Video Games From 2007 That Are Now Modern Classics 19 Years Later

2007 was a pivotal year for video games. The PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii were becoming established, and players were starting to choose their preferred console. This marked the beginning of the seventh generation of consoles, which, like those before it, would significantly shape the gaming landscape.

2007 was an incredible year for video games, with a wide range of amazing titles released across all genres. It even saw an unexpected and legendary team-up between two popular gaming icons. Here’s a look at some of the highlights from that year.

10. Super Mario Galaxy

Platforming Perfection

The music in the menu is also fantastic – gentle and dreamy, it perfectly captures the calm feeling of Rosalina’s observatory while suggesting a grand story to come. There’s just something about orchestral music that works so well, and it was an ideal fit for Mario’s most ambitious adventure up to that point – a journey into space!

The game’s gravity-based mechanics were a clever way to make space feel central to how you play. Once you learned how they worked, you could jump from the bottom of planets to the top and perform moves Mario couldn’t do in previous games. It offered a nice balance between short, unusual challenge levels and larger, more expansive levels packed with collectibles, catering to different player preferences. The gameplay felt fluid, rewarding, and imaginative, much like its even more ambitious sequel.

9. Halo 3

An All-Timer FPS

Man, every game genre has those legendary titles, right? The ones everyone knows, even people who don’t really game. For me, Halo 3 is totally one of those. It’s probably the best game on the Xbox 360, and I still hear people talking about the amazing multiplayer matches they used to have. It’s a classic, and honestly, even if you’re new to the series, you can still feel how important and awesome it was.

As a huge Halo fan, I always loved the story of Halo 3. It’s all about Master Chief teaming up with some surprising friends – 343 Guilty Spark, who we first met in the original game, and the Arbiter, who used to be one of the bad guys! Together, they race against the High Prophet of Truth to stop him from finishing a new Halo ring, and thankfully, they destroy it before the Flood can really get going again. But honestly, what everyone remembers about Halo 3 is the multiplayer. It was so polished and had all those classic modes that still define FPS games today. It was just an incredible experience.

8. BioShock

A Stellar Atmosphere

The strong reaction to the game Judas shows how much the BioShock series still resonates with players, even after all this time. This is easy to see why – BioShock masterfully combines exciting action with a haunting atmosphere and a compelling, tragic story. The ruined city of Rapture embodies its creator, Andrew Ryan, who initially had good intentions, but whose conflicting ideals sparked a devastating civil war. The sequel delved deeper into the implications of using ADAM and the origins of the Big Daddies and Little Sisters, proving that BioShock is far more than just a scary shooter – though being surprised by Splicers in the dark is still genuinely frightening.

BioShock offered a unique take on shooting, combining standard weapons with the special powers granted by Plasmids. The game also featured powerful emotional moments – the way you collect resources forces you to confront the morality of your actions, though avoiding it can make progress difficult. Overall, BioShock was a groundbreaking and thought-provoking first-person shooter that has significantly impacted the genre.

7. Assassin’s Creed

The Beginning Of A Time-Hopping Adventure

The Assassin’s Creed games let players explore different periods of history, from ancient Egypt and revolutionary France to the shadowy streets of Victorian London. The games also include a modern-day storyline, connected to the past through a device called the Animus. Many Assassin’s Creed titles balance events happening in the present with the historical memories players experience, and how those two timelines affect each other. The first game focused on Altair’s adventures in the late 1100s, featuring impressively detailed recreations of cities like Jerusalem and introducing the central conflict between the Assassins and Templars.

After failing to obtain the Apple of Eden, Altair is ordered to eliminate important figures to restore his reputation as an assassin. The game features a thrilling and quick-paced story. While the parkour system would be improved in later installments, the first Assassin’s Creed effectively demonstrated the ambitious scope of the worlds and narratives the series would create.

6. Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Games

Two Rivals Working Together At Last

It’s a familiar story: when old rivals team up, great things can result. During the Nintendo Wii’s popularity, many games featured collections of simple, motion-controlled minigames, and some were surprisingly good. One standout title was Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, developed by Sega. It brought the characters from the Mario and Sonic universes together in friendly competition, as if years of rivalry between Nintendo and Sega had never existed.

The game features a variety of Olympic events you can play on your own or with others, and it makes interesting use of the controller. There’s also a single-player ‘Mission’ mode where you can challenge each athlete in unique ways. Because the game was so popular, more installments were created, adding even more events to enjoy.

