enduring a tense torture scene. It’s a truly impressive game and stands out as one of the most mature and well-crafted titles from the late 1990s.

2026-01-09 11:37