Growing up in the 1990s was a fantastic experience for anyone who loved video games. The decade brought us some all-time classics like Super Mario 64, Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy 7, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. We still talk about these amazing games – and for good reason! However, many other excellent games from that era have sadly been overlooked and are now largely forgotten.
Whether it was a fantastic Batman game, the silly fun of Boogerman, or a racing game featuring the classic VW Beetle, the 1990s had some great titles that many of us unfortunately never got to play.
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10. Gargoyle’s Quest
Quite The Quest For The Humble Game Boy
Okay, so the original Game Boy wasn’t exactly a super-powerful machine. It definitely limited what developers could do, but even with those limitations, it ended up with a ton of amazing games. It was perfect for platformers, and honestly, Gargoyle’s Quest is a great example of just how good those games could be on it.
This Capcom game might not seem like much at first, but it cleverly combines fast-paced platforming with RPG features like character upgrades, creating a surprisingly rich experience. You play as Firebrand, a gargoyle on a mission to defeat the powerful Destroyers. Unlike many similar games from that era, Firebrand doesn’t just run and jump – he can fly and fight, which allows for more creative level design and a greater emphasis on action. It’s a hidden gem that deserves more attention.
9. Chuck Rock
A Rock-Throwing Good Time
The 1990s were a golden age for platforming games. While classics like Mario and Sonic remain popular today, many other titles from that era have faded into obscurity. Chuck Rock is one such example. His first game, released in 1992 for the SNES, Sega Genesis, and other consoles, featured a fun and engaging prehistoric world to explore.
Chuck Rock is a classic action platformer where you play as Chuck, who must rescue his wife, Ophelia, from a villain. The game features familiar platforming levels like jungles and fiery worlds, but it stands out thanks to its creative setting, hilarious animations, and Chuck’s unique abilities. His special move is a belly bounce, and he can also throw rocks and boulders to defeat enemies, reach new areas, and create pathways. Discovering hidden secrets and navigating the levels is rewarding, and the game offers a consistently fun and diverse challenge.
8. Fantastic Dizzy
Egg-celent Platforming From Another Forgotten Genre Star
If you’re a retro gaming fan, you might remember Dizzy, a charming egg-shaped character who first appeared in Dizzy: The Ultimate Cartoon Adventure in 1987. Created by the Oliver Twins, these games were popular for their clever puzzles, and Fantastic Dizzy really showed what made the series special. The game starts with Dizzy leaving his home village to chase after the evil wizard Zaks. To reach Zaks’s castle, Dizzy needs to collect a lot of stars – 250 in the Sega Genesis version! You’ll find them hidden throughout the game, starting in the village and expanding to areas like a forest, a minecart section, and even underwater levels that play a bit like Super Mario.
Unlike many platformers, Fantastic Dizzy doesn’t have typical level starts and finishes, which creates a surprisingly open and free-flowing experience. Despite its short length, it feels like a grand adventure across a big world. The gameplay is straightforward, but finding items keeps things interesting, and the catchy music perfectly matches the game’s colorful graphics.
7. Gauntlet 4
An Evolution Of A Classic Hack And Slash
Gauntlet is a truly legendary adventure game. Like the classic game Rogue, it’s based on a simple yet captivating idea that has influenced many games since. Players select a character and then venture out – either solo or with friends – to battle waves of enemies. The gameplay involves fighting through dungeons, defeating monsters, and solving basic puzzles. Originally released in North American arcades in 1985, Gauntlet has seen several sequels and revivals, with Gauntlet 4 from 1993 often considered one of the best.
Originally released only for the Sega Genesis, this game offers a lot for fans of the series. You can battle friends like in Golden Axe, or team up with them for cooperative play. It also features a quest mode with a story where you travel across different lands to defeat dragons and unlock a hidden treasure. The controls and fighting are easy to pick up, but still offer enough challenge to stay interesting – exactly what you want in an arcade-style action game. Like many games of this type, it’s best enjoyed with friends, and features like character progression add extra depth to the quest, something that would be built upon in future installments. It was a significant game in the series that many players unfortunately missed out on.
6. Boogerman: A Pick And Flick Adventure
A Fascinating And Enjoyably Absurd Time Capsule
Many animated shows and games from the 1990s relied on silly, shocking humor and bright, colorful visuals. Boogerman: A Pick and Flick Adventure, created by Interplay Productions, was a prime example. Released for the Sega Genesis in 1994 and the SNES in 1995, the game fully embraced this style and successfully delivered exactly what it intended – a gross-out, visually engaging experience.
Boogerman immediately grabs your attention – within seconds of starting the game, he’s launching snot at the screen and emerging from a toilet! This bizarre introduction pretty much sums up the entire experience, and perhaps explains why he’s not as famous as other gaming heroes. The story centers around a machine created by Professor Stinkbaum, designed to solve the world’s garbage problem by sending it to another dimension. Boogerman gets sucked into the device, embarking on a disgustingly funny journey through places like the Flatulent Swamps and the Mucous Mountains – think of these areas like levels in Sonic games, but with a lot more bathroom jokes. Just like Mario uses pipes, Boogerman travels through toilets, and he fights enemies by throwing snot and, well, other bodily functions.
Our hero can get around quickly thanks to a short-burst jetpack, and the game world is packed with quirky items like toilet plungers to find. It easily could have been a shallow, forgettable experience, but surprisingly, it’s a really well-made and fun platformer underneath all the silliness.