5. Mass Effect

The Debut Of A Sci-Fi Legend

There are times when a game feels destined to become a major franchise, arriving as a complete and polished experience. BioWare’s Mass Effect was one of those games, instantly captivating players with Commander Shepard and the terrifying threat of the Reapers – unstoppable destroyers of life. The villain, Saren Arterius, attempts to use a powerful structure called the Conduit, which is actually a relay that could allow the Reapers to invade. Though Saren is defeated and his plans are stopped, it’s clear that the 22nd century is a dangerous time for Shepard and their crew.

As a huge fan, I remember being completely blown away by the first Mass Effect. It really set the stage for everything the series became. What struck me most was how impactful your choices were – you could lose characters you really liked, and those decisions actually mattered down the line, which was something special at the time. The shooting and how you talked to people weren’t perfect, but they were already so much better than in a lot of other RPGs, and it just made interacting with the characters so much more immersive. BioWare really found its voice with this game, telling a fantastic story – though there are other sci-fi adventures out there that I also love, Mass Effect definitely stands out.

4. Odin Sphere

An Early 2D Triumph From Vanillaware

These popular games are nearing their 20th anniversaries, so it’s understandable that many have been updated and re-released over the years. You might be more familiar with the 2016 version, Odin Sphere Leifthrasir, than the original. That version was a significant improvement, streamlining combat and enhancing the graphics. However, even in its initial release, the game was a landmark achievement for Vanillaware.

This game tells the story of a brutal war fought over the Crystallization Cauldron, a weapon of immense power. A dark prophecy hangs over the land of Erion, and the game’s five main characters each share their perspective as the story unfolds. It features exciting, fast-paced combat and beautiful 2D graphics – hallmarks of the Vanillaware style. A timeless classic that now feels even better to play thanks to the Leifthrasir version.

3. Portal

The Cake Wasn’t A Lie After All

The incredibly popular game Portal demonstrated the power of creative physics in gaming. Players control Chell, who explores the Aperture Science Laboratories and tests the unique Portal Gun. The game’s levels are designed as challenging spaces with varying heights and platforms that are unreachable by normal means. The Portal Gun allows Chell to overcome these obstacles by altering objects and creating portals for instant travel.

What really makes Portal brilliant isn’t immediately obvious, but becomes clear as the challenges get harder. However, the game’s lasting popularity is largely due to GLaDOS, the witty and often irritating artificial intelligence. Her sarcastic comments—similar to the character Claptrap from Borderlands, but with less endearing qualities—are a huge part of what makes the game so enjoyable, and many of her lines have become iconic. It’s the combination of clever, inventive level design and a perfectly timed sense of humor that makes Portal, and the entire series, such a delight.

2. Tekken 6

A Fully-Featured Fighter

As a long-time fighting game fan, I always get a little nervous when a series hits its sixth installment. It really needs to feel fresh and push things forward, while still giving us tons to do whether we’re playing alone or with friends. Street Fighter 6 did that with its World Tour mode, but I was happy to see Tekken 6 figured it out way back when too – it added a really cool feature that definitely kept the game exciting!

The game received a boost with the addition of new characters like the mysterious Zafina and Lars Alexandersson, each offering unique fighting styles. The Scenario Campaign introduced epic boss battles and more dramatic cutscenes, while also adding fresh elements to regular fights. The new Rage mechanic, intended to help players who are losing, didn’t quite feel balanced. However, strong online play and an engaging story mode significantly improved the overall experience, as did the extensive character customization options. This installment is easily one of the best main entries in the Tekken series so far.

1. Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune

The Series Would Go On To Make A Fortune

I still remember the first time I played Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune! It was the start of what quickly became one of my favorite series ever. You meet Nathan Drake, this really charismatic explorer who’s hunting for the legendary treasure of El Dorado. Honestly, it felt a lot like playing Tomb Raider – all the climbing, shooting, and huge, over-the-top moments. For its time, it was seriously like playing a movie!

Despite a quick and diverse range of action, the game’s early combat system—including cover and target selection—felt a bit clunky. It took some refinement, likely in future installments, to fully smooth out these mechanics. However, this was a new direction for the developers at Naughty Dog, and they executed it beautifully, leaving fans eager for more of Nathan Drake’s story. They successfully created a lasting PlayStation classic. While Drake isn’t a perfect copy of Indiana Jones, that uniqueness ultimately works in the game’s favor.

2026-02-05 11:36