Best Shooting Game From Each Console Generation

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Shooters have come in all shapes and sizes over the years.

The shooter genre has changed a lot over the years. It started with simple light gun games on older consoles, then moved to the fast-paced ‘run-and-gun’ style, and eventually became the complex first- and third-person shooters we play today.

Honestly, no matter what new consoles come out, one thing is always true for me: they’re just incredibly fun to play! It’s been that way through every generation, and I don’t see it changing anytime soon.

Let’s revisit some of the greatest shooting games from every gaming console, all the way back to the very first one – the Magnavox Odyssey.

9. 1st Generation – Prehistoric Safari

The Future Is Now!

Honestly, you can lump any of the light gun games for the Magnavox Odyssey in here.

Because the Odyssey console wasn’t very powerful, its light gun games – like Prehistoric Safari, Godfight!, Shootout!, and Shooting Gallery – all functioned in a very similar way.

What makes Prehistoric Safari stand out? It really comes down to its theming, which was the best of its kind when it was first created. While it seems simple now, you have to remember the limitations of technology in the early 1980s. And let’s be honest, the concept of shooting dinosaurs is just plain fun!

8. 2nd Generation – Asteroids

An Atari Classic

It doesn’t get any more classic than Asteroids.

Asteroids first appeared in arcades and was later brought to home consoles like the Atari 2600. It’s a classic shooting game that’s easy to pick up, but challenging to truly become skilled at.

Asteroids is instantly engaging – you quickly learn the ropes, and then hours just fly by. It’s one of those games that makes you want to immediately start a new game as soon as you lose. Just thinking about it makes me want to play!

7. 3rd Generation – Contra

Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start

Okay, so the early console days weren’t really pumping out the shooters we know and love quite yet, but honestly, Contra still stands out as the absolute best of that generation. It’s just a classic!

Contra is famous for its fast-paced, incredibly difficult gameplay – it’s a game that’s hard to master but impossible to stop playing. It perfectly captures the thrill of classic arcade games, and you can enjoy that experience without even leaving your house.

It’s great that you can play this game with a friend in co-op mode, which should make things a bit simpler. However, don’t expect it to be easy! It requires accurate shooting and skillful platforming, making it one of the best games on the NES.

6. 4th Generation – Doom

The Granddaddy Of Them All

While Doom was technically available on older consoles, it truly shined on PC. It’s a landmark first-person shooter, so it absolutely had to be included on our list.

From the iconic opening guitar to the satisfying feel of grabbing that first shotgun, and the desire to replay even after finishing on a harder difficulty, the original Doom remains unmatched.

I first got into this game way back when, playing it on my old MS-DOS computer. Then I was hooked on the console versions too! It’s funny, I even loved playing it on the Game Boy Advance. And honestly? I’m still completely addicted. I was literally playing it just now while I was writing this – I just spent a whole hour lost in the game!

5. 5th Generation – GoldenEye 007

Bond. James Bond.

The Nintendo 64 is best known for its platforming games, such as Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie, and its popular multiplayer titles like Mario Party, Mario Kart, and Smash Bros. Its impact on first-person shooter games isn’t usually the first thing people think of.

When it comes to fun multiplayer games, GoldenEye 007 was hard to beat. But for me, the best part of the game – despite some clunky controls on the Nintendo 64 – was definitely the single-player campaign.

GoldenEye on the N64 is a standout first-person shooter, even compared to other excellent titles like Perfect Dark and Turok 2. Its gameplay is still incredibly smooth and engaging today. I have fond memories of playing it with friends for hours, and I still enjoy revisiting the single-player campaign. If you get the chance, playing it on Xbox with updated controls is a fantastic experience – you’ll likely fall in love with it too.

4. 6th Generation – Metroid Prime

Still One Of The Best Games Ever Made

The sixth generation of video game consoles featured many excellent first-person shooters, but Metroid Prime and Halo: Combat Evolved were particularly memorable and influential titles.

Halo is a fantastic game, but Metroid Prime still feels special even now. It’s not a typical first-person shooter; it focuses more on exploring and adventure like a Metroidvania game, yet it remains a really great shooting experience.

What truly makes Metroid Prime special is how it combines a captivating atmosphere with a huge world that begs to be explored – and even rewards you for thoroughness. If you’re wondering why Metroid Prime is still so beloved, playing Metroid Prime Remastered is the best way to experience how well it has aged.

3. 7th Generation – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

One Of The Best Call of Duty Games

I’ve often stressed how crucial a good story mode is for shooter games, and within the Call of Duty series, Modern Warfare 2 truly stands above the rest.

Few missions are as memorable as ‘Cliffhanger’ or as talked about as ‘No Russian,’ and the game’s explosive finale was truly unmatched. While the story and gameplay were fantastic, Infinity Ward really excelled with its level design, creating a more visually diverse world with a wider range of colors and environments.

The multiplayer was solid – a refinement of what Call of Duty did well, and at the time, it was among the best around. However, the biggest draw of Modern Warfare 2 was its campaign. It was fast-paced and full of action, complete with unexpected twists and turns reminiscent of a Michael Bay film.

2. 8th Generation – Overwatch

The Former Gold Standard For Hero Shooters

It’s true that Overwatch isn’t as popular as it used to be, and many people now see it as a joke. But it was truly special when it first came out, and the 2016 Game of the Year award was absolutely deserved.

Overwatch doesn’t reinvent the team-based shooter genre, and that’s okay. Blizzard isn’t about coming up with completely new ideas; they excel at refining existing ones and making them exceptionally polished. That’s exactly what they achieved with Overwatch.

Overwatch originally stood out from other games with its incredible design, well-balanced heroes, fun game modes, and unique style. While the game is improving now, it doesn’t quite reach the heights of its original release. Still, those memories of playing with friends or even struggling through matches alone make it all worthwhile.

1. 9th Generation – ARC Raiders

One Of The Best Extraction Shooters

Modern shooting games just don’t feel as good as they used to, and that’s partly because I’ve never really gotten into the Battle Royale trend. But even putting those aside, the big, well-known shooting games aren’t living up to their past glory.

ARC Raiders really stands out as something new and exciting. It’s not only well-made and plays smoothly, but it also has incredibly engaging gameplay that keeps you hooked. While extraction shooters are usually thrilling, ARC Raiders takes that feeling to another level – it’s truly unique.

It’s fascinating to watch how people connect these days, and it makes me miss the early days of Xbox Live. Back then, on the original Xbox and Xbox 360, friendships formed naturally through playing games. You could team up with strangers, build alliances, or just enjoy some friendly competition – even a little trash talk and virtual looting! It was a simple, genuine multiplayer experience that’s hard to find now.

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2025-12-20 22:41