5. Batman: Return of the Joker
A Triumph For The Caped Crusader
The Arkham games proved that video games based on existing franchises could be genuinely good and respectful of the source material, which was a big relief for gamers. But long before Batman: Arkham Asylum came out, Sunsoft took on a similar challenge with Batman: Return of the Joker for the NES in 1991. They successfully created a fun and well-made game featuring a classic pairing of comic book heroes and villains.
For its time, this game was visually incredible on the NES, with graphics that few other games could match. The energetic chiptune soundtrack is also very catchy. The story, involving the Joker stealing metal, provides a fitting setting for the varied stages – from cathedrals to facilities – each filled with classic platforming challenges like conveyor belts and spike traps. The NES version stands out as a fast-paced action platformer, largely due to Batman’s use of guns – a departure from his usual fighting style. While later versions on other systems weren’t quite as impressive, this remains a solid Batman adventure that often gets overlooked. It can be a bit frustrating at times, but it’s still a worthwhile experience. Even some of the weaker Batman games have their good points, and this title is no exception.
4. Wild Guns
An Arcade Shooter That’s A Real Blast Of Creativity
Many great video games are set in the Wild West, and some blend in elements of the supernatural or future. Wild Guns, released in North America in 1995, is a prime example. Starting in Carson City, the game mixes classic Western settings and enemies with unexpected additions like massive robot bosses and heavily armored opponents. Players control Clint or Annie (or team up in multiplayer) and can move freely around the 2D screen, dodging and performing other quick maneuvers to keep the action fast-paced and fun. A unique feature lets you deflect enemy bullets to charge up a powerful attack, adding a layer of strategy and preventing the gameplay from becoming repetitive.
While the premise of getting revenge on ruthless bandits isn’t groundbreaking, it doesn’t need to be. The game is simply enjoyable, letting you fight your way through diverse levels, all brought to life with charming animation and detailed graphics. Despite a re-release as Wild Guns Reloaded, it’s still a hidden gem many haven’t experienced.
3. Alien Soldier
Treasure’s Gem That Was Only Available Digitally In North America
Many fans consider Gunstar Heroes to be one of the best run and gun games on the Sega Genesis. In 1995, Treasure followed it up with Alien Soldier, another fantastic title that delivered the same exciting experience. Like its predecessor, Alien Soldier features fast-paced, chaotic action, impressive graphics, and the ability to quickly switch and combine weapons to suit your preferences and the challenges you face. The game’s space setting and over-the-top boss battles, complete with bizarre designs and attacks, are typical of Treasure’s unique style.
Okay, so I’m playing as Epsilon-Eagle, this super powerful leader who got totally wrecked and lost in time and space. The game, Alien Soldier, throws you right into a non-stop fight through 25 levels! You only get a tiny breather after beating each crazy boss – and trust me, there are some seriously bizarre bosses. We’re talking giant worms, creatures with blade arms… everything you can imagine. And a lot of these fights aren’t just standing still and shooting; you’re dodging, jumping between platforms over dangerous stuff, all while trying to blast them away. It’s relentless! You really need to get good with Epsilon-Eagle’s moves – he can briefly fly, hover, and has this awesome, super-powerful warp attack. It’s what keeps you alive! What’s really wild is that Alien Soldier wasn’t actually released on cartridges here in North America. You could only play it through the Sega Channel, which is kind of a shame for such a fantastic, but forgotten, classic.
2. Betrayal At Krondor
Sorely Underappreciated Outside Of The RPG Faithful
Growing up playing RPGs in the early to mid-90s was… interesting! A lot of those older games felt a little rough around the edges compared to what we’re used to now – some of the controls and puzzles were seriously weird. But honestly, there were still some amazing titles hidden in there. Before Final Fantasy 7 blew everyone’s minds in ’97, a lot of people hadn’t really gotten into RPGs or JRPGs, which meant awesome games like Betrayal at Krondor didn’t get the recognition they deserved. It’s a shame, really – they were gems!
This computer role-playing game (CRPG) takes place in the world created by author Raymond E. Feist, and begins in the region of LaMut. Players control characters Gorath and Seigneur Locklear as they try to stop an attack by the moredhel. Throughout the nine-chapter story, you’ll build relationships with allies, improve your team’s skills, and change your tactics based on your enemies and who’s in your group. Characters grow much like they do in Skyrim, becoming better at specific skills. The story and gameplay are tightly connected, similar to Baldur’s Gate 3. Even years after its release, fans of fantasy adventures will find this game enjoyable thanks to its strong design. It’s presented with lots of dialogue and explored from a first-person view, making it feel like a classic text adventure, but with a fully realized visual world.
1. Beetle Adventure Racing!
An Excellent Racer N64 Owners Left Standing On The Starting Line
Few cars are as recognizable and cherished as the Volkswagen Beetle. It’s surprising, then, that Beetle Adventure Racing!, a game dedicated to this classic car, isn’t more popular. Released in 1999 for the Nintendo 64, it’s arguably one of the console’s best racing titles. The game seamlessly blends single-player and multiplayer experiences; a Championship mode unlocks content for multiplayer, and the graphics were impressive for their time. Importantly, the tracks are well-crafted and diverse, featuring clever shortcuts and classic racing environments like snowy landscapes, lava caves, and desert trails.
While leaning towards a more realistic style, Beetle Adventure Racing clearly takes inspiration from kart racers. The breakable crates for power-ups are similar to those in Crash Bandicoot, and the energetic music keeps the game lighthearted. Originally released in Australia as HSV Adventure Racing!, it’s a really fun racing game, especially the Beetle Battle mode. It might not be a legendary title, but it’s a fantastic addition to the racing genre.
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2026-04-20 10:38