Best Old FPS Games That Aged Well

I’ve never been a huge fan of first-person shooters, but as I got older, I gradually started enjoying them more, moving from role-playing games to horror, and eventually to shooters. While they’re still not my first choice, I have plenty of favorites, from newer games like Destiny 2 to older titles like Halo: Combat Evolved, that I love to replay.

It’s no surprise that Halo: Combat Evolved remains a great shooter – it was fantastic when it first came out on Xbox and is still enjoyable today. However, some other shooters have aged surprisingly well too. Let’s take a look at what makes Halo: Combat Evolved and these other games still worth playing.

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Halo: Combat Evolved

Start The Fight

Honestly, even after playing all the Halo games, the original Halo: Combat Evolved still blows me away. Sure, the sequels have better graphics and shooting, but nothing compares to how well the first game was put together. From that iconic opening on the beach all the way to the final escape, the pacing and set pieces were just perfect. It’s a classic for a reason!

Whenever I fire up Halo: The Master Chief Collection, I’m instantly thrown back to those late nights playing with my buddy. We’d be crammed on his bedroom floor, fueled by Mountain Dew, and we always sang the main theme song when it started up. It’s definitely a huge nostalgia trip for me, but honestly, Halo: Combat Evolved still holds up. The weapons, the vehicles, those big, open levels – everything feels so iconic and was so groundbreaking back then, that even now, anyone can pick it up and have a seriously good time.

Metroid Prime

Samus Goes First-Person

In Metroid Prime, you play as bounty hunter Samus Aran who lands on a strange planet dominated by a massive, crumbling structure and dense jungle. The game follows the classic Metroidvania formula: you’ll explore the ruins, find upgrades, and then use those upgrades to unlock new areas and continue your adventure.

I didn’t play this game originally on the GameCube, but I loved it when the updated version came out in 2023. Comparing the two versions, the GameCube graphics still look good, but the controls are much improved in the Switch version. Even without any nostalgia for Metroid Prime, I think that proves it’s still a great game in 2026, thanks to its immersive atmosphere, challenging bosses, and fun abilities.

Star Wars: Battlefront 2

The Best Reason For The Clone Wars

I played the PS2 version of Star Wars: Battlefront 2 constantly, and it eventually wore out! It was a fantastic sequel because it refined the gameplay, introduced new features, and included a ton of Star Wars characters and locations that any fan would love. I mostly played as a third-person character, but the first-person controls were solid as well.

Playing the Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection again brought back all the fun – it’s just as captivating as it was back in 2005! While the story isn’t very long, the galactic conquest mode is what always made the game special, offering tons of replayability with its different factions. There might be more technically advanced Star Wars games out there, but Star Wars: Battlefront 2 remains my personal favorite.

Red Faction

Red Rocks

I missed out on Red Faction when it first came out, much like Metroid Prime, but friends always recommended it. Luckily, a PlayStation 4 version released in 2016 allowed me to easily play it on my PS5. The game puts you in the role of a miner working for a large corporation on Mars, and the story begins when a rebellion breaks out, leading to your escape.

While a Mars setting isn’t entirely new for shooting games, the real standout feature of this game has always been how much you can destroy. It’s incredibly satisfying to blast through walls – you can use explosives, or even just a rifle! Beyond the destruction, the game offers impressive levels, fun weapons, and a story with a few unexpected turns, making it a worthwhile experience even today.

Darkwatch

Vampires Of The Old West

I first played Darkwatch as a rental on the PlayStation 2 back in 2005, and later found a copy on sale while I was in college. The game follows Jericho Cross, a recent vampire who wants to get revenge on the vampire who turned him. He ends up joining the Darkwatch, a group dedicated to fighting the supernatural. Players use a variety of cool weapons – like revolvers and crossbows – to battle skeletons and other dark creatures while tracking down powerful vampires.

Darkwatch, a unique Western game with vampires, had a clever mechanic even before BioShock became known for its choices about Little Sisters. In Darkwatch, you’ll face similar decisions – choosing to save or sacrifice people will unlock different power-ups, such as a protective blood shield. I recently played through the game twice, once embracing the dark side and once playing as a lawman. While the dark powers are more exciting, sticking with the law feels more thematically appropriate. Either way, Darkwatch is a really cool and memorable experience.

Timesplitters 2

Gotta Get Back In Time

I spent a lot of time playing Timesplitters 2 on my PS2, though I only ever had the demo disc. Luckily, like Red Faction, it’s now available on the PS5 with minimal changes, just an upgrade to take advantage of the console’s power. This shooter lets you travel through time, taking you to locations like secret Siberian bases and the gangster-filled streets of Chicago during Prohibition.

The game consistently presents interesting sights and environments, and although the controls aren’t quite as polished as those in Halo: Combat Evolved, they work well enough. Revisiting Timesplitters 2 recently made me wish I’d played more of it back in the day – it easily could have become one of my all-time favorite shooters.

Half-Life

Crowbarring Turkeys

Back in high school, all my PC gaming buddies raved about Half-Life, so I snagged a super cheap copy for the PS2. I enjoyed it well enough at the time, but honestly, it didn’t totally blow me away. Looking back, I realize that was because I was playing the wrong version! Recently, I revisited it on my Steam Deck – even though the screen is smaller, it was a much better experience. What really makes the game shine, though, is the whole setup and how it all begins.

The game begins with a slow pace as you play Gordon Freeman, a scientist performing lab work, before a disastrous experiment unleashes alien creatures that turn people into zombies. The game creates a deeply unsettling atmosphere, and much of the story is told through the environment itself. Half-Life’s impact on the gaming world is undeniable – it helped establish Valve as a leading developer – and it remains a compelling experience for players today, especially when played on compatible hardware.

Doom

Throw Up The Horns

Doom was incredibly influential in shaping the first-person shooter genre, and even today, it’s easy to get lost in its fast-paced, energetic gameplay. Replaying a few levels of Doom is as enjoyable as revisiting classic stages in Super Mario World. It’s definitely a more action-packed experience, but surprisingly relaxing in its own way.

My dad brought home an old work computer that could barely run anything except Minesweeper, Doom, and Wolfenstein 3D. I spent an entire summer playing those games when I was in sixth grade, until the computer finally broke down. Doom is a game that seems to run well on almost any system, and honestly, there isn’t a bad way to play it. I even think the version on the SNES is decent. But recently, I played it on Game Pass with my Xbox Series S, and it felt just like that summer all over again.

2026-04-18 01:24